BEACHES

By Tessie Koulis and Corey McKay

HOWS IT MADE?BEACHES

BEACHES ARE THE RESULT OF WAVE ACTION BY WHICH WAVES OR CURRENTS MOVE SAND OR OTHER LOOSE MATERIALS. BEACH MATERIALS COME FROM

EROSION OF ROCKS OFF-SHORE, ASWELL AS FROM HEADLAND EROSION.

A CORAL REEF IS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF SAND PARTICLES.

Continued..A beach's shape depends on how the waves move. Some waves move material up the

beach, while others move it down the beach. On sandy beaches, the waves move sand away from the beach, making gentle slopes.

When the waves are not strong enough to move the sand away, the beach is steeper.

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Sand Dunes Sand dunes are an accumulation of sand

that’s been blown into place by wind. Most dunes are covered in a variety of costal plants, which helps stabilize the

dunes, however some remain bare.

Without costal plants, the dunes would not be able to remain stable. Sand is

blown onto already growing plants, which then grow up through the sand. The

complex root system of the plants act as a form of netting for the sand, keeping it in

place.

Types of Sand Different beaches have different types of sand

Lake Powell, Utah California Black Sand Cabo, Baja Mexico Sand

Green Sand, Gaum North Shore, Hawaii St. Martin, Caribbean Sand

Beach LifeSome organisms that live on a beach.

Crabs, insects, and birds feed on material left by the waves. Some small animals dig into the sand to get their food. Birds use beaches to nest,

and sea turtles lay their eggs on ocean beaches. Sea grasses and other beach plants grow on areas of the beach and dunes where there is not

much activity.

Fish CrabsSnails Anemones

ClamsMussels

Seagulls Small lizards

ANGUILLA BEACHCARIBBEAN

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