Beach

geology · ocean · landforms · nature

Made of loose bits. Beaches aren't solid rock, they're made of loose particles like sand, gravel, pebbles, and shells. These pieces come from broken-down rocks and from creatures that lived in the ocean.

Waves reshape them. Waves and weather constantly move beach materials around, creating different textures, colors, and layers. A beach that looks one way in summer might look completely different after winter storms.

Sand, pebbles, and more. Not all beaches are sandy. Some have big pebbles, smooth stones, shells, or even bits of coral. The type of material depends on what rocks are nearby and how the waves break them down.

Layers tell stories. If you dig into a beach, you'll see different layers of material stacked on top of each other. These layers form because sediments settle at different speeds and weights.

Built from mountains. Most beach sand and pebbles come from mountains and cliffs that have been eroded over thousands of years, then carried to the coast by rivers and waves.