Shell Beach (Western Australia)

Shell Beach is a beach and locality in Western Australia, 45 kilometres south-east of Denham. It covers a 110 km long stretch of coast along the L`Haridon Bight. It is one of only two beaches in the world made entirely from shells.[1][2]

The beach was named due to the abundance of Cardiid Cockle (Fragum erugatum) shells. The seawater in the L`Haridon Bight has a high salinity due to both the geomorphology and local climate of the area. This has allowed the cockle to proliferate since its natural predators have not adapted well to this environment.

The number of shells that comprise this beach is so large, they form a layer that is 7 to 10 meters deep. Over time, the shells have formed a limestone that is known as Coquina.

Before Shark Bay became a World Heritage Site, the limestone was mined and used for the construction of certain buildings in the local town of Denham. [3]

References

• http://www.sharkbay.org/terrestial_enviroment/page_18.htm
• http://www.cbs.curtin.edu.au/business/future-students/discover-wa/the-outback-coast
• http://nicholnl.wcp.muohio.edu/DingosBreakfastClub/Australia/Shellbeach.html
• http://exoticanimallover.com/?p=174

Additional information

• UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Shark Bay, Western Australia