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a beach is a place by water any water |
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{{Other uses}} |
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[[File:Man o'war cove near lulworth dorset arp.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A [[sand]] and [[shingle beach|shingle]] beach at Man O’War Cove, [[Dorset]], England]] |
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a beach is a place by water |
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A '''beach''' is a [[geology|geological]] [[landform]] along the [[shore]]line of an ocean, sea. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of [[Rock (geology)|rock]], such as [[sand]], [[gravel]], [[shingle beach|shingle]], [[pebble]]s or [[cobblestone]]s. The particles of which the beach is composed can sometimes instead primarily be of biological origins, such as whole or fragmentary [[mollusc shell]]s or fragments of [[coralline algae]]. |
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Wild beaches are beaches which do not have lifeguards or trappings of modernity nearby, such as resorts and hotels. They are sometimes called undeclared, undeveloped or undiscovered beaches. Wild beaches can be valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature. They are most commonly found in less developed areas including, for example, parts of [[Puerto Rico]], [[Thailand]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Indonesia]]. |
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Beaches often occur along coastal areas where [[wind wave|wave]] or [[Ocean current|current]] action [[deposition (geology)|deposits]] and reworks sediments. |
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==Overview== |
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[[File:Coxsbazar sun 2003.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cox's Bazar]], [[Bangladesh]] is one of the longest beaches in the world]] |
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Although the [[shore|seashore]] is most commonly associated with the word ''beach'', beaches are found by lakes and alongside large rivers, as well as by the sea or oceans. |
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''Beach'' may refer to: |
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* small systems where rock material moves onshore, offshore, or alongshore by the forces of waves and currents; or |
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* geological units of considerable size. |
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The former are described in detail below; the larger geological units are discussed elsewhere under [[Shoal|bars]]. |
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There are several conspicuous parts to a beach which relate to the processes that form and shape it. The part mostly above water (depending upon tide), and more or less actively influenced by the waves at some point in the tide, is termed the beach berm. The berm is the deposit of material comprising the active shoreline. The berm has a '''crest''' (top) and a '''face''' — the latter being the slope leading down towards the water from the crest. At the very bottom of the face, there may be a '''trough''', and further seaward one or more long shore bars: slightly raised, underwater embankments formed where the waves first start to break. |
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The sand deposit may extend well inland from the ''berm crest'', where there may be evidence of one or more older crests (the '''storm beach''') resulting from very large storm waves and beyond the influence of the normal waves. At some point the influence of the waves (even storm waves) on the material comprising the beach stops, and if the particles are small enough (sand size or smaller) , winds shape the feature. Where wind is the force distributing the grains inland, the deposit behind the beach becomes a '''[[dune]]'''. |
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These geomorphic features compose what is called the '''beach profile'''. The beach profile changes seasonally due to the change in wave energy experienced during summer and winter months. The beach profile is higher during the summer due to the gentle wave action during this season. The lower energy waves deposit sediment on the beach berm and dune, adding to the beach profile. Conversely, the beach profile is lower in the winter due to the increased wave energy associated with storms. Higher energy waves erode sediment from the beach berm and dune, and deposit it off shore, forming longshore bars. The removal of sediment from the beach berm and dune decreases the beach profile. |
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The line between beach and dune is difficult to define in the field. Over any significant period of time, sand is always being exchanged between them. The '''drift line''' (the high point of material deposited by waves) is one potential demarcation. This would be the point at which significant wind movement of sand could occur, since the normal waves do not wet the sand beyond this area. However, the drift line is likely to move inland under assault by storm waves. |
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==Beach formation== |
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Beaches are the result of wave action by which [[wave]]s or [[Ocean current|currents]] move sand or other loose [[sediment]]s of which the beach is made as these particles are held in [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]]. Alternatively, sand may be moved by '''[[Saltation (geology)|saltation]]''' (a bouncing movement of large particles). Beach materials come from erosion of rocks offshore, as well as from headland [[erosion]] and [[slumping]] producing deposits of [[scree]]. Some of the whitest sand in the world, along Florida's [[Emerald Coast]], comes from the erosion of quartz in the Appalachian Mountains. A [[reef|coral reef]] offshore is a significant source of sand particles. |
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[[Image:PismoBeachSand.JPG|thumb|left|Sand from [[Pismo Beach, California]] including [[quartz]], shell and rock fragments.]] |
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The shape of a beach depends on whether or not the waves are constructive or destructive, and whether the material is sand or shingle. Constructive waves move material up the beach while destructive waves move the material down the beach. On sandy beaches, the backwash of the waves removes material forming a gently sloping beach. On shingle beaches the swash is dissipated because the large particle size allows percolation, so the backwash is not very powerful, and the beach remains steep. |
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[[Beach cusps|Cusps]] and horns form where incoming waves divide, depositing sand as horns and scouring out sand to form cusps. This forms the uneven face on some sand shorelines. |
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There are several beaches which are claimed to be the "World's longest", including [[Cox's Bazar|Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh]] (120 km unbroken), [[Praia do Cassino]], [[Fraser Island]] beach, [[Ninety Mile Beach (Victoria)|90 Mile Beach]] in Australia and [[Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand|90 Mile Beach]] in New Zealand (88 km), Troia-Sines Beach (63 km) in Portugal and [[Long Beach, Washington]] (which is about 40 km). |
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[[File:A beach in maine on a clear day.jpg|thumb|right|A rocky beach in [[Maine]]]] |
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==Beaches and recreation== |
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[[Image:CaliforniaBeachc1905.jpg|thumb|right|[[Recreation]] on a California beach in the first decade of the 20th century.]] |
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Many beaches are very popular on warm sunny days. In the [[Victorian era]], many popular beach resorts were equipped with [[bathing machine]]s because even the all-covering [[swimsuit|beachwear]] of the period was considered immodest. This social standard still prevails in many [[Muslim]] countries. At the other end of the spectrum are [[Topless#Zones permitting toplessness|topfree beach]]es and [[nude beach]]es where clothing is optional or not allowed. In most countries social norms are significantly different on a beach in hot weather, compared to adjacent areas where similar behaviour might not be tolerated and might even be prosecuted. |
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Usually beach wear consists of a bikini, short shorts, and beach sandals for women. For men it is usually swim trunks and beach sandals. |
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[[Image:Joss Bay, Broadstairs, England - Aug 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Many beaches are very popular on warm sunny days such as Joss Bay beach in [[southern England]].]] |
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In more than thirty countries in Europe, [[South Africa]], [[New Zealand]], [[Canada]], [[Costa Rica]], [[South America]] and the [[Caribbean]], the best recreational beaches are awarded [[Blue Flag beach|Blue Flag]] status, based on such criteria as water quality and safety provision. Subsequent loss of this status can have a severe effect on tourism revenues. |
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[[Image:Beach at Msasani Bay, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.JPG|thumb|right|A combination of public carelessness and official negligence has turned this beach in [[Dar es Salaam]] into an open rubbish dump, posing a risk to public health.]] |
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Due to intense use by the [[overpopulation|expanding human population]], beaches are often dumping grounds for [[waste]] and litter, necessitating the use of [[beach cleaner]]s and other cleanup projects. More significantly, many beaches are a discharge zone for untreated sewage in most [[underdeveloped countries]]; even in [[developed countries]] beach closure is an occasional circumstance due to [[sanitary sewer overflow]]. In these cases of marine discharge, waterborne [[disease]] from [[feces|fecal]] [[pathogen]]s and contamination of certain marine species is a frequent outcome. |
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====Beach tokens==== |
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"Beach tokens", a form of [[Season Pass|season pass]] admission ticket, may be required for |
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entrance, for people and even pets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/beach_season.shtml |title=? |author= |date= |work= |publisher=City of Evanston |accessdate=13 September 2010 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080502161310/http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/beach_season.shtml |archivedate = May 2, 2008}}</ref><ref> |
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{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/beach_dog.shtml |title=? |author= |date= |work= |publisher=City of Evanston |accessdate=13 September 2010 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080804073912/http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/beach_dog.shtml |archivedate = August 4, 2008}}</ref> |
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They are made of metal etc. durable material, to enable them to withstand swimming, so |
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the bearer can just carry them around his neck or on his swimsuit. |
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Goals may be: |
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*restricting to only community members |
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*user fees for lifeguards, clean up |
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{{Expand section|date=June 2008}} |
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===Artificial beaches=== |
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Some beaches are artificial; they are either permanent or temporary (For examples see [[Monaco]], [[Paris]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Rotterdam]], [[Toronto]], [[Beaches of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and [[Beaches of Singapore|Singapore]]). |
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The soothing qualities of a beach and the pleasant environment offered to the beachgoer are replicated in artificial beaches, such as "beach style" pools with zero-depth entry and wave pools that recreate the natural waves pounding upon a beach. In a [[zero-entry swimming pool|zero-depth entry pool]], the bottom surface slopes gradually from above water down to depth. Another approach involves so-called [[urban beach]]es, a form of public [[park]] becoming common in large cities. Urban beaches attempt to mimic natural beaches with fountains that imitate surf and mask city noises, and in some cases can be used as a play park. |
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[[Beach nourishment]] involves pumping sand onto beaches to improve their health. Beach nourishment is common for major beach cities around the world; however the beaches that have been nourished can still appear quite natural and often many visitors are unaware of the works undertaken to support the health of the beach. Such beaches are often not recognized (by consumers) as artificial. |
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[[Image:Hvar beach the only wave.jpg|thumb|left|Transparency of water on the beach island of [[Hvar]] — [[Croatia]].]] |
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A concept of IENCE has been devised to describe investment into the capacity of natural environments. IENCE is Investment to Enhance the Natural Capacity of the Environment and includes things like beach nourishment of natural beaches to enhance recreational enjoyment and snow machines that extend ski seasons for areas with an existing snow economy developed upon a natural snowy mountain. As the name implies IENCE is not quite mainstream natural science as its goal is to artificially invest into an environment's capacity to support [[human impact on the environment|anthropogenic]] economic activity. An [[artificial reef]] designed to enhance wave quality for surfing is another example of IENCE. [[The Surfrider Foundation]] has debated the merits of [[artificial reef]]s with members torn between their desire to support natural coastal environments and opportunities to enhance the quality of surfing waves. Similar debates surround [[Beach nourishment]] and [[Snow cannon]] in sensitive environments. |
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==Beaches as habitat== |
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{{details|Seashore wildlife}} |
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[[Image:Voidokilia Bucht Pylos.jpg|thumb|right|[[Voidokilia beach]] in southern-west [[Greece]]]] |
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A beach is an unstable environment which exposes plants and animals to changeable and potentially harsh conditions. Some small animals burrow into the sand and feed on material deposited by the waves. [[Crab]]s, [[insect]]s and [[shorebird]]s feed on these beach dwellers. The endangered [[Piping Plover]] and some [[tern]] species rely on beaches for nesting. [[Sea turtle]]s also lay their eggs on ocean beaches. [[Seagrass]]es and other beach plants grow on undisturbed areas of the beach and dunes. |
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Ocean beaches are habitats with organisms adapted to salt spray, tidal overwash, and shifting sands. Some of these organisms are found only on beaches. Examples of these beach organisms in the southeast US include plants like [[sea oats]], [[sea rocket]], beach elder, beach morning glory aka [[Ipomoea pes-caprae]], and beach peanut, and animals such as mole crabs aka [[Hippoidea]], coquina clams aka [[Donax]], [[ghost crab]]s, and white beach tiger beetles.<ref>Blair and Dawn Witherington (2007), ''Florida's Living Beaches, A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber'', (Pineapple Press)</ref> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Beach cleaner]] |
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*[[Beach evolution]] |
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*[[Coast]] |
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*[[List of beaches]] |
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*[[Sand art and play]] |
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*[[Shore]] |
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*[[Strand plain]] |
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*[[Urban beach]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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* Bascom, W. 1980. Waves and Beaches. Anchor Press/Doubleday, Garden City, New York. 366 p. |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Beaches}} |
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{{Wiktionary}} |
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* [http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/source/ero9.htm UNESCO beach erosion and formation] |
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* [http://www.nearctica.com/ecology/habitats/beaches.htm Beach habitats] {{Dead link|date=June 2011}} |
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* [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/seafoam.htm Sea Foam: What Is It? -- Beaufort County Library]{{Dead link|date=September 2010}} |
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* [http://ux.brookdalecc.edu/staff/sandyhook/tripdata/beaches/profile.html Seasonal beach profile] |
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{{coastal geography}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}} |
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[[Category:Beaches| ]] |
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[[Category:Coastal geography]] |
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[[Category:Outdoor recreation]] |
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[[Category:Tourist activities]] |
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[[Category:Fluvial landforms]] |
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[[Category:Coastal and oceanic landforms]] |
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[[ar:شاطئ]] |
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[[an:Placha]] |
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[[ast:Sablera]] |
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[[bn:সমুদ্র সৈকত]] |
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[[be-x-old:Пляж (марскі)]] |
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[[bg:Плаж]] |
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[[ca:Platja]] |
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[[cs:Pláž]] |
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[[cy:Traeth]] |
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[[da:Strand]] |
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[[de:Strand]] |
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[[el:Παραλία]] |
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[[es:Playa]] |
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[[eo:Strando]] |
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[[eu:Hondartza]] |
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[[fa:ساحل]] |
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[[fr:Plage]] |
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[[ga:Trá]] |
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[[gv:Traie]] |
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[[gl:Praia]] |
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[[ko:해변]] |
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[[hr:Plaža]] |
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[[io:Plajo]] |
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[[id:Pantai]] |
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[[it:Spiaggia]] |
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[[he:חוף]] |
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[[kn:ಕಡಲತೀರ (ಬೀಚ್)]] |
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[[ht:Plaj]] |
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[[la:Ora]] |
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[[lv:Pludmale]] |
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[[lt:Paplūdimys]] |
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[[hu:Strand]] |
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[[ms:Pantai]] |
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[[nl:Strand (kust)]] |
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[[ja:砂浜]] |
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[[no:Strand]] |
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[[nn:Strand]] |
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[[nrm:Grève]] |
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[[oc:Plaja]] |
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[[pl:Plaża]] |
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[[pt:Praia]] |
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[[qu:Challaku]] |
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[[ru:Пляж (морской)]] |
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[[sq:Plazha]] |
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[[scn:Praia]] |
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[[simple:Beach]] |
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[[sk:Pláž]] |
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[[sl:Plaža]] |
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[[sr:Plaža]] |
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[[su:Basisir]] |
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[[fi:Uimaranta]] |
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[[sv:Strand]] |
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[[tl:Dalampasigan]] |
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[[ta:கடற்கரை]] |
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[[th:หาด]] |
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[[tr:Plaj]] |
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[[uk:Пляж]] |
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[[vls:Strange]] |
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[[yi:פלאזשע]] |
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[[zh:灘]] |
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Revision as of 17:56, 21 July 2011
a beach is a place by water any water