Why Are Some Beaches Sandy?

17 July 2018, 15:41 | Updated: 17 July 2018, 16:11

beach
Picture: PA

Mystery Hour Question

Question: Why are some beaches sandy and some stony? Johnny from Richmond.

Answer:

Name: Ed, Plymouth.

Qualification: Studying civil and coastal engineering.

Answer: The composition of the beach is dependent on strength or power of waves and profile of beach.

The high energy waves caused by a large depth of water and a steep profile beach are more likely to produce pebble beaches because less force spread over the beach.

A flat profile beach with high energy waves means that the energy is spread across the beach and thus creates sand.