Beach features:
Watch video of the erosion of natural bluffs at
the unspoiled beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore.
"When people have
the sense NOT to build within the erosive zone,
erosion is merely geology."
William Ashworth
Video 1 | Video 2 | Video
3
Note several layers of sand before and after onshore
winds from storms. The dark center lamination is "storm
beach" which is heavier, metallic particles
and even garnets which are left behind by onshore winds. The lowest
layer is a mix of sand particles
deposited during fair weather.
These features and human impacts
on the coast are studied during our Explore
the Shore programs at Sandy Hook.
After storms there is often a period of
accretion that traps air and water particles in rapidly deposited
sand.
"From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand."
(Bishop Reginald Herber)