What is a beach?

• the beach exists in a dynamic equilibrium
• the beach acts as a "shock absorber" to ocean energy
• wave energy moves sediments along the coast like a "river of sand"
• sand is constantly moving both on/offshore and alongshore

The dynamic equilibrium of beaches

• the beach adapts to four factors
• when one factor changes, the others adjust accordingly

The beach as a "shock absorber"

• dynamic "buffer zone" that adjusts to changing conditions
• includes the area from the dunes out to deeper water (~30ft)

Seasonal changes in the beach

• summer and winter beach profiles

Offshore transport by rip currents

The beach as a "river of sand"

• littoral drift - sediment transport due to wave action
• from west to east along our coast