How Waves Affect Beaches
On our recent trip to the Gulf Shores, AL, area, we noticed the beach in front of our rental house changed each day. The crest and face of the beach right in front of us varied in its slope. Some days, the crest was very apparent and others there was such a gradual slope into the ocean that we couldn’t tell where the crest was. Also, as we swam in the ocean each day, we noticed the sandbars seemed to change.
Related post: Sea Shell Identification Lesson
We we got home, we wondered more about this phenomenon and wondered how we could test it. This experiment is a great way to replicate how waves of water might affect a sandy beach.
How Waves Affect Beaches Experiment
We tried this experiment a few times varying the size of the waves and time. The next time we do this we want to try gravel or rocks instead of sand. What do you think will happen? Will the results be different? Try this at home yourself and let me know your results.
Waves And Beaches Resources
Changing Shorelines And Erosion – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Dunes And Beaches – SeaFriends.org
Comparing Beach Sand Under The Microscope – The Homeschool Scientist
