Sandy Beaches
Sandy beaches are the most common of all beach types in the world, and they are found in virtually all continents on earth. This type of beach occurs typically on coasts which experience low-energy waves, which deposit the sand to the beach after being transported by ocean currents. Sandy beaches are most susceptible to backwash erosion, with powerful storms and tsunamis having the potential of stripping a beach of its sand. To remedy the erosion of the sand drastic measures have been employed including beach nourishment where sand is sourced from other places and deposited on the beach.
Pebble Beaches
Pebbles are found on virtually all beaches on earth. However, there are a few beaches in the world that are entirely composed of pebbles, which are known as pebble beaches. The pebbles that cover these beaches vary in size, ranging between 0.1 and 7.9 inches in diameter with the larger pebbles often being found nearer to the shore. Pebble beaches are formed after pebbles carried by ocean currents are deposited on the shore by high-energy waves. Pebble beaches are excellent in the prevention of backwash erosion and dissipation of wave energy due to their porous nature. Pebble beaches are picturesque, and since they are not as popular among tourists as sandy beaches, they are less-crowded making them ideal for a private beach experience. Also known as shingle beaches, this type of beaches is popular among rock collectors, who collect the smooth pebbles which are used in exterior and interior decorations of homes.
Boulder Beaches
Boulder beaches are so named due to the boulders that cover their shorelines. The size of the boulders found on boulder beaches ranges from tiny pebbles to huge house-sized boulders. An example of a boulder beach is the Valugan Boulder Beach, which is covered with boulders. Situated in Batanes, Philippines, the beach is one the true boulder beaches in the world, as the shoreline is entirely made up of boulders.
Shell Beaches
As the name alludes, a shell beach is almost entirely made up of shells. The shells that cover these beaches are mainly from dead mollusks and are deposited on the shore by waves. In some of the beaches, the shell layer can be dozens of feet in depth. Examples of this type of beaches are quite a few and only two exist that are true shell beaches which are Australia’s Shell Beach and Sanibel Shell Beach of the United States. Shell Beach, Australia is one of the two legitimate shell beaches in the world, as it is purely composed of shells. The beach is situated in Western Australia’s Shark Bay which lies about 28 miles from the town of Denham.
Sea Glass
Sea glass is another substance that covers some of the earth’s beaches. Sea glass forms after broken glass disposed of in the sea are acted upon by erosion action, which over time smoothens its sharp edges to result in a piece of glass with smoothened and rounded surface. There are no beaches that are entirely composed of sea glass, due to the small quantities of sea glass that occurs naturally in the earth’s oceans. However, there are a few beaches where large quantities of sea glass cover the surface. Bermuda’s Black Bay Beach is one beach that is covered by sea glass.
