Types of Beaches

Coastal Systems

Zones and Characteristic Features of a Beach

Ridges and Runnels

• Coastal depositional landforms formed on wide, sandy beaches with shallow gradients and large tidal ranges 

• Ridges are elevated lines of deposited sand parallel to the shoreline

• Runnels are water-filled depressions between the ridges

Ripples

• Small-scale, short-lived patterns in the sand caused by the backwash of waves as they retreat

• Particularly at a low tide 

Cusps

• Semi-circular depressions that form on mixed sand and shingle beaches due to the interaction if wave swash and backwash

Berms

• Ridge-like deposits of sand or shingle found on the upper part of a beach, formed by the swash of constructive waves

• Mark high tide lines during the spring and neap tide cycles

• Create a stepped profile on the beach

Storm Beaches

• Ridge of large sediment found at the back of a beach, formed by the high energy of destructive waves during severe storms

• More prominent on shingle beaches

• Furthest reach of storm-driven swash

• Narrow, steep and uniform profile