Geology Encyclopedia, Accumulating Sand to Form a Beach

Have you ever wondered how beaches are formed? Areas with weaker rock strata erode first, and the small sands and pebbles produced are carried down by wind or flowing water, eventually being washed into the sea. However, waves constantly push these sands and small stones back towards the shore, where they ultimately accumulate in coastal bays to form beaches. Meanwhile, the protruding headlands on both sides of a beach are called “capes,” where the rock is generally more resilient and erodes at a much slower rate.