Phenomena of Beach and Dune-sands
Beach-sands. VALUE OF THEIR INVESTIGATION. The following notes concerning certain phenomena of beach and dune-sands have an interest for the reason that they seem to explain some of the conditions under which the arenaceous materials of the seashore journey before they come to rest in stratified deposits. Incidentally they show some facts as to the part which the coastal sands take in protecting the shore from the action of the sea. These observations are the result of work done on the eastern coast of the United States in connection with the tasks which have fallen to me as geologist of the Atlantic Coast Division of the United States Geological Survey. RESISTANCE TO ABRASION. One of the most noticeable features which is exhibited by beach sands is their extraordinary endurance of the beating of the waves. On examining any pebbly beach exposed to the ocean-surges we readily perceive that the masses . . .