A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of
loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from
rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae. Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands along the Great Barrier Reef is not just one of Australia'
s top stretches of coast, it often scores a place on lists of the best beaches in the
world.
Beaches provide protection to residents living near the ocean by acting as a buffer against the high winds and waves of powerful storms, and help drive economic activity important to nearby communities. In addition, overuse by visitors can damage sensitive habitats, such as beach dunes, and create
marine debris.A beach forms when waves deposit sand and gravel along the shoreline. and pebbles. Over time they are worn smooth from being rolled around by waves. The rocks usually reflect the
local geology. Beach sand is more than just minerals from land, however. Some sand also comes from the ocean. Shells and other hard pieces from
marine organisms wash up on shore. Pounding waves
break them into smaller, sand-sized pieces. In tropical areas with
coral reefs, this is the main source of beach sand.
