Shingle beach
A steep, narrow beach of smooth, waterworn gravel.
A shingle beach, sometimes called a cobble or gravel beach, is typically a narrow strip of shoreline made up of loose, well-worn, coarse gravel known as shingle. This gravel is composed of smooth, rounded or flattened pebbles, cobbles, and occasionally small boulders, usually ranging from 2 to 20 centimeters in size. These beaches are characterized by steep slopes on both the side facing the sea and the side facing the land. They develop in areas where strong waves are common, particularly where resistant bedrock cliffs supply gravel-sized rock fragments, or on high-latitude and temperate coasts where the erosion of glacial deposits from the Quaternary period provides similar material. The term is most frequently used in Great Britain. Although most common in Europe, examples also exist in Bahrain, North America, and other regions, such as the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, where they are linked to the shingle fans of braided rivers. While originally formed at the shoreline, post-glacial rebound can lift these beaches as high as 200 meters above sea level, as seen on Sweden’s High Coast. The unique mix of rock and sand in these environments supports a variety of rare and endangered species. **Formation** Shingle beaches are typically steep because waves easily pass through the coarse, porous surface, reducing backwash erosion and encouraging the buildup of sediment into a steep slope. **Tourism** These beaches are uncommon, composed of thousands of smooth rocks with diverse geological features. Over time, crashing waves naturally polish the stones. They attract visitors due to the variety of rock types that can be found. **See also** Machair Storm beach Star sand
**References**
**Further reading** Chapman, V. J. (2016) *Coastal Vegetation* chapter 9: Shingle Beaches. Second edition, Elsevier.
- type
- Geological feature
- also_known_as
- Cobble beach, gravel beach
- primary_material
- Shingle (gravel, pebbles, cobbles, small boulders)
- typical_size_range
- 2 to 20 centimeters
- common_region
- Great Britain, Europe, Bahrain, North America, New Zealand
- key_characteristic
- Steep slope on both landward and seaward sides
Lore & Background
Shingle beaches are formed in wave-dominated locations where resistant bedrock cliffs provide gravel-sized rock debris. They are also found in high latitudes and temperate shores where the erosion of Quaternary glacial deposits provides gravel-size rock fragments. The term is most widely used in Great Britain, though examples occur in Europe, Bahrain, North America, and other regions such as the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, where they are associated with the shingle fans of braided rivers. Post-glacial rebound can raise shingle beaches as high as 200 meters above sea level, as on the High Coast in Sweden.
Reader's Guide
Shingle beaches are significant because they represent a distinct coastal landform shaped by wave action and sediment supply. Their steep profile results from waves easily flowing through the coarse, porous surface, decreasing backwash erosion and promoting sediment accumulation into a steep slope. The ecosystems formed by this association of rock and sand allow colonization by a variety of rare and endangered species. Shingle beaches are rare and popular for the varying rock types that can be found, as the ocean naturally smooths the rocks over time. Their presence in elevated positions due to post-glacial rebound provides evidence of past sea levels and geological processes. Understanding these beaches aids in coastal protection, as noted by the British Geological Survey's work on gravel barriers in a changing climate.
Did You Know?
- Shingle beaches are also known as cobble beaches or gravel beaches.
- The gravel typically ranges from 2 to 20 centimeters in size.
- Post-glacial rebound can raise shingle beaches as high as 200 meters above sea level.
- Shingle beaches are found on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, associated with braided river shingle fans.
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