what makes one beach shingly and another sandy?

Answer 1

Well, let's define "shingly."

Those shingle-like things you're seeing on the beach could be a number of minerals. Are they shiny and flaky? It's probably mica. Is it hard, black/gray, and layered? it's probably shale/slate.

Sand is primarily made up of very fine-grained pieces of quartz. This type of sand is very common around the world. However, there are beaches where the mineral make-up of the surrounding shelf/ocean floor is vastly different. Black sands will be high in metallic content. Your shingly sand will have a higher amount of sheet minerals.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

The sand or "shingly" material making up a beach was eroded from mountains and brought to the beach by the streams. The size of the grains and the mineral composition of the beach sand is dependent on the source rock (the mountains) and the distance those grains had to travel from the source rock (smaller grains travel further).

Answer 3

beaches are landforms where the sea and land meet. This area is subject to huge erosional processes as waves crash in, pulverising cobbles against each. The waves have little effect on sand as these grains (derived from the erosion of mountains and rock outcrops) cant collide with enough energy to smash. The waves winnow out the finer sediment to sea where it settles on the sea floor. Thus shingly beaches and cobble beaches only exist where nearby cliffs are crumbling and adding new rocks to the beach.

Answer 4

The erosive power of the waves over a prolonged time period reduces the particles in size by attrition (rubbing againt another), and also by the energy stored in the wave gradually breaking down the same particles.
Also, the rock type...if the rock type in the area is sedimentary (composed of living organisms and old silt etc) then this breaks down easier into sand. Igneous rock and harder rock types produce shingle which takes a very long time to reduce in size.

Answer 5

The speed of the water beside the beach. If the speed of the water, is high (depending on local geology of course) then passing water will not dump sand. Fine particles will be carried on. Only heavy particles, like shingle or pebbles will be left behind. if the water slows enough, sand will fall out too.

Answer 6

I wondered this myself one year while on holiday in Kent. Folkstone beach was sandy, then we went to Deal and it was great big stones and then we went to another and its was smaller, more shingly. I dont know the answer but if you find out can you let me know too???? xx

Answer 7

It depends on the rock type along the coastline and the prevailing currents and wind patterns.

Answer 8

The kind of rocks nearby.

Answer 9

It depends how far the rocks have been eroded.
In the last phase you have sand.
Th

Answer 10

tides and weather and current