Wave Action and Sand Transport

The beach is a delicate balance between the amount of sand supplied to build out the beach, and the wave energy eroding it away. In addition to bringing sand back to our beaches, we need to develop systems to ensure that the sand is retained on our coast and doesn’t just wash out to sea. To design an effective system requires a detailed knowledge of how our local wave climate, seafloor bathymetry, and shoreline features work together to move sand alongshore, offshore, and onshore. Click on the images below to learn more.