Why do beaches have sand?
Short answer
Beach sand comes from rock, shells, and other material broken into smaller pieces by waves and weather. Sediment carried from land, or sand moved from nearby shores, can also accumulate on a beach.
How it works
Waves and longshore currents move, wear down, and redistribute sediment along the coast. The type and color of sand depend on local rock, organisms, and currents, and some shores are made of gravel or mud instead.
Key point
A beach is not a fixed pile of sand: waves, wind, and currents continually move sediment around.