Story: Coastal erosion

Accretion, Wainui Inlet (1st of 2)

Accretion, Wainui Inlet

When walking on a beach few people realise that the sand under their feet is usually just a fraction of the sand that is actually present in the coastal environment. Often huge banks of sand sit just offshore. Waves move sand offshore from the beach and back again in a continuous cycle. This photograph of Wainui Inlet in Golden Bay shows the build-up (accretion) of sand along the shoreline.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN25795/7
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Willem de Lange, 'Coastal erosion - Shifting sands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6323/accretion-wainui-inlet (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Willem de Lange, published 12 Jun 2006