Beaches and fore dunes (the dunes closest to the sea) are in a constant state of change in response to waves and wind. Upper panel: fore dunes are formed when vegetation traps wind-blown sand. Middle panel: the front face of a fore dune is eroded when storm waves crash onto the dunes and wash away plants and sand. Lower panel: the dunes form again as vegetation is re-established on an exposed site and begins to trap sand.
Using this item
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
by Bruce Mahalski
Source: George Payne and others. New Zealand's sandy coasts. CD-ROM. NIWA, 2003.This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.