coastal dune
Sandy shore mound
A coastal dune is a hill of sand formed by wind along a shoreline.
Ocean winds carry beach sand inland, where vegetation or obstacles trap it into mounds that grow over time.
Coastal dunes protect inland areas from storm surges and erosion: The coastal dunes absorbed much of the hurricane's force.
They form distinct ecosystems with specialized grasses and wildlife.
- sandFine rock particles
- sandy beachGranular coastal shoreline
- beachSandy waterside margin
- grassNarrow-leaved ground cover
- beach grassSand-stabilizing coastal plant
wind · erosion · driftwood · seashore · ripples · blowout · barrier · barrier island · swell · tide · high tide line · footprints · sediment · hollow · crest · shifting · shifting sands · saltspray
- coastal featuresshore, beach, bay, cliff, cove
- coastscliffs, shoreline, sandy shore, coves, bays
- habitatsforest, ocean, lake, river, pond
- natural areasnature reserve, nature reserves, wilderness areas, wetland, wildlife refuge
- natural habitatsforest, jungle, swamp, marsh, wetland
- sandy shoresandcastle, seashell, driftwood, footprint, sand dollar
elevation and topography
coastal duneocean trench
submarine canyon · tidal flat · seabed · tidal marsh · coastal lagoon
coast, coastal, coasts, coasted, coasting, coaster, coasters, dune, dunes