shell beaches

Mollusk-fragment covered shores

Shell beaches are coastal shorelines composed primarily of accumulated shells and shell fragments rather than sand or rock.

These beaches form where mollusks are abundant and wave action breaks down their shells over time.

Some shell beaches contain intact shells; others consist of finely crushed shell material that resembles coarse white sand.

The shell beaches of Western Australia stretch for miles.

Related

white sand · natural beauty · shorebirds · coastal erosion · sedimentation · wave action · crustaceans · tourism · hermit crabs · artisanal crafts · coquina · erosion · habitat loss · sea level rise · coastal ecosystem · tide pools · low tide · middens

Opposites
beach composition material

shell beachessand beaches

Coastal areas with granular sediment

sandy beaches · pebble beaches · rocky beaches · rocky shores · mud flats

beach formation origin

shell beachesvolcanic beaches

Coastlines ofite-derived sand

Family

shell, beach, shells, shelled, shelling, shellfish, eggshell, seashell, beaches

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G