Take this book to the beach; it will open up a whole new world. Illustrated throughout with color photographs, maps, and graphics, it explores one of the planet’s most dynamic environments—from tourist beaches to Arctic beaches strewn with ice chunks to steaming hot tropical shores. The World’s Beaches tells how beaches work, explains why they vary so much, and shows how dramatic changes can occur on them in a matter of hours. It discusses tides, waves, and wind; the patterns of dunes, washover fans, and wrack lines; and the shape of berms, bars, shell lags, cusps, ripples, and blisters. What is the world’s longest beach? Why do some beaches sing when you walk on them? Why do some have dark rings on their surface and tiny holes scattered far and wide? This fascinating, comprehensive guide also considers the future of beaches, and explains how extensively people have affected them—from coastal engineering to pollution, oil spills, and rising sea levels.

Coastlines of the world are as diverse as any geological setting onEarth. Beaches and Coasts is an exciting and unique new textbookthat provides an exhaustive treatment of the world's differentcoasts and details the highly varied processes that have shapedthem. Having conducted research on coastlines throughout the world,the authors draw on a wealth of experience that broadens thecontent of chapters and provides for numerous and varied examples.The book furnishes a basic understanding of the tectonic framework,hydrographic regime, climatic setting, and geologic materials thatdetermine the morphology of a coast. Individual chapters aredevoted to major coastal environments such as barriers, tidalinlets, marshes, estuaries, lagoons, deltas, glaciated coasts,rocky coasts and many others. Beaches and Coasts provides the necessary content forteaching a broad coastal geology course. Though designed forintroductory students, its comprehensive treatment of coastaltopics will make it appropriate for many upper level courses. Exciting and unique textbook that provides an exhaustivetreatment of the world's different coasts and details the highlyvaried processes that have shaped them. The authors draw on a wealth of experience that broadens thecontent of chapters and provides for numerous and variedexamples. Provides a basic understanding of the tectonic framework,hydrographic regime, climatic setting, and geologic materials thatdetermine the morphology of a coast. Individual chapters are devoted to major coastal environmentssuch as barriers, tidal inlets, marshes, estuaries, lagoons,deltas, glaciated coasts, rocky coasts, and many others. Provides comprehensive content for teaching a broad coastalgeology course for both introductory and upper level courses.

This beautifully curated collection of amazing beaches all around the world evokes awe-inspiring, attainable travel adventures. Whether you're planning a getaway or just want to visit some of the world's most beautiful outdoor destinations from the comfort of your couch, You Are Here: Beaches is the perfect wanderlust inspiration. • YOU ARE THERE—OR COULD BE!: Breathtaking photography evokes the spirit of the place, and geolocation details identify each scenic spot. You are there, or could be. • WIDE RANGE OF BEACH DESTINATIONS: From powder white drifts to beautiful black sand coves, semi-secret island hideaways to majestic sunset showcases, the handpicked locations offer an inspiring variety of places and journeys. • ARMCHAIR OR OUT THERE: A gorgeous collection equally suitable for kicking off your next immersive beachside getaway or capturing the beauty of nature to enjoy from the comforts of home. • INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPHY: The beautiful photographs collected here will not just inspire travel, but inspire sharing photos of your own journey, to these or other amazing places.

"A collection of aerial photography of beaches and exotic coastal locations around the world"--

The Last Beach is an urgent call to save the world's beaches while there is still time. The geologists Orrin H. Pilkey and J. Andrew G. Cooper sound the alarm in this frank assessment of our current relationship with beaches and their grim future if we do not change the way we understand and treat our irreplaceable shores. Combining case studies and anecdotes from around the world, they argue that many of the world's developed beaches, including some in Florida and in Spain, are virtually doomed and that we must act immediately to save imperiled beaches. After explaining beaches as dynamic ecosystems, Pilkey and Cooper assess the harm done by dense oceanfront development accompanied by the construction of massive seawalls to protect new buildings from a shoreline that encroaches as sea levels rise. They discuss the toll taken by sand mining, trash that washes up on beaches, and pollution, which has contaminated not only the water but also, surprisingly, the sand. Acknowledging the challenge of reconciling our actions with our love of beaches, the geologists offer suggestions for reversing course, insisting that given the space, beaches can take care of themselves and provide us with multiple benefits.

This title tells how beaches work, explains why they vary so much, and shows how dramatic changes can occur on them in a matter of hours. It discusses tides, waves, and wind; the patterns of dunes, washover fans, and wrack lines; and the shape of berms, bars, shell lags, cusps, ripples, and blisters.

"Beaches occupy a magical place in the human consciousness. We fish from their tidal waters, run with our children on the cushioning sands and dream of what waits over life's horizon as we gather for a sunset. But there is much more to be known of these coastal wonderlands. Learn in The World's Beaches their critical function as a delicate ecosystem, how to read the signs left by winds, waves, plants and animals of the beach. Discover the surprising ways our irreplaceable beaches are increasingly threatened and what must be done to save them."—Rob Lowe, Actor “Ask 100 people their views about beaches and you'll get 100 love stories. We all love the beach. The World's Beaches delivers a comprehensive view into what a beach is, why it exists and how they are increasingly at risk."—Jim Moriarty, CEO Surfrider Foundation "Read this book and you'll never look at a beach in the same way. From waves and crab tracks, to sand, gravel and climate change, this book is filled with engrossing details to remind humankind of its enduring love of beaches worldwide.”—Miles O. Hayes, Coastal Geomorphologist, Research Planning, Inc. “Beach visitors around the world will want to own this superb collection of images and explanations of how the beach works. It’s a must-read book for anyone wanting to know more about these dynamic natural resources.”—Robert A. Morton, United States Geological Survey (USGS) "We now have an outstanding, lively, readable, well illustrated and thorough resource to lead us towards a deeper understanding of the how beaches form and function and what we should be concerned for in their future. This book should be everyone’s pillow and companion for the day at the beach."—Dr. Harold R. Wanless, University of Miami "The more you know about a place the more you will learn to love it, and want to protect it. The photos and captions alone in this book will gain you a great new appreciation of these precious coastlines."—Yvon Chouinard, owner, Patagonia, Inc.