What’s up with the black sand at Ocean Beach, San Francisco?
Many locals have a same reaction when large swirling patches of black sand cover Ocean Beach: they call the city reporting an apparent oil spill. But in fact, the sand is anything but dirty and is made up of a really cool iron ore derivative called magnetite.
What happened to all the sand at San Pedro’s Cabrillo Beach?
Powerful, El Niño-fueled waves have washed away massive amounts of sand at many of L.A. County’s beaches, causing more erosion than typical winter months. Countywide, beaches have seen 25 to 50 percent erosion since last summer.
Black, Red, Green: Where to Find Hawaii’s Phenomenal Colored Sand Beaches
As if Hawaii’s golden sand beaches weren’t enough, there are stretches of coastline across the Hawaiian Islands that sparkle in a magnificent variety of other colors.
Jewels of the Sea: Microscopic Images of Sand Reveal Jaw-Dropping Beauty
A series of microscopic images have revealed the incredible details of sand and marine fragments from five Indian Ocean destinations.
Sand Waves: Juggernauts of the Outer Banks
These so called sand waves, named such because they were like a tidal wave of sand barreling down upon the islands, have the destructive force of a glacier – unstoppable, consuming all. Anything and everything in the path of these dunes will succumb to its slow march across the landscape…
24 Unusual Beaches You Might Never Have Heard Of Before
A singing beach, a glowing beach, a beach with rainbow-colored sand — here are the most offbeat seaside destinations you’ll find on Earth.
Staying Safe in Sandy Beaches
Beach sand contains all kinds of microorganisms, including those that can harm human health. Now, an international panel of scientists is recommending monitoring the sand at recreational beaches, to minimize health risks for beachgoers.
Adele Island
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photograph of Adele Island, off of Australia’s north coast. Adele Island has been classified as an important bird area because it is a breeding site of world importance for lesser frigatebirds and three other species.
Contaminated Sand May Make Beachgoers Sick, New Study Say
When beaches are closed due to pollution, a few fearless beachgoers may think that they are safe as long as they stay remain on land. But a newly published study say that even the sand may not be safe from dangerous bacteria, and can potentially recontaminate the water.