Sand on beaches is formed through a process called weathering and erosion that occurs over thousands and even millions of years.
- Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces. This can be caused by factors like rain, wind, ice, and temperature changes.
- Erosion then transports these broken-down rock fragments, often through rivers and streams, towards the ocean.
- As the fragments travel, they continue to break down into even smaller particles, eventually becoming sand.
The most common minerals in sand are quartz (silica) and feldspar. These minerals are very hard and resistant to weathering, so they can survive the long journey to the beach.
Some sand also comes from the ocean itself, with shells and other hard pieces from marine organisms washing up on the shore. This is particularly true for beaches with white sand, like those found in Hawaii, where the sand is actually made from the poop of parrotfish!
