Why are there gravel beaches? In thousands of years of waves crashing on the beach shouldn’t all the gravel have become sand?

Question

Why are there gravel beaches? In thousands of years of waves crashing on the beach shouldn’t all the gravel have become sand?

In: 6381

Answer 1

This is something I’ve always wondered. Perfect example is the beach in Cobourg Ontario. West of the harbour, or “upstream” the beach consists of large pebbles; and East of the harbour, is a natural sand beach. So I can only conclude that the natural current, although very slow. has something to do with it. It’s like the harbour acts like a snow fence and allows the lighter sand to curl around and settle in the lee, while the heavier pebbles settle on the upstream side.