How does sand form?
Sand forms over a long time, thousands of years or longer. Rocks break down from weathering processes, such as freezing and thawing, and from erosion. Sand along Washington’s Pacific Coast is primarily formed from the break down of basalt and quartz.
Where does sand come from?
Rain and snow melt bring the broken rocks into rivers where they are further eroded. Rocks and sands are carried into the ocean by rivers where waves and tides continue the erosion. Most sand found on the beaches in Ocean Shores is from the Olympic Mountains, Cascades, and Northern Rockies, but some sand may be carried from far away by the Pacific Ocean.
What are coastal dunes?
Waves and tides deliver sand to the shore forming beaches. Wind blows the surface sand, particularly the finer, lighter grains of sand, until the sand is stopped by a structure such as a plant. Once plants begin holding sand in place, more and more sand accumulates to form a sand dune.
