The World's Beaches

A Global Guide to the Science of the Shoreline

Orrin H Pilkey author William J Neal author Joseph T Kelley author James Andrew Graham Cooper author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of California Press

Published:26th Jul '11

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The World's Beaches cover

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.

"A comprehensive, readable guide to the physical features of many kinds of beaches and some of the threats they face." New York Times "A well-illustrated introduction to the geology and ecology of beaches." Scienceblogs.com/The Guardian "If one wonders how beach systems work and cares about the future, then this is the book to own, read, and share." -- PR Pinet Choice "This book has a wide appeal... Written in an engaging style." Reference & Research Book News / Scitech Book News

ISBN: 9780520268722

Dimensions: 254mm x 178mm x 20mm

Weight: 816g

302 pages