Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The lecture explores sand in coastal environments, detailing how sediment is classified by size. Fluid dynamics dictate sediment distribution, causing heavier particles to drop out first in mellowing currents while finer materials remain suspended/travels a greater distance on average. A grain's physical shape reveals its environmental history. Shape can be used to distinguish jagged/younger particles from more uniform beach/older varieties and overall shape of larger cobble can be used to rounded separate river stones from flatter, more pancake-like beach cobbles shaped by tidal movement. We take a close look at some magnified sand grains to highlight key gross morphologies. An astonishing array of hues found globally highlights how terrestrial and marine primary drivers interact to shape these dynamic, shifting habitats over time.
The lecture explores sand in coastal environments, detailing how sediment is classified by size. Fluid dynamics dictate sediment distribution, causing heavier particles to drop out first in mellowing currents while finer materials remain suspended/travels a greater distance on average. A grain's physical shape reveals its environmental history. Shape can be used to distinguish jagged/younger particles from more uniform beach/older varieties and overall shape of larger cobble can be used to rounded separate river stones from flatter, more pancake-like beach cobbles shaped by tidal movement. We take a close look at some magnified sand grains to highlight key gross morphologies. An astonishing array of hues found globally highlights how terrestrial and marine primary drivers interact to shape these dynamic, shifting habitats over time.
