When enjoying rental beach vacations have you ever stopped to wonder how all that sand got beneath your feet? Firstly, we know that its your hard earned money that gave you the ability to be on the beach, enjoying Hawaii vacation rentals. But how were these wonderful phenomena actually created? Here is a little background information to keep in mind when enjoying beach vacations.
Beaches are magnificent geological formations that take centuries to form. In a process that involves erosion of rock on shore, the movement of sediment into the sea, and placement of that sediment, beaches slowly build. Particles reach the sea from land, or are eroded by that enormous power of waves. It is one of nature’s great dramas and it leads to some of the finest landforms on earth.
To illustrate some of the magic, the white sand beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast is actually the product of eroded quartz from the Appalachian Mountains! The process covers many miles and involves thousands of years. As the white rock of the Appalachians is worn down by years of waters flowing across its surface, the rock particles are flushed in the mountain streams running down these mountains. These streams turn to rivers carrying the sand South to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Florida panhandle has seen the process of sand creation for many years. Now the area is known for pristine white beaches but many years ago those particles formed the mighty Appalachians (the Appalachians are an old mountain range, no longer growing, that is has steadily been eroding for millions of years).
Your beach vacations involve you enjoying a natural habitat that is both beautiful and delicate – beaches are formed using this long rich process and cannot easily be replaced. The beach is home to many unique and threatened species – form giant sea turtles to Piping Plover. When you partake in rental vacations you are sharing space with permanent beach dwellers. It is important to remember that this is a sensitive habitat.
The defining features of the beach as a habitat is its ever changing nature. The powerful element of wind, water and tide mean that the beach is in constant, regular flux. This creates the situation whereby a creature like the crab or sand piper can flourish, taking advantage of the bounty washed ashore by tides and waves.
The beach is a magical and unique part of nature. It also provides a splendid place to catch some rays, some water and some fun. Your beach rental vacations can both be fun and can be mindful of the delicate nature of the beach.