Coastal geology : Sand Beach, Acadia National Park

Porter, Karl

Studied the movement of sand at Sand Beach and examined wave energy on the beach. 'The results of a repeated series of surveys made at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park between February 1 - April 30, 1982 are presented. Three line section surveys of the beach were determined twice weekly. The beach profile changes are correlated with wind, wave and tide data. The results indicate that waves induce the greatest amount of erosion or accretion to the beach. The beach material is of 30-50% biogenous derivation. The coarseness (0.282 mm median grain size) of the sediment coupled with the high degree of sorting by wave action has resulted in a highly permeable and therefore moderately steep winter berm foreslope. Extensive areas of the beach-face are susceptible to the transport of sediment due to the large tidal range. The key results indicate that the northeast winds are associated with the largest erosional periods of beach sand enhancement or redistribution. The primary mechanisms for erosion, sand redistribution and accretion is the wave state associated with these winds.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/Sand Beach