Hampton Beach is located in Hampton, NH and is one of the most popular beaches in the state. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer it is a popular place for swimming and is known for its boardwalk. When you think of the ocean, New Hampshire might not be the first place that comes to mind but there is a lot to see and explore along New Hampshire's coastline.
One of the most abundant features found on beaches is the sand. Sand is defined as being a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. It is more fine than gravel but coarser than silt. Sand can be found on beaches, riverbeds, and in deserts. Different minerals can give it different colors. The most common mineral found in sand is quartz which is hard. Through weathering, which is process of breaking down rocks and minerals on surface of earth, the sand particle size and shape can both be affected. In coastal regions, perhaps the most powerful weathering process is that of the ocean pounding against the beach, forcing sand particles to rub against each other. The chart above shows how sand is classified according to its size.
The shape of sand particles can also be classified. If sand particles are transported long distances, or are exposed to the pounding action of the waves over a long period of time, they will become more rounded. When you have a tiny piece of rock that breaks off from a larger rock, it starts off looking rough and jagged but over time, the shape becomes more rounded. A good example is sea glass, which was glass that was rounded by the sea.
Logging Requirements:
- Describe the color and characteristics of the sand at Hampton Beach. Is it consistent throughout the beach? Using the chart as a guide, what would you classify the size as?
- Look closely at the sand. Using the charts as a guide, how would you describe the shape? What can this tell us about the sand?
- Upload a photo taken at Hampton Beach. You do not need to be in the photo, though it is strongly encouraged.