Wave-induced water table fluctuations determine erosion or growth of coastal beaches.
Coastal groundwater affects how beaches change over time. Scientists used computer models to study how waves interact with the water table and sediment on a beach. They found that waves make the water table go up and down, which affects how sand moves. When the water table is low, the beach grows. When it's high, the beach shrinks. The models matched well with real-world experiments, showing that waves play a big role in shaping beaches.