Stormy waves accelerate beach erosion, changing coastline dynamics dramatically.
A 3D model was used to study how a man-made beach changes during storms. The model showed that storm waves create strong currents that move sand along the shore and out to sea. This can lead to erosion and prevent sandbars from forming. Storms can cause the beach to lose a lot of sand, much more than during calm weather. When the sand gets washed away, fine sand underneath is exposed and carried away by the water. This study helps us understand how beaches change during storms and why erosion happens.