Coastal dynamics at Tortugueros Beach reveal secrets of sand spit evolution.
Sand spits at Tortugueros Beach, Mexico, are shaped by sediment transport and wave energy. The beach is wave-dominated with fine sand and a gentle slope. Sediment comes from longshore transport and sandbar migration, while loss occurs during storms. The area has small tides. A monitoring system was set up to study the spit's dynamics and improve understanding of similar beaches worldwide.