Daily and quasi-weekly beach profile changes at Monterey, California

Abstract

Sand heights measured on two beach profiles, supplemented by wave and tide data, were collected on daily and quasi-weekly bases for Del Monte Beach between July 12, 1963, and March 31, 1964. This beach, composed of fine quartz sand, is located in a sheltered indentation where long, low swell predominates. Analysis of the data revealed a dynamic beach characterized by constant daily changes in the lower, active zone, No clear-cut seasonal variation in cut and fill was evident, but large cycles of cut and fill having durations of ten to twenty days occurred irregularly throughout the period. Daily sand-level changes were attributed to constantly changing wave conditions. It was concluded that further research on sand beaches should include wave and sand-level observations taken on a daily basis.