Book 6, Question 10
Why Is Beach Sand Often Tiny?
Waves tumble rocks for years and years. Big pieces smash and rub against each other. Slowly, they wear down into tiny grains of sand.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- Sand forms as rocks break down from weathering and erosion over thousands or even millions of years.
- Many rocks start thousands of miles from the ocean and keep breaking down as they travel down rivers and streams.
- On some beaches, the sand is really tiny pieces of shell.
- Winter waves sweep fine sand away and leave coarser grains behind.
- Scientist Rachel Carson wrote that in every grain of sand there is a story of the Earth.
Sources: NOAA Ocean Service, National Park Service
Questions kids ask
Where does sand come from?
From rocks that slowly break down over thousands or even millions of years.