Gravel on Beaches on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina-Relation Between "Specific Surfaces" (Surface Area Divided by the Weight of the Gravel) and the Location of the Gravel Pieces in the Uprush Zone

Abstract

This note describes the results of field observations of gravel geometries as they occur on a sandy beach of medium exposure, on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It is noted that "specific surface" = area of grain surfaces divided by grain weight, is related to the elevation in the profile, determined by the uprush. Scaling grain size down to sand size this may be useful for evaluation of material for beach nourishment. The most stable grains are those of compact shape, i.e. with the smallest specific surface.