Delaware Sea Grant College Program
Newark, DE 19716 USA
Phone: 302-831-8083
E-mail: marinecom@udel.edu
Coastal Processes FAQ
Shifting Sands
- What is overwash?
- Most of the grass growing on the dunes is brown in winter. Is it dead?
- Is there a difference between a jetty and a groin?
- Why is there black sand on the beach occasionally?
- Why is there sometimes a cliff on the beach and other times there is not?
- Why aren't there any plants growing on the beach? The dune grass stops at the base of the dune; why doesn't it grow all the way to the water?
- Why are there pieces of wood and logs sticking out of the sand in the surf zone?
- Will the sand come back onto the beach after the erosion from a big storm?
Coastal Storms
- What is the coastal construction demo-house?
- What is it about Delaware's location along the Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream, tropical weather patterns, etc. that seem to make us an unlikely landing point for hurricanes?
- What is the difference between storm tide and storm surge?
- There are specialized planes that fly directly into hurricanes to get weather information. How does this work and what kind of information do the planes get?
- If hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, why is September considered to be peak hurricane season for Delaware?
- What's the difference between a northeaster and a hurricane?
The Ocean
- Sometimes it looks like clouds of smoke are coming off of the ocean. What is this called and why does it happen?
- Do rip currents have a negative impact on the environment and critical ecosystem components?
- Why are there sometimes piles of foam on the beach at the water's edge?
- Sometimes in the summer the ocean seems to be a comfortable temperature for swimming, then gets uncomfortably cold. Why does the water get so much colder all of a sudden?
- Certain tides are referred to as “spring tides,” even during the fall and winter months. What are spring tides?
- What are tar balls?
Have a coastal question you'd like answered? Contact Coastal Processes Specialist Wendy Carey here >
Page Updated on December 1, 2009
