Mother Nature’s way
After a double helping of rumination over that "sand wall" (or ’shelf’) on Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought I’d post this snippet from a recent email received from Mel Zelniker in Cancún.
"The ’shelf’ you speak of is a not uncommon happening here. Last week we went to Playa Delfines, one of the first re-loaded beaches.
"On our first day there the shelf was an impressive 2 to 3 foot affair with lots of shells and bits to be excavated from the water side.
"When we returned the very next day, the shelf was gone.
"I don’t know if this was the result of sculpting by Fonatur [the Mexican tourism development agency] or tidal action, but I’m betting on the tide as this happened frequently at "our" beach, Playa Ballenas.
"The power of the sea here can be observed on a daily basis."
I think Mel’s observation is accurate.
Edited by 
March 17th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
I now recall that I wrote something of the ocean’s power (on my other blog) in the context of the Asian tsunami.
For those who return to a favourite Pacific beach after an absence of perhaps a year or two, the change in beach topography can be marked. The ravages of a hurricane or damaging waves associated with tropical storms continuously alter the shape and profile of the coast. Significant sections of beach can be lost making you believe you’ve mistaken ‘your’ beach for another.
Here’s the full article.
March 18th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
As Mel said, it was Mother Nature and not Fonatur who sculpted the beaches - once again.
March 21st, 2006 at 11:04 pm
Thanks Steve for the information about the “wall”. I was so intrigued when I was there last week
March 21st, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Carlos - thanks. We’ve been putting forward some theories, yes! All is being revealed… slowly.