Ridges and runnels form parallel to the shore line in the foreshore area.
Looking at a cross-section, the are similar to hills and valleys only on a much smaller scale.
Ridges and runnels are formed due to the complex way in which tides, currents, sediments and beach topography interact.
Ridges and runnels form as a method of draining the tides - water flows in and out creating a hollow or 'runnel'; the 'ridge' is the raised section.
Berms
Berms are ridges or plateaus of material and sediment that marks the highest tide point.
It is not unlikely that a beach will have several berms.
The highest berm created on the beach is known as the 'Spring Tide' berm, made up of the largest and most course material deposited there by the strong swash of large waves at high tide.
The Spring Tide berm is likely to begin to merge with material left during storm conditions, also found towards the top of the beach due to the increased energy of the wind and the waves during a storm.
There are usually a series of smaller berms created down the beach, following further high tides between the Spring Tide and the Neap Tide.
Cusps
These are small hollows that form on the beach which look like mini bays within the beach itself.
Cusps are crescent-shaped formations that are created on beaches mainly of mixed sand and shingle.
Once formed, they are self-sustaining. An oncoming wave is split in two directions between two cusps, which slows down the velocity of the wave causing large and course sediment to be deposited first, at the horn.
The waves then flow along the embayments and deposit finer material at the top, as well as eroding slightly.
This process is repeated with every new wave.
Cusps occur in a regular pattern and are of equal spacing and size.