Morfa Harlech sand dunes
Encyclopedia
Morfa Harlech is an extensive dune
system stretching northwards from the town of Harlech
in north Wales
. The dunes cover some 6 km², of which an area of about 1.5 km² in the middle has been afforested with Corsican Pine
.
Set against the backdrop of Snowdonia
, beneath Harlech Castle
, Morfa Harlech is one of Britain's actively growing sand dune systems due to the long shore drift which is currently eroding the dunes at Morfa Dyffryn
.
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
system stretching northwards from the town of Harlech
Harlech
Harlech is a town and seaside resort in Gwynedd, within the historical boundaries of Merionethshire in northwest Wales. Lying on Tremadog Bay and within the Snowdonia National Park, it has a population of 1,952, of whom 59% speak Welsh...
in north Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
. The dunes cover some 6 km², of which an area of about 1.5 km² in the middle has been afforested with Corsican Pine
European Black Pine
Pinus nigra, the European Black Pine, is a moderately variable species of pine, occurring across southern Mediterranean Europe from Spain to the Crimea, in Asia Minor and on Cyprus, and in the high mountains of the Maghreb in North Africa....
.
Set against the backdrop of Snowdonia
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...
, beneath Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle
Harlech Castle, located in Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales, is a concentric castle, constructed atop a cliff close to the Irish Sea. Architecturally, it is particularly notable for its massive gatehouse....
, Morfa Harlech is one of Britain's actively growing sand dune systems due to the long shore drift which is currently eroding the dunes at Morfa Dyffryn
Morfa Dyffryn
Morfa Dyffryn beach is on the west coast of Wales, between Barmouth and Harlech in Gwynedd. This sandy beach is several kilometres long and is chiefly known for having an officially recognised naturist area, one kilometre in length...
.