Shared description
Tombolo
A tombolo is a beach or bar (sometimes called an "ayre") which connects an island either to another island or to the mainland. It therefore effectively results in the smaller island becoming a peninsula, though this depends on definitions.
Tombolos are formed by the refraction and diffraction of waves around the island causing sand, gravel and pebbles to be swept in both directions around the island until they meet on the mainland-ward side of the island. The sand/pebbles then pile up to create a bar or spit of land above normal sea level, creating a causeway to the island.
The finest (and largest) tombolo in the British Isles is considered to be that which links St Ninian's Isle to the island of Mainland, Shetland. See HU3720 : St Ninian's Isle tombolo to view this example.
Tombolos are formed by the refraction and diffraction of waves around the island causing sand, gravel and pebbles to be swept in both directions around the island until they meet on the mainland-ward side of the island. The sand/pebbles then pile up to create a bar or spit of land above normal sea level, creating a causeway to the island.
The finest (and largest) tombolo in the British Isles is considered to be that which links St Ninian's Isle to the island of Mainland, Shetland. See HU3720 : St Ninian's Isle tombolo to view this example.
by Rob Farrow
Created: Wed, 7 Sep 2011, Updated: Fri, 28 Aug 2015
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