Berm

A berm is a nearly horizontal to gently landward-sloping bench on the backshore, built by swash deposition at the limit of wave run-up. Its seaward edge, the berm crest, marks the boundary with the sloping foreshore. Berms grow under constructive, low-steepness swell that carries sand onshore, producing the wide summer profile; storm waves cut the berm back and shift the sand offshore. Multiple berms can record successive high-water or storm stands. The berm is the main subaerial sand store in the upper beach sediment budget and a key feature surveyed in repeat beach profiles.