Sand Overview
Smoothly worn and variably shaped white and light tan sand grains from Nata Beach.
Several different foraminifera species, including red homotrema fragments, are seen in the low magnification view. The high magnification includes light tan speckled forams, a greenish sea urchin spine fragment just left of center and two smooth white rods of coralline algae.
Geographic Overview
A secluded beach on the northern part of Ishigaki Island, Nata beach is surrounded by lush jungle. Nata Beach is recommended beach as suitable for swimming in shallow water and is away from the hustle and bustle of tourist areas.
Sand Location
See where this sand sample was collected on Google Maps.
Virtual Sand Tour
Explore an interactive map of Nata Beach on Google Earth.
Sand Gallery
Irregular eroded bits and fragments of white, off-white and tan marine fragments in this sample include a small piece of light brown sea urchin spine with parallel grooves above an off-white fenestrated fragment, possibly a bryozoan, left of center.
This low magnification view features several different foraminifera species, including red homotrema fragments, white rods of coralline algae, and white fenestrated fragments.
This high magnification view of 2 includes light tan and off-white foram fragments, a greenish sea urchin spine with parallel groves just left of center and two smooth white rod-shaped fragments of coralline algae.
Chalky white and off-white rods of coralline algae and prominent dark red grains of Homotrema sp. forams stand out in this mixture of biogenic sand grains. Most grains are smoothly worn from long exposure to wave action. Fragments with parallel holes and partially worn tan and brown forams with punctate surfaces are also present in this sample.
A centrally located striped tan and off-white micromollusk gastropod is surrounded by a mixed array of smoothly worn and partially eroded calcareous grains of marine organisms in this rich biogenic sand sample.
This high magnification view shows internal structural detail of the sections of a large off-white foram that is surrounded by irregular light-colored marine fragments and a dark brown and black sand grain that may be geological.