Cusps are semi-circular depressions; they are smaller and more temporary features formed by a collection of waves reaching the same point.

The sides of the cusp channel the incoming swash into the centre of the depression and this produces a stronger backwash which drags material down the beach from the centre of the cusp.

This image is a Mega Cusp located at Pensacola Beach, Florida USA.

BermsSmaller ridges that develop at the position of the mean high tide mark resulting from deposition at the top of the swash.

Berms are generally created by smaller waves which have less energy so the material is smaller.

This Berm is located in The Gulf of Salerno, South-West Italy

Runnels/RipplesThe spreading out of the waves’ energy/work across a wide area of beach tends to produce ridges and intervening depressions called runnels.

They are particularly common on shallow, sandy beaches. This example is found at Deepwater Pt. Demarest, Dartmouth, Massachusetts USA.

Cusps