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Pebble
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For the smartwatch, see Pebble (watch). For other, see Pebble
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Pebbles on a shingle beach in Somerset, England

A pebble is a clast of rock with a particle size of 2 to 64 millimetres
based on the Krumbein phi scale of sedimentology. Pebbles are
generally considered larger than granules (2 to 4 millimetres
diameter) and smaller than cobbles (64 to 256 millimetres diameter).
A rock made predominantly of pebbles is termed a conglomerate.
Pebble tools are among the earliest known man-made artifacts,
dating from the Palaeolithic period of human history.
A beach composed chiefly of surface pebbles is commonly termed a
shingle beach. This type of beach has armoring characteristics with
respect to wave erosion, as well as ecological niches that provide
habitat for animals and plants.
Inshore banks of shingle (large quantities of pebbles) exist in some
locations, such as the entrance to the River Ore, where the moving
banks of shingle give notable navigational challenges.[1]
Pebbles come in various colors and textures and can have streaks,
known as veins, of quartz or other minerals. Pebbles are mostly
smooth but, dependent on how frequently they come in contact with
the sea, they can have marks of contact with other rocks or other
pebbles. Pebbles left above the high water mark may have growths of
organisms such as lichen on them, signifying the lack of contact with
seawater.

Contents

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Location
1 e 1 2 Human
3 use
Extraterrestrial
4 Gallery 5 occurrences
See 6alsoReferences
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External links Location[edit]
Pebbles are found in two locations – on the beaches of various
oceans and seas, and inland where ancient seas used to cover the
land. When then the seas retreated, the rocks became landlocked.
They can also be found in lakes and ponds. Pebbles can also form in
rivers, and travel into estuaries where the smoothing continues in the
sea.
Beach pebbles and river pebbles (also known as river rock) are
distinct in their geological formation and appearance.
Beach[edit]
 Pebbles in Rethymno's beach, Crete.
Beach pebbles form gradually over time as the ocean water washes
over loose rock particles. The result is a smooth, rounded
appearance. The typical size range is from 2 mm to 50 mm. The
colors range from translucent white to black, and include shades of
yellow, brown, red and green. Some of the more plentiful pebble
beaches are found along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, beginning in
the United States and extending down to the tip of South America in
Argentina. Other pebble beaches are found in northern Europe
(particularly on the beaches of the Norwegian Sea), along the coast
of the U.K. and Ireland, on the shores of Australia, and around the
islands of Indonesia and Japan.
Inland[edit]
Inland pebbles (river pebbles of river rock) are usually found along
the shores of large rivers and lakes. These pebbles form as the
flowing water washes over rock particles on the bottom and along the
shores of the river. The smoothness and color of river pebbles
depends on several factors, such as the composition of the soil of the
river banks, the chemical characteristics of the water, and the speed
of the current. Because river current is gentler than the ocean waves,
river pebbles are usually not as smooth as beach pebbles. The most
common colors of river rock are black, grey, green, brown and white.
Human use[edit]
 A walkway decorated with pebbles set into concrete.
Beach pebbles and river pebbles are used for a variety of purposes,
both outdoors and indoors. They can be sorted by colour and size,
and they can also be polished to improve the texture and colour.
Outdoors, beach pebbles are often used for landscaping, construction
and as decorative elements. Beach pebbles are often used to cover
walkways and driveways, around pools, in and around plant
containers, on patios and decks. Beach and river pebbles are also
used to create water-smart gardens in areas where water is scarce.
Small pebbles are also used to create living spaces and gardens on
the rooftops of buildings. Indoors, pebbles can be used as bookends
and paperweights. Large pebbles are also used to create "pet rocks"
for children.
Extraterrestrial occurrences[edit]