4% of sand on D-Day beaches is detritus from the D-Day landings.

According to the British panel show QI, 4% of sand on D-Day beaches is detritus from the D-Day landings. (Scroll down, below pic of tortoise)

 

So hypothetically, if someone was sad enough to go around and collect a smallish pot of sand from each of the beaches then each sample would contain a trace amount from 1944?

 

Looks like it, but according to the article Von Poop linked to, it depends on which part of which beach you are on.

 

Wasn't someone selling it a few years ago on Ebay ?

 

4% when the sample was taken but presumably reduces year by year due to tide and wind? Brian

 

https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/gettysburg-battle/world-war-ii-militaria/original-d-day-relics-recovered-in-normandy-sand-from-omaha-beach-plus-airborne-item/


Kyle

 

...or concentrates it in certain places depending on rip tides and longshore currents