Barrier Islands

08/26/23

“What are barrier islands and how do they naturally protect our coasts?”

Islands come in all shapes and sizes. This is because their form is affected by the water patterns that surround them. When waves repeatedly place sediment across a shoreline, a long skinny piece of land called a Barrier Island will form. As the name implies, these barrier islands form a protective layer for continental shorelines against intense waves and weather patterns. Preserving barrier islands will be an important part of keeping our natural climate defenses alive.

Image credit houmatoday.com