Why is a barrier island important?

Answer 1

Barrier islands are created by different processes. Four known processes of barrier island formation are listed below.

1) Longshore drift is responsible for the creation of some barrier islands. Longshore drift carries sediment parallel to the shore. A sand spit will form if sediment supply is sufficient. The sand spit will increase in length with time and continued deposition of sediments from longshore drift. A large storm events may breach the spit and create and new tidal inlet in the sand spit which may cause the sand spit to break away from the mainland. When this occurs, a barrier island forms.

2) A slow rate of sea level rise may cause the inundation of aeolian beach dunes. The dunes form the base of the new barrier island.

3) A submerged offshore bar may emerge to form a barrier island. The original submerged bar was deposited by wave energy.

4) An abandoned delta may lead to the formation of a barrier island.

Answer 2

Barrier islands are formed by waves carrying sediment layering up to where it exposes the sediment. Over time it builds up enough to walk on. (this could take thousands and thousands of years, so don't wait for one to form)

Answer 3

Barrier islands protect the mainland from strong storms, hurricane's, e.c.t.

Answer 4

because