Ethical Issues In Science Barrier Islands and Salt Marshes

Barrier Islands and Salt Marshes: Long Island Sound

Geological History

Barrier islands (barrier spits) are found all around the world along the coast. They are long and narrow, which consist of deposits of sand. The islands are divided by a sound, bay, or lagoon. They also are aligned in a chain along the coastline, which are separated by tidal inlets. It is believed that barrier islands were formed by the last Ice Age, 18,000 years ago. As the ice melted, the water level rose and flooded the beach ridges. The rising water carried sand and other sediments to the ridges, which built up to create more ridges, new coastlines, and barrier islands.

Photo courtesy USGS

Various zones of a typical barrier island

The structure of a typical barrier island consists of several parts: beaches, dunes, barrier flats...