Barrier islands that are undeveloped and not engineered with seawalls and riprap will respond naturally to a global rise of sea level by __________.
Geography · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021
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Barrier islands that are undeveloped and not engineered with seawalls and riprap will respond naturally to a global rise of sea level by migrating or "rolling over" inland. This natural process occurs as the rising water levels erode the seaward side of the island and deposit sediment on the landward side. This sediment transport process is called overwash, and it results in the barrier island gradually moving towards the mainland, maintaining its overall shape and form even though the actual location of the island shifts. The process allows barrier islands to adapt to the changing sea levels in a dynamic equilibrium, preserving their ecological functions.