Barrier Islands
Imagine walking with an umbrella on a windy day, trying to shield yourself from the gusts. Just as the umbrella protects you from the wind, barrier islands act as a shield for the mainland coast, taking the brunt of the ocean's energy and protecting the inland areas from erosion and storm surges. The umbrella is to you as the barrier island is to the mainland; both serve as a protective layer, absorbing external forces and maintaining a calmer environment behind them.
Practice Version
Barrier Islands: A coastal landforms and a type of dune system that runs parallel to the mainland coast. Barrier islands. Barrier islands are long, narrow islands made of sand that protect the coast from ocean waves and storms.