Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are cor

Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are correct?

  • 1. These are small chain of sand islands that form offshore, far from the coast.
  • 2. Lagoons or shallower marshes separate the barrier islands from the mainland.
  • 3. Such locations are hazardous for settlements because they are easily swept away by storms and hurricanes.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2024
C
Statement 1 is incorrect. Barrier islands are indeed small chains of sand islands offshore, but they are located *near* the coast, not far from it. They are separated from the mainland by a body of water or wetland.
Statement 2 is correct. Barrier islands are typically separated from the mainland by a lagoon, bay, or shallower marsh area.
Statement 3 is correct. Due to their low elevation, sandy composition, and location exposed to the open ocean, barrier islands are highly vulnerable to erosion and flooding from storms, hurricanes, and rising sea levels, making them hazardous locations for permanent settlements.
Barrier islands are dynamic landforms that constantly change shape and size due to erosion and deposition processes driven by waves, currents, and tides. They provide a natural buffer that protects the mainland coast from the full force of ocean storms.