The barrier island system

Abstract

Barrier islands are part of a major coastal system composed of six interactive sedimentary environments. The six environments are also elements needed to impose the designation “barrier island” on littoral sand bodies. The elements are: (1) mainland; (2) backbarrier lagoon; (3) inlet and inlet deltas; (4) barrier island; (5) barrier platform; and (6) shoreface. The morphodynamic and sedimentary evolution of each element affects adjacent environments, as well as the entire system. The interactive elements are defined and described by their morphologic, sedimentologic and stratigraphic relationships to the barrier island and the barrier island system. The stratigraphic relationships of the various elements of the system may be a valuable tool for paleogeographic reconstruction and sand body mapping.