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Barrier island

Large waves crash as Hurricane Michael approaches

Barrier islands are natural coast guards that absorb impacts from hurricanes and storms

Environment

When storms like Hurricane Michael make landfall, the first things they hit often are barrier islands — thin ribbons of sand that line the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It’s hard to imagine how these narrow strips can withstand such forces, but in fact, many of them have buffered our shores for centuries.

Barrier islands

Environment
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