Tybee Island, Georgia
Barrier islands are sandy accumulations formed by tides and waves. Despite the threat of storms, people have long built on barrier islands. Tybee Island, Georgia, above, has been home to a lighthouse since 1736.
South Padre Island, Texas
Only about 15 percent of the world's shores are lined by barrier islands, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many, like South Padre Island, like the Gulf and East Coasts of the United States.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks—known as Pine Island in the area shown in this image—protects a network of interconnected waterways, including Currituck Sound, a shallow, 3-mile-wide water body; the North River; and the well-known Albemarle Sound. Wakes from barges on the Intracoastal Waterway appear on the North River, which provides a connection between the Hampton Roads area to the north and Pamlico Sound to the south. Farmland (light colored patches at top left) and urbanized areas (gray areas on land at image center) occupy all available “high” ground, which is still only a few feet above sea level in this area. This astronaut photograph illustrates how population density increases near the coastline.
Storm-Threatened Islands
This 2010 image of Hurricane Earl bearing down on the North Carolina coast reveals how exposed barrier islands are to storm surges and high winds from hurricanes.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Change is constant on barrier islands; sand is always shifting. But humans have built up islands like Hilton Head, South Carolina, putting buildings in the way of hurricanes and storms.
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Piers and buildings line the east end of Dauphin Island, Alabama.
Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana
Part of the Chandeleur Islands, before and after Hurricane Katrina. The storm stripped away up to 85 percent of of islands.
Gulf Coast Barrier Islands
Normally, silt coming from the Mississippi would regenerate the Chandeleur Islands, but the river has been dammed and diverted, preventing full loads of sediment from reaching the gulf. In this view of the Gulf, the Chandeleurs are a barely-visible crescent in the center-left of the image.
Sapelo Island, Georgia
Trees stand on tiptoes on Sapelo Island, Georgia in this 1999 photo. Erosion carries sand from the north end of the island and deposits it in sand dunes at the south end.
Eroding Away
This undated NOAA photo shows erosion on a barrier island beach — and the sandbags people use to try to stem the damage.
Outer Banks
Last glow of sunset over the beaches and seacoast of the Outer Banks, N.C.
