- published: 21 Nov 2013
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Barrier Islands, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that are parallel to the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen. Excepting the tidal inlets that separate the islands, a barrier chain may extend uninterrupted for over a hundred kilometers, the longest and widest being Padre Island. The length and width of barriers and overall morphology of barrier coasts are related to parameters including tidal range, wave energy, sediment supply, sea-level trends and basement controls.
Chains of barrier islands can be found along approximately thirteen percent of the world's coastlines, some displaying different settings, suggesting that they can form and be maintained in a variety of environmental settings. Numerous theories have been given to explain their formations.
Explanations for the development of barrier islands have been proposed by numerous scientists over more than 150 years. They can be grouped into three major theories: offshore bar theory, spit accretion theory and submergence theory. No single theory can explain the development of all barriers distributed extensively along the world's coastlines. Scientists accept the idea that barriers, including other barrier types, can form by a number of different mechanisms.
Great Barrier Island (often colloquially just The Barrier) is the fourth-largest island of New Zealand's main chain of islands. it is situated 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the north-east of central Auckland in the outer Hauraki Gulf. It has an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi) and its highest point, Mount Hobson, is 621 metres (2,037 ft). The local authority is the Auckland Council.
The remote island was initially exploited for its minerals and kauri trees and saw only some limited agriculture. It is now inhabited by a small population of 852 people, mostly living from farming and tourism. The majority of the diverse environments of the island (around 60% of the total area) is administered as nature reserve by the Department of Conservation. In 2009 the island atmosphere was described as being "life in New Zealand many decades back", not without some positive emphasis.
With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi), Great Barrier is the sixth-largest island in New Zealand after the South Island, the North Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Chatham Island, and Auckland Island. The highest point, Mount Hobson or Hirakimata, is 621 metres (2,037 ft) above sea level. Smaller surrounding islands include Kaikoura Island, Rakitu Island, Aiguilles Island and Dragon Island.
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