Which landform evolves when wave refraction concentrates erosion?

💡 Explanation

Barrier island breaching involves wave refraction focusing energy; because of this, the island erodes and retreats landward because sediment transport is accelerated. The result is breaching and retreat rather than spit growth that’s due to longshore drift without similar concentrating wave action, or atoll growth relating plate tectonics.

• Which outcome occurs when a barrier island's dune system loses vegetation cover?
• Which consequence results when sand supply decreases forming dunes?
• Which outcome decreases the effectiveness of sediment bypassing systems installed alongside coastal barrier islands?
• Along coastlines, which weather effect results when increased local pressure gradients enhance wind shear?
• Which outcome typically occurs when intense mechanical weathering reduces mountain slopes adjacent to loess plains?
• Which outcome occurs when glacier calving increases sharply?