Author Question: Wind exists because of density differences is the atmosphere. What factors determine differences in ... (Read 57 times)

jessicacav · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Wind exists because of density differences is the atmosphere. What factors determine differences in atmospheric density?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Barrier islands commonly contain valuable real estate that is heavily developed. What is a long-term natural problem inherent to barrier islands?

What will be an ideal response?

joewallace · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Temperature: Warm air is less dense than cool air.
Moisture content: Humid air is less dense than dry air at the same temperature.

Answer to Question 2

Barrier islands constantly shift in the direction of longshore current as well as retreating or advancing relative to the mainland depending on sediment budget and sea-level change. A section of real estate that is on the up-current end of a barrier island could find itself in the tidal inlet as the island and inlet shift down-current. In addition, global sea level is rising, which means that natural processes work to erode the beachfront-side of the barrier islands and wash sand over into the landward lagoon during storms. These processes damage or destroy buildings. Building seawalls to protect beachfront buildings only leads to erosional destruction of the beach.