Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are correct? 1. These are small chains of sand islands that form offshore, far from the coast. 2. Lagoons or shallower marshes separate the barrier islands from the mainland. 3. Such locations are hazardous for settlements because they are easily swept away by storms and hurricanes.

The correct answer is Option 3 (2 and 3 only). Barrier islands are critical coastal landforms whose characteristics and risks are explained below:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: While barrier islands form offshore, they are typically parallel and relatively close to the coast, rather than "far from" it. They are dynamic depositional features formed by wave action and longshore currents.
• Statement 2 is correct: A defining geographical feature of barrier islands is the presence of a lagoon, bay, or tidal marsh that separates the island from the mainland, acting as a buffer zone.
• Statement 3 is correct: These islands are composed of unconsolidated sediments (mostly sand) and have low elevations. Consequently, they are highly unstable and hazardous for permanent settlements as they are frequently breached or "swept away" by storm surges, hurricanes, and rising sea levels.

Therefore, since statement 1 is geographically inaccurate regarding the distance from the coast, only statements 2 and 3 accurately describe the features and risks associated with barrier islands.