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Why is coarse sediment more common in lagoon channels than elsewhere in a lagoon?
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lagoon
Lagoons lie behind the coral reef and barrier islands surrounding Raiatea and Tahaa in the Society Islands, Pacific Ocean.
Coarse sediment is more common in lagoon channels than in other parts of a lagoon because of the presence of strong currents within those channels. While the quieter conditions found away from these channels allow for the deposition of finer materials like mud, silt, and clay, the high-velocity water flow in the channels prevents these finer sediments from settling. Consequently, only coarser material is able to remain in these areas.12