US east coast barrier island morphology is in a large part a response to coastal processes. The explanation of spatial and morphometric variability of these barrier islands is their response to these different process (e.g. wave, tidal) regimes. 119 barrier islands were analysed via two statistical methods - factor analysis and canonical correlation. Through the former, five classes of islands were identified based on morphometric characteristics. For each class, canonical correlation identified relationships between island configurations and significant dynamic processes. The numerical model quantitatively corroborated previous hypotheses concerning the role of process variables to barrier island morphology. -Authors