A new island suddenly emerged from the sea just off the coast of North
Carolina — but officials warn that the spit of land is too dangerous for
humans to explore.
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The new sandbar island seemingly sprang from the ocean in just a few
weeks, the Virginian Pilot reported. The island, which is about 1 mile
(1.6 kilometers) long and about 480 feet (146 meters) wide, lies off the
coast of Buxton, North Carolina, which is part of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore.
The new island grew from a mere nubbin in the ocean in April to its
current size over Memorial Day weekend. One of the early explorers of
the island, Janet Regan, took her 11-year-old son there to collect
seashells. Because of its treasure trove of shells, the boy named it
Shelly Island, the Pilot reported.
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Close but dangerous
While the newborn island may be tantalizing for would-be explorers, it's
also very dangerous, Bill Smith, president of the North Carolina Beach
Buggy Association, told the Pilot. Officials with the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore have warned people not to try to reach the island.
Because the island formed near a popular fishing spot, years' worth of
fishing hooks could be lurking just below the sand. Sharks and stingrays
prowl just beneath the water's surface in the area, and the narrow
50-foot (15 m) strip of water between the island and the mainland forms
a little "river" that creates a strong rip current, he said.
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"We're worried about shark bites, but we're more worried about drownings,"
Smith said.
The sandbar isn't accessible by foot, so photographer Chad Koczera sent
a drone into the skies to capture a stunning aerial photo. More intrepid
(or foolhardy) explorers also have tried to reach the island by boat or
paddleboard, the Pilot reported.
The area of coastline near the island is always transforming, according
to a statement from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The point,
called Cape Point, sometimes changes orientation, and currents and
storms are constantly shaping the land. It's likely that such forces
formed the sandbar, meaning it could get even bigger or sink beneath the
waves in the next year or two, Smith said.
If anyone does attempt a trip to the island, National Seashore
Superintendent David Hallac said such a trip "is best accomplished by
experienced kayakers or paddle boarders that are using appropriate
flotation and mindful of the tides and strong currents in the area." |