Experts point to temporary nature of Shelly Island.
It’s size has caught experts by surprise, but scientists who study coastal processes doubt if Shelly Island will be around next year. Kip Tabb, writing for the Outer Banks Voice, explores the future of this Outer Banks phenomenon.
“At low tide, Shelly Island is now almost attached to the Point, and even at high tide it is accessible by foot.
What has happened at Cape Point is not rare, according to oceanographer Dr. Jesse McNinch at the Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck.
“It’s pretty common in the summer. The longer period swells we see in the summertime allows an accumulation of sand,” he said.
Yet, witnessing an island rising from the sea is awe-inspiring, even if it’s a sandbar and may be temporary. And if not a rare phenomenon, the size of Shelly Island is exceptional.”
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