From an Island Free Press Report
Sponsor Spotlight
It’s been well documented that North Carolina’s coast has changed overtime as inlets and beaches have grown, shrunk and shifted. Now, thanks to Google Earth’s Timelapse feature, people can watch how much the state’s coast has changed in the last approximately 30 years.
The tool encompasses most of the world, but users can search an area of the coast they’d like to learn more about. Among the most interesting time lapse trends are the volatility of the state’s inlets over several decades. For example, Beaufort Inlet in Carteret County, which is displayed in the above graphic, can be seen from an aerial perspective as the inlet moved and shifted from 1984 to 2016.
Along with geological changes, users can glimpse how development and populations have changed over time.
To catch the most drastic of changes, users can change the default speed from fast to medium or slow. The tool is free and open for anyone to use.
North Carolina Sea Grant has created a tour of the state’s inlets.
Sponsor Spotlight
