IIRC the Outer Banks are the ancient coastline of the area now known as North Carolina.
Which means the Pamlico Sound was once dry land long before modern man trod the shores of North America.
The Outer Banks are mostly made up of sand and as such have been growing and receding for years. The sand is washed away then piled back up then washed away then piled back up. Same thing happens in Virginia Beach to the North. Lately the sand has been washing away and not getting piled back up.
Its not that sea levels are rising there but the currents are just washing away the sand.
Exactly.
“...The Outer Banks are mostly made up of sand and as such have been growing and receding for years. The sand is washed away then piled back up then washed away then piled back up. Same thing happens in Virginia Beach to the North. Lately the sand has been washing away and not getting piled back up.
Its not that sea levels are rising there but the currents are just washing away the sand.”
********************************************************************
Yes, barrier islands are constantly (but usually slowly over the years with periodic [e.g., during a hurricane] speedups) moving/migrating.
Build on a barrier island at your own risk and factor the fact that your “land” is not “permanent” into the cost of the land and the building.