InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Section B: The United States > North Carolina Outer Banks > Site C
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Site C

Rodanthe

Rodanthe is a town of 261 residents on Hatteras Island. On October 20, 2008 a 5-year-old house collapsed into the ocean. A 3-story home was reduced to 10-12 tractor-trailer loads of rubble. Hatteras Island is naturally migrating landward with rising sea levels, but structures like houses and roads do not migrate with the sands. Many houses are now in the swash zone and at risk of collapse.

Private houses inhibit access to the public beach. On the northern end of town, one must walk under a house to access Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge immediately to the North. Sand fence prevents passage around the front of the house. Much of Rodanthe is characterized by a narrow beach. In the video notice the beach width at the new site of the Nights in Rodanthe House, 7/8ths of a mile southward of the northern end of town. Parking is also a problem. Dunes line both sides of the road on the northern end making parking scarce.

Consider these questions:

  1. In what ways do you think the current status of Rodanthe hurts its tourism industry?
  2. Have you ever seen or heard of the film "Nights in Rodanthe"? Do you think the significance of the house is worth the cost of the project and do you think that such actions are a sustainable management practice?
  3. The video shows three exposed septic tanks. What would your concerns be about swimming near an exposed septic tank?

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »