Cape Hatteras

Cape Hatteras
An aerial view of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse prior to its 1999 relocation
Country	United States
Coordinates	35°15′16.49″N 75°31′11.82″W / 35.2545806°N 75.5199500°W / 35.2545806; -75.5199500Coordinates: 35°15′16.49″N 75°31′11.82″W / 35.2545806°N 75.5199500°W / 35.2545806; -75.5199500

Cape Hatteras from space, October 1989

Cape Hatteras /ˈhæt.ʌ.rʌs/ is a cape on the coast of North Carolina, and is protected as the namesake feature of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America.

Its also the nearest landmass for Bermuda, which is about 563 nautical miles to the east-southeast.

Location

Cape Hatteras is a bend in Hatteras Island, one of the long thin barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. It is the site where the two great basins of the East Coast meet.^[1] Also near Cape Hatteras, two major Atlantic currents collide, namely the southerly-flowing cold water Labrador Current and the northerly-flowing warm water Florida Current (Gulf Stream). The collision of two major currents creates turbulent waters and a large expanse of shallow sandbars extending up to 14 miles (23 km) offshore. These shoals are known as Diamond Shoals. Somewhat analogous to Point Conception in Southern California, this on-the-edge placement at the confluence of the Labrador and Florida currents leads to unusually diverse biological assemblages. Many species' ranges have either a southern or northern terminus at the cape.

Significance and history

The Cape Hatteras Life Guard Station, which later became part of the Durant Motel, and was upended by Hurricane Isabel in 2003

The name Hatteras is the sixth oldest surviving English place-name in the U.S. An inlet north of the cape was named "Hatrask" in 1585 by Sir Richard Grenville, the admiral leading the Roanoke Colony expedition sent by Sir Walter Raleigh. It was later applied to the island and cape as well, and modified to "Hatteras."^[2]

Because mariners utilize ocean currents to speed their journey, many ships venture close to Cape Hatteras when traveling along the eastern seaboard, risking the perils of sailing close to the shoals amid turbulent water and the frequent storms occurring in the area. So many ships have been lost off Cape Hatteras that the area is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." Cape Hatteras is also well known for surfing.^[3][4]

The first lighthouse at the cape was built in 1803; it was replaced by the current Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in 1870, which at 198.48 feet (60.50 m) from the ground to the tip of its lightning rod is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and one of the tallest brick lighthouses in the world. In 1999, as the receding shoreline had come dangerously close to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the 4830-ton lighthouse was lifted and moved inland a distance of 2,900 feet (880 m). Its distance from the seashore is now 1,500 feet (460 m), about the same as when it was originally built.

Climate

An aerial view of where Hurricane Isabel cut inlets into Hatteras Island

Cape Hatteras displays a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with mild winters, and hot, humid summers, and is part of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9.^[5] Its location, jutting out into the Atlantic, helps moderate conditions throughout the year, producing small diurnal temperature ranges. The warmest days in July and August average 85 °F (29 °C), and there are only 6 days per summer above 90 °F (32 °C).^[6] The median freeze dates are March 11 and December 12, and there is an average of 21 nights with lows reaching the freezing mark,^[6] though it is uncommon for temperatures to remain below 40 °F (4 °C) all day. Snowfall is observed occasionally and most years do not see any accumulation.^[6] Rainfall is well-distributed throughout the year but is greatest in the latter half of summer, when hurricanes or their remnants can pass through. Extremes in temperature range from 6 °F (−14 °C) on January 21, 1985 up to 97 °F (36 °C) on June 27, 1952.

Cape Hatteras is infamous for being frequently struck by hurricanes that move up the East Coast of the United States. The strike of Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was particularly devastating for the area. Isabel devastated the entire Outer Banks and also split Hatteras Island between the two small towns of Frisco and Hatteras. NC 12, which provides a direct route from Nags Head to Hatteras Island, was washed out when the hurricane created a new inlet. Students had to use a ferry to get to school. The inlet was filled in with sand by the Army Corps of Engineers which took nearly two months to complete. The road, electrical and water lines were quickly rebuilt when the inlet was filled.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cape Hatteras.

• National Park Service: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
• Nautical chart of Cape Hatteras