132 
Journal of the Mitchell Society [. December 
Cape Hatteras Sand Dune Area 
The moving sand of the dune area between the forest and the 
ocean has already covered up and destroyed the growth for about 
one-half mile inland. At the western end of the dune the sand 
gradually slopes into a low marshy area which extends to Durant’s 
Life Saving Station where a small body of live oak occurs. To the 
south of this woodland is a long, narrow sand dune and to the west 
a low wash-flat extends to Hatteras Inlet where there are a few 
mound-like dunes near the beach. 
It is only the dunes immediately south and west of the Cape 
Hatteras forest which are discussed below, since the dunes further 
to the west can do practically no damage. Over this entire area 
the sand is constantly moving in a northeast direction. The sur- 
face is practically bare of vegetation and such growth as does 
spring up from time to time is promptly destroyed by stock. 
The direction of the movement of the dunes is undoubtedly 
influenced by the forest growth which shelters the area from the 
northerly winds. From the south the winds have uninterrupted 
sweep and, in consequence, the sand is carried by these winds in 
a northerly direction. The prevailing winds in the different sea- 
sons also have a greater or less influence on the direction in which 
the sand is carried. During the summer the sand becomes very 
dry and in this condition is easily carried by the winds which are 
southerly at this season. In the winter, however, the moist con- 
dition of the sand prevents it from being easily carried by the 
northern winds which prevail. The result is that even where the 
winds have full sweep in both directions the general movement 
of the dunes is tovrard the north. 
At the northern end of the sands the dunes terminate abruptly 
at the edge of the woods. Here there is a high dune rising gradu- 
ally to a height of about 25 feet. To the leeward the slope of the 
dune is fully 35°, which seems to be as steep as sand w T ill remain 
at rest. 
The rate at which this dune is advancing inland could not be 
determined the short time available. It is very evident, however, 
that the advance is relatively rapid, since there are numerous liv- 
