How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels

Southern Gateways Guides

by Orrin H. Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, William J. Neal

Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline. What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story.

Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure.

Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

<!--paperback cover
What North Carolina island migrates sixteen feet toward the mainland every year?
What forms the tiny volcanoes of sand that ooze bubbles of water?
What is barking sand?
Why do you sometimes sink ankle-deep in beach sand?
What type of wave is not formed by wind?
Why are clamshells usually found open-side-down in the sand?

You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story.

Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline.

Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press
-->

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Travel, Science, Birds

180 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2004

About the author

Orrin Hendren Pilkey Jr. was an American marine geologist who was Professor Emeritus of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, at Duke University, and founder and director emeritus of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS) based at Western Carolina University.

Reviews

[Lillibet Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic for anyone interested in the ecology and geology of barrier islands. Orin Pilkey is a geologist at Duke University, and the book is written in an informative but not overly scientific way. I think it was excellent and highly recommend it!

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a special interest read, the book provides a wealth of detailed information about the nature of North Carolina Beaches, their composition, their evolving nature, and on the organism one might encounter on a beach stroll.

Certainly focused on those who live or vacation on the beaches of North Carolina; such an individual will revel in recognizing a feature that they've encountered and wondered about ( or perhaps, didn't wonder about until cued into the fact that they've encountered a feature at all). North Carolina place names are scattered throughout, so that the target audience will also get those little shots of name (and phenomena) recognition.

Another wonder for me was the depth of study and consideration given to a particular subject by interested scientists...but then, I guess that's what scientists do.

I'm giving it 3 stars for answering some questions I had (and quite a few I didn't), but recognizing that the title is quite focused, and written somewhere between utterly scholarly and "Reader's Digest" comprehensible. And I'll keep it for reference on my next beach vacation.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thorough look at all of the things you can learn from observing a beach. It goes into minute detail about the forces effecting change upon the beach. Many of these apply to any beach, but I liked that it focuses specifically on North Carolina, from the sources of the sand to the species that live or lived here. Having recently moved to the beach, I appreciated getting to know how it came to be, and what is happening on a daily basis. I also learned the names of some of the creatures and things I see at the beach. The only issue I had was that the author asserts that beach nourishment is harmful to the beach, but without actually giving any evidence for it. While it isn't a natural process, and it does change the beach, the author is strangely resistant to change in this way, while being very open to change in other ways. I don't doubt that the author has his reasons, but he hasn't provided them here. Still, despite that issue, I learned a lot from this book.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Tunnels by Orrin H. Pilkey (UNC Press 2004)(551.45)(3494).

I am a long-time beachcomber, and my favorite beaches are those found on the barrier islands in North Carolina. As an amateur naturalist, I've gotten pretty good at identifying the shells and the fauna commonly found. But after reading How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Tunnels, I realize that I know little to nothing about the mechanics and physics of how beaches are formed and how they operate.

These authors know their stuff. My rating: 7/10, finished 12/30/20 (3494). I purchased a used PB copy in good condition for $3.00 on Amazon on 12/12/20.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[happycabbage · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully intimate, alluring exploration of the rich and complex history and sway of sands, winds, waves and ecology unfolding (and severely threatened ) on North Carolina beaches. I wish I could tattoo this book on myself for constant and casual reference whenever I need a hearty dose of awe at the magnificent beauty and complexity of this planet and the damage humanity does with its constant meddling. I have renewed intentions to visit these beaches before they are lost to commercialism; contrived, built places haunted by hungry ghosts. Everyone who loves NC should buy this book, read it and send a copy to their local officials and neighbors.

“The greatest riddle of all may be, what did we destroy because we loved it so much.” It’s not too late, but it almost is…

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been visiting the North Carolina coast annually almost all of my life, so I really enjoyed this book and wish I’d read it sooner! It was very informative without being overly technical, and the photos were helpful in illustrating many of Pilkey’s points. I was glad the author addressed the issue of beach erosion vs. replenishing to save oceanfront buildings.

[Claire Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orrin H. Pilkey has to be one of the greatest names I’ve ever heard. Learned about singing sand, runnels, ladder-back ripples, groins (not the one you’re thinking of), and fetch. Wish it was updated for 2024 though!

[Jeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry book about North Carolina beaches, and what to observe on them. Black and white photos are haphazard and boring. Some parts of the book were interesting, such as describing the type of sand found originally, and what the “re-nourishment” actually achieved.

[Erich H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of preparing a new course on local natural history; I will certainly be referencing in the future.

[Heidi]

I may get weary of this by the end (though it's a short read), but so far I'm enjoying all the bits of geology that define NC beaches, and for example, make the Outer Banks different to swim in than southern beaches.

It also has a section about spotting the identifying features of organisms on the beach, which is why I checked it out in the first place. (It's in the Wake County library system)

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Co-authors: Tracy Monegan Rice and William J. Neal.

Quick popular science look at North Carolina beach wind and wave formation, geology, sand and shell content and formation, and other phenomenon. Good book to take to the beach.

[Larry Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot, and continue to carry it to the beach as a handy, helpful reference.