How old are the outer banks?

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a chain of barrier islands that formed over thousands of years through natural processes such as sediment deposition and erosion. The geological formation of the islands dates back approximately 5,000 to 10,000 years, following the last Ice Age. However, the area has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years prior to European exploration in the late 15th century. Today, the Outer Banks are recognized for their unique ecosystems and historical significance.