USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Systematic Mapping of Bedrock and Habitats along the Florida Reef Tract—Central Key Largo to Halfmoon Shoal (Gulf of Mexico)

USGS Professional Paper 1751

by Barbara H. Lidz, Christopher D. Reich, and Eugene A. Shinn

Introduction: Table of Contents Project Overview Project Objective Geologic Setting Primary Datasets Primary Products - Overview Maps & Evolution Overview: Introduction Depth to Pleistocene Bedrock Surface Reef & Sediment Thickness Benthic Ecosystems & Environments Sedimentary Grains in 1989 Summary Illustration Index Map Evolution Overview Tile-by-Tile Analysis Organization of Report Tiles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7/8, 9/10, 11 Summary Acknowledg- ments References Disclaimer Related Publications

Tile 6 Geography Sector-Specific Studies Geologic Highlights Saddlebunch Keys West Washerwoman American, Maryland, and Pelican Shoals Eastern Sambo West Washerwoman: West Washerwoman is a large area of patch reefs south-southeast of the Saddlebunch Keys (Fig. 87B). The patch reefs form a sand halo around patch reef ecosystem in the middle of Hawk Channel and are aligned on the landward edge of the bedrock trough off the middle and lower Keys. Individual patch reefs consist primarily of single head corals, but many of their haloes have coalesced and surround more than one coral patch. East and West Turtle Shoals and East Washerwoman Shoal are the easternmost mid-channel patch reefs in the middle and lower Keys (Figs. 75, 86B). West Washerwoman covers a larger area and contributes to the trend of increasing numbers of mid-channel patch reefs in a southwestern direction (see Benthic Ecosystems map). The patch reefs are elevated above the general depth of Hawk Channel and create shoal areas dangerous to boaters. continue to: American, Maryland, and Pelican Shoals

Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies > Professional Paper 1751