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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 7/8 Geography Sector-Specific Studies Natural Stressors: Atmospheric, Terrestrial, and Oceanic Sources Introduction Natural Stressors Atmospheric Sources Terrestrial Sources Oceanic Sources Hurricanes, Storm Surge, and Rising Sea Level Geologic Highlights Margin Evolution Flooding the Florida Shelf Addendum Ephemeral Islands and Lighthouses Introduction: The format adopted for discussion of geographic (tile) sectors has allowed for sector-specific studies to be addressed between Geography and Geologic Highlights sections. In the case of Tile 7/8, the sector-specific study is more appropriate for the Geologic Highlights section. Geographically, Tile 7/8 represents the westernmost extent of the chain of Florida Keys and their immediate offshore reefs. In keeping with an end-of-the-keys theme, Tile 7/8 differs in format from those of the other tiles by including sections that pertain to the general area of the keys and reef tract as a whole: Natural Stressors, Margin Evolution, Flooding the Florida Shelf, an Addendum, and Ephemeral Islands and Lighthouses. The Addendum section covers new information on the Florida reef record that came to light after completion of this report. The most important topics, relative to present reefs and to the dense population of the keys, are those addressed first under Natural Stressors. The other sections follow Geologic Highlights. One of many stressors and the most destructive natural physical forces to affect the keys and coral reefs are hurricanes. Hurricanes incorporate elements of each stressor source: atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic. continue to: Natural Stressors

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