Morphology and textures of modern sediments on the inner shelf of South Carolina's Long Bay from Little River Inlet to Winyah Bay
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Abstract
High-resolution sea-floor mapping techniques, including sidecan-sonar, seismic-reflection, swath bathymetric systems, and bottom sampling, were used to map the geologic framework offshore of the northern South Carolina coast in order to provide a better understanding of the physical processes controlling coastal erosion and shoreline change. Four general sea floor environments were identified through analysis of sidescan-sonar, swath bathymetry, and surface sediment texture: inlet shoal complexes, shore-detached shoals, hardground, and mixed zones. Inlet shoal complexes generally lie offshore of modern inlet systems, with the exception of a shore-detached shoal lying offshore of Myrtle Beach. The shoals show 1 - 3 m in relief and comprise the largest accumulations of modern sediment within the inner shelf survey area. Surficial sediments within the shoal complexes are characterized by a low-backscatter, moderately sorted fine sand. Hardground areas are characterized by exposures of Cretaceous and Tertiary strata and Pleistocene channel-fill deposits. These areas display little to no bathymetric relief and are characterized by high-backscatter, coarser grained sand. Mixed zones show small-scale spatial variations in bathymetry, surface texture and backscatter. These areas are characterized by a thin layer of modern sediment (< 1 m) and exposures of Cretaceous strata and Pleistocene channel-fill deposits.
Textural and geomorphic variations suggest a long-term net southerly flow within the study area. The general acoustic and textural character of the inner shelf within Long Bay suggests long-term erosion, reworking and continued modification of inner-shelf deposits by modern nearshore processes.
Suggested Citation
Denny, J.F., Baldwin, W.E., Schwab, W.C., Gayes, P., Morton, R., and Driscoll, N.W., 2007, Morphology and textures of modern sediments on the inner shelf of South Carolina's Long Bay from Little River Inlet to Winyah Bay: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1345, vii, 57 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051345.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Morphology and textures of modern sediments on the inner shelf of South Carolina's Long Bay from Little River Inlet to Winyah Bay |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2005-1345 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20051345 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Coastal and Marine Geology Program, South Atlantic Water Science Center |
| Description | vii, 57 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| Other Geospatial | Long Bay |