Multiple outer-reef tracts along the south Florida bank margin: Outlier reefs, a new windward-margin model

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0115:MORTAT>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:5638922

Lidz, B H; Shinn, E A; Kindinger, J L ^[1]; Hine, A C ^[2]

---

1. U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg, FL (USA)
2. Univ. of South Florida, St. Petersburg (USA)

High-resolution seismic-reflection profiles off the lower Florida Keys reveal a multiple outlier-reef tract system {approximately}0.5 to 1.5 km seaward of the bank margin. The system is characterized by a massive, outer main reef tract of high (28 m) unburied relief that parallels the margin and at least two narrower, discontinuous reef tracts of lower relief between the main tract and the shallow bank-margin reefs. The outer tract is {approximately}0.5 to 1 km wide and extends a distance of {approximately}57 km. A single pass divides the outer tract into two main reefs. The outlier reefs developed an antecedent, low-gradient to horizontal offbank surfaces, interpreted to be Pleistocene beaches that formed terracelike features. Radiocarbon dates of a coral core from the outer tract confirm a pre-Holocene age. These multiple outlier reefs represent a new windward-margin model that presents a significant, unique mechanism for progradation of carbonate platforms during periods of sea-level fluctuation. Infilling of the back-reef terrace basins would create new terraced promontories and would extend or step the platform seaward for hundreds of meters. Subsequent outlier-reef development would produce laterally accumulating sequences.

• OSTI ID: 5638922
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Vol. 19:2; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
REEFS
FLORIDA
AGE ESTIMATION
CARBON 14
CARBONATE ROCKS
CORALS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
ISOTOPE DATING
QUATERNARY PERIOD
REFLECTIVITY
SEA LEVEL
SEISMIC SURVEYS
VARIATIONS
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON ISOTOPES
CENOZOIC ERA
CNIDARIA
COELENTERATA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION IV
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPES
LEVELS
LIGHT NUCLEI
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIOISOTOPES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURVEYS
USA
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
580000* - Geosciences