Development of the barrier system at Ferry Beach, Maine--Evidence of transgressive and regressive phases
- Boston Univ., MA (United States). Dept. of Geology
- Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME (United States). Dept. of Geological Sciences
Ferry Beach is part of a barrier system that borders the southern end of the Saco Embayment. This portion of the coast is characterized by mesotidal conditions and low wave energy. The beaches in this area are fronted by a low gradient sandy offshore and backed by a continuous foredune ridge. The backbarrier consists of fresh water ponds at Ferry Beach, in the central part, and salt marshes adjacent to Saco River and Goosefare Brook. New ground-penetrating radar and vibracore data, supplemented with topographic profiles, have enabled the delineation and interpretation of the major stratigraphic units present at Ferry Beach. The internal structure of the barrier lithosome and backbarrier sedimentary unit shows evidence of three phases in the late Holocene development of the study area. The first, transgressive phase is identified in the unconformity between glaciomarine clays of the Presumpscot Formation and overlying backbarrier, barrier, and shoreface units. The second, transitional phase is recognized as a distinctly outlined sandy unit with landward and southward dipping layers on top of backbarrier and shoreface deposits. The unit is inferred to be either a recurved spit deposit or part of a new barrier incompletely welded to the older beach ridges. The third, regressive phase has resulted in the present-day beach ridge system. The barrier lithosome associated with this phase is characterized by 150 m of offshore dipping layers. The evolutionary style of the Ferry Beach barrier system is likely linked to variations in rates of relative sea-level rise and sediment supply. Rapid rise of relative sea level was the determining factor during Phase 1, while offshore and longshore (notably from the Saco River) sediment supply during the Holocene sediment maximum caused the barrier expansion during Phases 2 and 3.
- OSTI ID:
- 5579367
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9303211--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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