Episodic nature of Holocene sea-level rise and the evolution of east Texas bays
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
Backstepping parasequences within the Trinity and Sabine fluvial valleys of the east Texas continental shelf document the episodic nature of Holocene sea-level rise. Stillstands are recorded by paired bayhead delta-tidal inlet/delta facies. Rapid rises in sea level caused these systems to shift up the valley several kilometers. These flooding surfaces are mapped easily using high-resolution seismic reflection profiles and are recorded in sediment cores by incomplete valley-fill sequences (bayhead delta-middle-bay-tidal delta/tidal-inlet-ravinement surface-offshore marine). The bays that occupied these valleys changed in character from long, narrow (periods of rapid rise) to shallow broad water bodies (slow rise to relative stillstand). The most recent rapid sea-level rise occurred approximately 4 ka. This event led to the submergence of the broad, shallow portions of the river valley and the creation of the modern bays. Ongoing research focuses on documenting the exact timing of rapid-flooding events and on understanding the response of bay and marsh ecosystems to rapid sea-level rise.
- OSTI ID:
- 5951842
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9304188--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 25:4; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
580000* -- Geosciences
BAYS
CENOZOIC ERA
COASTAL WATERS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
LEVELS
NORTH AMERICA
ORIGIN
QUATERNARY PERIOD
SEA LEVEL
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TEXAS
USA