skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Quaternary sea-level lowstand features on the southern Florida Keys upper continental slope: Seismic, submersible, and outcrop data

Abstract

The low-gradient slope, seaward of the Holocene reef tract and latest Pleistocene outlier reefs, is superimposed by mounds or bumps. These range in depth from 60 to 100 m MSL, and resemble reefal or dune deposits, or shoreline nickpoints. Seismic data were recently augmented by a series of 2-man submersible dives (DELTA) in and around these features, providing invaluable first-hand dimensional perspective on the undersea outcrops, as well as providing invaluable first-hand dimensional perspective on the undersea outcrops, as well as extensive video, still photography, and in situ outcrop samples. The outcropping grainstones contain abundant subtropical and tropical skeletal components useful for paleoclimatic and age analyses, paleoenvironmental and diagenetic studies, and interpretation of these deposits in terms of sea level position and relationship to climate. Quaternary sea-level lowstand deposits have not previously been sampled from the south Florida Platform, a current-dominated windward carbonate margin. Because this platform is neither subject to isostatic adjustments associated with glacial boundaries and clastic (deltaic) loading, nor with any dynamic tectonic regime, it should preserve a relatively pure signal of the amplitudes of sea level-fluctuations. High-frequency sea-level changes recorded by slope features provide data on modes for long-term platform development. Florida lowstand amplitudes in combinationmore » with available highstand data can be used to establish a maximum range for Quaternary sea level fluctuations. When considered in the context of paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental data from outcrop samples, the magnitude, timing, and duration of Quaternary sea levels in south Florida may be viewed as critical to a general understanding of processes associated with rapid climate change.« less

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL (United States). Dept. of Marine Science
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5936524
Report Number(s):
CONF-921058-
Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7592; CODEN: GAAPBC
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 24:7; Conference: 1992 annual meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Cincinnati, OH (United States), 26-29 Oct 1992; Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; CONTINENTAL SLOPE; GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES; FLORIDA; QUATERNARY PERIOD; SEA LEVEL; AGE ESTIMATION; CLIMATIC CHANGE; FLUCTUATIONS; ISLANDS; PALEOCLIMATOLOGY; PALEONTOLOGY; PHOTOGRAPHY; SEA BED; SEISMIC SURVEYS; STRATIGRAPHY; CENOZOIC ERA; CONTINENTAL MARGIN; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; GEOLOGIC AGES; GEOLOGY; GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS; LEVELS; NORTH AMERICA; SURVEYS; USA; VARIATIONS; 580000* - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Toscano, M A, and Hine, A C. Quaternary sea-level lowstand features on the southern Florida Keys upper continental slope: Seismic, submersible, and outcrop data. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Toscano, M A, & Hine, A C. Quaternary sea-level lowstand features on the southern Florida Keys upper continental slope: Seismic, submersible, and outcrop data. United States.
Toscano, M A, and Hine, A C. 1992. "Quaternary sea-level lowstand features on the southern Florida Keys upper continental slope: Seismic, submersible, and outcrop data". United States.
@article{osti_5936524,
title = {Quaternary sea-level lowstand features on the southern Florida Keys upper continental slope: Seismic, submersible, and outcrop data},
author = {Toscano, M A and Hine, A C},
abstractNote = {The low-gradient slope, seaward of the Holocene reef tract and latest Pleistocene outlier reefs, is superimposed by mounds or bumps. These range in depth from 60 to 100 m MSL, and resemble reefal or dune deposits, or shoreline nickpoints. Seismic data were recently augmented by a series of 2-man submersible dives (DELTA) in and around these features, providing invaluable first-hand dimensional perspective on the undersea outcrops, as well as providing invaluable first-hand dimensional perspective on the undersea outcrops, as well as extensive video, still photography, and in situ outcrop samples. The outcropping grainstones contain abundant subtropical and tropical skeletal components useful for paleoclimatic and age analyses, paleoenvironmental and diagenetic studies, and interpretation of these deposits in terms of sea level position and relationship to climate. Quaternary sea-level lowstand deposits have not previously been sampled from the south Florida Platform, a current-dominated windward carbonate margin. Because this platform is neither subject to isostatic adjustments associated with glacial boundaries and clastic (deltaic) loading, nor with any dynamic tectonic regime, it should preserve a relatively pure signal of the amplitudes of sea level-fluctuations. High-frequency sea-level changes recorded by slope features provide data on modes for long-term platform development. Florida lowstand amplitudes in combination with available highstand data can be used to establish a maximum range for Quaternary sea level fluctuations. When considered in the context of paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental data from outcrop samples, the magnitude, timing, and duration of Quaternary sea levels in south Florida may be viewed as critical to a general understanding of processes associated with rapid climate change.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5936524}, journal = {Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)},
issn = {0016-7592},
number = ,
volume = 24:7,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}

Conference:
Other availability
Please see Document Availability for additional information on obtaining the full-text document. Library patrons may search WorldCat to identify libraries that hold this conference proceeding.

Save / Share: