The quaternary lithostratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, and geologic history of the Croatan Sound area, North Carolina / by Peter R. Parham.
| Author/creator | Parham, Peter R. author. |
| Other author | Riggs, Stanley R., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | Culver, Stephen J., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2003. |
| Description | viii, 139 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Subject | Drill hole data from 40 test borings, performed for bridge foundation conditions by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, were analyzed in concert with high resolution seismic data. These data suggest that portions of depositional sequences representing as many as 13 Quaternary sea-level high stands are preserved within the upper 45 m of deposits along an eight km transect across Croatan Sound in northeastern North Carolina. Amino-acid racemization (AAR) age determination has constrained the age of at least nine of these depositional sequences to younger than 250 ka. Foraminiferal and molluscan fossil assemblages suggest that the marine facies of these sequences represent an open embayment depositional environment. Sediment relationships observed in Croatan Sound, a drowned tributary of the Roanoke/Albemarle drainage system, may be representative of depositional patterns in similar drowned tributary streams. Where preserved, depositional sequences display a vertical succession of three major facies. 1) A basal low-stand facies characterized by soil development and sub-aerial erosion of uplands in concert with deposition of a spectrum of terrigenous sediments along stream valleys. 2) An intermediate estuarine facies produced by gradual flooding and broadening of stream valleys that results generally in deposition of muds in deeper channel areas and of shoreline erosion-derived sands on shallower non-channel areas. 3) An overlying fining-upward marine shelf facies that partially truncates the previously deposited low-stand and estuarine facies. Antecedent topography within the subsurface strongly influences depositional patterns in overlying sequences. Each successive sequence alters or truncates portions of the preceeding sequence or sequences. The result is a stacked series of similar marine shelf deposits that are locally separated by non-marine and/or estuarine channel deposits. |
| General note | Presented by the faculty of the Department of Geology. |
| General note | Advisor: Stanley R. Riggs |
| General note | Advisor: Stephen J. Culver |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2003 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-102). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |