Evolution of Depositional Patterns in the Mississippi Sound During the Late Holocene

Brian M. Velardo¹ and Samuel J. Bentley^2
1Dominion Exploration and Production, 1415 Louisiana St. Suite 2700, Houston, Texas 77006
²Coastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803

Modern facies analysis of vibracores collected north of Cat Island and Ship Island provides a history of the evolution of the Mississippi Sound during the past 1000 years. Vibracores, collected in May 2003, were analyzed using radioisotope geochronology (¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb), x-radiography, granulometry, and a multi-sensor core logger. Sediments collected were characterized as belonging to two groups of lithofacies: 1) open bay and 2) nearshore. North-south cross sections north of Cat Island and Ship Island document an evolution in the sedimentary facies with time. Facies distributions appear to vary in space and time, suggesting that fluctuations in sea level, sediment delivery and accumulation, and the migration of the barrier islands have influenced the depositional environments surrounding the barrier islands.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90080©2005 GCAGS 55th Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana