RECENT GEOMORPHIC HISTORY OF THE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN, LOUISIANA,
Abstract
The Pontchartrain Basin, a large lowland area included in the Mississippi River deltaic plain, has a history closely related to the postglacial sea level rise and to major shifts in Mississippi River courses. The interpretation of the basin's history and of the evolution of Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas is based on geomorphological and archaeological evidence. Significant landforms such as beaches and natural levees, both exposed and active as well as abandoned and buried through the action of subsidence, are discussed in detail and evaluated as clues to the paleogeography. Dating of significant events and establishment of a chronology has been possible through the use of numerous radiocarbon datings and a study of artifact collections from over 50 Indian sites. Collectively indicative of a period of over 3500 years, the sites also contain clues to former environmental conditions and changes and provide a method of evaluating subsidence. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0416540
Entities
People
- Roger T. Saucier
Organizations
- Louisiana State University