Sediment Distribution, Sand Resources, and Geologic Character of the Inner Continental Shelf off Galveston County, Texas.
Abstract
About 850 square kilometers (330 square miles) of the Texas inner shelf from High Island to Freeport was surveyed and studied, using high-resolution continuous seismic reflection profiles taken along several hundred kilometers of trackline and 34 long cores, to determine the general geologic character and surface and subbottom sediment distribution. The objective was to assess the resource potential of sand deposits suitable as fill for beach nourishment projects. Pleistocene and older sedimentary deposits underlie the study area at shallow depths, and several prominent erosion surfaces and deeply incised, and subsequently filled, stream channels are evident on the seismic records. The thickness of Holocene sediments is generally less than 3 meters (10 feet), except in channels, and the contact between the Holocene and Pleistocene units is obvious in most cores and shows good correlation with a regional reflector on the seismic profiles. Mud and muddy fine sands predominate in the area; however, very fine to fine sand is present on the shoreface and in several delta shoals. Five sites are identified which contain sand suitable for beach nourishment; two of the sites, a shoal adjacent to Galveston south jetty and an area off San Luis Pass, offer the highest potential. Volumetric estimates indicate that 63 million cubic meters (82 million cubic yards) of sand exists in the five sites. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA074393
Entities
People
- Dennis A. Prins
- Edward P. Meisburger
- S. Jeffress Williams
Organizations
- Coastal Engineering Research Center