FORAMINIFERAL AND SEDIMENTOLOGIC EVIDENCE OF HURRICANE-DRIVEN SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND DEPOSITION IN AN INNER SHELF/ BARRIER-ISLAND SYSTEM Grant uri icon

abstract

  • Utilizing a uniformitarian approach, foraminifera have been used widely in reconstructing paleoenvironments. Thus, they are useful for defining facies associations and characterizization of sequences in sequence stratigraphic studies. We propose a new study on the open shelf of Onslow Bay, North Carolina that will link through coeval sampling to previous PRF-funded research on Bear Island and Bogue Banks barrier islands of coastal Onslow Bay. We will test several hypotheses related to the contribution of open shelf sediment to the barrier islands using foraminiferal specimens as onshore sediment transport during major hurricanes, and to the direction and source of sediment transport as indicated by the nature of the sediment-starved shelf that has several Oligocene and Miocene lithologic units characterized by different foraminiferal assemblages exposed on the seabed. Offshore sediment sampling and geophysical surveys on the inner shelf will take place in September of each of three years. Six undergraduate students (two per year) will take a carefully defined position of the sample set each year based upon project needs and individual student interest. Students will be involved in all aspects of the project - planning and undertaking fieldwork at sea and on land, laboratory processing of samples and geophysical data, analysis of data, and preparation of manuscripts for Honors theses. All students will be coauthors on any publications that will result from this joint, collaborative work.

date/time interval

  • September 2023 - August 2026