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Geologist Julie Bernier presents findings from the Gulf Coast Subsidence Project at the Louisiana Coastal Neotectonics Workshop

By St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center June 4, 2020

SPCMSC geologist Julie Bernier was invited to present findings from the Gulf Coast Subsidence Project at the Louisiana Coastal Neotectonics workshop, June 3–5, 2020, organized by The Water Institute of the Gulf.

Media
Regional map showing historical wetland losses and geologic setting of the Mississippi River delta plain, Louisiana
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Regional map showing historical (1932-2004) wetland losses and geologic setting of the Mississippi River delta plain, Louisiana. The delta plain was constructed by sediment transported through distributary channels that began prograding about 7,000 years ago and deposited sediment in overlapping delta lobes. Thick aggradational peats that accumulated in interdistributary areas underlie much of the emergent delta-plain wetlands. White box encompasses study sites where coring and bathymetric surveys were conducted as part of the Gulf Coast Subsidence Project. 

The Water Institute of the Gulf has assembled an expert panel composed of recognized experts in the fields of neotectonics/subsidence and geomorphic/sedimentary response in the Louisiana coastal region. The panel is charged with weighing the data, interpretations, and conclusions presented to them by scientists conducting research related to this topic during the workshop in the context of fostering open discussion of neotectonics and coastal restoration at the planning time scale. Through a series of workshops, the panel provides a forum for scientists to present their research on neotectonics and its potential impacts on management of coastal natural resources. This is the third of three planned workshops. Julie will be presenting results from the Gulf Coast Subsidence Project, ​which investigated the physical processes and human activities that contributed to historical wetland loss in coastal Louisiana and the spatial and temporal trends of that loss. 

Read what else is new at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

 

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