The geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a complex stratigraphic record.
Cat Island: Complex Geomorphic Evolution of a Barrier Island
The geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a complex stratigraphic record.
Understanding the geomorphic evolution of Cat Island, Mississippi, was identified as critical for understanding the Holocene evolution of the Mississippi-Alabama (MS-AL) barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cat Island is considered the most "stable" of the MS-AL barrier islands because it is not migrating or suffering from rapid land loss that characterizes the historic response of most of the other islands. Prior to this study, there was a lack of comprehensive data needed to fully understand the geologic influences on the historic evolution of Cat Island and how its geology and geomorphology related to the other MS-AL islands to the east and the Chandeleur Islands to the south. In order to place Cat Island in the broader context of the evolution of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastal system, it is important to understand the morphology of the island and the seafloor surrounding it, sediment distribution, and stratigraphy, all of which contribute essential information about the geomorphologic evolution of the island over geologic and historical time scales. This provides geologic context for variability in modern nearshore processes and storm response, which will ultimately determine future island morphology.
Scientists from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, conducted geophysical and sedimentological surveys in 2010 around Cat Island, Mississippi. Over 487 line kilometers (> 300 mi) of high-resolution geophysical data were collected to improve understanding of the island’s geologic evolution and identify potential sand resources for coastal restoration. In addition, 40 vibracores were collected on and around the island, from which more than 350 samples were selected for grain-size analysis.
The results indicate that the geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a stratigraphic record that is quite complex. The region north of the island is dominated by lagoonal/estuarine deposition, whereas the region south of the island is dominated by deltaic (finer-grained sediments) and oceanographic (coarser-grained sediments) deposition. The extent and thickness of deltaic sediments south and east of the island is particularly important because they contain very little sand that could be liberated from the shoreface as sea level rises to maintain the island footprint. Furthermore, Middle Spit, a landform just south of the E-W segment of Cat Island, appears to be underlain completely or in part by deltaic sediments, which may lead to increased rates of subsidence for that section of the island.
In addition to identifying deltaic deposits, the data reveal four sand units around the island: two northwest and two southwest of the modern island. Given the dominant, westward-directed, longshore transport along the MS-AL barrier islands, the geographic location of these four units suggests that they do not contribute to the modern sediment budget of Cat Island, making them potential sand resources for coastal restoration. Another sand deposit was identified directly east of the island, which represents part of the island platform that existed ~4000 years ago and has supplied sand over that time for creation of the spits that form the eastern shoreline. Because of its location east of the island, this unit may still supply sediment to the island today. Data collected as part of this study showed the variety of processes that contributed to the geologic history of Cat Island and revealed how those processes may affect the future evolution of the island. To view the full Cat Island report, please see Kindinger and others (2014).
Objectives
-
Use a comprehensive marine and terrestrial approach to understand the geologic evolution of Cat Island
-
Define evolutionary relationships between Cat Island the other MS-AL barrier islands
-
Identify sand resources
Methodology
Geophysical Data - Swath and single-beam bathymetry, side-scan sonar, and seismic
Approximately 487 line-km of data were collected utilizing an integrated suite of geophysical instruments capable of mapping the geologic environment around the island in three dimensions. An interferometer provided swath bathymetry (e.g., water depth or submerged elevation). A side-scan sonar system provided information about seafloor composition (e.g., sand vs. mud), and high-resolution chirp seismic reflection was used to characterize sub-seafloor sediments. Survey tracklines (76 lines) were shore parallel for swath bathymetry with spacing of approximately 300 m. In addition, 274 line-km of single-beam bathymetry data were collected in the shallow water around Cat Island. Seismic data methods and processed data can be found in Forde and others (2012). Bathymetry and side-scan sonar data collection methods, processing methods, and digital elevation model (DEM) can be found in Buster and others (2012).
Sedimentologic Data - Vibracores
Seismic data was used to select sites for 29 marine vibracores collected for this study. In addition, 11 terrestrial cores were collected from the island within the swales between beach ridges. Grain-size analysis provided information on the texture and composition of marine units. Radiocarbon and optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating were used for sediment chronology. Data collection methods, laboratory methods, core photos, and descriptions can be found in Buster and others (2014).
Data Synthesis
-
Bathymetric and side-scan sonar data were combined to identify morphology-sediment relationships around the island. Analysis showed that coarser grained sediments were adjacent to the modern island and finer grained sediments were associated with bathymetric lows, such as channels.
-
Seismic data and marine vibracores were integrated to produce three-dimensional maps of the geology beneath the seafloor. By combining the two datasets, the composition and extent of the units could be determined, enabling an analysis of their area, volume, and suitability as resources.
-
Photographs, physical descriptions, grain-size analysis, radiocarbon dating, and OSL dating were assimilated to provide temporal context for the observed stratigraphy.
-
Comparisons to data collected from the Chandeleur Islands, LA (Twichell and others, 2009) and south of Ship Island (Twichell and others, 2011) show relationships between the Mississippi River Delta and barrier island evolution in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
This research is part of the Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins project.
This research is part of the Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins project. Listed below are links to that project and related resarch tasks.
Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins
Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring
Subsidence and Coastal Geomorphic Change in South-Central Louisiana
Integrating Mapping and Modeling to Support the Restoration of Bird Nesting Habitat at Breton Island National Wildlife Refuge
Science Support for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Project
Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins
- Overview
The geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a complex stratigraphic record.
Cat Island: Complex Geomorphic Evolution of a Barrier Island
The geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a complex stratigraphic record.
Understanding the geomorphic evolution of Cat Island, Mississippi, was identified as critical for understanding the Holocene evolution of the Mississippi-Alabama (MS-AL) barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cat Island is considered the most "stable" of the MS-AL barrier islands because it is not migrating or suffering from rapid land loss that characterizes the historic response of most of the other islands. Prior to this study, there was a lack of comprehensive data needed to fully understand the geologic influences on the historic evolution of Cat Island and how its geology and geomorphology related to the other MS-AL islands to the east and the Chandeleur Islands to the south. In order to place Cat Island in the broader context of the evolution of the northern Gulf of Mexico coastal system, it is important to understand the morphology of the island and the seafloor surrounding it, sediment distribution, and stratigraphy, all of which contribute essential information about the geomorphologic evolution of the island over geologic and historical time scales. This provides geologic context for variability in modern nearshore processes and storm response, which will ultimately determine future island morphology.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.The northern Gulf of Mexico showing the Mississippi-Alabama (MS-AL) barrier-island chain, from easternmost Dauphin Island to westernmost Cat Island, which separates the Mississippi Sound from the Gulf of Mexico. The location of the study area is indicated by the red box.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Detailed map of bathymetric data collected around Cat Island. Note that the southern shoreface is more gradual in slope than that to the north or east. Scientists from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, conducted geophysical and sedimentological surveys in 2010 around Cat Island, Mississippi. Over 487 line kilometers (> 300 mi) of high-resolution geophysical data were collected to improve understanding of the island’s geologic evolution and identify potential sand resources for coastal restoration. In addition, 40 vibracores were collected on and around the island, from which more than 350 samples were selected for grain-size analysis.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Uninterpreted seismic profile 03 (upper panel) and the same profile with interpretations (lower panel), including the location of a sediment-filled paleo-incised valley (dashed blue line) below the ravinement horizon (solid red line). Note that the high-angle clinoforms in the north lower sand unit (blue) appear to dip in opposite directions. (Public domain.) The results indicate that the geologic evolution of Cat Island has been influenced by deltaic, lagoonal/estuarine, tidal, and oceanographic processes, resulting in a stratigraphic record that is quite complex. The region north of the island is dominated by lagoonal/estuarine deposition, whereas the region south of the island is dominated by deltaic (finer-grained sediments) and oceanographic (coarser-grained sediments) deposition. The extent and thickness of deltaic sediments south and east of the island is particularly important because they contain very little sand that could be liberated from the shoreface as sea level rises to maintain the island footprint. Furthermore, Middle Spit, a landform just south of the E-W segment of Cat Island, appears to be underlain completely or in part by deltaic sediments, which may lead to increased rates of subsidence for that section of the island.
In addition to identifying deltaic deposits, the data reveal four sand units around the island: two northwest and two southwest of the modern island. Given the dominant, westward-directed, longshore transport along the MS-AL barrier islands, the geographic location of these four units suggests that they do not contribute to the modern sediment budget of Cat Island, making them potential sand resources for coastal restoration. Another sand deposit was identified directly east of the island, which represents part of the island platform that existed ~4000 years ago and has supplied sand over that time for creation of the spits that form the eastern shoreline. Because of its location east of the island, this unit may still supply sediment to the island today. Data collected as part of this study showed the variety of processes that contributed to the geologic history of Cat Island and revealed how those processes may affect the future evolution of the island. To view the full Cat Island report, please see Kindinger and others (2014).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Core summary showing downcore analysis for marine vibracore 07 coupled with core photograph (lower right) and relevant seismic profile (center right). Red circles on the core photo indicate grain-size sample locations
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Seismic profile from south of Cat Island coupled with corresponding seismic profile north of Cat Island. The uninterpreted profiles are shown in the upper panels and the interpretations are shown in the middle panels. Vibracore locations and depth of core penetration is shown with black vertical lines. Together, depositional units identified in seismic interpretations and sediment vibracores help recreate the geologic evolution of Cat Island. Objectives
-
Use a comprehensive marine and terrestrial approach to understand the geologic evolution of Cat Island
-
Define evolutionary relationships between Cat Island the other MS-AL barrier islands
-
Identify sand resources
Methodology
Geophysical Data - Swath and single-beam bathymetry, side-scan sonar, and seismic
Approximately 487 line-km of data were collected utilizing an integrated suite of geophysical instruments capable of mapping the geologic environment around the island in three dimensions. An interferometer provided swath bathymetry (e.g., water depth or submerged elevation). A side-scan sonar system provided information about seafloor composition (e.g., sand vs. mud), and high-resolution chirp seismic reflection was used to characterize sub-seafloor sediments. Survey tracklines (76 lines) were shore parallel for swath bathymetry with spacing of approximately 300 m. In addition, 274 line-km of single-beam bathymetry data were collected in the shallow water around Cat Island. Seismic data methods and processed data can be found in Forde and others (2012). Bathymetry and side-scan sonar data collection methods, processing methods, and digital elevation model (DEM) can be found in Buster and others (2012).
Sedimentologic Data - Vibracores
Seismic data was used to select sites for 29 marine vibracores collected for this study. In addition, 11 terrestrial cores were collected from the island within the swales between beach ridges. Grain-size analysis provided information on the texture and composition of marine units. Radiocarbon and optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating were used for sediment chronology. Data collection methods, laboratory methods, core photos, and descriptions can be found in Buster and others (2014).
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Seismic profile interpretations were used to produce isopach maps showing (a) the extent of the north lower sand (NLS) unit and unit thickness and (b) the depth to the top of the unit.(Public domain.) Data Synthesis
-
Bathymetric and side-scan sonar data were combined to identify morphology-sediment relationships around the island. Analysis showed that coarser grained sediments were adjacent to the modern island and finer grained sediments were associated with bathymetric lows, such as channels.
-
Seismic data and marine vibracores were integrated to produce three-dimensional maps of the geology beneath the seafloor. By combining the two datasets, the composition and extent of the units could be determined, enabling an analysis of their area, volume, and suitability as resources.
-
Photographs, physical descriptions, grain-size analysis, radiocarbon dating, and OSL dating were assimilated to provide temporal context for the observed stratigraphy.
-
Comparisons to data collected from the Chandeleur Islands, LA (Twichell and others, 2009) and south of Ship Island (Twichell and others, 2011) show relationships between the Mississippi River Delta and barrier island evolution in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
This research is part of the Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins project.
-
- Science
This research is part of the Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins project. Listed below are links to that project and related resarch tasks.
Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins
A combination of geophysics, sediment sampling, and chronology techniques are used to characterize the regional geomorphologic response of coastal systems to environmental changes.Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring
Historical and newly acquired data were used to assess and monitor changes in the aerial and subaqueous extent of islands, habitat types, sediment properties, environmental processes, and vegetation composition.Subsidence and Coastal Geomorphic Change in South-Central Louisiana
New methods will investigate coastal subsidence on and around barrier islands before and after restoration.Integrating Mapping and Modeling to Support the Restoration of Bird Nesting Habitat at Breton Island National Wildlife Refuge
In response to storms, reduced sediment supply, and sea-level rise, Breton Island is rapidly deteriorating, impacting the available nesting habitat of endangered seabirds. This study provides critical information regarding the physical environment of the island system.Science Support for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Project
Since 2007, the USGS (with NPS and USACE) has been mapping the seafloor and substrate around the Mississippi barrier islands to characterize the near-surface stratigraphy and identify the influence it has on island evolution and fate.Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins
A combination of geophysics, sediment sampling, and chronology techniques are used to characterize the regional geomorphologic response of coastal systems to environmental changes. - Publications
- Partners