Gulf trough: The Atlantic connection

Analyses of seismic reflection profiles and stratigraphic data indicate a continuation of the Gulf trough trend across eastern South Carolina and offshore between Cape Fear and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Seismic profiles show a linear northeast-trending zone of nondeposition and erosion and areas of chaotic deposition in the Eocene and Oligocene sections. The character of deposition and erosion along this trend is similar to that produced by bottom currents under the core of the present Gulf Stream. The trend separates deep-water from shallower water deposits, indicating that the erosion was produced by strong marine currents flowing through the Gulf trough in the high sea levels of middle Eocene through early Oligocene time.