Holocene Evolution of the Galveston Bay Punctuated by Rapid, Episodic Changes: Implications for Future Change

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dc.acquisition-srcen_US
dc.call-noen_US
dc.contract-noen_US
dc.contributor.authorAnderson, JBen_US
dc.contributor.authorRodriguez, ABen_US
dc.contributor.authorMilliken, Ken_US
dc.contributor.authorTaviani, Men_US
dc.contributor.otherProceedings of the Eighth Biennial State of the Bay Symposium January 23-25, 2007en_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-15T16:46:30Z
dc.date.available2010-02-15T16:46:30Z
dc.date.issuedJan. 24, 2007en_US
dc.degreeen_US
dc.description[np]en_US
dc.description-otheren_US
dc.description.abstractUsing seismic data and sediment cores collected within Galveston, we have been able to reconstruct the bay's evolution with considerable detail. These data show that Galveston Bay has had a history of rapid and dramatic change, in response to sea level rise across the irregular topography of the old river valleys and changes in climate that regulated sediment supply to the bay. In general, the valley morphology consists of a deep incision near the center and broad, terraced flanks. As sea level rose during the Holocene the bay changed from a narrow, deep bay to a wide, rounded bay as the valley was flooded. As sea level rose to the elevation of relatively flat fluvial terraces these areas were flooded rapidly, resulting in expansions in bay area of up to 30% and dramatic re-organization of bay environments. The most notably changes were up-valley shifts in the bayhead delta of tens of kilometers. These events took place within a century or two. The most dramatic flooding events took place at approximately 9,600, 8,900, 8,500 to 8,200, and 7,300 to 7,100 cal. Yrs BP. These events were caused by a combination of rapid sea level rise, flooding of low antecedent topography and decreases in sediment supply. Changes in sediment supply were caused by climate change and changes in the area of the bay, which resulted in increased sediment accommodation and associated decreases in sedimentation rates. Anthropogenic changes is sediment supply, by construction of dams, and accelerated subsidence due to groundwater and hydrocarbon extraction, are occurring at rates that equal those that caused past rapid flooding events. It is possible that the response of these recent changes have yet to take place.en_US
dc.description.urien_US
dc.geo-codeGalveston Bayen_US
dc.history1-16-09 kswen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/18580
dc.latitudeen_US
dc.locationNot available in house - Please contact GBIC for assistanceen_US
dc.longitudeen_US
dc.notesen_US
dc.placeen_US
dc.publisherGalveston Bay Estuary Programen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries10099.00en_US
dc.relation.urihttp://gbic.tamug.edu/gbeppubs/sobviii/sobviii_rpr.htm#Andersonen_US
dc.scaleen_US
dc.seriesen_US
dc.subjectevolutionen_US
dc.subjectHoloceneen_US
dc.subjectsediment coresen_US
dc.subjectseismic dataen_US
dc.titleHolocene Evolution of the Galveston Bay Punctuated by Rapid, Episodic Changes: Implications for Future Changeen_US
dc.typeCONFen_US
dc.universityen_US
dc.vol-issueen_US

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