The study seeks to investigate the past evolution of the Pinellas barrier islands using computer models informed by geology from field sites, including Anclote Key, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, Mullet Key, and Cabbage Key. The primary objective is to quantify rates of coastal change that occurred prior to the 20th century. To inform model simulations of the islands, data to be acquired in this study include ground-penetrating radar (GPR) transects to determine the structure of the subsurface, sediment cores to observe and analyze stratigraphy/sedimentology, and age control of sediments using luminescence dating techniques.
Location
Pinellas County, Florida Gulf coast, US
Summary
GPR lines from Mullet Key vicinity, St. Jean Key, Cabbage Key, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, and Anclote Key were successfully acquired through March, 2021. Coring at the islands was completed in May, 2021 after a hiatus in April to complete work at Fire Island, New York (see 2021-312-FA). Cores from Caladesi, Honeymoon, and Anclote were also reviewed for cultural resources by NPS archaeologist; no cultural resources were encountered either during on-site operations or in further lab analyses to date.
Info derived
Subsurface structural features (GPR), sedimentology (cores), age control (cores), and visual geomorphology
Comments
Entries for this field activity are partly based on entries from Field Activity 2021-304-FA; timeframe extended to May 14 due to pause in coring activity to accommodate another project
22-ft Twin Vee
This boat has a carrying capacity of up to 1500 pounds and up to 7 people and a shallow draft (9 inches empty). This boat's cat hull design results in a smoother ride in choppy water, at the expense of a slightly deeper draft. This boat is powered by two Yamaha 70hp motors.
