Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
1972
Series
Special scientific report; no. 64.
Abstract
The sedimentary materials and bottom topography of more than 2400 square miles of the inner continental shelf floor north off the Chesapeake Bay entrance have been surveyed for potential mineral resources. Sediments consist of two principal types: (1) fine sand and (2) medium to coarse sand. The fine sand is grey-colored, subrounded, rich in quartz and relatively 11clean 11 and well sorted. The medium-coarse sand is typically iron-stained, rich in shell and poorly sorted. The fine sand covers inner parts of the shelf floor whereas medium to coarse sand covers seaward parts. Additionally, shell-rich medium to coarse sand occurs on isolated ridges of inner parts. These preliminary geologic findings delineate several localities which contain concentrations of dark minerals, shell and gravel. ii
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-h4sj-6g72
Keywords
Marine sediments -- Virginia -- Atlantic Coast; Ocean bottom; Sedimentation and deposition; Submarine geology
Recommended Citation
Nichols, M. M. (1972) Inner shelf sediments off Chesapeake Bay. I - General lithology and composition. Special scientific report; no. 64.. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-h4sj-6g72
Included in
Geology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Sedimentology Commons
