A 3000 yr paleostorm record from St. Catherines Island, Georgia. (5th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braun, Erick; Meyer, Brian; Deocampo, Daniel; Kiage, Lawrence M.
• Is Part Of: Estuarine, coastal and shelf science. Volume 196(2017)
• Page Start: 360
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2017-09-05
• Subjects: Paleotempestology -- Hurricanes -- Sand layers -- Overwash -- St. Catherines Island -- Georgia coast; Estuarine oceanography -- Periodicals; Coasts -- Periodicals; Estuarine biology -- Periodicals; Seashore biology -- Periodicals; Coasts; Estuarine biology; Estuarine oceanography; Seashore biology; Periodicals; 551.461805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.05.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7714

Abstract

Abstract: Tropical cyclones (hurricanes in the northern hemisphere) are amongst the most devastating of the world's natural disasters and cause billions of dollars in damage every year. Data on the likelihood of a coastal site being struck by a major hurricane strike can potentially aid in planning and mitigation efforts that could save money and lives. However, forecasting requires data that are currently insufficient for the Georgia Bight. This study provides information to enhance the paleohurricane record by analysis of a 467 cm thick vibracore raised from St. Catherines Island, GA. Sediment geochemistry and foraminiferal assemblages indicate deposits attributable to seven paleohurricane events, five of which were likely major hurricanes when they made landfall on St. Catherines. Magnitudes were estimated by comparison to the overwash deposit left by "The Sea Islands hurricane of 1893", a major hurricane recorded by the recent sediment of St. Catherines Island. The St. Catherines record also shows a change in the activity levels on the Georgia coast with two distinct activity regimes over the past 3000 years.