Holocene Evolution of a Portion of the North Carolina Coast

Research Article| December 01, 1970 Holocene Evolution of a Portion of the North Carolina Coast J. W PIERCE; J. W PIERCE Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 20560 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. J COLQUHOUN D. J COLQUHOUN Department of Geology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1970) 81 (12): 3697–3714. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[3697:HEOAPO]2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 01 Jun 1970 rev-recd: 13 Jul 1970 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. W PIERCE, D. J COLQUHOUN; Holocene Evolution of a Portion of the North Carolina Coast. GSA Bulletin 1970;; 81 (12): 3697–3714. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[3697:HEOAPO]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The presence of a soil zone under a portion of the large barrier chain, which makes up much of the North Carolina coast, and the absence of this zone under the remainder of the barrier has led to a re-evaluation of the mode of formation and the evolutionary development of this stretch of coastline during Holocene time.A primary barrier, formed during a rising sea, became detached by flooding of the area behind a mainland beach. This primary barrier apparently reoccupied the position of a barrier formed during a stillstand within the general Wisconsin regression.The present coastline has evolved from the primary barrier by retreat and migration of headlands as well as formation of secondary barriers, by spit elongation, over the adjacent continental shelf. Approximately 61 percent of the present barrier chain is secondary in nature; whereas the remaining 39 percent is modified primary.Continued retrogression of the barrier islands eventually will superimpose the secondary barriers over the primary. When this happens, evidence that a secondary barrier existed will be obliterated. The extreme case results when this compound barrier is driven landward until it eventually reaches the mainland, hence a mainland beach. At this time, no evidence remains that any barrier previously existed. The presence of a secondary barrier would suggest the landward presence of a primary barrier or a mainland beach. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.