Fossil Mangrove Reef of Key Biscayne, Florida

Research Article| August 01, 1965 Fossil Mangrove Reef of Key Biscayne, Florida J EDWARD HOFFMEISTER; J EDWARD HOFFMEISTER Institute of Marine Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H GRAY MULTER H GRAY MULTER College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1965) 76 (8): 845–852. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1965)76845:FMROKB2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 27 Oct 1964 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 EDWARD HOFFMEISTER, H GRAY MULTER; Fossil Mangrove Reef of Key Biscayne, Florida. GSA Bulletin 1965;; 76 (8): 845–852. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1965)76845:FMROKB2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A small rock reef, extending along the northeastern shore of Key Biscayne, Florida, for a distance of about 400 yards and seaward for 115 yards, has been found to be composed of a framework of fossilized mangrove roots belonging to the black mangrove, Avicennia nitida. The roots, now turned into calcareous rods, are embedded in a friable calcareous-quartzitic sand which may be quickly washed away by wave action along the seaward edge of the reef. In this manner, a lattice of roots in their original position is exposed. It is believed that this may be the first reported occurrence of the fossilization of mangrove roots. Radiocarbon dating indicates the age of the rods to be between 1000 and 2000 years. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.