Erosion of the cliffs of Outer Cape Cod : tables and graphs

Zeigler, John M.; Tasha, Herman J.; Giese, Graham S.

doi:10.1575/1912/6921

Cited by 7 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The lithology of the present cliffs consisting of cross-bedded sands, gravelly sands, and a clay layer, changes unpredictably along the strike (Fig. 28; Zeigler et al, 1964b;Koteff et al, 1967). The sections measured by Zeigler et al (1964b) and Koteff et al (1967) were at the distal end o f the sediment wedges deposited by the South Channel lobe where sediment variations along the strike would be minimal.…”

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The eastw ard-facing sea cliffs o f the lower Cape are retreating today at the rate of about 0.8 m a-1 (Zeigler et al, 1964b). Thus, 1,000 B.P., when sea level reached its present position, the cliffs were 800 m east o f their present position.…”

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Wave erosion at the cliff toe and the slides produced by this undercutting have led to westward retreat of these Atlantic cliffs at rates of about 1 m a-1 during the last 10 yr (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1969). According to Zeigler et al (1964b), the retreat rate from 1887 to 1957-1958 was slightly slower, about 0.8 m a Miller and Aubrey (1985), who compared retreat rates on varying time scales using different measurement technologies, determined that the rate of retreat for the period 1970-1974 was 0.8 m a-1 and they estimated that the mean recession rate from 1879-1974 was 0.92 ma-1, a value comparable to those of Marindin (1889) and Davis (1896). The glacial outwash plain deposits on the western end of the plains in Truro in the more protected waters of Cape Cod Bay also are retreating, but at the much slower rate of about 0.3 ma_l (Giese, 1964).…”

Section: Physiographymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…25C). Cliff retreat along the western edge of the Truro plain and the east side of the lower Cape was due to wave action and submarine erosion to a depth of about 10 m. This profile of erosion was thought to be in equilibrium with long term sea state (Zeigler et al, 1964b). Thus, the outer edge of the terrace on the east side of the lower Cape at a depth of -4 0 m was probably cut at the time when sea level was at a depth of -3 0 m about 9,500 B.P.…”

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…28; Zeigler et al, 1964b;Koteff et al, 1967). The sections measured by Zeigler et al (1964b) and Koteff et al (1967) were at the distal end o f the sediment wedges deposited by the South Channel lobe where sediment variations along the strike would be minimal. Such lateral changes in facies were probably even more pronounced near the sedim ent sources.…”

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

The Late Quaternary Construction of Cape Cod, Massachusetts: A Reconsideration of the W. M. Davis Model

Uchupi¹,

Giese²,

Aubrey³

et al. 1996

The Late Quaternary Construction of Cape Cod, Massachusetts: A Reconsideration of the W. M. Davis Model

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Like the W. M. Davis construction o f Cape Cod published in 1896, this special paper suggests that the Cape was formed by glacial deposition during the late Pleis tocene and by marine and aeolian processes during the Holocene. It differs, however, from the Davis model in several significant ways. For example, Davis proposed that the lower Cape extended 4 km east o f its present location, and that only 4,000 yr were needed for the lower Cape to attain its present form. This study indicates that the glacial Cape extended as far as 7 km east of its present position, and that it took about 9,500 yr for the Cape to attain its present morphology. Davis also believed that the detritus eroded from the sea cliffs on the east side of the lower Cape was trans ported northward to form the Provincetown Hook. On the other hand, this book indi cates that, as a result o f the subaerial exposure o f Georges Bank from 9,500 to 6,000 yr ago, littoral drift to the north was inhibited and sediment was transported south ward to fill a depression at the Cape's elbow. Since Georges Bank became submerged about 6,000 yr ago, however, littoral drift shifted partly to the north, leading to the construction of Provincetown Hook, a process that is still taking place today. The bulk o f material (86%) eroded from the cliffs along the east side of the lower Cape during the last 6,000 yr was transported northward. Of the remainder, 7% was used in the construction o f the beaches and offshore bars fronting the cliffs, and the remaining 7% was incorporated into the spits and barriers south of the cliffs. During the last 70 yr, the eastern Cape cliffs have been retreating at an average rate of 0.8 m a-1, a rate enhanced by a relative rise in sea level of about 2 to 3 mm a-1.

show abstract

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Holocene Modificationsmentioning

confidence: 96%