Geological interpretation of a low-backscatter anomaly found on the New Jersey continental margin

Authors

Edward M. Sweeney, University of New Hampshire, Durham
James V. Gardner, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Joel E. Johnson, University of New Hampshire, Durham
Larry A. Mayer, University of New HampshireFollow

Abstract

An enigmatic low-backscatter, acoustic anomaly occurs on the New Jersey continental margin between Hudson and Wilmington Canyon channels. The presence of the low-backscatter anomaly, as seen with 6.5- and 12-kHz data, indicates a change in the physical properties of the seafloor or near sub-surface. Analyses of seafloor and sub-surface acoustic data with previously collected sediment cores suggest the low-backscatter feature corresponds to an outcrop of older strata uncovered by erosion and non-deposition by the Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC). The decrease in backscatter strength is enhanced by the presence of gas in the sub-surface sediments found in the buried Chesapeake Drift.

Department

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, Earth Sciences

Publication Date

10-1-2012

Volume

326-328

Journal Title

Marine Geology

Pages

46-54

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.margeo.2012.08.007

Document Type

Journal Article

Recommended Citation

Edward M. Sweeney, James V. Gardner, Joel E. Johnson, Larry A. Mayer, Geological interpretation of a low-backscatter anomaly found on the New Jersey continental margin, Marine Geology, Volumes 326–328, 1 October 2012, Pages 46-54, ISSN 0025-3227, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2012.08.007.