Doug Calman

Investigation of Offshore Area Along Florida’s Northeast and Central East Coast

FGS research vessel towing a seismic fish

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), formerly known as the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), and the Florida Geological Survey’s Geological Investigations Section have a history of cooperative investigations of Florida’s offshore marine sediment resources. The current cooperative agreement is an ongoing multi-year study to identify potential sand resources for beach replenishment off Florida’s northeast and central eastern shore. To date, over 3,000 miles of seismic data, numerous vibracores, as well as seabed and beach samples have been collected, processed and analyzed. The results of the tasks completed in these investigations are detailed in a series of annual reports to the BOEM. These reports are available on disk.

This year’s investigation involved:

· the collection, processing and analysis of approximately 387 miles of seismic data collected in federal waters extending from three to approximately ten miles offshore of Volusia and northern Brevard Counties,

· the collection of 18 seabed samples and the analysis of a total of 21 seabed samples collected from offshore of Volusia County,

· the analysis of 120 vibracores from offshore Volusia County,

· the processing of 28 samples collected from northern Brevard County beaches and

· the analysis of samples collected at approximately one mile interval from both the beaches of Volusia and northern Brevard Counties

The recent investigation, completed in September, 2011, culminated in the analysis of the shoals in federal waters offshore of Volusia County and a compilation of estimations of reserves of beach restoration-quality sand contained in them.

Contact person/info: Dan Phelps