A three-dimensional surface velocity field for the Mississippi Delta: Implications for coastal restoration and flood potential

Research Article| June 01, 2015 A three-dimensional surface velocity field for the Mississippi Delta: Implications for coastal restoration and flood potential Makan A. Karegar; Makan A. Karegar School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Timothy H. Dixon; Timothy H. Dixon School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rocco Malservisi Rocco Malservisi School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Makan A. Karegar School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Timothy H. Dixon School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Rocco Malservisi School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, NES 107, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 09 Jan 2015 Revision Received: 23 Mar 2015 Accepted: 26 Mar 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2015 Geological Society of America Geology (2015) 43 (6): 519–522. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36598.1 Article history Received: 09 Jan 2015 Revision Received: 23 Mar 2015 Accepted: 26 Mar 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Makan A. Karegar, Timothy H. Dixon, Rocco Malservisi; A three-dimensional surface velocity field for the Mississippi Delta: Implications for coastal restoration and flood potential. Geology 2015;; 43 (6): 519–522. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G36598.1 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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Accurate estimates of the current rate of subsidence in the Mississippi Delta (southern United States) provide a context for planning of wetland restoration and predictions of storm surge flooding. We present a comprehensive three-dimensional surface velocity field for the Mississippi Delta based on a network of 36 high-precision continuous GPS stations. We show that while the majority of the delta is relatively stable, the southern portion continues to experience high rates of subsidence (5–6 mm yr–1). Our data are consistent with long-term tide gauge records at Grand Isle, Louisiana, and several stations in Florida. The current rate of relative sea-level rise (combined effect of land subsidence and sea-level rise) along parts of the coastal delta is ∼8–9 mm yr–1. Most tide gauge stations have recorded sea-level-rise acceleration after A.D. 1970. These data have implications for land reclamation and wetland restoration in the region; parts of the delta may not be viable in the long term. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.