ABSTRACT 



The Inner Continental Shelf off eastern Florida was surveyed by 

 CERC to obtain information on bottom morphology and sediments , subbottom 

 structure, and sand deposits suitable for restoration of nearby beaches. 

 Primary survey data consists of seismic reflection profiles and sediment 

 cores. This report covers that part of the survey area comprising the 

 inner Shelf between Palm Beach and Cape Kennedy. 



Sediment on beaches adjacent to the study area consists of quartzose 

 sand and shell fragments. Median size of midtide samples generally lies 

 in the range between 0.3 to 0.5 mm (1.74 to 1.0 phi) diameter. 



The Shelf in the study area is a submerged sedimentary plain of low 

 relief. Ridge-like shoals generally of medium-to- coarse (0.25 to 1.0 mm) 

 calcareous sand resting on the seaward dipping subbottom strata contain 

 material suitable for beach restoration. A minimum volume of 92.2 x 10° 

 cubic yards of suitable sand is available within study limits. 



FOREWORD 



This report is the second of a series which will describe CERC's 

 exploration of the Inner Continental Shelf. The program (ICONS) has, 

 the basic mission of finding offshore deposits of sand suitable for 

 artificial beach restoration and nourishment. 



Edward P. Meisburger, staff geologist, and David B. Duane, Chief of 

 the Geology Branch, prepared the report under the general supervision of 

 George M. Watts, Chief of the Engineering Development Division. The 

 field work was done by Alpine Geophysical Associates under contract 

 (DA-08-123-CIVENG-65-57, modified) . 



Cores taken during the exploration are stored at the Smithsonian 

 Oceanographic Sorting Center (SOSC) . Microfilms of the seismic profiles, 

 the 1:80,000 navigational plots, and other associated data are at the 

 National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) . Requests for information 

 relative to these items should be directed to SOSC or |NODC. 



Dr. Joseph Rosewater and Mr. Walter J. Byas of the Mo Husk Division, 

 Smithsonian Institution, verified the identification of the important 

 biogenic constituents of the sediments. Their assistance is deeply 

 appreciated. 



At the time of publication. Lieutenant Colonel Edward M. Willis was 

 Director of CERC. 



NOTE: Comments on this publications are invited. Discussion will be 

 published in the next issue of the CERC Bulletin. 



This report is published under authority of Public Law 166, 79th 

 Congress, approved July 31, 1945, as supplemented by Public Law 172, 

 88th Congress, approved November 7, 1963. 



