Extent and Formation of Deeply Buried Channels on the Continental Shelf off Southern New England

Abstract

Seismic reflection profiles reveal a network of deeply buried channels that extends from coastline buried bedrock valleys to some 50 km off Rhode Island. Thalwegs below sea level reach 100-286 m in Coastal Plain deposits. The limited extent, depth, and longitudinal profiles of these channels together with the seaward lobate boundary of the channel pattern suggest severe ice scour modifications of late Tertiary-early Pleistocene preglacial river valleys. Maximum ice advance is correlated with a pre-Woodfordian ice margin of the Wisconsin stage.