Lithoherms in the Straits of Florida

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 1977 Lithoherms in the Straits of Florida A. C. Neumann; A. C. Neumann 1Marine Sciences Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. W. Kofoed; J. W. Kofoed 2Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Labs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 15 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. H. Keller G. H. Keller 3School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information A. C. Neumann 1Marine Sciences Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 J. W. Kofoed 2Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Labs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 15 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149 G. H. Keller 3School of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1977) 5 (1): 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<4:LITSOF>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation A. C. Neumann, J. W. Kofoed, G. H. Keller; Lithoherms in the Straits of Florida. Geology 1977;; 5 (1): 4–10. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<4:LITSOF>2.0.CO;2 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 Along the base of Little Bahama Bank and out into the northeastern Straits of Florida in depths of 600 to 700 m, the research submersible Alvin encountered an extensive area of rocky mounds that are hundreds of metres long and as high as 50 m. The larger mounds are elongated in the direction of northerly bottom flow. They are composed of surface-hardened concentric crusts of submarine-lithified muddy to sandy carbonate sediment upon which a dense and diverse community of benthic organisms such as crinoids, corals, and sponges attach. Many of the organisms grow oriented into the prevailing northward current. The crusts are cemented in varying degree by micritic magnesian calcite and are intensively bored by endolithic organisms. Excavation of the softer undercrust by currents and (or) organisms can produce stromatactoid voids. It appears that these deep mounds are biohermal in nature and constructed in situ by the subsea lithification of successive layers of trapped sediment and deposited skeletal debris. The term "lithoherm" is proposed to describe the mounds. These and the hardgrounds between them indicate that subsea lithification aids in the accretion of the flanks of carbonate platforms. Micritic carbonate build-ups similar to lithoherms have been recognized in the geologic record. The mounds of the Waulsortian bank margin offer one possible ancient analog. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.