Paleolandscapes and the ca. 8,000 BP Shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

Paleolandscapes and the ca. 8,000 BP Shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

Image Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Paleolandscapes and the ca. 8,000 BP Shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

Storm Swell

Storm swells break over the side of the survey vessel.

Dolphins Race Alongside the R/V Nikola

Dolphins Race Alongside the R/V Nikola

Dolphins race the bow of the R/V Nikola during transit between survey sites.

The Crew

The crew, from left: Kelvin, Alex, Louise, Megan, Gilbert, Darren, Scott, David, Corey, and Amanda; in front, James.

The Chirp Subbottom Profiler

The Chirp Subbottom Profiler

Covered in seagrass, the chirp subbottom profiler sits on deck following completion of a survey grid.

Primary Survey Station

Primary Survey Station

The primary survey station includes multiple computers logging various data sets; the vessel’s navigation track is visible at right.

Parametric Sonar Data

Parametric Sonar Data

Watching the parametric sonar data in real-time as the vessel crosses over a valley, which is just becoming visible at right.

Offerings From the Galley

Offerings From the Galley

Offerings from the galley fuel the crew day in and day out.

Deploying the Sonar

Deploying the Sonar

James completing deployment of the parametric sonar at a new survey site.

Calm Waters

Sunset over calm waters.

Parametric Sonar Pole

Parametric Sonar Pole

The parametric sonar pole as the vessel transits a survey line at sunset.

The Scientific Crew

The Scientific Crew

From left to right: Alex Herrera-Schneider and Amanda Evans (Coastal Environments), Megan Metcalfe and Louise Tizzard (Wessex Archaeology).

Removing the Existing Sensor

Removing the Existing Sensor

Working from a barge, the crew remove an existing sensor from an over the side mounted pole that will be used for the parametric sonar system.

Parametric Sonar Sensor and Data Cable

Parametric Sonar Sensor and Data Cable

The parametric sonar sensor and data cable (in box) with the flange adapter that will be cut and welded to fit the sensor’s bolt pattern.

“Wet Testing” the Sonar

“Wet Testing” the Sonar

“Wet testing” the parametric sonar.

Checking the Newly Installed Sonar System

Checking the Newly Installed Sonar System

Metcalfe (front) and Tizzard (back) giving the installed parametric sonar system a final check.

The Deployed Sonar System

The Deployed Sonar System

The parametric sonar pole deployed during data collection.

Map of Incised Trinity/San Jacinto/Sabine Channel

Map of Incised Trinity/San Jacinto/Sabine Channel

Geological mapping shows the broad extents of the former, incised, Sabine and Trinity/San Jacinto River Valleys (after Simms et al., 2008).

Split Cores

A split core, recovered in 2010, shows the transition from modern marine sediment (top right), through the Pleistocene clay (lower left).

Richard Weinstein, Robert Floyd, and Melanie Stright

Richard Weinstein, Robert Floyd, and Melanie Stright

Richard Weinstein (left), Robert Floyd (middle), and Melanie Stright (right) on of the first exploration surveys for offshore archaeological sites, 1984.

Map of Preliminary Survey Areas

Map of Preliminary Survey Areas

Map of preliminary survey areas, northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

Map Showing Previously Unknown Valley System

Map Showing Previously Unknown Valley System

Map of broad valley with previously unknown valley system mapped from previous exploration.

View from Offshore

View from Offshore

View from offshore.

Shipwreck

A shipwreck in 80 feet of water in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico was imaged using side-scan sonar (left); photographs taken by divers of the same wreck were obscured by lack of light and sediment in the water column (right).

Velocity Cast

A velocity cast shows the actual speed of sound throughout the entire water column, as changes in salinity, temperature, and density alternately increase and decrease velocity.

Sub-bottom Profile

A sub-bottom profile of a buried river channel.

Different Types of Sub-bottom Profilers

Different Types of Sub-bottom Profilers

An example of different SBPs and their associated acoustic signal.

Monitoring Acquisition of the Parametric Sonar Data

Monitoring Acquisition of the Parametric Sonar Data

Evans (left) and Metcalfe (right) monitor acquisition of the parametric sonar data onboard the R/V Nikola.