Activity of Subsidence

Mechanism By Zone

Underlain by buried firm Pleistocene surface

Primarily Shallow Surface Compaction
Fault Driven Subsidence is more related to deep
rooted tectonic faults than listric sedimentary faults
Marshes at the surface in Zone 1 are the oldest in the
area, indicating long term relative stability. The
Atchafalaya is the first new delta to build land in
Zone 1 in a long time, and is benefitting from the
stability

modified from BLUM & ROBERTS, 2011

Activity of Subsidence
Mechanism By Zone

Underlain by relatively stable braided stream deposits

Listric Faulting and Salt Movement are primary
mechanisms
Surface compaction is additive, but relatively short
lived
Crustal Downwarp is additive, but the effect is more
long term and cumulative
Deltas in Zone 2 succumb to subsidence by an
incremental conversion to open water with hotspots
driven by fault activity

modified from BLUM & ROBERTS, 2011

Activity of Subsidence
Mechanism By Zone

Underlain by shallow marine clays

Ductile clay movement is primary mechanism
All other mechanisms are additive resulting in the
highest rates of subsidence.
Deltas in Zone 3 tend to be short-lived, subside below
sea level and leave remnant shoals behind.
The recently abandoned birdfoot delta is following
this pattern, and is a hopeless place to try to build new
land

modified from BLUM & ROBERTS, 2011

Coastal Plain GPS Vertical Velocities

Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3

Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3

BLUM & ROBERTS, 2011