Recent Marine Sediments of the Central California Continental Shelf Between Point Lobos and Point Sur.

Seventy sediment samples were collected from the continental shelf between Pt. Lobos and Pt. Sur for textural analysis to determine their statistical properties. Based upon the parameters of mean grain-size, standard deviation, and skewness, three distinct belts of sediment were found. Along the coast the sediments were composed to medium sand-sized, moderately to well sorted particles. Down the center of the shelf a discontinuous band of fine sand occurs in depths of 35 to 65 fm. The outer band appears to follow the break in the continental shelf and is composed of relatively coarse sediment. Two bathymetric and 3.5 kHz seismic profiling cruises were made through the area. The results of these cruises indicate that the offshore extension of the Palo Colorado Fault follows a branch of the Carmel Submarine Canyon. The primary source of sediments appears to be weathering of coastal rock formations, with sediment distribution due to wave action. Author