TOPOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE C-O-W ESCARPMENT AND CORRELATION WITH REGIONAL NEOTECTONICS

Topographic analysis of the Cutoff Creek-Overflow Creek-Wham Brake (C-O-W) escarpment in southeastern Arkansas and northeastern Louisiana indicates that the uplift along the escarpment undulates in a systematic pattern consistent with the neotectonic uplift patterns to the west along the Saline River - Ouachita River valley system. The amount of uplift is greatest southeast of Bastrop, Louisiana where the Sterlington anticline projects to the escarpment, and is least at the south end directly east of Monroe, Louisiana and at the Bayou Bartholomew gap. Lower portions of the uplift are nearly unaffected by erosion. Higher portions, however, have significant high-gradient valley systems incised into the edge of the escarpment. In Louisiana, there is a direct relationship between the extent of incision and the height of the escarpment. In Arkansas, however, the extent of incision becomes greater the farther north one goes. We interpret this to indicate that the southern portion is a rapidly growing anticline and that the incised portions reflect the earlier uplift initiation times, whereas the northern portions have uplifted progressively from north to south.