QUATERNARY MAPPING OF THE MUSKEGON EAST AND MUSKEGON WEST, MICHIGAN 7.5 MINUTE QUADRANGLES

Quaternary sediment mapping of the Muskegon East and Muskegon West 7.5 minute quadrangles is being carried out as part of the U.S.G.S. EDMAP program. Most of the sediments in the mapping area are sandy sediments of glacial, fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian origin. Diamicton and clay are less common at the surface, but are present in a few restricted areas. The map area is dominated by pebbly, poorly sorted sands of the Muskegon delta. These sediments were probably deposited in Glacial Lake Chicago approximately 13,000 14C yr B.P. The maximum elevation of deltaic sediments in the map area is greater than 204 meters asl. The Whitehall moraine extends south of Muskegon Lake and red silty till is present near the surface in the City of Muskegon. South of Muskegon the moraine appears to be covered by deltaic and lacustrine sediments. Other features in the map area include a Holocene dune and beach system near Lake Michigan that has been active since the mid-Holocene. Along the Muskegon River and Black Creek at least three sets of river terraces are present and perhaps record lake level changes during the late Pleistocene and Holocene.