GEOMORPHIC AND GEOLOGIC MAPPING IN NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LANDS OF NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA AND ITS ROLE IN CONTINUED REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE MAPPING IN FLORIDA

The Florida Geological Survey (FGS) completed highly detailed geomorphic mapping and new surficial and subsurface geologic mapping at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Fort Caroline National Memorial, Fort Matanzas National Monument and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument along the northeastern coast of Florida. The work was partially funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service (NPS). Geomorphic mapping identified discrete geomorphic units and, in part, the ecology and coastal geology of features in the coastal zone of northeastern Florida. Remote sensing software was used to classify water and wetland features from true color aerial imagery. Infrared and multispectral imagery and LiDAR data were utilized to delineate additional surface geomorphic units. Verification of the geomorphic and geologic units was done in the field and provided the basis for modifying interpretations derived from the remote sensing and imagery data. These digital data including maps, cross-sections, unit descriptions and metadata were provided both to NPS staff and land stewards of contiguous and adjacent parcels managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The information can be used to make informed future management decisions for these vulnerable lands in the coastal zone. Lithologic description of cores and cuttings from the FGS Geologic Sample Repository, as well as new cores collected for the project, provided a greater level of detail for mapping the subsurface stratigraphy of coastal northeastern Florida. These data are available through the NPS Integrated Resource Management Application (IRMA) portal. An FGS report containing all the data and additional mapped areas in coastal northeastern Florida is in review and will soon be available. This work has fostered ongoing completion of the statewide geomorphology map of Florida, and was instrumental in directing FGS STATEMAP geological mapping toward the recently completed and upcoming USGS 30 x 60 minute St. Augustine and Jacksonville quadrangles. This project is an example of how organization of legacy data for one project study area can lead to improved efficiency and direction for future work.