GPR ARCHITECTURE OF PALEO-STRAND PLAIN DEPOSITS IN NORTHEASTERN SOUTH CAROLINA

This study, as part of a project examining the development and ages of paleo-strand plains in northeastern South Carolina, uses ground penetrating radar (GPR) to examine the subsurface architecture of Pleistocene strand plains in the Winyah Bay area. Over 37 track-line kilometers of GPR data were collected with a GSSI SIR-20 system and a 200 MHz antenna with an odometer wheel attached. Data location was recorded from collected GIS data, while elevation was determined by extracting values from LiDAR DEM data. GPR data was processed for surface normalization, range gain, and FIR filters in GSSI Radan software and these 2D images were displayed in 3D fence diagrams in Fledermaus software. LiDAR data shows that the strand plain is made up of multiple sets of ridges, with truncation of older ridges occurring in the set south of Winyah Bay. Preliminary interpretation shows sets of seaward dipping reflectors within ridges and potential divisions of ridges as defined by deeper dipping reflectors. Understanding the ages and elevations of the paleo-shoreline complexes will help to understand and view past relative sea levels and glacial/hydro isostasy along the U.S. Atlantic Coast.