Gulf Coast: Introduction
The Gulf Coast Region is a physiographic province extending from Texas to Florida and encompasses the coastal plain, low hills, and deltas of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a geologically stable area characterized by low relief terraces extending to the continental shelf. Sediments consist of coastal plain deposits and thick land-derived sediments prograding from the Mississippi River delta system; ultimately transitioning to evaporite and carbonate deposits offshore. Coastlines exhibit wave and delta dominated features and landforms such as barrier islands, bays, and marshes. The Mississippi River also supports a diverse economy in the region. A large percentage of the present and future energy resources of the United States are located in the Gulf Coast Region, highlighting the importance for energy research and assessments. This web site provides access to the Energy Resources Program research activities and products within the Gulf Coast Region.
A Landsat 7 satellite image of Louisianna silt: Landsat 7's blue band can see some distance into coastal water, which makes silt appear blue as it flows off of the southern coast of Louisiana and into the Gulf of Mexico. The brightness and shade of blue depend on the density of the silt and the depth of the silt-carrying currents in the water. Small bright dots in the scene are fishing boats and oil platforms.
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
