Book 44

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Field Trip Guidebooks Series, Volume 373.

This guidebook was prepared to provide background information for field mp T-373 of the 1989 International Geological Congress. It presents a overview of the marine geology, the depositional settings, oceanography, and associated marine organisms found in the area of subtidal stromatolites forming near Lee Stocking Island, located at the southern end of the Exuma chain of islands in the Bahamas (FIGURE 1). The material represents a synthesis of the field research by the authors and their colleagues. Starting in 1984, this research continues as part of the UNESCO-IGCP Project 261 for Stromatolite Research and the long-term geological program of the Caribbean Marine Research Center (CMRC). The Appendix to this guidebook also provides a description of the field support facilities at the CMRC on Lee Stocking Island and suggestions for the equipment needed to enhance your threeday stay in the Bahamas. Daily scheduleare also presented that will help keep the field programs organized. However, please realize that the sequences of events and locations for field studies may change so as to optimize observations during good weather and favorable tidal conditions.

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Field Trip Guidebooks Series, Volume 176.

This guide for the 28th International Geological Congress field trip to the modern coral reefs and sediments of southeast Florida and the Dry Tortugas is focused toward explaining (1) the distribution of Holocene coral reefs, (2) the relation between topography and Holocene sea-level rise, and (3) the compositional and thickness variations of sediments produced in and adjacent to the reefs. This excursion will visit and examine representative reefs and sediments throughout the area and will relate differences to environmental conditions.

The excursion begins at Miami and makes numerous swimming stops to examine reef-building processes and sediment distribution en route to the Dry Tortugas. Because this is a boat trip, there is no rigid stop-by-stop plan with measured distances, as is common in guidebooks for land-based excursions. This guide provides geologic and biologic background and discussion relating to reef distribution throughout the field trip area. Day-by-day trip plans will be provided on the first day. A coral identification key and historical information are included in Appendices A-C. Under ideal weather conditions, all the sites listed can be visited in the order presented.