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Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Dismal Swamp peat
  • Modifications:
    • Named
  • Dominant lithology:
    • Peat
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Atlantic Coast basin
Publication:

Oaks, R.Q., and Coch, N.K., 1963, Pleistocene sea levels, southeastern Virginia: Science, v. 140, no. 3570, p. 979-983.


Summary:

Name Dismal Swamp introduced for fresh-water peat underlying low area east of Suffolk scarp, southeastern VA. Maximum thickness 11 ft. Stratigraphically above Sandbridge Formation (new). Pollen study indicates that peat is entirely of fresh-water origin. Radiocarbon age 7,670+/-60 yrs.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).


Map showing publication footprint
  • Usage in publication:
    • Dismal Swamp Peat
  • Modifications:
    • Overview
    • Areal extent
  • AAPG geologic province:
    • Atlantic Coast basin
Publication:

Oaks, R.Q., Jr., and Whitehead, D.R., 1979, Geologic setting and origin of the Dismal Swamp, southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, IN Kirk, P.W., Jr., ed., The Great Dismal Swamp: Old Dominion University Research Foundation [Monograph], p. 1-24.


Summary:

Thickness of Dismal Swamp Peat ranges from 3.9 to 5.5 m in VA and NC. Overlies Sand Bridge, Yorktown, Norfolk, and Londonbridge Formations. C14 age here given as 8900+/-160.

Source: GNU records (USGS DDS-6; Reston GNULEX).


For more information, please contact Nancy Stamm, Geologic Names Committee Secretary.

Asterisk (*) indicates published by U.S. Geological Survey authors.

"No current usage" (†) implies that a name has been abandoned or has fallen into disuse. Former usage and, if known, replacement name given in parentheses ( ).

Slash (/) indicates name conflicts with nomenclatural guidelines (CSN, 1933; ACSN, 1961, 1970; NACSN, 1983, 2005, 2021). May be explained within brackets ([ ]).

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