Trail Ridge sands

Undifferentiated sediments - Undifferentiated Quaternary Sediments - Much of Florida's surface is covered by a varying thickness of undifferentiated sediments consisting of siliciclastics, organics and freshwater carbonates. Where these sediments exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters) thick, they were mapped as discrete units. In an effort to subdivide the undifferentiated sediments, those sediments occurring in flood plains were mapped as alluvial and flood plain deposits (Qal). Sediments showing surficial expression of beach ridges and dunes were mapped separately (Qbd) as were the sediments composing Trail Ridge (Qtr). Terrace sands were not mapped (refer to Healy [1975] for a discussion of the terraces in Florida). The subdivisions of the Undifferentiated Quaternary Sediments (Qu) are not lithostratigraphic units but are utilized in order to facilitate a better understanding of the State's geology. The siliciclastics are light gray, tan, brown to black, unconsolidated to poorly consolidated, clean to clayey, silty, unfossiliferous, variably organic-bearing sands to blue green to olive green, poorly to moderately consolidated, sandy, silty clays. Gravel is occasionally present in the panhandle. Organics occur as plant debris, roots, disseminated organic matrix and beds of peat. Freshwater carbonates, often referred to as marls in the literature, are scattered over much of the State. In southern Florida, freshwater carbonates are nearly ubiquitous in the Everglades. These sediments are buff colored to tan, unconsolidated to poorly consolidated, fossiliferous carbonate muds. Sand, silt and clay may be present in limited quantities. These carbonates often contain organics. The dominant fossils in the freshwater carbonates are mollusks.
State Florida
Name Trail Ridge sands
Geologic age Pleistocene
Lithologic constituents
Major
Unconsolidated > Coarse-detrital > SandThe siliciclastics are light gray, tan, brown to black, unconsolidated to poorly consolidated, clean to clayey, silty, unfossiliferous, variably organic-bearing sands to blue green to olive green, poorly to moderately consolidated, sandy, silty clays.
Incidental
Unconsolidated > Fine-detrital > ClaySand, silt and clay may be present in limited quantities.
Unconsolidated > Peat (Bed)Organics occur as plant debris, roots, disseminated organic matrix and beds of peat.
Unconsolidated > Coarse-detrital > GravelGravel occasionally is present in the panhandle.
Unconsolidated > MarlFreshwater carbonates, often referred to as marls in the literature, are scattered over much of the State. In southern Florida, freshwater carbonates are nearly ubiquitous in the Everglades. These sediments are buff colored to tan, unconsolidated to poorly consolidated, fossiliferous carbonate muds. These carbonates often contain organics. The dominant fossils in the freshwater carbonates are mollusks.
Unconsolidated > Fine-detrital > SiltSand, silt and clay may be present in limited quantities.
Comments Unit descriptions combine Qal, Qbd, Qtr and Qu all into one group 'undifferentiated sediments'. Tried to describe each unit separately as best as possible.
References

Scott, T.M., Campbell, K.M., Rupert, F.R., Arthur, J.D., Missimer, T.M., Lloyd, J.M., Yon, J.W., and Duncan, J.G., 2001, Geologic Map of the State of Florida, Florida Geological Survey & Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Map Series 146, scale 1:750,000.

Scott, Thomas M.P.G. #99, Text to Accompany the Geologic Map of Florida, Open-file Report 80, Florida Geological Survey, 2001.

Healy, H.G., 1975, Terraces and shorelines of Florida: Florida Bureau of Geology Map Series 71.

NGMDB product
Counties Baker - Bradford - Clay - Duval - Putnam