Anomalous response of beaches to hurricane waves in a low-energy environment, northeast Gulf of Mexico, USA

Submarine sandbars were deposited on the post-storm subaerial beach at Carr abelle Beach, Florida, by Hurricanes Elena and Kate in 1985. These bars con tained stratification similar to swash bars and berms, as well as an unusua l stratification consisting of interlayered beds and heavy-mineral laminae, which were slightly convex upward. Based on their internal morphology and location above the high-water line, these bars appear to be a relatively un known type, the stranded bar. Field relationships and grain-size distributi ons have been examined in order to identify the principal sedimentation mod e during deposition. These data support an origin by grain settling from su spension as storm wave energy decreased, but nearshore water levels remaine d elevated. The sediment pool comprising the bars was progressively sorted during the two hurricanes, which occurred within ten weeks of each other.