Analysis of 128 bottom grab samples, fathometer traces, and published bathymetric charts imply that active sediment transport affecting bottom sediment texture, composition, and bathymetric features is limited to within 4.5 km of the shore along the coast between Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, South Carolina. Five sedimentary provinces were differentiated using a combination of sediment particle size distribution, quartz sand shape analysis, percent carbonate, water depth, and ocean bottom topography. Throughout the area, bottom deposits clearly show a logical facies relation to geomorphic features. Most of the bottom features and sediments appear to be Pleistocene deposits provided by the ancestral Pee Dee River.

The area of active sediment transport and deposition has higher percentages of silt, carbonate, and uniform fine-sand size. No relation is seen between these sediments and the ancestral Pee Dee River. The inner-shelf Pleistocene features retain both their physiographic expression and sediment types and are different from present nearshore deposits. It is concluded that sparse bottom sediment transport is currently taking place on the inner continental shelf beyond 4.5 km from shore in the area studied.

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