A synthesis of approximately 20,000 km of high-resolution seismic profiles, coupled with vibracores and industrial platform borings, shows that various large sand bodies are present in the late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments of the southwest Louisiana continental shelf. Sand-deposition patterns have been largely controlled by glacio-eustatic sea level fluctuations, paleogeomorphology, subsidence, and salt tectonism.

Sand deposits of the area fall into two categories: (1) those associated with sea level lowstands, or regressive deposits, and (2) those associated with rising sea levels, or transgressive deposits. Regressive facies include fluvial and deltaic sands, whereas transgressive sands are largely formed by the reworking of regressive deposits.

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