ABSTRACT

Seismic reflection profiles off the western coast of Florida south of 27° N latitude have been recorded during two cruises of Texas A&M University's R/V Alaminos in May, 1967 and June, 1968. They show that the anticlinal ridge present near the top of the West Florida Escarpment, which has been proposed to be an extension of the Washita-Frederichsburg reef trend, may possibly be followed southward to the latitude of the Florida Keys.

Several crossings have been made of a large knoll in the western end of the Straits of Florida. Preliminary analysis of the real-time records, without benefit of playback, indicates the presence of a terrace at a water depth of 840 fathoms, and the possibility of an anticlinal feature remarkably similar to that see on the Florida Escarpment toward the north.

Re-examination of earlier data from Campeche Bank and comparison with those presented here reveal a number of similarities and provide several bits of evidence suggestive of a former connection. More information on the relative importance of graben-like faulting and erosion in their separation is being sought in geomagnetic and sedimentological studies now in progress.

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