DOCSLIB.ORG

The Nantahala, Chattooga River and the Andrew Pickens Ranger Districts Have Completed the Chattooga River Boating Access Environmental Assessment (EA)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Nantahala, Chattooga River and the Andrew Pickens Ranger Districts Have Completed the Chattooga River Boating Access Environmental Assessment (EA) Dear Interested Citizen: The Nantahala, Chattooga River and the Andrew Pickens Ranger Districts have completed the Chattooga River Boating Access Environmental Assessment (EA). The U.S. Forest Service proposes to establish boater access sites at Green Creek confluence (put-in only); Norton Mill Creek confluence; Bullpen Bridge; Burrells Ford Bridge; and Lick Log Creek (take-out only). The access sites could also be used by other recreation users. The EA is available at the following website location: http://go.usa.gov/v3R9. The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan and is subject to the pre-decisional objection process at 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. How to Comment and Timeframe The opportunity to comment ends 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the newspaper of record. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments §218.2 regarding the proposed project or activity during a public comment period established by the responsible official are eligible to file an objection §218.24(b)(6). For issues to be raised in objections, they must be based on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity and attributed to the objector. The publication date of the legal notice in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to submit written comments on a proposed project or activity. The time period for the opportunity to comment on a proposed project or activity to be documented with an environmental assessment shall not be extended. It is the responsibility of all individuals and organizations to ensure that their comments are received in a timely manner. Although separate decisions will be issued by each District Ranger, written comments must be submitted to Chattooga Planning Team, 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29212. The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc, .docx) to [email protected]. For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request §218.24(b)(8). Please state “Chattooga River Boating Access” in the subject line when providing electronic comments, or on the envelope when replying by mail. Additional information regarding this project or activity can be obtained from: Jim Knibbs, 803- 561-4078. Environmental Assessment United States Department of Agriculture Chattooga River Boating Access Forest Service September 26, 2014 Sumter National Forest Oconee County, South Carolina Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Rabun County, Georgia Nantahala National Forest Jackson and Macon Counties, North Carolina Location of Action: Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District, South Carolina Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Chattooga River Ranger District, Georgia Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District, North Carolina Type of Document: Environmental Assessment Lead Agency: U.S. Forest Service Responsible Officials: Mike Crane, Andrew Pickens Ranger District Ed Hunter, Chattooga River Ranger District Mike Wilkins, Nantahala Ranger District Contact Person: Jim Knibbs U.S. Forest Service Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests 4931 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 Phone: (803) 561-4078 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page | 2 Contents Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................. 4 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Forest Plan Direction ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Public Involvement............................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Issues ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 – Alternatives ......................................................................................... 7 2.1 Alternative 1: No Action ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Alternative 2: Proposed Action ............................................................................................................................................ 7 2.3 Design Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Alternatives Considered but Not Developed ...................................................................................................................... 17 2.5 Comparison of Alternatives ............................................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 3 – Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .......... 18 3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2 Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) ..................................................................................................................... 21 3.2.1 Recreation ............................................................................................................................................................ 21 3.2.2 Biology (Fisheries, Wildlife and Botany Components) ......................................................................................... 30 3.2.3 Scenery ................................................................................................................................................................. 65 3.2.4 History .................................................................................................................................................................. 66 3.2.5 Geology ................................................................................................................................................................ 67 3.3 Other River Values ......................................................................................................................................................... 67 3.3.1 Free-flowing Condition ......................................................................................................................................... 67 3.3.2 Water Quality ....................................................................................................................................................... 68 3.4 Other Physical Resources ............................................................................................................................................... 72 3.4.1 Soils ...................................................................................................................................................................... 72 3.4.2 Wetlands, Floodplains and Riparian Corridors ..................................................................................................... 78 3.4.3 Air ......................................................................................................................................................................... 81 3.4.4 Climate Change .................................................................................................................................................... 82 3.5 Other Biological Resources: Vegetation ......................................................................................................................... 83 3.6 Social Environment .......................................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • AGENDA 6:00 PM, MONDAY, NOVEMEBR 20Th, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCONEE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX
    AGENDA 6:00 PM, MONDAY, NOVEMEBR 20th, 2017 COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCONEE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEX 1. Call to Order 2. Invocation by County Council Chaplain 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Approval of Minutes a. November 6th, 2017 5. Public Comment for Agenda and Non-Agenda Items (3 minutes) 6. Staff Update 7. Election of Chairman To include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required. a. Discussion by Commission b. Commission Recommendation 8. Discussion on Planning Commission Schedule for 2018 To include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required. a. Discussion by Commission b. Commission Recommendation 9. Discussion on the addition of the Traditional Neighborhood Development Zoning District To include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required. a. Discussion by Commission b. Commission Recommendation 10. Discussion on amending the Vegetative Buffer [To include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required. a. Discussion by Commission b. Commission Recommendation 11. Discussion on the Comprehensive Plan review To include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required. a. Discussion by Commission b. Commission Recommendation 12. Old Business [to include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required] 13. New Business [to include Vote and/or Action on matters brought up for discussion, if required] 14. Adjourn Anyone wishing to submit written comments to the Planning Commission can send their comments to the Planning Department by mail or by emailing them to the email address below. Please Note: If you would like to receive a copy of the agenda via email please contact our office, or email us at: [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Stream-Temperature Characteristics in Georgia
    STREAM-TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS IN GEORGIA By T.R. Dyar and S.J. Alhadeff ______________________________________________________________________________ U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4203 Prepared in cooperation with GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION Atlanta, Georgia 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 3039 Amwiler Road, Suite 130 Denver Federal Center Peachtree Business Center Box 25286 Atlanta, GA 30360-2824 Denver, CO 80225-0286 CONTENTS Page Abstract . 1 Introduction . 1 Purpose and scope . 2 Previous investigations. 2 Station-identification system . 3 Stream-temperature data . 3 Long-term stream-temperature characteristics. 6 Natural stream-temperature characteristics . 7 Regression analysis . 7 Harmonic mean coefficient . 7 Amplitude coefficient. 10 Phase coefficient . 13 Statewide harmonic equation . 13 Examples of estimating natural stream-temperature characteristics . 15 Panther Creek . 15 West Armuchee Creek . 15 Alcovy River . 18 Altamaha River . 18 Summary of stream-temperature characteristics by river basin . 19 Savannah River basin . 19 Ogeechee River basin. 25 Altamaha River basin. 25 Satilla-St Marys River basins. 26 Suwannee-Ochlockonee River basins . 27 Chattahoochee River basin. 27 Flint River basin. 28 Coosa River basin. 29 Tennessee River basin . 31 Selected references. 31 Tabular data . 33 Graphs showing harmonic stream-temperature curves of observed data and statewide harmonic equation for selected stations, figures 14-211 . 51 iii ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1. Map showing locations of 198 periodic and 22 daily stream-temperature stations, major river basins, and physiographic provinces in Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • Hiking the Appalachian and Benton Mackaye Trails
    10 MILES N # Chattanooga 70 miles Outdoor Adventure: NORTH CAROLINA NORTH 8 Nantahala 68 GEORGIA Gorge Hiking the Appalachian MAP AREA 74 40 miles Asheville co and Benton MacKaye Trails O ee 110 miles R e r Murphy i v 16 Ocoee 64 Benton MacKaye Trail Whitewater Center Appalachian Trail Big Frog 64 Wilderness 69 175 1 Springer Mountain (Trail Copperhill TENNESSEE NORTH CAROLINA Terminus for AT & BMT) GEORGIA GEORGIA McCaysville GEORGIA 75 2 Three Forks 15 Epworth spur 3 Long Creek Falls T 76 o 60 Hiwassee 2 c 2 5 c 129 4 Woody Gap Cohutta o Wilderness S BR Scenic RRa 60 Young F R Harris 288 5 Neels Gap, Walasi-Yi iv e Mineral r Center 14 Blu 2 6 Tesnatee Gap, Richard Mercier Brasstown Russell Scenic Hwy. Orchards F Bald S 64 13 Lake Morganton Blairsville 7 Unicoi Gap Blue 515 17 Ridge old 8 Toccoa River & Swinging Blue 76 Ridge 129 Bridge A s k a 60 9 Wilscot Gap, Hwy 60 R oa 180 Benton TrailMacKaye d 7 10 Shallowford Bridge 12 10 11 Stanley Creek Rd. 9 Vogel Cooper Creek State Park 11 Scenic Area 12 Fall Branch Falls Rich Mtn. 75 Dyer Gap Wilderness 13 515 8 180 5 14 Watson Gap Tocc 6 oa River 348 15 Jacks River Trail 52 BMT Trail Section Distances (miles) (6.0) Springer Mountain - Three Forks 19 Helen (Dally Gap) (1.1) Three Forks - Long Creek Falls 3 60 16 Thunder Rock (8.8) Three Forks - Swinging Bridge FS Ellijay (14.5) Swinging Bridge - Wilscot Gap 58 Suches Campground (7.5) Wilscot Gap - Shallowford Bridge F S Three (33.0) Shallowford Bridge - Dyer Gap 4 Forks 4 75 (24.1) Dyer Gap - US 64 2 2 Main Welcome Center Appalachian Trail
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 07/01/2014 to 09/30/2014 Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact R8 - Southern Region, Occurring in more than one Forest (excluding Regionwide) Chattooga River Boating - Recreation management In Progress: Expected:11/2014 11/2014 James Knibbs Access Notice of Initiation 07/24/2013 803-561-4078 EA Est. Comment Period Public [email protected] Notice 07/2014 Description: The Forest Service is proposing to establish access points for boaters on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River within the boundaries of three National Forests (Chattahoochee, Nantahala and Sumter). Web Link: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=42568 Location: UNIT - Chattooga River Ranger District, Nantahala Ranger District, Andrew Pickens Ranger District. STATE - Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina. COUNTY - Jackson, Macon, Oconee, Rabun. LEGAL - Not Applicable. Access points for boaters:Nantahala RD - Green Creek; Norton Mill and Bull Pen Bridge; Chattooga River RD - Burrells Ford Bridge; and, Andrew Pickens RD - Lick Log. Southern Region Caves and - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 06/02/2014 07/2014 Dennis Krusac Mine Closures 404-347-4338 CE [email protected] Description: The purpose of the action is to close caves and mines to minimize the transmission potential of white nose
    [Show full text]
  • Imagining Outer Space Also by Alexander C
    Imagining Outer Space Also by Alexander C. T. Geppert FLEETING CITIES Imperial Expositions in Fin-de-Siècle Europe Co-Edited EUROPEAN EGO-HISTORIES Historiography and the Self, 1970–2000 ORTE DES OKKULTEN ESPOSIZIONI IN EUROPA TRA OTTO E NOVECENTO Spazi, organizzazione, rappresentazioni ORTSGESPRÄCHE Raum und Kommunikation im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert NEW DANGEROUS LIAISONS Discourses on Europe and Love in the Twentieth Century WUNDER Poetik und Politik des Staunens im 20. Jahrhundert Imagining Outer Space European Astroculture in the Twentieth Century Edited by Alexander C. T. Geppert Emmy Noether Research Group Director Freie Universität Berlin Editorial matter, selection and introduction © Alexander C. T. Geppert 2012 Chapter 6 (by Michael J. Neufeld) © the Smithsonian Institution 2012 All remaining chapters © their respective authors 2012 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The authors have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2012 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Palgrave Macmillan in the UK is an imprint of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS.
    [Show full text]
  • List of TMDL Implementation Plans with Tmdls Organized by Basin
    Latest 305(b)/303(d) List of Streams List of Stream Reaches With TMDLs and TMDL Implementation Plans - Updated June 2011 Total Maximum Daily Loadings TMDL TMDL PLAN DELIST BASIN NAME HUC10 REACH NAME LOCATION VIOLATIONS TMDL YEAR TMDL PLAN YEAR YEAR Altamaha 0307010601 Bullard Creek ~0.25 mi u/s Altamaha Road to Altamaha River Bio(sediment) TMDL 2007 09/30/2009 Altamaha 0307010601 Cobb Creek Oconee Creek to Altamaha River DO TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010601 Cobb Creek Oconee Creek to Altamaha River FC 2012 Altamaha 0307010601 Milligan Creek Uvalda to Altamaha River DO TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 2006 Altamaha 0307010601 Milligan Creek Uvalda to Altamaha River FC TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010601 Oconee Creek Headwaters to Cobb Creek DO TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010601 Oconee Creek Headwaters to Cobb Creek FC TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010602 Ten Mile Creek Little Ten Mile Creek to Altamaha River Bio F 2012 Altamaha 0307010602 Ten Mile Creek Little Ten Mile Creek to Altamaha River DO TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010603 Beards Creek Spring Branch to Altamaha River Bio F 2012 Altamaha 0307010603 Five Mile Creek Headwaters to Altamaha River Bio(sediment) TMDL 2007 09/30/2009 Altamaha 0307010603 Goose Creek U/S Rd. S1922(Walton Griffis Rd.) to Little Goose Creek FC TMDL 2001 TMDL PLAN 08/31/2003 Altamaha 0307010603 Mushmelon Creek Headwaters to Delbos Bay Bio F 2012 Altamaha 0307010604 Altamaha River Confluence of Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers to ITT Rayonier
    [Show full text]
  • Martian Crater Morphology
    ANALYSIS OF THE DEPTH-DIAMETER RELATIONSHIP OF MARTIAN CRATERS A Capstone Experience Thesis Presented by Jared Howenstine Completion Date: May 2006 Approved By: Professor M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Professor Christopher Condit, Geology Professor Judith Young, Astronomy Abstract Title: Analysis of the Depth-Diameter Relationship of Martian Craters Author: Jared Howenstine, Astronomy Approved By: Judith Young, Astronomy Approved By: M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Approved By: Christopher Condit, Geology CE Type: Departmental Honors Project Using a gridded version of maritan topography with the computer program Gridview, this project studied the depth-diameter relationship of martian impact craters. The work encompasses 361 profiles of impacts with diameters larger than 15 kilometers and is a continuation of work that was started at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas under the guidance of Dr. Walter S. Keifer. Using the most ‘pristine,’ or deepest craters in the data a depth-diameter relationship was determined: d = 0.610D 0.327 , where d is the depth of the crater and D is the diameter of the crater, both in kilometers. This relationship can then be used to estimate the theoretical depth of any impact radius, and therefore can be used to estimate the pristine shape of the crater. With a depth-diameter ratio for a particular crater, the measured depth can then be compared to this theoretical value and an estimate of the amount of material within the crater, or fill, can then be calculated. The data includes 140 named impact craters, 3 basins, and 218 other impacts. The named data encompasses all named impact structures of greater than 100 kilometers in diameter.
    [Show full text]
  • Recreational Rock Hounding
    Designated Areas On the Nantahala and Pisgah NFs Wilderness (6) – 66,388 ac Wilderness Study Areas (5) • Ellicott Rock – 3,394 ac • Craggy Mountain – 2,380 ac • Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock- 13,562ac • Harper Creek – 7,140 ac • Linville Gorge – 11,786 • Lost Cove – 5,710 ac • Overflow – 3,200 ac • Middle Prong – 7,460 Roan Mountain • Shining Rock – 18,483 • Snowbird – 8,490 ac • Southern Nantahala – 11,703 Experimental Forests (3) Wild and Scenic Rivers (3) • Bent Creek – 5,242 ac • Chattooga • Blue Valley – 1,400 ac • Horsepasture • Coweeta – 5,482 ac • Wilson Creek National Scenic Trail (1) Balds – 3,880 ac • Appalachian Trail– 12,450 ac, approximately 240 miles Whiteside Mountain Roan Mountain – 7,900 ac Research Natural Areas (2) • Walker Cove – 53 Designated areas on the forest • Black Mountain – 1,405 include areas that are nationally Special Interest Areas (40) – 40,787 ac designated (i.e. wilderness, • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest – 3,840 ac National Historic Area (1) roadless areas) and those that are • Santeetlah Crk Bluffs – 495 ac • Cradle of Forestry – 6,540 ac designated in the current forest • Bonas Defeat Gorge – 305 ac plan with a particular • Bryson Branch – 44 ac Inventoried Roadless Areas (33) – management that differs from • Cole Mountain-Shortoff Mountain – 56 ac 124,000 ac • Cullasaja Gorge – 1,425 ac general forest management. • Bald Mountain – 11,227 ac • Ellicott Rock-Chattooga River – 1,997 ac • Balsam Cone – 10,651 ac Designated areas are generally • Kelsey Track – 256 ac • Barkers Creek (Addition) – 974 ac unsuitable for timber production. • Piney Knob Fork – 32 ac • Bearwallow – 4,112 ac • Scaly Mountain and Catstairs – 130 ac Total designated area is • Big Indian (Addition) – 1,152 ac • Slick Rock – 11 ac • Boteler Peak – 4,215 ac approximately 268,000 acres, • Walking Fern Cove – 19 ac • Cheoah Bald – 7,802 ac ~34% of the total forest.
    [Show full text]
  • Widespread Crater-Related Pitted Materials on Mars: Further Evidence for the Role of Target Volatiles During the Impact Process ⇑ Livio L
    Icarus 220 (2012) 348–368 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Icarus journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/icarus Widespread crater-related pitted materials on Mars: Further evidence for the role of target volatiles during the impact process ⇑ Livio L. Tornabene a, , Gordon R. Osinski a, Alfred S. McEwen b, Joseph M. Boyce c, Veronica J. Bray b, Christy M. Caudill b, John A. Grant d, Christopher W. Hamilton e, Sarah Mattson b, Peter J. Mouginis-Mark c a University of Western Ontario, Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, Earth Sciences, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7 b University of Arizona, Lunar and Planetary Lab, Tucson, AZ 85721-0092, USA c University of Hawai’i, Hawai’i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, Ma¯noa, HI 96822, USA d Smithsonian Institution, Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA e NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA article info abstract Article history: Recently acquired high-resolution images of martian impact craters provide further evidence for the Received 28 August 2011 interaction between subsurface volatiles and the impact cratering process. A densely pitted crater-related Revised 29 April 2012 unit has been identified in images of 204 craters from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This sample of Accepted 9 May 2012 craters are nearly equally distributed between the two hemispheres, spanning from 53°Sto62°N latitude. Available online 24 May 2012 They range in diameter from 1 to 150 km, and are found at elevations between À5.5 to +5.2 km relative to the martian datum. The pits are polygonal to quasi-circular depressions that often occur in dense clus- Keywords: ters and range in size from 10 m to as large as 3 km.
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Channel Systems Emanating from Hale Crater Ejecta: Implications for the Noachian Landscape Evolution of Mars
    Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX (2008) 2180.pdf RECENT CHANNEL SYSTEMS EMANATING FROM HALE CRATER EJECTA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NOACHIAN LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION OF MARS. L. L. Tornabene1, 2, A. S. McEwen1, and the HiRISE Team1, 1Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, [email protected] Introduction: Impact cratering is a fundamental into linear elements that do not appear to be typical crater geologic process that dominated the distant geologic past rays, but like rays lie radial to Hale (e.g., 315°E, 32°S; of the terrestrial planets. Thereby, impacts played a 323.6°E, 35.7°S). Further, Hale has pristine morphologic significant role in the formation and evolution of planetary features at the decameter scale such as a sharp but crusts in the form of impact effects and byproducts (e.g., complexly terraced rim, a prominent central peak and only ejecta, breccias, impact melts, etc.). On Mars, impacts may small (<1 km) and few superimposed craters. The ejecta have liberated subsurface volatiles that, in the form of and secondaries from Hale are superimposed over liquid water, modified both surface morphology and surrounding terrains covering a large expanse of Mars, composition (e.g., phyllosilicates [e.g., 1]), and possibly with one swath of secondaries spanning >500 km wide. influenced early habitable environments. Although such an Hale also possesses ponded materials and channelized interaction has been inferred by studies of crater flows, which is an indication of the presence of impact- morphology [e.g., 2] and impact models [e.g., 3], direct melt bearing materials, as well as a testament to the evidence for the release of liquid water or other volatiles youthfulness and excellent state of preservation of the by Martian impacts was lacking [4].
    [Show full text]
  • Crater Geometry and Ejecta Thickness of the Martian Impact Crater Tooting
    Meteoritics & Planetary Science 42, Nr 9, 1615–1625 (2007) Abstract available online at http://meteoritics.org Crater geometry and ejecta thickness of the Martian impact crater Tooting Peter J. MOUGINIS-MARK and Harold GARBEIL Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822, USA (Received 25 October 2006; revision accepted 04 March 2007) Abstract–We use Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topographic data and Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) visible (VIS) images to study the cavity and the ejecta blanket of a very fresh Martian impact crater ~29 km in diameter, with the provisional International Astronomical Union (IAU) name Tooting crater. This crater is very young, as demonstrated by the large depth/ diameter ratio (0.065), impact melt preserved on the walls and floor, an extensive secondary crater field, and only 13 superposed impact craters (all 54 to 234 meters in diameter) on the ~8120 km2 ejecta blanket. Because the pre-impact terrain was essentially flat, we can measure the volume of the crater cavity and ejecta deposits. Tooting crater has a rim height that has >500 m variation around the rim crest and a very large central peak (1052 m high and >9 km wide). Crater cavity volume (i.e., volume below the pre-impact terrain) is ~380 km3 and the volume of materials above the pre-impact terrain is ~425 km3. The ejecta thickness is often very thin (<20 m) throughout much of the ejecta blanket. There is a pronounced asymmetry in the ejecta blanket, suggestive of an oblique impact, which has resulted in up to ~100 m of additional ejecta thickness being deposited down-range compared to the up-range value at the same radial distance from the rim crest.
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Controls on the Morphology of the Chattooga River
    Geologic Controls on the Morphology of the Chattooga River Scott E. Brame Geological Sciences Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 and Robert D. Hatcher, Jr. Earth and Planetary Sciences and Science Alliance Center of Excellence University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996–1410 Abstract The East fork of the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River drains the south side of Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina and flows in a predominant southwesterly direction following the predominant joint direction, and to a much lesser extent the foliation, until it turns sharply to the southeast becoming part of the Savannah River system and flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Paralleling the northeast to southwest trend is the Brevard fault zone and two other river systems, the Chauga River in South Carolina and the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. The Chauga follows a pattern similar to that of the Chattooga, turning sharply to the southeast after flowing predominantly to the southwest from its headwaters. The locations that mark the abrupt turn of the flow of the Chattooga and Chauga Rivers from the southwest to the southeast are likely the result of stream piracy as proposed by Acker and Hatcher. The upper sections of the Chattooga and Chauga represent an extension of the Dahlonega Plateau with a topographic surface that has a maximum elevation of approximately 1600 feet. The 1600’ surface is a piedmont surface at the base of the Blue Ridge. Differential erosion along northeast- and northwest-trending joint sets has exerted a powerful control on the development of the landscape. The northwest-trending joint sets have encouraged headward erosion and breaching of the Dahlonega Plateau surface resulting in stream capture of both the Chattooga and Chauga watersheds by the Savannah River system.
    [Show full text]