The geologic record of Hurricane Irma in a Southwest Florida back-barrier lagoon

Data was gathered from four cores taken in a back-barrier lagoon on Big Hickory Island, Florida, USA. Hurricane Irma occurred in September 2017 and these cores were taken in June 2018. Sedimentary analyses (grain size, % moisture, % inorganic material) were conducted on three of the cores whereas the fourth was used for 210Pb dating. These cores were also studied for foraminifera species. Sedimentary analyses showed a tempestite in the core top (ranging from 0-9.5 cm), which was supported by larger grain size, low moisture content, and high inorganic content. Several marine species were present in the tempestite layer of each core, but no foraminifera were present in the lagoonal sediments below that tempestite. A Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) model was coupled with 210Pb data to demonstrate sedimentation rates during Hurricane Irma and create a core chronology