Geologic Setting of Savannah, Georgia and Vicinity

Savannah is located in the Coastal Plain physiographic province of Georgia. The Coastal Plain is a wedge of poorly consolidated sand, clay, and limestone that thickens in a coastward direction from the midpoint of the State (the Fall Line). The sediments of the Coastal Plain were deposited by ancient seas and river deltas that periodically dominated the landmass over the last 120 million years. At Savannah, this sedimentary wedge is approximately 4,000 feet (or 1200 meters) thick, and is an important economic resource for the region. Aside from the various minerals that are quarried in local surface mines, the Coastal Plain strata contain valuable freshwater resources. In addition, the Savannah River has deeply incised into the soft strata, which has resulted in Savannah being a major deepwater maritime shipping center.

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