NASA Finds Glacial Sediments Adding to Louisiana Coast's Sinking

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Aerial photo of the disappearing wetlands of south Louisiana. Credit: Roy Dokka Louisiana State University
Aerial photo of the disappearing wetlands of south Louisiana. Credit: Roy Dokka, Louisiana State University

A study by NASA and Louisiana State University scientists finds that sediments deposited into the Mississippi River Delta thousands of years ago when North America's glaciers retreated are contributing to the ongoing sinking of Louisiana's coastline. The weight of these sediments is causing a large section of Earth's crust to sag at a rate of 0.1 to 0.8 centimeters (0.04 to 0.3 inches) a year.


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