Hurricane Harvey // Sand Peel Sculpture C

Context, Description, and Interpretation: 

Peel C records deposition of sands during the middle adjustment phase as the energy levels drop.  The hydrologic archive shows the water level dropping at a decreasing rate.  During this time the human impact recorded by 211 calls was for immediate needs like food and shelter.

Summary: Peel C is a lower flow regime, waning flow deposit, evident by the transition from dunes to ripples.

The lower 3/4 of Peel C exhibits large scale trough cross stratification resulting from dunes.  Above these dunes, there are smaller cross trough strata resulting from ripples.  The transition from dunes (upper lower flow regime) into ripples (lower lower flow regime) indicates a decrease in the energy and velocity of the flow.  The red arrows indicate the easterly flow direction.  Note: the maximum flood erosional surface is ~0.3 m below the peel.

Event Timing

• Middle adjustment phase

  • August 31-September 8, 2017:During this time period, the flow conditions were generally in the lower flow regime. Flow was to the east.