Influence of antecedent geology on the Holocene formation and evolution of Horn Island, Mississippi, USA

Horn Island, one of the two most stable barriers along the Mississippi-Alabama chain (Cat, East and West Ship, Horn, West Petit Bois, Petit Bois, and Dauphin), provides critical habitat, helps regulate estuarine conditions in the Mississippi Sound, and reduces wave energy and storm surge before they reach the mainland shore. However, important details of the formation and evolution of the island in response to sea-level rise, storms, and antecedent geology remain unclear. This study integrates 2200 km of high-resolution geophysical data, 35 sediment cores, and 18 radiocarbon ages to better understand the geologic history of the island.