The Iberian Structural Axis

The Iberian structural axis strikes approximately northwest-southeast through Morgan City and Lafayette, and presumably extends northwesterly past Pine Prairie to connect with the north Louisiana geosyncline. The existence of the structural axis is indicated by the plan of the depth to the top of the salt domes. Certain physiographic data suggest arching of the surface along the Iberian structural axis. The axis is assumed to represent a geosyncline trough. The arching is presumed to be the effect of less compaction and greater uplift of the salt in the area of shallow domes than in areas of deep domes, and may be partially responsible for the form of the land area of the Mississippi Delta in the Terrebonne Parish area and for the eastward deflection of the Mississippi River. There is a suggestion that the axis may bend northeastward, possibly to connect with the Appalachian geosyncline.