Grain-size data from samples collected in 2009 at three bluff locations in the vicinity of Wainwright, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Grain-size data from samples collected in 2009 at three bluff locations in the vicinity of Wainwright, Alaska
Abstract:
Grain-size data, including grain size, cumulative frequency, and median, was determined from samples collected at three bluff locations in the vicinity of Wainwright, Alaska. The different locations (termed W1, W2, and W3) represent three different slope-failure modes. Sediment grab samples for most bluff locations were collected in August 2009, while sediment samples from the bluff at site W3 and multiple foreshore locations were collected in September and October of 2009. Two of the grab samples were sieved and analyzed for grain size distributions (7 classes ranging from 0.06 to 0.72 mm). The grain size distribution of the remaining samples was determined from referenced photographs of collected samples taken in the lab following the method of Barnard and others (2007) using two-dimensional spectral decomposition of sediment images (Buscombe and others, 2010). Results of sieved samples were used to verify mean grain-size values obtained with the image processing algorithm. Data are available in a single csv file.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activity from which these data were derived is available online at: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=TM209AR Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Erikson, Li H., Storlazzi, Curt D., Collins, Brian D., and Engelstad, Anita C., 20221217, Grain-size data from samples collected in 2009 at three bluff locations in the vicinity of Wainwright, Alaska: data release DOI: 10.5066/P94V9W0S, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Erikson, Li H., Storlazzi, Curt D., Collins, Brian D., Hatcher, Gerry A., Reiss, Thomas E., and Engelstad, Anita C., 2022, Hydrographic and sediment field data collected in the vicinity of Wainwright, Alaska, in 2009: data release DOI: 10.5066/P94V9W0S, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -160.02232
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -159.90660
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 70.69503
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 70.64562
  3. What does it look like?
    GrainSize_Measurement_Loc__Bluffs .png (JPEG)
    Satellite image showing the areas where grain size data were collected
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 15-Aug-2009
    Ending_Date: 04-Oct-2009
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition at time data were collected
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-delimited text
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Point (41)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS 1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    2009GrainSize_bluffs.csv
    The file contains grain sizes, cumulative distribution frequencies and mean grain sizes. (Source: Producer defined)
    ID
    sample site ID (Source: Producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    n/a[W*_loc] is a unique ID for each bluff location. W* describes bluff W1, W2, or W3, and loc describes the specific location such as foreshore, bluff, frozen Permafrost (frozenPermafrost), or depth at which the sample was collected (for example, 1m_depth).
    Latitude_WGS84
    Latitude coordinate (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:70.64562
    Maximum:70.69503
    Units:Decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    Longitude_WGS84
    Longitude coordinate (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-160.02232
    Maximum:-159.90660
    Units:Decimal degrees
    Resolution:0.00001
    GrainSize_mm
    predefined grain sizes for which the cumulative frequencies are given -9999 values indicate not applicable values. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.06
    Maximum:0.72
    Units:mm
    Resolution:0.01
    CumulativeFrequency
    Cumulative frequency of grain size. -9999 values indicate not applicable values. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:1
    Units:mm
    Resolution:0.0001
    Mean_mm
    Mean grain size. -9999 values indicate not applicable values. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.04
    Maximum:0.11
    Units:mm
    Resolution:0.01
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: The first line of the csv file is a header line.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Li H. Erikson
    • Curt D. Storlazzi
    • Brian D. Collins
    • Anita C. Engelstad
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-427-4747 (voice)
    pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Data were obtained to provide baseline information and to support the development of numerical models for assessing past and future coastal hazards. These data are intended for policy makers, resource managers, science researchers, students, and the general public. These data are not intended to be used for navigation.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 04-Oct-2009 (process 1 of 2)
    Sediment was sampled on three bluffs and the bluff foreshore at depths ranging from 0.01-2.5 m by hand-auguring and manual trenching.
    Date: 09-Dec-2009 (process 2 of 2)
    Sediment grab samples were sieved and analyzed for grain size distributions using 6 sieves with screen sizes (in units of phi): -1,0,1,2,3,4. Mean grain sizes of remaining samples were computed using the MATLAB-based DGS toolbox from referenced photographs of collected samples taken in the lab following the methods of Barnard and others (2007) and using two-dimensional spectral decomposition of sediment images as described in Buscombe and others (2010). Results of sieved samples were used for verification of mean grain size values obtained with the image processing algorithm.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Buscombe, Daniel, Rubin, David M., and Warrick, Jonathan A., 2010, A universal approximation of grain size from images of noncohesive sediment.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Buscombe, D., Rubin, D.M., and Warrick, J.A., 2010, A universal approximation of grain size from images of noncohesive sediment: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 115, no. 02, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JF001477
    Barnard, Patrick L., Rubin, David M., Harney, Jodi, and Mustain, Neomi, 2007, Field test comparison of an autocorrelation technique for determining grain size using a digital beachball camera versus traditional methods.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Barnard, P.L., Rubin, D.M., Harney, J., and Mustain, N., 2007, Field test comparison of an autocorrelation technique for determining grain size using a digital beachball camera versus traditional methods: Sedimentary Geology, v. 201, p. 180-195.

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    No formal accuracy assessment was performed on the sieved sediment samples. Beach (foreshore) sediment grain sizes derived from referenced photographs are estimated to be accurate within 23 percent of the reported values, based on comparisons between sieved and image-processed samples.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    A formal accuracy assessment of the horizontal positional information in the dataset has not been conducted. Sediment sample locations were obtained with hand-held GPS units and are estimated to be accurate to within 4 meters.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    All data fall within expected ranges. Fields where data is not applicable have been filled with -9999 values.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints None
Use_Constraints USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator(s) of the dataset and in products derived from these data
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey - CMGDS
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-427-4747 (voice)
    pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? These data are available in csv format
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
    • Availability in digital form:
      Data format: csv file contains grain size data in format comma-delimited text Size: 0.002
      Network links: https://doi.org/10.5066/P94V9W0S
    • Cost to order the data: None.

  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    The csv data can be viewed with any text reading software.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 17-Dec-2022
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA

831-427-4747 (voice)
pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/pcmsc/DataReleases/CMGDS_DR_tool/DR_P94V9W0S/2009GrainSize_bluffs_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Thu Dec 22 15:35:39 2022