Thickness distribution of the most recent sandy tsunami deposit in the Salmon River estuary, Oregon

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Thickness distribution of the most recent sandy tsunami deposit in the Salmon River estuary, Oregon
Abstract:
This portion of the data release provides the spatial thickness distribution of sandy deposits inferred to have been deposited at the Salmon River, OR by a circa 1700 CE tsunami. Data were collected by describing hand-operated gouge cores at 129 sites in 2017 and 2018, and supplemented by 114 core descriptions from 1987 (Nelson and others, 2004).
Supplemental_Information:
Additional information about the field activity or activities from which these data were derived is available online at: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2017-643-FA https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2018-625-FA
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?
    SeanPaul M. La Selle, Nelson, Alan R., Witter, Robert C., Gelfenbaum, Guy, Padgett, Jason S., and Jaffe, Bruce E., 20240417, Thickness distribution of the most recent sandy tsunami deposit in the Salmon River estuary, Oregon: data release DOI: 10.5066/P9M86S7D, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    SeanPaul M. La Selle, Nelson, Alan R., Witter, Robert C., Padgett, Jason S., Jaffe, Bruce E., and Gelfenbaum, Guy, 2024, Tsunami deposit data and sediment transport models from the Salmon River estuary, central Oregon: data release DOI: 10.5066/P9M86S7D, U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation: La Selle, S.M., Nelson, A.R., Witter, R.C., Padgett, J.S., Jaffe, B.E., Gelfenbaum, G., 2024, Tsunami deposit data and sediment transport models from the Salmon River, central Oregon coast: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9M86S7D.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.99883
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.97704
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.03989
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.023606
  3. What does it look like?
    deposit_preview.jpg (JPG)
    Photo of the buried soil, tsunami sand, and post-tsunami tidal silt from a core in the Salmon River estuary, OR.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 02-Sep-1987
    Ending_Date: 15-May-2018
    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.
    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?
    salmonriver_thickness.csv
    Comma Separated Value (.csv) file containing sandy deposit thickness data. (Source: producer defined)
    field_activity_number
    Field Activity Number. Data collected in 1987 and 1988 were not associated with a unique field activity number, indicated by “nan”. (Source: producer defined) Unique identifier for the U.S. Geological Survey field activity.
    site_id
    For USGS collected data (2017-2018): Name of site in LocalityYear-CoreID format, where LocalityYear is the first two letters of the field locality (SR = Salmon River) followed by the 2-digit year (17 = 2017, 18 = 2018), and core ID is the unique name given to a core. For non-USGS collected data (1987-1988): Name of site in LocalityCoreID format, where LocalityYear is the first two letters of the field locality (SR = Salmon River) and core ID is the unique name given to a core. (Source: producer defined) Unique identifier for the sample used given in the field
    site_type
    Type of coring device used to collect sediment and determine sand bed thicknesses. (Source: producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    30 mm gouge30 mm gouge cores are side-filling hand-operated peat-coring augers that are 100 cm and long and 30 mm in diameter.
    60 mm gouge60 mm gouge cores are side-filling hand-operated peat-coring augers that are 100 cm and long and 60 mm in diameter.
    cut bankCutbanks are sites along tidal channels that expose the site stratigraphy without having to dig or core.
    Russian coreRussian cores are side-filling hand operated peat-coring augers with a flap that traps sediment and are 50 cm long and 60 mm in diameter.
    latitude
    Latitude of site, in decimal degrees. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:45.02361
    Maximum:45.03989
    longitude
    Longitude of site, in decimal degrees. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-123.99883
    Maximum:-123.9645
    date_collected
    Date on which stratigraphy at the site was observed in yyyy-mm-dd format. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1987-09-02
    Maximum:2018-05-15
    sand_top_depth_cm
    The depth in centimeters from the surface to the top of the circa 1700 CE sandy tsunami deposit. Blank values indicate the absence of the sand. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:20
    Maximum:98
    sand_top_depth_cm
    The depth in centimeters from the surface to the bottom of the circa 1700 CE sandy tsunami deposit. Blank values indicate the absence of the sand. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:24
    Maximum:98.1
    sand_thickness_cm
    The thickness in centimeters of the circa 1700 CE sandy tsunami deposit. (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:19.5
    subsidence_contact_present
    Boolean (1 = yes, 0 = no). (Source: producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:1
    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)
    • SeanPaul M. La Selle
    • Alan R. Nelson
    • Robert C. Witter
    • Guy Gelfenbaum
    • Jason S. Padgett
    • Bruce E. Jaffe
  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?

In the absence of detailed historical records of tsunami inundation along the Cascadia subduction zone, the geologic evidence of such events can be used to reconstruct the size and slip distribution of prehistoric earthquakes and tsunamis. The tsunami deposit thickness data presented in this portion of the data release can be used to infer the minimum inundation extent of a ca. 1700 CE tsunami and can be used to test models of earthquake rupture and tsunami sediment transport.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Nelson and others, (2004) (source 1 of 1)
    Nelson, Alan R., Asquith, Andrew C., and Grant, Wendy C., 2004, Great earthquakes and tsunamis of the past 2000 years at the Salmon River estuary, central Oregon coast, USA: Seismological Society of America, online.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Hardcopy Resources (photographs and photocopied field notes).
    Source_Contribution: Legacy core locations and descriptions
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 01-Jun-2017 (process 1 of 2)
    Legacy core locations and descriptions collected by Wendy G. Walter in 1987 and published in Nelson and others, (2004) were georeferenced and reanalyzed to extract tsunami deposit thicknesses and the presence or absence of a buried soil horizon. Original core locations were determined through triangulation and annotated onto aerial photos. These photos were georeferenced in a geographic information system to determine the latitude and longitude for each site. Uncertainty in the 1987 core locations is unknown but assumed to be greater than the positional accuracy of GNSS-derived positions. The 1987 core descriptions note the depth of sandy layers and buried soil horizons that were originally interpreted to be from the 26 January, 1700 earthquake and tsunami. Data sources used in this process:
    • Nelson and others, (2004)
    Date: 15-May-2018 (process 2 of 2)
    The USGS collected cores from the Salmon River estuary in 2017 and 2018. Cores were described in the field and the presence or absence of a buried soil horizon was noted. Stratigraphy was described using the sediment classification schemes outlined in Troels-Smith (1955) and Nelson (2015). If present, depths and thicknesses of the sand layer immediately above the buried soil horizon were recorded. At the far inland extent of the sandy tsunami deposits, where the visually estimated bulk grain size of the deposit was a mixture of very fine sand and silt, only sandy lamina 1 mm or greater in thickness were identifiable as sandy deposits.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    SeanPaul M. La Selle, Nelson, Alan R., Witter, Robert C., Gelfenbaum, Guy, Padgett, Jason S., and Jaffe, Bruce E., 2024, Testing megathrust rupture models using tsunami deposits.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    La Selle, S.M., Nelson, A.R., Witter, R.C., Gelfenbaum, G., Padgett, J.S., and Jaffe, B.E., 2024, Testing megathrust rupture models using tsunami deposits: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JF007444.
    Troels-Smith, J., 1955, Karakterisering af lo se jordarter (Characterisation of Unconsolidated Sediments).

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Troels-Smith, J., 1955, Karakterisering af lo se jordarter (Characterisation of Unconsolidated Sediments): Geologiske Undersogelse, v. 3, p. 39-73.
    Nelson, Alan R., 2015, Chapter 4: Coastal Sediments: Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex, UK.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Nelson, A.R., 2015, Chapter 4: Coastal Sediments: Handbook of Sea-level Research. Wiley-Blackwell

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    No formal attribute accuracy tests were conducted.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    The locations of sites from 2017 and 2018 were determined using a Garmin etrex 30x handheld global satellite navigation system (GNSS) receiver capable of receiving wide area augmentation system (WAAS) signals. The manufacturer reported accuracy for horizontal positions is 3-5 m while receiving WAAS signals. Positional accuracy from the georeferenced 1987 cores is assumed to be worse than 5 m, due to errors in triangulation and digital georeferencing.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    No formal positional accuracy tests were conducted, nor were they applicable for this dataset.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted.

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

    1-831-427-4747 (voice)
    pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? The thickness of the most recent sandy tsunami deposits in the Salmon River estuary are provided in a comma-separated-value (.csv) file.
  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: A Comma Separated Value (.csv) file containing the locations, depths, and thicknesses of sandy tsunami deposits in the Salmon River estuary, OR. in format Comma delimited text Size: 0.0156
      Network links: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9M86S7D
    • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 17-Apr-2024
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_P9M86S7D/salmonriver_thickness_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Fri Apr 19 15:41:14 2024