Contours--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: Contours--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California
Abstract:
This part of DS 781 presents bathymetric contours for several seafloor maps of the Monterey Canyon and Vicinity map area, California. The shapefile is included in "Contours_MontereyCanyon.zip," which is accessible from https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161072. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Dartnell, P., Maier, K.L., Erdey, M.D., Dieter, B.E., Golden, N.E., Johnson, S.Y., Hartwell, S.R., Cochrane, G.R., Ritchie, A.C., Finlayson, D.P., Kvitek, R.G., Sliter, R.W., Greene, H.G., Davenport, C.W., Endris, C.A., and Krigsman, L.M. (P. Dartnell and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2016, California State Waters Map Series—Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1072, 48 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161072.
Bathymetric contours of the Monterey Canyon and Vicinity map area, California, were generated from bathymetry data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), and by California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Mapping was completed between 1998 and 2014 using a combination of 30-kHz Simrad EM-300 and 200-kHz/400-kHz Reson 7125 multibeam echosounders, as well as 234-kHz and 468-kHz SEA SWATHplus bathymetric sidescan-sonar systems. The mapping missions collected bathymetry data from about the 10-m isobath to beyond the 3-nautical-mile limit of California's State Waters.
Bathymetric contours were generated separately from the modified 2-m and 5-m bathymetric surface then merged to one final contour dataset. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m. The original surface was smoothed using the Focal Mean tool in ArcGIS and a circular neighborhood with a radius of 20 to 30 m (depending on the area). The contours were generated from this smoothed surface using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Contour tool. The most continuous contour segments were preserved; smaller segments and isolated island polygons were excluded from the final output.
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=S709MB https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=S2210MB
Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document the data set in nonproprietary form, as well as in Esri format, this metadata file may include some Esri-specific terminology.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Erdey, Mercedes D., 2016, Contours--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Golden, Nadine E., 2016, California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.06
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -121.79
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.84
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.68
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/5570970be4b0d9246a9fd28a?name=Contours_MontereyCanyon.jpg&allowOpen=true (JPEG)
    Bathymetric contours of Monterey Canyon and Vicinity.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 1998
    Ending_Date: 2014
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Vector shapefile
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • String (44)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 10
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -123.00000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.00000
      False_Easting: 500000.0
      False_Northing: 0.00
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.01
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.01
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is WGS84.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.00.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Contours_MontereyCanyon.shp
    The shapefile attributes include FID - Internal Feature Number, SHAPE - feature geometry, ID - feature ID, and CONTOUR - contour depth value. The shapefile can be added to any ESRI ArcMap project. (Source: ESRI)
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    SHAPE
    Feature geometry (Source: ESRI) Polyline
    ID
    Unique identifier for each contour line. Value of 0 means the line segment has been generated during the smoothing process. (Source: ESRI)
    Range of values
    Minimum:98
    Maximum:674
    Units:Double
    CONTOUR
    Contours are lines that connect points of equal depth based on the bathymetry grid. The contour values indicate the depth value the line represents. This makes it easier to identifier features on the seafloor. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m, then the contours were clipped to the boundary of the map area. Values are negative to indicate depth below sea level. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-1600
    Maximum:-10
    Units:Integer values -10 to -1600 representing depth intervals as described above

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Mercedes D. Erdey
  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
    US

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

Why was the data set created?

These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    2mBathy (source 1 of 2)
    Dartnell, Peter, Ritchie, Andrew C., Finlayson, David P., and Kvitek, Rikk G., 2015, BathymetryA [2m]--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    See metadata for ("BathymetryA_2m_MontereyCanyon.zip") in DS 781 for source data postprocessing/reprocessing information.
    Type_of_Source_Media: digital file of gridded bathymetry data (ArcInfo GRID)
    Source_Contribution: Gridded bathymetry data (2-meter)
    5mBathy (source 2 of 2)
    Dartnell, Peter, Ritchie, Andrew C., Finlayson, David P., and Kvitek, Rikk G., 2015, BathymetryB [5m]--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    See metadata for ("BathymetryB_5m_MontereyCanyon.zip") in DS 781 for source data postprocessing/reprocessing information.
    Type_of_Source_Media: digital file of gridded bathymetry data (ArcInfo GRID)
    Source_Contribution: Gridded bathymetry data (5-meter)
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2014 (process 1 of 4)
    Bathymetric contours were generated separately from the modified 2-m and 5-m bathymetric surfaces then merged to one final contour dataset. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m. The original surface was smoothed using the Focal Mean tool in ArcGIS and a circular neighborhood with a radius of 20 to 30 m (depending on the area). The contours were generated from this smoothed surface using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Contour tool. The most continuous contour segments were preserved; smaller segments and isolated island polygons were excluded from the final output.
    Date: 27-Nov-2018 (process 2 of 4)
    Metadata was modified to bring up to current USGS PCMSC standards. Information for accompanying Open-File Report added to Abstract and Cross Reference sections. Point of Contact information was updated. Keywords were added and refined. Details about different Network Resource Name links was given in the Access Instructions section. Minor typos were corrected. No data information was changed. Person who carried out this activity:
    Susan A Cochran
    U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    2885 Mission St.
    Santa Cruz, CA
    United States

    831-460-7545 (voice)
    scochran@usgs.gov
    Date: 19-Oct-2020 (process 3 of 4)
    Edited metadata to add keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. No data were changed. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 05-Apr-2022 (process 4 of 4)
    Performed minor edits to the metadata to correct typos. No data were changed Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Susan A. Cochran
    Geologist
    2885 Mission Street
    Santa Cruz, CA

    831-460-7545 (voice)
    scochran@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Dartnell, Peter, Maier, Katherine L., Erdey, Mercedes D., Golden, Nadine E., Dieter, Bryan E., Golden, Nadine E., Johnson, Samuel Y., Hartwell, Stephen R., Cochrane, Guy R., Ritchie, Andrew C., Finlayson, David P., Kvitek, Rikk G., Sliter, Ray W., Greene, H. Gary, Davenport, Clifton W., Endris, Charles A., and Krigsman, Lisa M., 2012, California State Waters Map Series--Monterey Canyon and Vicinity, California: Open-File Report 2016-1072, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

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?
    Estimated to be no less than 2 m, owing to water depth and total propagated uncertainties of the mapping systems, which include sonar system, position and motion compensation system, and navigation, as well as data processing that includes sounding cleaning, gridding, and datum transformations.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Estimated to be no less than 20 cm, owing to water depth and total propagated uncertainties of the mapping systems, which include sonar system, position and motion compensation system, and navigation, as well as data processing that includes sounding cleaning, gridding, and datum transformations.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    Complete
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Unspecified

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, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and California State University, Monterey Bay, Seafloor Mapping Lab as the originators of the dataset and in products derived from these data. This information is not intended for navigation purposes.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase
    Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
    Denver, CO

    1-888-275-8747 (voice)
    sciencebase@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? The .zip file (Contours_MontereyCanyon.zip) includes the .cpg, .dbf, .prj, .sbn, .sbx, .shp, and .shx files, as well as FGDC-compliant metadata for the contour layer in the Monterey Canyon and Vicinity map area, California.
  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?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    The downloadable data file has been compressed with the "zip" command and can be unzipped with Winzip (or other tool) on Windows systems. To utilize these data, the user must have software capable of uncompressing the WinZip file and importing and viewing an Esri ArcMap SHP. Users should download the ArcGIS Project File, MontereyCanyonGIS.mxd.zip, a compressed (with the "zip" command) version of the ArcMap document (.mxd) that has all the data layers loaded in the table of contents for "Monterey Canyon" and has all the data symbolized as on the data release map sheets. Download and save this ArcGIS project file, including all data layers, to the directory the user has created for this GIS.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 10-Feb-2022
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA
US

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/SeriesReports/DS_DDS/DS_781/XMLs_on_ScienceBase/F7XD0ZQ4_MontereyCanyon/Contours_MontereyCanyon_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Tue Apr 5 16:05:05 2022