Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Pendleton, E.A. Originator: Brothers, L.L. Originator: Sweeney, E.M. Originator: Thieler, E.R. Originator: Foster, D.S. Publication_Date: 2017 Title: Sediment Texture and Geomorphology of the Sea Floor from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fisherman's Island, Virginia Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/F78K779J Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Reston, VA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F78K779J Description: Abstract: These data are a qualitatively derived interpretive polygon shapefile defining surficial sediment type and distribution, and geomorphology, for nearly 1,400 square kilometers of sea floor on the inner-continental shelf from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fisherman’s Island, Virginia, USA. These data are classified according to Barnhardt and others (1998) bottom-type classification system, which was modified to highlight changes in secondary sediment-types such as mud and gravel across this primarily sandy shelf. Most of the geophysical and sample data used to create this interpretive layer were collected as part of the Linking Coastal Processes and Vulnerability: Assateague Island Regional Study project (GS2-2C), supported by the U.S. Department of the Interior Hurricane Sandy Recovery program. Additional sample data were provided by the Maryland Geological Survey and the Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources. Additional hydrographic data were available through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service surveys collected between 2006 and 2014. The primary objective of the Hurricane Sandy Recovery program is to provide science for coastal resilience, and these interpretive data support the program goal by supplying regional geologic framework information for the management of coastal and marine resources. Accurate data and maps of seafloor geology are important first steps toward protecting fish habitat, delineating marine resources on the inner-shelf, understanding sediment transport pathways, and assessing environmental changes because of natural or human effects. The Assateague Island Regional Study project is focused on the inner-continental shelf of Maryland and Virginia, north of Chesapeake Bay entrance. Data collected during the mapping portion of this study have been released in a series of USGS data releases (https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/delmarva/). A combination of geophysical and sample data including high resolution bathymetry, acoustic-backscatter intensity, bottom photographs, and sediment samples are used to create this seafloor interpretation. Purpose: These sea-floor data were created from geophysical and sample data collected along the Delmarva Peninsula from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fisherman's Island, Virginia. These data are an interpretation of the seafloor sediment type, distribution, and geomorphology, and are classified according to a modified Barnhardt bottom-type classification system in order to capture meaningful changes in seafloor texture along the inner continental shelf of this region. Seafloor interpretations are important data layers for marine resource managers charged with protecting fish habitat, delineating marine boundaries, and assessing environmental change due to natural or human impacts. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 2006 Ending_Date: 2015 Currentness_Reference: ground condition of the source data that this interpretation is based on Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Not planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -75.909217 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.91305 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.431125 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.99978 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier Theme_Keyword: USGS:58de56a5e4b02ff32c699fcf Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: USGS Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Geology Program Theme_Keyword: CMGP Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Theme_Keyword: WHCMSC Theme_Keyword: Department of Interior Hurricane Sand Recovery Program Theme_Keyword: Barnhardt classification Theme_Keyword: Sea floor Theme_Keyword: Marine Geology Theme_Keyword: Interpretation Theme_Keyword: Bathymetry Theme_Keyword: Backscatter Theme_Keyword: Slope Theme_Keyword: Topography Theme_Keyword: Esri Shapefile Theme_Keyword: Bottom Type Theme_Keyword: Sediment Cover Theme_Keyword: Sediment Texture Theme_Keyword: Sediment Distribution Theme_Keyword: Bottom Photographs Theme_Keyword: Sediment Samples Theme_Keyword: Sidescan Sonar Theme_Keyword: carbonate Theme_Keyword: rugosity Theme_Keyword: interpretation Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation Theme_Keyword: oceans Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: sea-floor characteristics Theme_Keyword: marine geology Theme_Keyword: marine geophysics Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Mid-Atlantic Bight Place_Keyword: Atlantic Ocean Place_Keyword: Assateague Island Place_Keyword: Delmarva Peninsula Place_Keyword: Maryland Place_Keyword: Virginia Place_Keyword: Wallops Island Place_Keyword: Chincoteague Island Place_Keyword: Assawoman Island Place_Keyword: Metompkin Island Place_Keyword: Cedar Island Place_Keyword: Parramore Island Place_Keyword: Hog Island Place_Keyword: Cobb Island Place_Keyword: Wreck Island Place_Keyword: Ship Shoal Island Place_Keyword: Mink Island Place_Keyword: Myrtle Island Place_Keyword: Smith Island Place_Keyword: Mockhorn Island Place_Keyword: Fisherman's Island Place_Keyword: Delaware Place_Keyword: Fenwick Island Place_Keyword: Ocean City Place_Keyword: Cape Henlopen Place_Keyword: Rehoboth Place_Keyword: Assateague Island National Seashore Place_Keyword: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Place_Keyword: Chincoteague Inlet Stratum: Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Stratum_Keyword: Seafloor Stratum_Keyword: Sea floor Access_Constraints: None Use_Constraints: Not to be used for navigation. Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the source of this information. Additionally, there are limitations associated with qualitative sediment mapping interpretations. Because of the scale of the source geophysical data and the spacing of samples, not all changes in sea floor texture are captured. The data were mapped between 1:8,000 and 1:25,000, but the recommended scale for application of these data is 1:25,000. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: U.S. Geological Survey City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov Browse_Graphic: Browse_Graphic_File_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/58de56a5e4b02ff32c699fcf/?name=SedTexture.png Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Image of the sediment texture and distribution shapefile for the Delmarva Peninsula Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PNG Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Windows 7.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.4000 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Shepard, F.P. Publication_Date: 1954 Title: Nomenclature Based on Sand-Silt-Clay Ratios Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal Sedimentary Petrology Issue_Identification: volume 24 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Tulsa, OK Publisher: Society for Sedimentary Geology Online_Linkage: http://jsedres.geoscienceworld.org/content/24/3/151 Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Barnhardt, W.A. Originator: Kelley, J.T. Originator: Dickson, S.M. Originator: Belknap, D.F. Publication_Date: 1998 Title: Mapping the Gulf of Maine with Side-scan Sonar: a New Bottom-type Classification for Complex Seafloors Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Coastal Research Issue_Identification: volume 14(2) Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Royal Palm Beach, FL Publisher: Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc. Online_Linkage: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4298818?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Wentworth, C.K. Publication_Date: 1922 Title: A Scale of Grade and Class Terms for Clastic Sediments Series_Information: Series_Name: Journal of Geology Issue_Identification: vol. 30 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Chicago, IL Publisher: University of Chicago Press Online_Linkage: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30063207?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Poppe, L.J. Originator: McMullen, K.Y. Originator: Williams, S.J. Originator: Paskevich, V.F. Publication_Date: 2014 Title: USGS East-coast Sediment Analysis: Procedures, Database, and GIS Data Edition: 3.0 Series_Information: Series_Name: Open File Report Issue_Identification: 2005-1001 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Reston, VA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/ Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Blackwood, D.S. Publication_Date: 2000 Title: "SeaBOSS": an elegantly simple image and sample collecting system Series_Information: Series_Name: Proceedings, 6th Annual International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine Environments Issue_Identification: Volume 1 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Charleston, SC Publisher: Veridian ERIM International Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Jenness, J Publication_Date: 2013 Title: DEM surface tools Edition: 2.1.375 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: model Online_Linkage: http://www.jennessent.com/arcgis/surface_area.htm Data_Quality_Information: Logical_Consistency_Report: These data were drawn and vetted for accuracy using the source input rasters and point sample data described in the processing steps and source contributions. Overlapping features and unintentional gaps within the survey area were identified using the topology checker in ArcMap (version 10.2.2) and corrected or removed. Completeness_Report: These sediment cover data are defined for areas where source data exists. In general, gaps in the coverage coincide with gaps in the source data. However, some data gaps were interpreted through extrapolation or by using hydrographic survey data only from NOS. Areas with fewer input data sources, lower data quality, and incomplete coverage are noted in a data quality attribute field. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: These data were produced qualitatively from acoustic and sample data with varying resolutions. Horizontal uncertainty associated with sample collection especially, can be quite high (100's of meters), much higher than positional uncertainty associated with acoustic data (usually less than 10's of meters). The date of sample collection and ship station positioning all contribute to sample position uncertainty. These qualitatively derived polygons outlining sea floor features are estimated to be within 50 meters, horizontally, but locally may be higher when sediment texture delineation is based on sample information alone. Lineage: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Pendleton, E.A. Originator: Ackerman, S.D. Originator: Baldwin, W.E. Originator: Danforth, W.W. Originator: Foster, D.S. Originator: Thieler, E.R. Publication_Date: 2014 Title: High-resolution geophysical data collected along the Delmarva Peninsula 2014, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2014-002-FA Edition: 4.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster and vector digital data Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/F7MW2F60 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Reston, VA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F7MW2F60 Type_of_Source_Media: online Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20140618 Ending_Date: 20140722 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Pendleton and others, 2014 Source_Contribution: This report provided the majority of the geophysical and sample data from the northern half (Fenwick Island to the southern end of Assateague Island) of the study area. The side-scan sonar mosaics formed the basis for digitizing polygons based on differences in backscatter intensity. Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Sweeney, E.M. Originator: Pendleton, E.A. Originator: Ackerman, S.D. Originator: Andrews, B.D. Originator: Baldwin, W.E. Originator: Danforth, W.W. Publication_Date: 2015 Title: High-resolution geophysical data collected along the Delmarva Peninsula in 2015, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2015-001-FA Edition: 3.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster and vector digital data Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: DOI:10.5066/F7P55KK3 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Reston, VA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F7P55KK3 Type_of_Source_Media: online Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20150610 Ending_Date: 20150714 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Sweeney and others, 2015 Source_Contribution: This report provided the majority of the geophysical and sample data from the southern half (Chincoteague Island to Fisherman's Island) of the study area. The side-scan sonar mosaics formed the basis for digitizing polygons based on differences in backscatter intensity. Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Toscano, M.A. Originator: Kerhin, R.T. Originator: York, L.L. Originator: Cronin, T.M. Originator: Williams, S.J. Publication_Date: 1989 Title: Quaternary Stratigraphy of the inner continental shelf of Maryland Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document Series_Information: Series_Name: Report of Investigations Issue_Identification: 50 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Baltimore, MD Publisher: Maryland Geological Survey Online_Linkage: http://www.mgs.md.gov/publications/report_pages/RI_50.html Type_of_Source_Media: PDF Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 19870101 Ending_Date: 19871231 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Toscano and others, 1989 Source_Contribution: This report provided additional sediment samples for the inner-shelf offshore of Assateague and Fenwick Islands. These data were visual textural descriptions in table form and were converted to digital vector data for use in this interpretation. Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Berquist, C.R. Originator: Hobbs, C.H. Publication_Date: 1986 Title: Assessment of economic heavy minerals of the Virginia inner continental shelf Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document Series_Information: Series_Name: Open-File Report Issue_Identification: 86-1 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Charlottesville, VA Publisher: Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources Online_Linkage: https://www.boem.gov/Non-Energy-Minerals/VA_1986_Berquist.aspx Type_of_Source_Media: digital vector Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 19850101 Ending_Date: 19851231 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: VAGMR, 1985 Source_Contribution: This report provided additional sediment samples for the inner-shelf offshore of the Virginia barrier islands. These data were provided in digital vector format (point shapefile) by the Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources, and aided the interpretation qualitatively, since the texture statistics were inconsistent with the 2014 and 2015 samples. Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Pendleton, E.A. Originator: Brothers, L.L. Originator: Thieler, E.R. Originator: Danforth, W.W. Originator: Parker, C.E. Publication_Date: 2014 Title: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hydrographic Survey Data Used in a U.S. Geological Survey Regional Geologic Framework Study Along the Delmarva Peninsula Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data Series_Information: Series_Name: Open-File Report Issue_Identification: 2014-1262 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Reston, VA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1262/ Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141262 Type_of_Source_Media: digital raster Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20060101 Ending_Date: 20141231 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NOS survey data report Source_Contribution: This report provided high resolution multi-beam bathymetry collected by NOAA and combined and released by USGS to supplement the more widely-spaced interferometric bathymetry lines collected by USGS (FADD 2014-002-FA and FADD 2015-001-FA). Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Wells, D. V. Publication_Date: 2017 Title: Inventory of Physical and Benthic Habitats and Ocean Resources within the Nearshore Boundary of Assateague Island National Seashore Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data Series_Information: Series_Name: Natural Resource Technical Report Issue_Identification: in press Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Baltimore, MD Publisher: Maryland Geological Survey and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Online_Linkage: available online following publication Type_of_Source_Media: digital vector Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20110101 Ending_Date: 20111231 Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition Source_Citation_Abbreviation: MGS and NPS report Source_Contribution: This report provided additional sediment samples for the very nearshore along Assateague Island. This currently unpublished report is available by request to the Maryland Geological Survey and contatins digital vector layers with sediment sample statistics. However, the samples lacked carbonate analysis and were only incorporated into the interpretation qualitatively. Process_Step: Process_Description: The texture and spatial distribution of sea-floor sediment were qualitatively-analyzed in ArcGIS using several input data sources (listed in the source contribution), including acoustic backscatter intensity imagery, bathymetry, bottom photographs, and sediment samples. In order to create the interpretation, first a polygon shapefile of the study area was imported to a geodatabase as a feature class (with ArcMap version 10.2.2). Then sediment texture polygons were created using 'cut polygon' and 'auto-complete polygon' in an edit session. In general, polygon editing was done at scales between 1:8,000 and 1:20,000, depending on the size of the traced feature and the resolution of the source data. The following numbered steps outline the workflow of the data interpretation. 1. Backscatter intensity data (available at 1 to 2 meter resolution) were the first input. Changes in backscatter amplitude were digitized to outline possible changes in seafloor texture based on acoustic return. Areas of high backscatter (light colors) have strong acoustic reflections and suggest coarse seafloor sediments like sand with gravel or shell for the Delmarva shelf. Low-backscatter areas (dark colors) have weak acoustic reflections and are generally characterized by finer grained material such as muds and fine sands. 2. The polygons were then refined and edited based on gradient, rugosity (Jenness, 2013), and hillshaded relief images derived from interferometric and multibeam swath bathymetry (available at 0.5 to 25 m resolution). Areas of high rugosity are typically associated with coarser sediments, while smooth, low-rugosity regions tend to be blanketed by fine-grained sediment, and topographic undulations and steep slopes can often be associated with sand ridges and other large bedforms. These bathymetric derivatives helped to refine polygon boundaries where feature changes especially along sand ridge and shoal margins may not have been apparent in backscatter data, but could easily be identified in hillshaded relief and slope changes. 3. After all the seafloor features were traced from the backscatter and bathymetry data, a new field was created called 'Texture'. Bottom photographs and sediment samples were then used to define and populate the sediment texture field for the polygons using a modified Barnhardt and others (1998) sea floor sediment classification. The Barnhardt and others (1998) system is based on four basic, easily recognized sediment units: gravel (G), mud (M), rock (R), and sand (S). The sea floor along the Delmarva Peninsula lacks rock, R, therefore this seafloor interpretation old contains 3 of the 4 Barnhardt primary units. Because the sea floor sediments along Delmarva are often a nonuniform mixture of S,G,and M, the Barnhardt classification is further divided into 12 composite units, which are 2-part combinations of the 3 basic units. The classification is defined such that the primary unit, representing more than 50 percent of an area's texture, is given an upper case letter, and the secondary texture, representing less than 50 percent of an area's texture, is given a lower case letter. If one of the basic sediment units represents more than 92 percent of the texture, only its upper case letter is used. The units defined under the modified Barnhardt and others (1998) classification within this study area include Sg, S, S99, Sm, M, and Ms. Some polygons had more than one sample, and some polygons lacked sample information. For multiple samples within a polygon, the dominant sediment texture was used to classify sediment type (often aided by the 'data join' sediment statistics described in a later processing step). Polygons that lacked sample information were texturally defined through extrapolation from adjacent or proximal polygons of similar acoustic character that did contain sediment samples. Samples with laboratory grain size analysis were preferred over visual descriptions when defining sediment texture throughout the study area. Typically, features below 5,000 square-meters or less than 50 m wide were not digitized due to positional uncertainty, lack of sample information, and the often ephemeral nature of small-scale sea floor features. Not all digitized sea floor features contained sample information, so often the sea floor texture is characterized by the nearest similar feature that contains a sample. Conversely, sometimes a digitized feature contains multiple samples and not all of the samples within the feature were in agreement (of the same texture). In these cases the dominant sediment texture was chosen to represent the primary texture for the polygon. Sea floor texture can change over small spatial scales, and many small-scale changes will not be detectable or mappable at a scale of 1:25,000. The boundaries of polygons are often inferred based on sediment samples, and even boundaries that are traced based on amplitude changes in geophysical data are subject to migration. Polygon boundaries should be considered an approximation of the location of a change in texture. Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Pendleton and others, 2014; Sweeney and others, 2015; NOS survey data report Process_Date: 2016 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: U.S. Geological Survey Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd. City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: A new field was added called 'Data_quali' as a data interpretation confidence assessment, which describes how confident we are in the interpretation based on the number of input data sources (see the entity and attribute sections for more information on these classes). The following 5 fields contain sediment texture statistics information and were created and populated using a data join function within ArcMap (version 10.2.2). The fields beginning with "Avg_" and the "Count_" field were automatically generated by computing a data join where the 2014 and 2015 USGS sediment sample database with laboratory analysis for clastic and carbonate components (vector points) were joined to the qualitatively-derived polygons. Each polygon was given an average of the numeric attributes of the points (with laboratory grain size analysis) that fell inside it, and the count field shows how many laboratory analyzed points fall inside it. Several fields that were not wanted were deleted after the join. Polygons with a zero count value, meaning there were no sediment samples from USGS surveys in 2014 or 2015 within the polygon, were given a no data value of -999 for the 'Avg_' fields. Sediment samples from the Toscano and others (1989), Virginia Division of Geology and Mineral Resources (1985), and NPS and MGS (2011) report lacked the same laboratory analysis methods and could not be joined with the 2014 an 2015 USGS sample data, or were based on visual textural descriptions. These data were used separately and qualitatively to aid texture interpretation in the absence of USGS samples and were not included in the data join described above. Three more fields were added. One called 'Biogenic_c' is based on the 'Avg_C_PCF' field and is a description of the amount of carbonate present in the interpreted polygon. Field 'geomorph_f' is a description of the geomorphic region of the interpreted polygon, based on slope measures, and geophysical data properties. The field 'mean_slope' was calculated by zonal statistics, such that the mean slope from the NOAA multibeam bathymetry dataset was included for each interpeted polygon. Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Pendleton and others, 2014; Sweeney and others, 2015; Toscano and others (1989); VAGMR (1985); MGS and NPS report (2011) Process_Date: 2016 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: U.S. Geological Survey Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd. City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: Finally, topology rules were designated within the geodatabase (ArcCatalog version 10.2.2), to make sure that there were no overlapping polygons or accidental gaps between adjacent polygons. The topology error inspector (ArcMap version 10.2.2) was used to find topology errors and fix them. Overlapping polygon and gap errors were fixed. Length and Area fields were generated automatically for all polygons in the geodatabase. The data were then exported to a shapefile and the polygons were reprojected from UTM Zone 18N, WGS84 to GCS WGS84, and the length and area fields were deleted. Process_Date: 2016 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd. City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: (508)-548-8700 x2259 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (508)-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: An error was fixed in one of the originator names. Process_Date: 20180129 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: VeeAnn A. Cross Contact_Position: Marine Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address: 384 Woods Hole Road City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2251 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: vatnipp@usgs.gov Process_Step: Process_Description: Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. Process_Date: 20200807 Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Person: VeeAnn A. Cross Contact_Position: Marine Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address: 384 Woods Hole Road City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2251 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: vatnipp@usgs.gov Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 867 Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.000001 Longitude_Resolution: 0.000001 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984 Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: USGS_Delmarva_SedTexture_Geomorph Entity_Type_Definition: Sediment texture shapefile for the inner continental shelf of Maryland and Virginia, north of Chesapeake Bay Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute: Attribute_Label: FID Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number. Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated. Attribute: Attribute_Label: Shape Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry. Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features. Attribute: Attribute_Label: Texture Attribute_Definition: Bottom-type classification based on twelve composite units that represent combinations of four end-member units (R= rock (not found in this study area); G= gravel; S= sand; M= mud). Attribute_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: S99 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The nearly total texture (~99 %) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and a 99 to indicate that the sediment texture is nearly 99 percent sand and indicative of sand ridge material Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: M Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The end-member texture (> 90%) Mud (M) is the primary texture. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: Ms Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The dominant texture (> 50%) Mud (M) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) sand (s) is given a lower case letter. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: S Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The end-member texture (> 92%) Sand (S) is the primary texture. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: modified from Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sg Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The dominant texture (> 50%) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) gravel (g) is given a lower case letter. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sm Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The dominant texture (> 50%) Sand (S) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) mud (m) is given a lower case letter. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: Gs Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The dominant texture (> 50%) Gravel (G) is given the upper case letter and the subordinate texture (< 50%) sand (s) is given a lower case letter. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Barnhardt and others (1998) Attribute: Attribute_Label: Data_quali Attribute_Definition: Each interpreted polygon was assigned a data interpretation confidence value of 1, 2, or 3 based on the number of input data sources. Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 3 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment texture regions that were defined based on sidescan sonar-mosaics, bathymetric derivatives, and bottom photos and sediment samples, were given the highest data interpretation confidence value of 3 (highest confidence). Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Areas where sediment texture was defined based on sidescan sonar-mosaics and bathymetric derivatives, but no bottom photos or sediment samples were available with in the polygon, were given a confidence value of 2 (moderate confidence). Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1 Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sediment texture regions that were defined based on bathymetric derivatives, but no sidescan-sonar data (with or without sample information), were given the lowest data interpretation confidence value of 1 (lowest confidence). Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute: Attribute_Label: Count_ Attribute_Definition: The number of sediment samples (with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) that occur within each qualitatively-derived polygon. This field is automatically generated by Esri when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 29 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: count Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1.0 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Avg_GRAVEL Attribute_Definition: Average percent weight (%) gravel (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 76.39 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Avg_SAND_P Attribute_Definition: Average percent weight (%) sand (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 8.85 Range_Domain_Maximum: 99.96 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Avg_MUD_P Attribute_Definition: Average percent weight (%) mud (silt plus clay; as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed grain size statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.04 Range_Domain_Maximum: 91.06 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Avg_C_PCF Attribute_Definition: Average percent weight (%) of the coarse fraction (sand plus gravel) that is carbonate (as determined from samples with laboratory analyzed carbonate content statistics) within each qualitatively derived polygon. This field was automatically generated by Esri as a summary of the numeric attributes of the points that fall inside a polygon when point data (sample database) is joined to a polygon (sediment texture interpretation). -999 is a no data value Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.18 Range_Domain_Maximum: 92.91 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: percent Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Biogenic_c Attribute_Definition: Description of carbonate sediment based on percent weight of carbonate in the coarse fraction (sand and gravel) Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: trace Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The weight percent of the coarse fraction (sand + gravel) that is carbonate is less than 2 percent Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: present Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The weight percent of the coarse fraction (sand + gravel) that is carbonate is more than 2 percent but less than 10 percent Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: abundant Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The weight percent of the coarse fraction (sand + gravel) that is carbonate is more than 10 percent but less than 50 percent Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: dominant Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The weight percent of the coarse fraction (sand + gravel) that is carbonate is more than 50 percent Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute: Attribute_Label: geomorph_f Attribute_Definition: Geomorphic feature description Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: sand ridge or bedform Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: the seafloor geomorphology (as characterized from hillshaded relief, slope, and rugosity imagery) can be described as a series or part of a bedform or sand ridge. Mean slope values for sand ridges can vay greatly, but are typically high, especially along slipfaces and flanks. The mean slope of all polygons classified as 'sand ridge or bedform' is 0.6 degrees. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: pits Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: the seafloor geomorphology (as characterized from hillshaded relief, slope, rugosity, and backscatter imagery) can be characterized as scour pits filled with mud. The mean slope of all polygons classified as 'pits' is 0.3 degrees. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: gently-sloping shelf Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: the seafloor geomorphology (as characterized from hillshaded relief, slope, and rugosity imagery) can be described as a seaward-sloping relatively-smooth surface with a low slope (on average less than 0.20 degrees for all polygons identified as 'gently-sloping shelf) and not associated with a sand ridge or bedform. Polygons classified as 'gently-sloping shelf' are mostly located in the 2015 survey area where there are fewer sand ridges and thus larger extents of relatively smooth and featureless inner continental shelf. Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Enumerated_Domain: Enumerated_Domain_Value: moderately-sloping shelf Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: the seafloor geomorphology (as characterized from hillshaded relief, slope, and rugosity imagery) can be described as a seaward-sloping relatively-smooth surface with a moderate slope (on average about 0.45 degrees for all polygons identified as 'moderately-sloping shelf') and not associated with a sand ridge or bedform. Polygons classified as 'moderately-sloping shelf' are typically narrow and located mostly in the 2014 survey area between features identified as 'sand ridges or bedform' Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute: Attribute_Label: mean_slope Attribute_Definition: mean seafloor slope (in degrees) within designated polygon derived from NOAA and USGS bathymetry data. Attribute_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.068267 Range_Domain_Maximum: 2.175318 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.0001 Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-888- 275-8747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sciencebase@usgs.gov Resource_Description: This data release from the Delmarva Peninsula area is comprised of the shapefile USGS_Delmarva_SedTexture_Geomorph.shp (and the additional files that make up a shapefile), a browse graphic (SedTexture.png) and FGDC CSDGM metadata (USGS_Delmarva_SedTexture_Geomorph.xml). Distribution_Liability: Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the USGS, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey in the use of these data or related materials. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: Shapefile Format_Version_Number: ArcGIS 10.2.2 Format_Specification: Esri Polygon Shapefile Format_Information_Content: This dataset contains the shapefile of qualitatively derived polygons that define sea floor texture and distribution along Fenwick and Assateague Island and parts of Virginia and the associated metadata. Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/58de56a5e4b02ff32c699fcf Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/F78K779J Access_Instructions: The network resources offer the options of downloading all the files (first link) or accessing the landing page of the data. Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: WMS Format_Version_Number: 1.3.0 Format_Information_Content: This dataset contains the shapefile of qualitatively derived polygons that define sea floor texture and distribution along Fenwick and Assateague Island and parts of Virginia. Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalogMaps/mapping/ows/58de56a5e4b02ff32c699fcf?service=wms&request=getcapabilities&version=1.3.0 Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/F78K779J Access_Instructions: The network resources offer the otionf a web mapping service of the data, or accessing the landing page of the data. Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: WFS Format_Version_Number: 1.0.0 Format_Information_Content: This dataset contains the shapefile of qualitatively derived polygons that define sea floor texture and distribution along Fenwick and Assateague Island and parts of Virginia. Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalogMaps/mapping/ows/58de56a5e4b02ff32c699fcf?service=wfs&request=getcapabilities&version=1.0.0 Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/F78K779J Access_Instructions: The network resources offer the otionf a web feature service of the data, or accessing the landing page of the data. Fees: None Technical_Prerequisites: These data are available in Esri shapefile format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing this data type. Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20200807 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Elizabeth A. Pendleton Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: Geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: U.S. Geological Survey Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd. City: Woods Hole State_or_Province: MA Postal_Code: 02543-1598 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2259 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ependleton@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998 Metadata_Time_Convention: local time Metadata_Access_Constraints: None Metadata_Use_Constraints: None