Station locations in quadrangle 2 in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2019 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate

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Title:
Station locations in quadrangle 2 in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2019 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate
Abstract:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Marine Sanctuary Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has conducted seabed mapping and related research in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) region since 1993. The interpretive datasets and source information presented here are for quadrangle 2, which is one of 18 similarly-sized quadrangles that comprise the 3,700 square kilometer (km2) SBNMS region. The seabed of the SBNMS region is a glaciated terrain that is topographically and texturally diverse. Mapping of quadrangle 2 shows the distribution of substrates across the southwestern part of Stellwagen Bank, in Stellwagen Basin to the west and southwest of the bank, in Little Stellwagen Basin, and in the western part of Race Point Channel to the south of the bank. Water depths range from ~19 m on the bank crest to ~64 m in Stellwagen Basin. The previously unpublished data provided in this data release in conjunction with previously published bathymetric and seabed backscatter imagery, photographs, video, and grain-size analyses for quadrangle 2 are the foundation for Scientific Investigations Map 3530 (Valentine and Cross, 2024), which presents maps of seabed topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, distribution of geologic substrates, sediment mobility, distribution of fine- and coarse-grained sand, and substrate mud content. For the quadrangle 2 interpretations, data from 733 ground validation stations were analyzed, including 656 sediment samples. The seabed geology of quadrangle 2 comprises 19 substrate types ranging from boulder ridges to mobile and rippled sand to mud. Not all of these substrates are mappable as individual polygons. Substrate types are defined or inferred by sediment grain-size composition, surface morphology, sediment layering, the mobility or immobility of substrate surfaces, and water depth range. Scientific Investigations Map 3530 portrays the major geological elements (substrates, topographic features, processes) of environments within quadrangle 2. It is intended to be a basis for the study of sediment transport processes that affect a shallow, offshore bank and adjacent basins, for the study of the ecological requirements of invertebrate and vertebrate species that use these substrates, and to support seabed management in the region.
Supplemental_Information:
Over 50 scientific cruises have been conducted in an effort to map Stellwagen Bank. For this interpretation of quadrangle 2 on Stellwagen Bank, ground-truth stations on the following 32 USGS WHCMSC field activities have played a vital role: 1993-006-FA, 1993-023-FA, 1993-030-FA, 1994-004-FA, 1994-014-FA, 1995-012-FA, 1995-015-FA, 1995-036-FA, 1996-025-FA, 1996-037-FA, 1996-038-FA, 2013-044-FA, 2014-015-FA, 2014-055-FA, 2014-066-FA, 2014-070-FA, 2015-017-FA, 2015-062-FA, 2015-074-FA, 2016-004-FA, 2016-012-FA, 2016-038-FA, 2016-039-FA, 2017-009-FA, 2017-030-FA, 2017-043-FA, 2017-044-FA, 2018-027-FA, 2018-028-FA, 2018-028-FA, 2018-029-FA, 2019-007-FA, and 2019-008-FA. More information on each of these activities can be found by replacing the XXXX in the following URL with the cruise ID: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=XXXX. For example: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=1993-023-FA. These data have a companion report that provides the additional details and information related to the interpretation and methods. Additionally, the report contains PDF maps of the seabed interpretation. That companion report is Valentine, P.C., and Cross, V.A., 2024, Seabed maps showing topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 2 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map, 3530, 8 sheets, scale 1:25,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3530 .
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Valentine, Page C., 20241216, Station locations in quadrangle 2 in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2019 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate: data release DOI:10.5066/P9UL3LWN, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Valentine, Page C., and Cross, VeeAnn A., 2024, Geospatial datasets of seabed topography, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 2 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: data release DOI:10.5066/P9UL3LWN, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Valentine, P.C., and Cross, V.A., 2024, Geospatial datasets of seabed topography, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 2 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9UL3LWN.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.41024
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.21509
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.20211
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.08452
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/644a79c6d34ee8d4adee0439?name=q2_stations_geology_browse.png&allowOpen=true (PNG)
    Thumbnail image showing the station locations used in the geologic interpretation of the sea floor in quadrangle 2 of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 26-Apr-1993
    Ending_Date: 01-Aug-2019
    Currentness_Reference:
    Ground condition of data acquired at stations. However, the currentness reference for the geologic substrate attributes is publication date - 2024.
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Vector Digital Dataset (Point)
  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):
      • Entity point (733)
    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 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is D_North_American_1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS_1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      Depth_Resolution: 1
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    q2_stations_geology
    Station locations of bottom video, bottom photographs, and sediment samples as well as sediment analysis used in the interpretation of the sea floor geology of quadrangle 2 on Stellwagen Bank. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    SBNMS_ID
    USGS Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) station number assigned in the field. In some instances, multiple transects of photo and (or) video collection were conducted at approximately the same site and assigned the same station number. These instances are noted by a decimal number. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Although the field is a numeric field, the decimal portion of the number does not represent a fraction of a station but rather another approximate occupation of the same station. In other published versions of the data the multiple sites were annotated by a letter after the station number such that instead of 3131.1, it would be 3131a.
    SUBSTR_SYM
    Substrate unit symbol abbreviation corresponding to the interpreted geologic substrate (SUBSTRATE attribute) for that sample location. Not all of these substrates are mappable as individual polygons in the associated q2_geologic_interp polygon shapefile available from the Larger Work citation. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    A1Abbreviated symbol for A1 r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    A3Abbreviated symbol for A3 r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    CAbbreviated symbol for C i_cbG where i = immobile, c = cobble, b = boulder, G = gravel
    HAbbreviated symbol for H r_fgS where r = rippled, fgS = fine-grained sand
    KAbbreviated symbol for K r_cgS where r = rippled, cg = coarse-grained, s = sand
    LAbbreviated symbol for L i_mfgS where i = immobile, m = muddy, fgS = fine-grained sand
    PAbbreviated symbol for P i_mfgS where i = immobile, m = muddy, fgS = fine-grained sand
    RAbbreviated symbol for R i_fgsM where i = immobile, fgS = fine-grained sand, M = mud
    XAbbreviated symbol for X i_fgS where i = immobile, fgS = fine-grained sand
    YAbbreviated symbol for Y r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    ZAbbreviated symbol for Z r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    AAAbbreviated symbol for AA r_gcgS / i_pcG where r = rippled, g = gravelly, cgS = coarse-grained sand, / = overlying, or partial veener over, i = immobile, p = pebble c = cobble, G = gravel
    ABAbbreviated symbol for AB r_fgS where r = rippled, fgS = fine-grained sand
    ACAbbreviated symbol for AC r_cgS r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    ADAbbreviated symbol for AD r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    AEAbbreviated symbol for AE r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    AFAbbreviated symbol for AF r_fgS where r = rippled, fgS = fine-grained sand
    AGAbbreviated symbol for AG r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    AHAbbreviated symbol for AH r_cgS where r = rippled, cgS = coarse-grained sand
    SUBSTRATE
    Geologic substrate unit name that designates a unique substrate area on the seabed of quadrangle 2. Not all of these substrates are mappable as individual polygons in the associated q2_geologic_interp polygon shapefile available from the Larger Work citation. (Source: Page Valentine, U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    A1 r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate A1 is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit that covers the southwestern part of Stellwagen Bank. Water depth range of the stations is 19 to 48 m and of the mapped substrate 19 to 55 m. A1 reaches its deepest depths of 55 m along the base of the slope below the bank’s southwest corner. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, <1; sand, 97 (fgS, 2; cgS, 95); gravel, 3 (G1, 3; G2, <1). Substrate A1 extends northward onto the crest and western flank of Stellwagen Bank in quadrangle 5 (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024), onto the eastern flank of the bank in quadrangle 6 (Valentine and Gallea, 2015), and onto the southeastern flank of the bank in quadrangle 3. The substrate is dominantly coarse-grained sand and is very low in mud and fine-grained sand content. Its surface is covered with storm-generated sand ripples with wavelengths of 0.5 to 1.0 m, and the orientation of ripple crests varies from N-S to NW-SE. The ripples are symmetrical and well-shaped (sometimes with narrow, sharply-defined crests and sometimes with broad crests hosting secondary ripples) when first formed by storm wave currents, but subsequently are rounded by biological disturbance and flattened by bottom-tending fishing gear. Some samples of substrate A1 occur within the area occupied by substrate AA and are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024). Substrate A1 is similar to substrate A3 in its mud and sand content and lies at similar water depths. However, substrate A3 contains much more fine-grained sand (16 weight percent). Each sample from A3 generally contains 10 weight percent or more of fine-grained sand, mostly as 3 phi sand, and its surface is covered with smaller ripples. Substrate A3 samples occur within the area occupied by substrate A1 and are not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024). Substrate A1 is similar texturally to substrate Z, also a rippled, coarse-grained sand; but they are separated geographically, as substrate Z lies south of Stellwagen Bank in deeper water depths in Race Point Channel.
    A3 r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate A3 is a collection of mobile, coarse-grained sand deposits that lie chiefly on the southwestern part of Stellwagen Bank within the area occupied by substrate A1. Water depth range of stations is 19 to 59 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 1; sand, 99 (fgS, 16; cgS, 82); gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2 0). Substrate A3 is also present within the area of substrate A1 on the crest and western flank of the bank in quadrangle 5 to the north (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024) and on the southeastern flank of the bank in quadrangle 3. Substrate A3 is similar to substrate A1 in being a rippled, coarse-grained sand and having a very low mud content. It differs from A1 in that samples of A3 generally contain 10 weight percent or more of fine-grained sand, mostly as 3 phi sand, and its surface ripples are much smaller, with wavelengths of 10 to 20 cm. Substrate A3 is also similar to substrate A2, which lies on the far eastern flank of the bank in quadrangle 6 (fig. 1; Valentine and Gallea, 2015). They both contain more fine-grained sand than substrate A1, but A2 has less fine-grained sand than A3 and is immobile, and it lies at deeper water depths (53-77 m). As is the case in quadrangle 5 to the north, in quadrangle 2 substrate A3 is texturally equivalent to substrate K, but it is geographically separated from it by substrate H. The scattered deposits of substrate A3 in quadrangle 2 are not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale. The locations of A3 sediment samples in areas occupied by substrates A1, AA, and AB not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    C i_cbGImmobile, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate C is a boulder ridge whose gravelly base is partially covered by a layer of rippled, coarse-grained sand. It occupies 0.4 km2 or 0.2 percent of quadrangle 2. This feature lies in the middle of Race Point Channel and is interpreted to be a boulder ridge based on multibeam topographic imagery. Water depth of the two stations is 58 m and of the mapped substrate 55 to <60 m. Weight percents of aggregates and composite grades of the single sample of sediment partial veneer overlying gravel at the base of the boulder ridge: mud, 1; sand, 88; (fgS, 15; cgS, 73); gravel, 10 (G1, 10; G2, 0). Substrate C is a linear feature oriented east-west; its eastern part is bounded by substrate Z and its western part by substrate Y.
    H r_fgSRippled, fine-grained sand. Substrate H is a mobile, fine-grained sand deposit that lies on the southwestern flank of Stellwagen Bank. Water depth range of the stations is 39 to 42 m and of the mapped substrate 37 to 42 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 1; sand, 99 (fgS, 89; cgS, 10); gravel, 0 (G1, 0; G2, 0). Substrate H extends northward onto the lower western flank of the bank in quadrangle 5 (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024). The surface of the substrate is characterized by low, long-wavelength (approximately 40 to 50 m) ripples that are visible in multibeam topographic imagery and as depicted by 1-m contours. Shell deposits are present in ripple troughs. Because this rippled, fine-grained sand substrate is bounded upslope to the east by the rippled, coarse-grained sand of substrate A1 (which appears to override it from the east) and downslope to the west by rippled, coarse-grained sand of substrate K; and because substrate H has an irregular southwestern edge where it abuts K; it is likely that substrate H represents a fine-grained sand sheet that has moved downslope to override substrate K and now separates two coarse-grained sand substrates (A1 and K). This suggests that the long-wavelength ripples of the surface of substrate H are relict and that the substrate may or may not be mobile at present. The timing of such a mass movement event or events is not known. Substrate H texturally resembles substrate L, an immobile, muddy, fine-grained sand (which lies below substrate K on the western flank of the bank) in the ratio of fine- to coarse-grained sand content but substrate H contains less mud.
    K r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate K is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit that lies on the southwestern flank of Stellwagen Bank, northwest of its southwest corner. Water depth range of the stations is 41 to 56 m and of the mapped substrate 40 to 56 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 1; sand, 99; (fgS, 19; cgS, 80); gravel, 0 (G1, 0; G2, 0). Substrate K extends northward into quadrangle 5 (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024) onto the lower western flank of Stellwagen Bank near the eastern end of Southwestern Spur. The substrate is dominantly coarse-grained sand and is low in mud, but it contains an appreciable amount of fine-grained sand (and 3 phi sand is more abundant than 4 phi sand). As is the case in quadrangle 5 to the north, substrate K is texturally equivalent to substrate A3, which is represented by scattered deposits within the area occupied by substrate A1. To the east, upslope in shallower water, substrate K is bounded by the rippled, fine-grained sand of substrate H (which multibeam topographic imagery suggests has encroached upon substrate K) and by the rippled coarse-grained sand of substrate A1. To the west, in deeper water, substrate K is bounded by the immobile, muddy, fine-grained sands of substrates L and P. Thus, substrate K, a coarse-grained sand, lies between finer-grained substrates H (upslope) and L and P (downslope) indicating that K was not deposited by present-day sedimentary transport processes; its depositional history is unclear. Substrate K is bounded to the south by substrate X, an immobile, fine-grained sand that lies in a small valley that incises the bank adjacent to its southwest corner.
    L i_mfgSImmobile, muddy, fine-grained sand. Substrate L is an immobile, muddy, fine-grained sand deposit that lies on the lower, western flank of Stellwagen Bank. Water depth range of the stations is 50 to 58 m and of the mapped substrate 49 to 58 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 9; sand, 90 (fgS 75; cgS, 15); gravel, 0 (G1, 0; G2, 0). Substrate L extends northward into quadrangle 5 (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024) onto the lower western flank of Stellwagen Bank. It lies between substrate K (upslope; mud content 1 wt pct) and substrate P (downslope; mud 23 wt pct) in a region where mud content increases with increasing water depth from bank to basin. Note that substrate L is identified as a muddy, fine-grained sand even though the threshold of ≥10 wt pct mud is not met (Valentine, 2019). Justification for this is that substrate L extends northward into quadrangle 5 from quadrangle 2, where the mud criterion is met. As in quadrangle 5, substrate L in quadrangle 2 is texturally different from its bounding substrates K and P in mud, coarse-grained sand, 3-phi sand and 4-phi sand content, in topographic position, and in water depth. Substrate L in quadrangle 2 is texturally equivalent to substrate G1 that occurs off the eastern flank of Stellwagen Bank in quadrangle 6 (fig. 1; Valentine and Gallea, 2015) in much deeper water (85-171 m). Substrate L is similar texturally to substrates X and AB.
    P i_mfgSImmobile, muddy, fine-grained sand. Substrate P is an immobile, muddy, fine-grained sand deposit that lies in Stellwagen Basin and bounds the southwestern part of Stellwagen Bank; it extends into adjacent Little Stellwagen Basin at the western approach to Race Point Channel. Water depth range of the stations and the mapped substrate is 51 to 68. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 23; sand, 76 (fgS, 68; cgS, 8); gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2, 0). Substrate P extends into quadrangle 5 to the north where it also lies in Stellwagen Basin (fig. 1; Valentine and Cross, 2024). In quadrangle 2, substrate P abuts several texturally varied substrates to the east along the topographic transition from Stellwagen Bank into Stellwagen Basin and Little Stellwagen Basin. These substrates, from north to south, are muddy, fine-grained sand (L), coarse-grained sand (K), fine-grained sand (X), coarse-grained sand, (A), fine-grained sand (AB), and coarse-grained sand (Y). To the west, in somewhat deeper water, lies the fine-grained sandy mud (substrate R) of Stellwagen Basin.
    R i_fgsMImmobile, fine-grained sandy mud. Substrate R is an immobile, fine-grained sandy mud deposit that occupies Stellwagen Basin in the southwestern part of quadrangle 2. Water depth range of the stations and the mapped substrate is 60 to 64 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 68; sand, 32 (fgS, 29; cgS, 3); gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2, 0). Substrate R also is present in quadrangle 5 to the north (Valentine and Cross, 2024). It is bounded to the east by substrate P, a muddy, fine-grained sand with a lower mud content (23 wt pct). Substrate R is characterized by the presence of fish and crab burrows.
    X i_fgSImmobile, fine-grained sand. Substrate X is an immobile, fine-grained sand deposit that occupies a small valley located on the western flank of the bank’s southwest corner. Water depth range of the stations and the mapped substrate is 44 to 55 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 5; sand, 95 (fgS, 82; cgS, 13); gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2, 0). It is bounded to the north by the rippled, coarse-grained sand of substrate K; and to the east at shallower depths by the rippled coarse-grained sand of substrate A1. Substrate X is bounded to the southwest at deeper depths by the muddy, fine-grained sand of substrate P in Stellwagen Basin. Substrate X is texturally similar to two other substrates (L, AB). They are separated geographically, but they all lie on the flank of Stellwagen Bank. Substrate L is a muddy, fine-grained sand (49-58 m water depth) that is present north of substrate X on the western flank of the bank; substrate AB is a fine-grained sand (44-63 m water depth) that is present on the southern flank of the bank facing Race Point Channel.
    Y r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate Y is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit lying in the western part of Race Point Channel between Stellwagen Bank to the north and Cape Cod to the south. Water depth range of the stations and mapped substrate is 54 to 64 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 4; sand, 95; (fgS, 36; cgS, 59); gravel, 1 (G1, 1; G2, 0). The northern part of substrate Y lies at somewhat shallower depths (≤60 m) than the southern part (>60 m). Substrate Y is bounded by the fine-grained sand of substrate AB to the north and coarse-grained sand of substrate Z to the east. To the west it abuts the muddy, fine-grained sand of substrate P in Stellwagen Basin and Little Stellwagen Basin. Substrate AC, interpreted to be an east-west aligned gravel ridge, extends westward from substrate Z into the area occupied by substrate Y.
    Z r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate Z is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit lying in Race Point Channel between Stellwagen Bank to the north and Cape Cod to the south. Water depth range of the stations is 51 to 56 m and of the mapped substrate 50 to 60 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 2; sand, 98; (fgS, 9; cgS, 89); gravel, 1 (G1, 1; G2, <1). Substrate Z is bounded to the north by mobile, fine-grained sand substrate AB, to the west and south by rippled, coarse-grained sand substrate Y, and to the east it extends out of the mapped area into quadrangle 3. Although substrates Y and Z both are coarse-grained sands, substrate Z lies at somewhat shallower depths and has a higher coarse-grained sand content (89 wt pct) than Y (59 wt pct), which lies at somewhat deeper depths near the western entrance of Race Point Channel.
    AA r_gcgS / i_pcGRippled, gravelly, coarse-grained sand; partial veneer on immobile, pebble, cobble gravel. Substrate AA is a layered substrate of mobile sand that partially covers immobile pebble, cobble gravel on the southwestern part of Stellwagen Bank, north of its southwest corner. Water depth range of the stations and mapped substrate is 27 to 35 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades of the sediment partial veneer overlying gravel: mud, <1; sand, 55; (fgS, 6; cgS, 49); gravel, 45 (G1, 16; G2, 29). Substrate AA is surrounded by substrate A1. The area occupied by substrate AA includes deposits of substrates A1 and A3 as bedforms that are flattened by fishery trawling and dredging and subsequently reformed by storm currents; so that at times the seabed is gravel partially covered by sand and represents substrate AA, and at other times the seabed is totally covered by sand and represents substrates A1 and A3. The locations of A1 and A3 sediment samples in areas occupied by substrate AA are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    AB r_fgSRippled, fine-grained sand. Substrate AB is a mobile, fine-grained sand deposit that lies on the southern flank of Stellwagen Bank in the northern part of Race Point Channel. Water depth range of the stations and the mapped substrate is 44 to 63 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 4; sand, 96 (fgS, 71; cgS, 25); gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2, 0). Substrate AB is bounded to the north by the rippled, coarse-grained sand of substrate A1 on Stellwagen Bank; to the south by the rippled, coarse-grained sands of substrates Y and Z in Race Point Channel; and to the west by the immobile, muddy, fine-grained sand of substrate P in Stellwagen Basin. Within the area occupied by substrate AB, deposits of two substrates occur that are represented by too few samples to be mappable as coherent units at the present scale. One of them, substrate AD, is a rippled, coarse-grained sand that overlies a series of nested, arcuate gravel ridges that are observed in multibeam topographic imagery and are interpreted to represent a glacial ice fall deposit at the foot of Stellwagen Bank. The other, substrate AE, is a rippled, coarse-grained sand that overlies a topographic feature interpreted to be a gravel ridge or moraine that lies south of the southwestern edge of Stellwagen Bank. Substrate AD contains more coarse-grained sand and less fine-grained sand than substrate AE. The locations of AD and AE sediment samples in the area occupied by substrate AB are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024). Substrate AB is similar texturally to substrates L and X.
    AC r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate AC is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit that lies in Race Point Channel in quadrangles 2 and 3. The largest portion of substrate AC lies in quadrangle 3 to the east. It occupies <0.1 km2 or <0.1 percent of quadrangle 2. Water depth of the mapped area in quadrangle 2 is ~60 m. No sediment samples were collected in quadrangle 2. Weight percents of aggregates and composite grades of the one sample from quadrangle 3: mud, 2; sand, 98 (fgS, 12; cgS, 86; gravel, <1 (G1, <1; G2, 0). Substrate AC is interpreted to be a rippled, coarse-grained sand because its surface displays large bedforms observable in multibeam topographic imagery in both quadrangles 2 and 3. They trend NW-SE, approximately normal to the trend of Race Point Channel. Although substrate AC was not sampled in quadrangle 2, it is mapped as extending a short distance into quadrangle 2 from quadrangle 3 based on the presence of its distinctive bedforms.
    AD r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate AD is a collection of mobile, coarse-grained sand deposits that lie on several partly-buried, nested, arcuate gravel ridges that are interpreted from multibeam topographic imagery to represent a glacial ice fall deposit at the foot of the southern slope of Stellwagen Bank in the northern part of Race Point Channel. Water depth range of the stations is 44 to 45 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 1; sand, 92; (fgS, 10; cgS, 82); gravel, 6 (G1, 6; G2, 0). Substrate AD is not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale. It is represented by 4 stations that lie in the area occupied by substrate AB. Substrate AD is texturally similar to AE, which also is an unmappable substrate lying within the area of substrate AB, but AD has a higher weight percent of coarse-grained sand. The locations of AD sediment samples in the area occupied by substrate AB are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    AE r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate AE is a collection of mobile, coarse-grained sand deposits that lie on a partly-buried feature that is interpreted from multibeam topographic imagery to be a gravel ridge or moraine that is located in the northern part of Race Point Channel near the southern margin of Stellwagen Bank. Water depth range of the stations is 49 to 54 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 3; sand, 95; (fgS, 34; cgS, 61); gravel, 2 (G1, 2; G2, <1). Substrate AE is not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale. It is represented by 5 stations that lie in the area occupied by substrate AB. Substrate AE is texturally similar to substrate AD but AE has a lower weight percent of coarse-grained sand. The locations of AE sediment samples in the area occupied by substrate AB are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    AF r_fgSRippled, fine-grained sand. Substrate AF is a collection of mobile, fine-grained sand deposits that lie at the western end of Race Point Channel in Little Stellwagen Basin. Water depth range of the stations is 62 to 64 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, 4; sand, 95 (fgS, 62; cgS, 33); gravel, 1 (G1, 1; G2, 0). Substrate AF is not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale. It is represented by 5 stations that lie in the area occupied by substrate P, an immobile, muddy, fine-grained sand. The substrate AF samples lie near the boundary of substrate P with substrate Y, a rippled, coarse-grained sand that lies to the east in Race Point Channel. The deposits of AF apparently represent a textural transition area between substrates P and Y. The locations of AF sediment samples in the area occupied by substrate P are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    AG r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate AG is a mobile, coarse-grained sand deposit that lies on the south flank of Little Stellwagen Basin north of Cape Cod and extends eastward into quadrangle 3. It occupies 0.4 km2 or 0.2 percent of quadrangle 2. It is represented by two stations in quadrangle 2, one in the mapped area and one located nearby to the south in an unmapped area of quadrangle 2. Water depth range of the stations is 55 to 58 m and of the mapped substrate ~55 to ~60 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades of two samples collected in quadrangle 2: mud, <1; sand, 100 (fgS, 5; cgS, 95); gravel, 0 (G1, 0; G2 0). The surface of substrate AG is covered with storm-generated sand ripples. The substrate likely extends southward into an unmapped area of shallowing water depths on the northern margin of Cape Cod. Interpretation of multibeam topographic and backscatter imagery indicates that substrate AG is a recognizable feature that extends eastward along the northern slope of Cape Cod into quadrangle 3 where it abuts substrate AQ, a fine-grained sand located in quadrangle 3.
    AH r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate AH is a collection of mobile, coarse-grained sand deposits that lie on the south flank of Little Stellwagen Basin. It is represented by two stations. Water depth of the stations is 61 m. Mean weight percents of aggregates and composite grades: mud, <1; sand, 100 (fgS, 16; cgS, 84); gravel, 0 (G1, 0; G2 0). The substrate likely extends southward into an unmapped area in shallowing water depths on the northern margin of Cape Cod. Substrate AH is not mappable as a coherent unit at the present scale. two stations lie in and near the southern part of the area occupied by substrate Y. The surface of AH is covered with storm-generated sand ripples. The substrate has a lower mud content and a higher coarse-grained sand content than substrate Y. Substrate AH is texturally similar to substrate A3, but it is recognized as a separate substrate because it is separated geographically from deposits of A3 by Race Point Channel. The locations of AH sediment samples in the area occupied by substrate Y are not mappable at the present scale and are represented on maps by a symbol (Map D Sheet 1, Valentine and Cross, 2024).
    PHOTOS
    The value of this attribute indicates if seabed photographs were taken at the station. True indicates that photo(s) were taken, false indicates no photo(s) were taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has seabed photo(s), false indicates no photo(s).
    VIDEO
    The value of this attribute indicates if seabed video was recorded at the station. True indicates that video was recorded at the location, false indicates no video was taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has video imagery of the seabed, false indicates no video.
    SAMPLE
    The value of this attribute indicates if a sample was collected at the station. True indicates a sediment sample was taken, false indicates no sediment sample was taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has a sediment sample, false indicates no sediment sample.
    USGS-DBID
    Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center sediment database identification number for analyzed sediment samples. The unique identifier is assigned during lab analysis. Older samples consist of two characters and three numerals assigned during lab analysis. More recent samples begin with the assigned multi-letter code GS-, which corresponds to the type of analysis performed on the sample (grain size analysis), followed by a six-digit number assigned sequentially as samples are registered for analysis. The NODATA value is 9999 indicating where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey.) Character set.
    LONGITUDE
    Longitude coordinate of the station location. In the case of sediment samples, this is the longitude of the sediment sample. For other station locations, this location marks the approximate end of the occupied station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.41024
    Maximum:-70.21509
    Units:decimal degrees
    LATITUDE
    Latitude coordinate of the station location. In the case of sediment samples, this is the latitude of the sediment sample. For other station locations, this location marks the approximate end of the occupied station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:42.08452
    Maximum:42.20211
    Units:decimal degrees
    CRUISE_ID
    U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center cruise identifier. This is a combination of vessel name codes, year, and field activity number within that year. For example: FERL94004 indicates the vessel used was the Ferrel; 94004 refers to the cruise number where the first two digits are the year and the remaining numbers indicate the field activity of that year. 94004 indicates 1994, the fourth field activity of that year. In this dataset, for cruises after 2000, the format changed such that the year is represented by four digits such as AUK2013044. In this instance, AUK is the vessel, 2013044 is the cruise number where 2013 is the year and 044 indicates the forty-fourth cruise of that year. The online link supplied with each field activity takes the user to additional information about the field activity - and reflects the newer naming convention of YYYY-XXX-FA where YYYY is the cruise year, XXX is the field activity cruise number within that year, and FA stands for Field Activity. (Source: Producer defined)
    ValueDefinition
    ANDR93023vessel Anderson, 1993, field activity 23
    ANDR95015vessel Anderson, 1995, field activity 15
    ANDR95036vessel Anderson, 1995, field activity 36
    ARGO94014vessel Argo Maine, 1994, field activity 14
    AUK2013044vessel Auk, 2013, field activity 44
    AUK2014015vessel Auk, 2014, field activity 15
    AUK2014055vessel Auk, 2014, field activity 55
    AUK2014066vessel Auk, 2014, field activity 66
    AUK2014070vessel Auk, 2014, field activity 70
    AUK2015017vessel Auk, 2015, field activity 17
    AUK2015062vessel Auk, 2015, field activity 62
    AUK2015074vessel Auk, 2015, field activity 74
    AUK2016004vessel Auk, 2016, field activity 4
    AUK2016012vessel Auk, 2016, field activity 12
    AUK2016038vessel Auk, 2016, field activity 38
    AUK2016039vessel Auk, 2016, field activity 39
    AUK2017009vessel Auk, 2017, field activity 9
    AUK2017030vessel Auk, 2017, field activity 30
    AUK2017043vessel Auk, 2017, field activity 43
    AUK2017044vessel Auk, 2017, field activity 44
    AUK2018027vessel Auk, 2018, field activity 27
    AUK2018028vessel Auk, 2018, field activity 28
    AUK2018029vessel Auk, 2018, field activity 29
    AUK2019007vessel Auk, 2019, field activity 7
    AUK2019008vessel Auk, 2019, field activity 8
    DIAN96025vessel Diane G, 1996, field activity 25
    DLWR93006vessel Delaware II, 1993, field activity 6
    DLWR93030vessel Delaware II, 1993, field activity 30
    FERL94004vessel Ferrel, 1994, field activity 4
    FERL95012vessel Ferrel, 1995, field activity 12
    FERL96038vessel Ferrel, 1996, field activity 38
    ISBL96037vessel Isabel S, 1996, field activity 37
    DEPTH_M
    Water depth of station (in meters), measured at some location by the ship's fathometer and at other locations by the SEABOSS depth sensor. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:19
    Maximum:68
    Units:meters
    YEAR_COLL
    Year the station was occupied. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1993
    Maximum:2019
    Units:year
    UTC_JDTIME
    Julian day and time the station was occupied. Time is GMT. The format is Julian Day:HH:MM:SS. Julian day is the integer number representing the interval of time in days since January 1 of the year of collection and time is in hours, minutes, and seconds. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set specifying day and time in the format Julian day:HH:MM:SS.
    QUAD
    Quadrangle number in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region that the station occupied. In the case of drift stations, this number represents where the quadrangle occupied at the end of the station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    2Quadrangle 2 of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
    DEVICE
    The sampler used to acquire the sediment sample - the USGS modified Van Veen (VV) grab sampler. A NODATA value of 9999 indicates where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set.
    T_DEPTH
    Top depth of the sample below sediment-water interface. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: Producer defined)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:centimeters
    B_DEPTH
    Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:2
    Units:centimeters
    WEIGHT
    Weight of dry sample in grams. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:24.7
    Maximum:744
    Units:grams
    SAND_PCT
    Sand content in percent dry weight. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:9.3
    Maximum:100
    Units:percent
    GRAVEL_PCT
    Gravel content in percent dry weight. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:70.7
    Units:percent
    CLAY_PCT
    Clay content in percent dry weight. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:24.9
    Units:percent
    SILT_PCT
    Silt content in percent dry weight. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:81.3
    Units:percent
    MUD_PCT
    Mud (combined clay and silt) content in percent dry weight. A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:90.7
    Units:percent
    PHI_11
    Weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction (clay). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9.2
    Units:percent
    PHI_10
    Weight percent of the sample in the 10 phi fraction (clay). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:9.7
    Units:percent
    PHI_9
    Weight percent of the sample in the 9 phi fraction (clay). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:17.3
    Units:percent
    PHI_8
    Weight percent of the sample in the 8 phi fraction (very fine silt). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:23.7
    Units:percent
    PHI_7
    Weight percent of the sample in the 7 phi fraction (fine silt). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:21.2
    Units:percent
    PHI_6
    Weight percent of the sample in the 6 phi fraction (medium silt). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:18.8
    Units:percent
    PHI_5
    Weight percent of the sample in the 5 phi fraction (coarse silt). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:54.4
    Units:percent
    PHI_4
    Weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (very fine sand). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:58.7
    Units:percent
    PHI_3
    Weight percent of the sample in the 3 phi fraction (fine sand). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:89.2
    Units:percent
    FG_SAND
    Weight percent of the combined 4-phi and 3-phi weight percents (fine-grained sand). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:97.0
    Units:percent
    PHI_2
    Weight percent of the sample in the 2 phi fraction (medium sand). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:87.0
    Units:percent
    PHI_1
    Weight percent of the sample in the 1 phi fraction (coarse sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:73.4
    Units:percent
    PHI_0
    Weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (very coarse sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:66.3
    Units:percent
    CG_SAND
    Weight percent of the combined 2-phi, 1-phi and 0-phi weight percents (coarse-grained sand). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:99.2
    PHIM1
    Weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (granule). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16.7
    Units:percent
    PHIM2
    Weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (pebble). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:10.4
    Units:percent
    G1
    Weight percent of the combined -1-phi and -2-phi weight percents (gravel subclass 1). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:25.9
    Units:percent
    PHIM3
    Weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (pebble). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:14.5
    Units:percent
    PHIM4
    Weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (pebble). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:17.1
    Units:percent
    PHIM5
    Weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction (pebble). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary (Poppe and others, 2014))
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:45.0
    Units:percent
    G2
    Weight percent of the combined -3-phi, -4-phi and -5-phi weight percents (gravel subclass 2). A value of 9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:60.3
    RIPPLES
    The value of this attribute indicates if ripples were observed at the station in video. True indicates that ripples are present, false indicates no ripples were present.A value of 9999 is a NODATA value where there was no video on which to base the observation. There is an instance where the video attribute is FALSE, and RIPPLES is TRUE due to ripples observed in the real-time unrecorded video and noted in the log book of the field activity. (Source: Page C. Valentine) Character set.
    SUBSTR_NAM
    Truncated from SUBSTR_NAME. Brief text description corresponding to the interpreted geologic substrate of the seabed that falls at the station location. Not all stations represent a mappable substrate, so the geologic unit of the station may not be the same as the comprehensive geologic substrate unit assigned to an area. (Source: Page C. Valentine) Character set.
    STA_POLYLO
    Truncated from STA_POLYLOC. The mapped polygon substrate (SUBSTR_SYM) the station location falls in. If the geologic unit of the station is not part of a coherent mappable substrate, the polygon location indicates the mapped substrate (SUBSTR_SYM) the sample falls in, with the additional information indicating representation by a square symbol (Map D, sheet 1 in Valentine and Cross, 2024) since the station itself is not part of the mapped coherent substrate in which it falls. (Source: Page C. Valentine) Character set.
    STA_CLUST
    The related Scientific Investigations Map, Map D sheet 1 (Valentine and Cross, 2024) does not label extremely closely spaced station locations. These stations are identified on the map in 'cluster' boxes. This attribute identifies those station locations and which box they fall within on Map D, sheet 1. Station falling within a cluster have the number assigned to that cluster box on the companion map. Blanks in the field indicate the station does not fall within a cluster box. (Source: Page C. Valentine) Numeric values represented as text.
    COMMENT
    Provides additional pertinent information regarding the station. This information can include why a sample was not used in the interpretation or pertinent information regarding the station location. (Source: Page C. Valentine) Character set.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    In the substrate attribute, weight percents described in the domain value definitions may not add to 100 due to rounding of values. Also in the substrate attributes, the mean weight percents for the units, sand is divided into two composite grades: fine-grained sand (fgS; 0.062 to <0.25 mm) and coarse-grained sand (cgS; 0.25 to <2mm). Gravel is also divided into two composite grades: Gravel1 (G1; 2 to <8 mm) and Gravel2(G2; 8 to <64 mm).
    
    
    In the CSV file, the column headings are not truncated. The truncation is a function of converting to a shapefile with a 10-character attribute header limit. In addition to the shapefile and CSV file, there is an accompanying Excel spreadsheet (q2_stations_geology.xlsx). Additional information regarding abbreviations is in the first row of the spreadsheet.
    
    
    That following information is the second row of the spreadsheet, the more robust header information. This is presented as column: column heading: description.
    
    
    Column A: USGS SBNMS Stations: Station number for samples collected during this project in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts
    
    
    Column B: Geologic substrate symbol: Symbol of substrate shown on maps
    
    
    Column C: Substrate name: Combination of substrate unit symbol and abbreviation of substrate descriptive name (see column AV)
    
    
    Column D: Photos: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) seabed photographs at the station
    
    
    Column E: Video: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) video imagery at the station
    
    
    Column F: Sample: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) sediment sample at the station
    
    
    Column G: USGS-DBID: USGS sediment grain size analysis database identification; n.d., no data
    
    
    Column H: Longitude west, decimal degrees: Longitude west in decimal degrees
    
    
    Column I: Latitude north, decimal degrees: Latitude north in decimal degrees
    
    
    Column J: WHCMSC field activity (cruise) no.: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center field activity (cruise) number. Example ANDR95036. ANDR is vessel name code (Peter W. Anderson), 95 is last two digits of year, and 036 is the 36th field activity of the year.
    
    
    Column K: Sample collection water depth, m: Water depth at which sample was taken, in meters
    
    
    Column L: Sample collection year: Year sediment sample was collected
    
    
    Column M: Sample collection date, DDD:HH:MM:SS GMT: Date expressed as Julian Day (DDD) and time as HOUR:MINUTES:SECONDS Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) at which sample was collected (GMT same as UTC, Universal Coordinated Time, and ZULU, military time)
    
    
    Column N: Quad: Quadrangle number in SBNMS region in which sample was collected
    
    
    Column O: Sampler used: Sediment sample collected by a USGS modified Van Veen (VV) grab sampler http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/seaboss.htm
    
    
    Column P: Sediment sample top, centimeters below seabed surface: Top of sediment sample is the seabed surface (0 centimeters)
    
    
    Column Q: Sediment sample bottom, centimeters below seabed surface: Bottom of sediment sample is 2 centimeters below the seabed surface
    
    
    Column R: Dry sediment sample mass, g: Mass of dry sediment used for grain-size analysis in grams
    
    
    Column S: Sand, wt pct: Weight percent of sand in sample
    
    
    Column T: Gravel, wt pct: Weight percent of gravel in sample
    
    
    Column U: Clay, wt pct: Weight percent of clay in sample
    
    
    Column V: Silt, wt pct: Weight percent of silt in sample
    
    
    Column W:Mud (clay+silt), wt pct: Weight percent of mud (combined clay and silt) in sample
    
    
    Column X: 11-phi-size class (clay), wt pct: Weight percent of 11-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column Y: 10-phi-size class (clay), wt pct: Weight percent of 10-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column Z: 9-phi-size class (clay), wt pct: Weight percent of 9-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AA: 8-phi-size class (very fine silt), wt pct: Weight percent of 8-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AB: 7-phi-size class (fine silt), wt pct: Weight percent of 7-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AC: 6-phi-size class (medium silt), wt pct: Weight percent of 6-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AD: 5-phi-size class (coarse silt), wt pct: Weight percent of 5-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AE: 4-phi-size class (very fine sand), wt pct: Weight percent of 4-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AF: 3-phi-size class (fine sand), wt percent: Weight percent of 3-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AG: fine-grained sand (fgS) (4 + 3 phi), wt pct: Weight percent of combined 3-phi- and 4-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AH: 2-phi-size class (medium sand), wt pct: Weight percentage of 2-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AI: 1-phi-size class (coarse sand), wt pct: Weight percent of 1-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AJ: 0-phi-size class (very coarse sand), wt pct: Weight percent of 0-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AK: Coarse-grained sand (cgS) (2 + 1 + 0 phi), wt pct: Weight percent of combined 2-phi-, 1-phi-, and 0-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AL: -1-phi-size class (granule), wt pct: Weight percent of -1-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AM: -2-phi-size class (pebble), wt pct: weight percent of -2-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AN: Gravel 1 (G1) (-1 + -2 phi), wt pct: G subscript 1 weight percent of combined -1-phi- and -2-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AO: -3-phi-size class (pebble), wt pct: Weight percent of -3-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AP: -4-phi-size class (pebble), wt pct: Weight percent of -4-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AQ: -5-phi-size class (pebble), wt pct: Weight percent of -5-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AR: Gravel2 (G2) (-3 + -4 + -5 phi), wt pct: G subscript 2 weight percent of combined -3-phi-, -4-phi-, and -5-phi-size sediment in sample
    
    
    Column AS: Sand ripples present: Indicates if sand ripples were observed in video at the station location
    
    
    Column AT: Substrate unit name translation: Describes the mobility, texture, and layering of the sediment substrate
    
    
    Column AU: Polygon locations of sample stations used to map substrates. Polygon locations of samples that cannot be mapped as a coherent substrate and are represented by a square symbol: Indicates if identified substrate at the sample location can be mapped as a substrate and what substrate the sample falls in, or cannot be mapped as a coherent substrate indicating in what substrate polygon the sample falls followed by a symbol representation as a square.
    
    
    Column AV: Stations located in cluster no.: Identifies the cluster box on Map D sheet 1 (Valentine and Cross, 2024) that the station falls within. Blank values indicate the station does not fall within a cluster box.
    
    
    Column AW: Comment: Explanatory notes for selected stations.
    The definitions of the substrate components (found in the SUBSTRATE attribute) are fully defined in the related report (Valentine and Cross, 2024) but are also defined here:
    i = immobile
    cgS = coarse-grained sand
    fgS = fine-grained sand
    fgcgS = fine- and coarse-grained sand dominated by coarse-grained
    cgfgS = coarse-and fine-grained sand dominated by fine-grained
    If the S is capitalized, it indicates Sand as a major component. A lower-case s indicates sandy, and not a major component.
    M = mud (as a major component)
    m = muddy
    r = rippled
    p = pebble
    c = cobble (when not immediately followed by g which indicates coarse-grained)
    b = boulder
    G = gravel (as a major component)
    g = gravelly
    / = overlying or partial veneer over
    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)
    • Page C. Valentine
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
    Contact_Instructions:
    The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with the USGS.

Why was the data set created?

This shapefile contains the quadrangle 2 station locations, interpreted geologic substrate at each location, and description of sampling type (sediment sample, video, photograph). Station locations that have sediment samples include the sediment analyses data. These stations represent information used in the geologic interpretation.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    SEABOSS (source 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished material, SEABOSS photographs and video of the sea floor.

    Type_of_Source_Media: film and digital media
    Source_Contribution:
    The SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for rapid and effective collection of seabed images and sediment samples in coastal regions. The observations from video and still cameras and the sediment data are used to explore the nature of the seafloor and, in conjunction with high-resolution geophysical data, to make interpretive maps of sedimentary environments and validate the acoustic remote sensing data. The SEABOSS is a simple system that can be deployed from both small and large surface vessels and operates in water depths up to 200 m. Although the configuration has been modified over the years, it typically incorporates two video cameras, a still camera, a depth sensor, and a modified Van Veen sediment sampler. The elements of the SEABOSS system used on Stellwagen Bank are housed within a stainless-steel framework that measures 1.2 x 1.2 meters and weighs approximately 136 kilograms overall. The frame has a stabilizer fin that orients the system as it drifts over the seabed. The height of the camera above the seabed (76 centimeters (cm); 30 inches (in) initially was determined by viewing an object hanging from the SEABOSS below the video camera; when the object touched the seabed, the camera height was appropriate for still photography. Later in the project, the camera height was determined by viewing a pattern of laser beams on the seabed. Two parallel lasers are set 20 cm apart on the SEABOSS frame and project onto the seabed for scale measurements. All of the system's elements that require power are powered from the surface vessel through a conducting cable. Video displays typically include station number, water depth (from the depth sensor), and date, time, and geographic position (provided by a shipboard navigation system). More recent cruises (the AUK cruises included in this dataset, 2015 and later) collected video images using a battery-operated, high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) GoPro digital video camera. During deployment, the camera system hangs directly below the side of the ship, and the recorded navigation data closely approximates the position of the camera system near the seabed. The ship is oriented so that wind and waves will not cause it to drift over the conducting cable attached to the SEABOSS. The winch operator uses a video feed from the system to maintain the camera at the proper height above the seabed and to avoid obstacles. The scientist uses the video to decide when to take a grab sample of seabed sediment.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2022 (process 1 of 4)
    A subset of the published sediment sample analyses of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary was separated based on station locations falling within quadrangle 2. Additionally, stations where either video or bottom photographs that fell within quadrangle 2 were also extracted from previously published datasets. These datasets were combined into a single Microsoft Office Excel 2010 spreadsheet. Additional columns of information were added to reflect whether the location marks a sediment sample location, a station that collected video, or a station that collected bottom photographs. A station can collect any combination of these types of information. Columns were also added to reflect the interpreted geologic substrate at the station location. Typically, the SEABOSS system would be deployed to the sea floor and the ship would drift while video and photos were recorded. When sediment samples were collected, they were acquired at the end of the drift or occasionally during the drift. Sediment sample locations are given as the position of the actual sediment sample. For stations where just video and/or photographs were acquired, the location marks the end of the station drift. Original work to compile these data started in 2016, and was completed in 2022, with the final work on the spreadsheet occurring in Microsoft Office 365 Excel software. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov
    Date: 2022 (process 2 of 4)
    Numeric fields in the Excel spreadsheet with null values (blanks) were set to 9999. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Page C. Valentine
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov
    Date: 2024 (process 3 of 4)
    The Excel spreadsheet was edited to include a third row of column headers that would be compatible with Esri shapefile attribute headings. After reviews and reconciliation of the dataset, the first two rows of the spreadsheet were temporarily removed. The spreadsheet was then exported as a CSV MS-DOS file using Excel 365. The original spreadsheet with the two additional rows of information is included in the dataset. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 2024 (process 4 of 4)
    The comma-delimited text file was added to QGIS 3.16.7-Hannover using Layer - Add Layer - Add Delimited Text Layer. The X Field was set to LONGITUDE and the Y Field was set to LATITUDE. The coordinate system was defined as a geographic coordinate system, NAD83. This data layer was then converted to a shapefile by right mouse clicking the layer and exporting to a shapefile (q2_stations_geology.shp) with a geographic, NAD83 coordinate system. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Valentine, P., Blackwood, D., and Parolski, K., 2000, Seabed observation and sampling system: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-142-00, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This publication gives an overview description of the SEABOSS system. The details have changed over the years with updated equipment, but the concept has not changed.
    Blackwood, D.S., and Parolski, K.F., 2001, Seabed observation and sampling system: Sea Technology v. 42, no. 2, p.39-43.

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This publication gives an overview description of the SEABOSS system. The details have changed over the years with updated equipment, but the concept has not changed.
    Poppe, L.J., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2014, U.S. Geological Survey east-coast sediment analysis: Procedures, database, and GIS data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This publication contains the definitions of some of the attributes contained in this dataset.
    Valentine, Page C., and Gallea, Leslie B., 2015, Seabed maps showing topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 6 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: Scientific Investigations Map 3341, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This publication contains the equivalent information as this data release, but for quadrangle 6.
    Valentine, Page C., 2019, Sediment classification and the characterization, identification, and mapping of geologic substrates for the glaciated Gulf of Maine seabed and other terrains, providing a physical framework for ecological research and seabed management: Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5073, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This document describes the methodology developed to map the glaciated terrain characterized by geologic substrates that typify a wide range of erosional and depositional sediment environments. This methodology is what was used in this dataset.
    Valentine, Page C., and Cross, VeeAnn A., 2024, Geospatial datasets of seabed topography, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 5 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: data release DOI:10.5066/P9W9BN3S, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This data release contains the equivalent information as this data release, but for quadrangle 5.
    Valentine, Page C., and Cross, VeeAnn A., 2024, Seabed maps showing topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 5 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: Scientific Investigations Map 3515, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This report is the companion publication of the data release for quadrangle 5 that provides the additional details and information related to the interpretation and methods. Additionally, the report contains PDF maps of the seabed interpretation. The report also provides additional references related to the work in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
    Valentine, Page C., and Cross, VeeAnn A., 2024, Seabed maps showing topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 2 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: Scientific Investigations Map 3530, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This report is the companion publication of the data release that provides the additional details and information related to the interpretation and methods. Additionally, the report contains PDF maps of the seabed interpretation. The report also provides additional references related to the work in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    These data were navigated with a differential global position system (DGPS) that varied depending on year of collection. These DGPS locations are assumed to be accurate to +/- 10 meters horizontally. During deployment, the camera system hangs below the side of the ship, and the recorded navigation data closely approximates the position of the camera system near the seabed. The ship is oriented so that wind and waves will not cause it to drift over the conducting cable attached to the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS). Considering navigation system accuracy, cable out, location of navigation antenna relative to camera system deployment, these locations are assumed to be accurate +/- 30 meters.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Depth values were acquired by two methods. Depth was acquired using the ship fathometer until 1998. For 1998 and 1999, depth was acquired using the depth sensor on the SEABOSS. Starting again in 2013, depth values were acquired using the ship fathometer. Depth values were rounded to the nearest meter to account for ship motion. No adjustment was made for tides or transducer depth in the case of using the ship fathometer. Depths are assumed to be accurate to within 5 meters, generally assumed to be accurate to +/- 2 meters.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    All stations used to derive the geologic substrate interpretation of quadrangle 2 are included in this dataset including the single station from quadrangle 3 (station 1254). Many of the project sites were sampled repetitively over this time period and not all data collected was required to compile the geologic substrate interpretation. There is 1 station that indicates no video, photographs, or sediment sample were acquired. However, the comments attribute explains why this station is included. Other instances occurred where the grab sampler could not obtain a viable sample for complete sediment analysis, but the presence of cobble(s) in the sampler did give insight as to the geologic substrate.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    All of the sediment samples were processed at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center sediment lab. In most cases, the presence or absence of ripples was based on the video footage. If no video files were available, the value for ripples was set to 9999. However, there were instances where no recorded video was available, but the log book indicates the presence of ripples based on real time video observations. The depths in this file are based on the ship fathometer or the SEABOSS depth sensor and differ from the information in the abstract dervied from the more accurate swath bathymetry dataset. A single grain-size analysis outside quadrangle 2 is included in this dataset (station 1254). This sample is from quadrangle 3, which adjoins quadrangle 2 to the east. One unit (substrate AC) lies principally in quadrangle 3 but extends a small distance into quadrangle 2. The single grain-size analysis from this substrate is from that station 1254 included in this dataset. The portion of substrate AC that extens into quadrangle 2 is based on other mapping guidance (bathymetry, sun-illuminated topography).

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 None.
  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 dataset contains quad2_stations_geology.shp and the shapefile components, the data in Excel 365 spreadsheet format (q2_stations_geology.xlsx), the data in CSV format (q2_stations_geology.csv), a browse graphic (q2_stations_geology_browse.png), and FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML 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 for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, 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?
    These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) shapefile format and Microsoft Excel 2010 format. The user must software capable of reading these formats. The data are available for download in WinZip format.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 16-Dec-2024
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
Marine Geologist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA

508-457-2251 (voice)
508-548-8700 x2251 (FAX)
whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
Contact_Instructions:
The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with the USGS.
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

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