Collection locations of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Collection locations of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA
Abstract:
Variability in sediment properties with depth and the thickness of individual sedimentary layers are critical determinants of seabed acoustic response. The New England Mud Patch (NEMP), located south of Cape Cod, is an unusual feature on the U.S. Continental Shelf in that it is composed of fine-grained sediment layers containing a relatively-homogeneous mix of sand, silt, and clay-sized particles bounded by more typical sandy shelf sediments. The unique characteristics and nature of this deposit is due to a derivation of sediments that have been transported to, and deposited in, a basal bowl-shaped depression since the last glacial maximum. Ninety-two piston, vibra-, and gravity cores with a maximum length of 8.2 meters were collected from across the New England Mud Patch during a 2-leg, 10-day cruise aboard the R/V Endeavor in the spring of 2016. Geologic characterization and analysis of a subset of the cores including grain size, CaCO3, mineral composition, and bulk index properties (undrained shear strength, water content, density, and porosity) of discrete samples was carried out at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center's (WHCMSC) Sediment Analysis Laboratory. This data release contains the results of these analyses, along with visual core descriptions and summary sheets for each core analyzed for this study.
Supplemental_Information:
This table contains location data for all cores collected on the 2016 R/V Endeavor cruise EN577 from April 19, 2016 to May 2, 2016, which currently reside in the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center's core repository. A number of these cores have not been split or sampled since collection, and will not be referenced in the other pieces of the greater NEMP dataset. Information about USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA is available at https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2016-001-FA
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 20210819, Collection locations of sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch collected on USGS Field Activity 2016-001-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/P9ZYK3PX, 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.

    Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 20210618, Sedimentological and geotechnical analyses of marine sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Boggess, A.A., Buczkowski, B.J., and Chaytor, J.D., 2021, Sedimentological and geotechnical analyses of marine sediment cores from the New England Mud Patch: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZYK3PX.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.7979
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.4370
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.5952
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.3058
  3. What does it look like?
    https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/60551e44d34e1894882d0a76/?name=MudPatchCores_BrowseGraphic.png (PNG)
    Browse image of the core collection locations and spatial extent of the study area
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 19-Apr-2016
    Ending_Date: 02-May-2016
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Point (98)
    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 0.0197464427. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0258271413. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      Depth_Resolution: 0.1
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    EN577_CoreLocations.csv
    Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing core collection and location data for NEMP cores. (Source: Producer Defined)
    CoreName
    Sediment core identifier assigned in the field. Naming convention varies with core type described in "Core_Type" column. For piston and trigger cores: "EN577-XXPC" (EN577= cruise ID; R/V Endeavor Cruise 577) (XX= core identification number) (PC= type of core: PC= piston core; trigger cores were collected simultaneously and in the same location). For vibracores and acoustic cores, naming convention: YC-XX (YC= core type; VC= vibracore, AC=acoustic core) (XX=core identification number) (Source: USGS) character string
    Core_Type
    Type of core, pertaining to the device used for collection. (Source: USGS)
    ValueDefinition
    VibracoreCore collected with vibracorer
    Acoustic (Gravity) CoreCore collected with acoustic (gravity) corer
    Piston Core and Trigger CoreCore collected with piston corer. For every piston core, the recovery of a trigger core was attempted simultaneously and in the same location.
    DateColl_UTC
    Date that the core was collected. Date format: MM/DD/YYYY (MM=month)(DD=day)(YYYY=year) (Source: USGS) character string
    Water_Depth_m
    Water depth at location where core was collected (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:67.0
    Maximum:860.0
    Units:meters below sea level
    Resolution:0.1
    Latitude_DD
    Latitude at which core was collected (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:39.852573
    Maximum:40.595229
    Units:decimal degrees
    Longitude_DD
    Longitude at which core was collected (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.979775
    Maximum:-70.43697
    Units:decimal degrees
    Primary_Core_Length_cm
    Length of core recovered during collection. For piston and trigger core data, this column refers only to piston core length. (Source: USGS)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:860
    Units:centimeters
    Trigger_Core_Length_cm
    Length of trigger core recovered from piston and trigger core locations. (Source: USGS)
    ValueDefinition
    << empty cell >>No trigger core was collected at this location; vibracores and acoustic cores do not have an associated trigger core.
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0
    Maximum:819.5
    Units:centimeters
    Resolution:0.1

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • A.A. Boggess
    • B.J. Buczkowski
    • J.D. Chaytor
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Jason Chaytor
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    US

    508-548-8700 x2351 (voice)
    jchaytor@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The data gained through the analyses of cores collected from the New England Mud Patch (NEMP) help provide a comprehensive understanding of the nature and properties of the sediments found in this geographic location. Core collection locations provide a geospatial reference for the analytical data gathered through analyses.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Chaytor (2021) (source 1 of 1)
    Chaytor, Jason D., Ballard, Megan S., Buczkowski, Brian J., Goff, John A., Lee, Kevin M., Reed, Allen H., and Boggess, Allyson A., 2021, Measurements of Geologic Characteristics and Geophysical Properties of Sediments from the New England Mud Patch: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: Digital and/or Hardcopy
    Source_Contribution:
    Section 3A contains detailed information about different core types and their collection methods.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2016 (process 1 of 2)
    Cores were collected on board the R/V Endeavor during the EN577 cruise, also known by its USGS field activity number 2016-001-FA. Respective coring equipment (identified under table attribute "Core_Type") was deployed from the side of the vessel and sediment was captured in core liner tubes. Core locations were recorded with the R/V Endeavor's DGPS system, along with water depth and core length. Upon retrieval, if necessary, the cores were cut into sections up to 1.5 meters in length. Person who carried out this activity:
    Jason Chaytor
    U.S. Geological Survey, Northeast Region
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    US

    508-548-8700 x2351 (voice)
    jchaytor@usgs.gov
    Date: 2020 (process 2 of 2)
    Coring locations were derived from GPS navigation devices aboard the ship (vibracore and acoustic cores) or attached to the coring equipment (piston and trigger cores). Core collection data was extracted from navigation based on the time at bottom mark, and the points were compiled into a CSV spreadsheet. Person who carried out this activity:
    Allyson A Boggess
    U.S. Geological Survey, NORTHEAST REGION
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    US

    508-548-8700 x2341 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    aboggess@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Chaytor, Jason D., Ballard, Megan S., Buczkowski, Brian J., Goff, John A., Lee, Kevin M., Reed, Allen H., and Boggess, Allyson A., 2021, Measurements of Geologic Characteristics and Geophysical Properties of Sediments from the New England Mud Patch: IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, Piscataway, NJ.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    This journal article is the publication supported by this data release.

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The research vessel was equipped with multiple GPS units to ensure location accuracy in the field.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Piston/trigger core collection equipment was outfitted with GPS antenna mounted onto the coring device; horizontal location accuracy for piston/trigger cores is less than 1 meter. For vibracores and acoustic cores, location accuracy is approximately 3 meters because coring locations were derived from GPS aboard the vessel.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Water depth accuracy is within 1 meter, measured with Knudsen 3260 chirp sonar and confirmed with a lead line.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This is a complete list of all 98 cores collected on the R/V Endeavor EN577 cruise in 2016.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Detailed information about the core types, collection and recovery methods, and core length accuracy are provided by Chaytor (2021) in the associated publication.

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 Not to be used for navigation. The public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset.
  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
    United States

    1-888-275-8747 (voice)
    sciencebase@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? The dataset includes the data file (EN577_CoreLocations.csv), the browse graphic (MudPatchCores_BrowseGraphic.png) and the FGDC CSDGM metadata in XML format (EN577_CoreLocations_Metadata.xml).
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 22-May-2023
Metadata author:
Allyson A Boggess
U.S. Geological Survey, NORTHEAST REGION
Geologist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA
US

508-548-8700 x2341 (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 metadata contact is no longer with the USGS or the email is otherwise invalid.
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/SB_data_release/DR_P9ZYK3PX/EN577_CoreLocations_Metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Mon May 22 15:13:27 2023