Ground control point, navigation, and elevation data from pole surveys at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro during field activity 2020-015-FA on March 4 and 6, 2020

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• 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?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   U.S. Geological Survey, 2021, Ground control point, navigation, and elevation data from pole surveys at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro during field activity 2020-015-FA on March 4 and 6, 2020: data release DOI:10.5066/P9KSG1RQ, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ
   • https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/

   This is part of the following larger work.
   Sherwood, C., Traykovski, P., Over, J., Borden, J., Brosnahan, S., Marsjanik, E., and Martini, M., 2021, Topographic and bathymetric data, sediment samples, and imagery collected at Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro in March 2020, U.S Geological Survey Field Activity 2020-015-FA: data release DOI:10.5066/P9KSG1RQ, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Over, J.R., Sherwood, C.R., Traykovski, P., Brosnahan, S.M., Martini, M.A., Marsjanik, E., Borden, J., 2021, Topographic and bathymetric data, sediment samples, and beach imagery collected at Head of the Meadow, Truro in March 2020, U.S Geological Survey Field Activity 2020-015-FA: U.S Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.080040
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.075100
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.053166
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.050199
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/data/imagery/2020015FA_Truro_navigation_browse.JPG (JPG)

   Browse graphic of the spatial distribution of the navigation/elevation points from surveys and ground control deployments at Head of the Meadow Beach, MA

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 04-Mar-2020

   Ending_Date: 06-Mar-2020

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition, no survey on 20200305, only AeroPoint data was collected on 20200306

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
   

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 (566)
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 19
      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -69.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      

      Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983 (National Spatial Reference System 2011).
      The ellipsoid used is GRS_1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

      Altitude_System_Definition:

      Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
      Altitude_Resolution: 0.001
      Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
      Altitude_Encoding_Method:

      Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   2020015FA_Truro_nav_transects.csv has 579 data records, 2020015FA_Truro_nav_CoastCamTargets.csv has 32 data records, and 2020015FA_Truro_nav_AeroPoints.csv has 11 data records.

   Point positions and elevations, attributes are treated as if all CSV files are combined. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

   INFO

   USGS Field Activity Number (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   2020-015-FA	USGS year, ID, and Field Activity

   GPS_ID

   An identifier for the Spectra Precision equipment used to collect survey data (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   999	Null value

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2
   Maximum:	3

   Point_Label

   Unique point identification number, non-consecutive. (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	1452

   Attributes

   Non-unique identifier for the type of feature measured in the table array. (Source: USGS)

   Value

   Definition

   BLUFFBASE, BM1_OPEN, BM1_CLOSE, RM1_OPEN, RM1_CLOSE, LS-BERM, TRAN#, TARGET P#, CAM-01, CAM-02, ac########

   TARGET P#, where the # is a value between 1 and 6; BM and RM stand for Benchmark and Reference Mark with CLOSE and OPEN referring to the end or beginning of the survey and OPUS referring the Online Positioning service locations on the date collected; CAM-01 and CAM-02 are the locations of the CoastCams; TRAN #, where TRAN represents the transect and the # is a value between 1 and 9; BLUFFBASE and LS-BERM refer to points taken off transect either at the bluff or alongshore; and ac######## refer to AeroPoint IDs, ac followed by a string of eight numbers and letters.

   Northing

   Feature location Y-Coordinate (NAD83(2011)/UTM Zone 19N) (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	4655914.799
   Maximum:	4656240.399
   Units:	meters

   Easting

   Feature location X-Coordinate (NAD83(2011)/UTM Zone 19N) (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	410626.436
   Maximum:	410980.159
   Units:	meters

   Orthometric_height

   Feature location Z-Coordinate (NAVD88) using GEOID 12B (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.938
   Maximum:	27.155
   Units:	meters

   Latitude

   Feature location latitude (NAD83(2011)) (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	42.05025592
   Maximum:	42.05316579
   Units:	decimal degrees

   Longitude

   Feature location latitude (NAD83(2011)) (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-70.08003955
   Maximum:	-70.07575428
   Units:	decimal degrees

   Ellipsoid_height

   Feature height (NAD83(2011) GRS80) (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   999	Null value

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-24.790
   Maximum:	-22.355
   Units:	meters

   Date

   Feature date (Source: USGS)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	20200304
   Maximum:	20200306
   Units:	YYYYMMDD

   Time_EST

   Feature time of initiation in Eastern Standard Time (EST) (Source: USGS)

   Value	Definition
   999	Null value

   Range of values
   Minimum:	07:32:50
   Maximum:	13:35:58
   Units:	HH:MM:SS EST

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   These attribute definitions describe each column of information in the CSV files with the exception of additional information in the last three columns of the 2020015FA_Truro_nav_AeroPoints.csv. Those columns contain the X, Y, and Z variance, in mm, of the AeroPoint position. Null values (999) indicate the attribute was not calculated or applicable. Trailing and leading zeros may not appear in the csv and so some values may not display as many significant digits as described.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: USGS Field Activity 2020-015-FA
   

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Geological Survey
2. Who also contributed to the data set?
3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Jin-Si Over

   U.S. Geological Survey

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 06-Mar-2020 (process 1 of 4)

   The RTK-GNSS data was collected and processed in the following manner:
   1. A base station was set up in the parking lot on an established benchmark in the Head of the Meadow Parking lot and left on for 7 hours. An OPUS solution was calculated for the Benchmark and two Reference Marks.
   2. The two Spectra receivers were localized to the base station. The height of rover #2 is 1.9820 m, rover #3 is 1.9819 and both were collecting RTK data in NAD83(2011) Zone 19N using Geoid 12B.
   3. Rovers were then walked along the beach along nine pre-described transects perpendicular to the shoreline with one shoreline parallel transect along the berm taking points at least every 1-2 meters. Points were also taken at the top of the bluff and at the base of the bluff to characterize the slope.
   4. In order to calibrate the CoastCams looking down from the bluff to the beach, five plywood checkerboard targets were placed propped up on the beach facing towards the CoastCam. These were measured with the rovers at the intersection of the sand and the middle of the target. The same targets were moved five times, so the same attribute label may have a different time, elevation, etc.
   5. The RTK data is exported as CSV files using SurvCE (http://survce.com/home).
   6. Rover data was manually redistributed into two CSV files. The first, 2020015FA_Truro_nav_transects.csv contains all the data collected to ground truth the survey site; transects, bluff points, and the benchmark measurements. The second, 2020015FA_Truro_nav_CoastCamtargets.csv, contains the positions of the plywood targets and the two CoastCam video cameras on the bluff. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Jin-Si Over

   U.S Geological Survey

   Geographer

   384 Woods Hole Rd

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov

   Date: 06-Mar-2020 (process 2 of 4)

   The ground control points (AeroPoints) targets were processed with the following steps:
   1. Eleven AeroPoints were deployed evenly spaced across the survey area and left on for a minimum of 3 hours to collect GNSS data.
   2. Once connected to Wifi, the AeroPoint data is uploaded and is run through a post-processing kinematic algorithm and is exported with X,Y, and Z variances in the horizontal datum NAD83(2011) to produce latitude, longitude, and ellipsoid heights and then the GEOID 12B was used to produce orthometric heights. These are exported to a CSV file named 2020015FA_Truro_AeroPoints. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Peter Traykovski

   Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

   Associate Professor

   226 Woods Hole Rd, #MS 12

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-289-2638 (voice)

   ptraykovski@whoi.edu

   Date: 30-Sep-2020 (process 3 of 4)

   The 2020015FA_Truro_nav_transects.csv file was converted to a shapefile using ArcGIS 10.7.1, by right-clicking on the CSV in the catalog window and selecting using Create Feature Class - From XY data. The x-coordinate set to Easting and the y-coordinate set to Northing. The coordinate system of the input coordinates was set to the planar coordinate system NAD83(2011)/UTM Zone 19N. The CSV was saved as the shapefile 2020015FA_Truro_transects. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Jin-Si Over

   U.S Geological Survey

   Geographer

   384 Woods Hole Rd

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov

   Date: 14-May-2021 (process 4 of 4)

   Corrected a thesaurus keyword. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Positions and elevations are verified by external sources, ex: OPUS Solutions for the receivers, see Positional_Accuracy section.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   Calculated RTK horizontal positions have an accuracy of +/- 30 centimeters. AeroPoint targets have theoretical 1 cm horizontal absolute accuracy.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   Vertical accuracy of the calculated vertical elevation above datum is +/- 1 centimeter. AeroPoint targets have a theoretical 5 cm vertical absolute accuracy.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Points from the foot survey were edited for quality control and some points were removed due to obvious errors (such as lack of attribute label or recording point when rover pole was on the ground), this can explain non-consecutive Point Labels. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   The files contain real-time kinematic satellite (RTK-GNSS) navigation and elevation data collected on foot using two receivers (Spectra Precision SP80 GNSS) corrected to a base station set up in the parking lot on March 04 and ground control points (AeroPoints) deployed on March 06 during USGS field activity 2020-015-FA.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Jin-Si Over

   Geographer

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-458-8700 x2269 (voice)

   jover@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? 2020015FA_Truro_navigation.zip contains the CSV file 2020015FA_Truro_nav_transects.csv and a shapefile (2020015FA_Truro_nav_transects.shp and additional files that make up a shapefile). The CSV files 2020015FA_Truro_nav_CoastCamtargets.csv and 2020015FA_Truro_nav_AeroPoints.csv are provided as separate files.
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
   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.
4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	The CSV files contain survey and ground control (AeroPoint) data in format CSV (version Exported from Excel Office 365 16.01) Size: 0.064
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/ https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

     Data format:	The zip file contains a shapefile format of survey data. in format Shapefile (version ArcGIS 10.7.1) Size: 0.55
     Network links:	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/field-activity-data/2020-015-FA/ https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSG1RQ

   • Cost to order the data: None.

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
   The zip file contains data in CSV and Esri shapefile formats. The user must have software capable of uncompressing the zip file and reading the data formats.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 18-Mar-2024

Metadata author:

Jin-Si Over

U.S. Geological Survey

Geographer

U.S. Geological Survey

Woods Hole, MA

508-548-8700 x2269 (voice)

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 USGS. (updated on 20240318)

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)