U.S. Geological Survey East Coast Sediment Texture Database (2014, ECSTDB2014.SHP)

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?
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  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
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• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
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• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   U.S. Geological Survey, 2014, U.S. Geological Survey East Coast Sediment Texture Database (2014, ECSTDB2014.SHP): Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20051001
   • https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/htmldocs/datacatalog.htm
   • https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.zip

   This is part of the following larger work.
   Poppe, L.J., McMullen, K.Y., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2014, USGS East-Coast Sediment Analysis: Procedures, Database, and GIS Data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   • https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -170.520000
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: 123.556830
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 80.813770
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: -16.232067
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.gif (GIF)

   Location of USGS East Coast surficial sediment samples (ecstdb2014) displayed on world map

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

   Beginning_Date: 1955

   Ending_Date: Mar-2014

   Currentness_Reference:

   ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
   

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Entity point (27784)
   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_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   ecstdb2014

   Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: ESRI)

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI) Coordinates defining the features.

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   GROUP

   Number assigned to data based on source. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Value	Definition
   1	Samples taken before start of the joint USGS/WHOI project.
   2	USGS/WHOI Atlantic Continental Margin Program stations
   3	Sediment entirely or partially analyzed, processed, or visually described by USGS Woods Hole scientists; most samples analyzed in the USGS Woods Hole Sediment Laboratory.

   DB_ID

   Unique identification number generated in the sedimentation laboratory of the USGS's Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. For samples analyzed after 1980 this identifier consists of 2 characters and 3 numerics (e.g. AS114). For samples analyzed prior to 1980, this identifier consists of 4 numerics possibly followed by as many as 2 characters. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Information unavailable from original metadata.

   FIELD_NO

   Sample name or number as assigned in the field by the Chief Scientist (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Information unavailable from original metadata.

   PROJECT

   Name of project or project number under which samples were taken or data generated; sometimes project name indicates a more specific area (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   CRUISE_ID

   Name or number of cruise on which sample collected. Historically cruise identifiers were a combination of ship name, year of cruise and cruise leg. In more recent years, cruise identifier is a sequential serial number assigned to field activities within a specific year. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   CONTACT

   Name of Principal Investigator or Chief Scientist responsible for data collection (usually first initial and last name) when available. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   AREA

   General geographic area of data collection. Name is general enough to easily locate area on a state map. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   LATITUDE

   Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-16.2320670
   Maximum:	80.81377
   Units:	signed decimal degrees
   Resolution:	.00000001

   LONGITUDE

   Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-170.52
   Maximum:	123.55683
   Units:	signed decimal degrees
   Resolution:	.00000001

   DEPTH_M

   Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, generally not corrected for tides, in meters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	6945
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	.01

   T_DEPTH

   Top depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	115049
   Units:	centimeters
   Resolution:	1

   B_DEPTH

   Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	115054
   Units:	centimeters
   Resolution:	1

   DEVICE

   Device used to collect the sample. A blank indicates unknown device. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   1 METER PLANKTON NET	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   1-METER DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   3/4 METER PLANKTON NET	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   35MM STEREO CAMERA+DRED	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ANCHOR DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ANCHOR FLUKES	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ANCHOR SAMPLE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BLAKE TRAWL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOOMERANG CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOT DRIFTER SALINOMETER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOTTOM DRIFTER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOTTOM DRIFTER BUG	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOTTOM SKIMMER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOX CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BOX SAMPLER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CAM GRAB W/O CAM+PLANK T	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CAMERA SLED	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CAMPBELL GRAB W/ CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CAMPBELL GRAB W/O CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CHAIN DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CORING TUBE IN MECH ARM	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   D-L SNAPPER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   D-L SNAPPER + DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   D-L SNAPPER + GRAV COR	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIETZ-LAFOND	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIETZ-LAFOND GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIETZ-LAFOND SNAPPER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIGBY DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIGBY DREDGE W/ CNVS BAG	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DRAG DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Drilled Sample	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DRILLED SAMPLE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   EDGERTON CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GOS ANCHOR CHAIN	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GRAB SAMPLER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GRAPPLING HOOK	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GRAVITY CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   HAND SAMPLE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Hand Sample	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   HYDROSTATIC CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   HYDROSTATIC CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Hydrostatic CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   IKU GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   JAPANESE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   M-VV GRAB + D-LF SNAPPER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   M-VV GRAB + GRAVITY CORE	modified Van Veen grab sampler and gravity corer
   MECH ARM + CORE DRILL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MECH ARM W/ CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MECH ARM W/ PRY BAR	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MECHANICAL ARM	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MINIATURE VAN VEEN	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MINIATURE VAN VEEN W/O C.	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MODIFIED PIERCE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   NA	not applicable
   NATURALIST DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   NISKIN SAMPLER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   OTHER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PAUL CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PIPE DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PIPE DREDGE AND D-L SNAP	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PIPE DREDGE, 12 INCH	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PISTON CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PONAR SAMPLER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PULSE AUGER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PUSH CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Pulse Auger	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   RAKED INTO BASKET W/ ARM	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   RING NET	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ROCKER DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ROTARY CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ROTOSONIC CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SALINOMETER, VANDORN BOTS	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SCALLOP DREDGE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SCOOP FISH	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SEDIMENT TRAP	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SHIPEK GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMALL VAN VEEN	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMITH-MAC+MIN W, CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMITH-MACINTYRE GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMITH-MACINTYRE W/ CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMITH-MACINTYRE W/O CAMERA	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMITH/MAC AND NISKIN SPL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SUBMERSIBLE SAMPLE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Submersible Sample	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   TRAWL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   TRIGGER CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   UNKNOWN	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VAN VEEN AND CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VAN VEEN GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Van Veen Grab	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VIBRA CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VISUAL OBSERVATION	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VV GRAB + D-L SNAPPER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   WATER PUMP ONLY	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   BIG SEABOSS GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   CRAIB CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIVER GRABS	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIVER PUSH CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIVER, HAND	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DIVERS, BY HAND	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DRILL CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   DRILLED CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   GRAVITY CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   HAND	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MID-SIZED SEABOSS GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MINI SEABOSS	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MINI-SEABOSS	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PISTON CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PISTON SAMPLER (HYDRAULIC)	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   PONAR GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ROTOSONIC CORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SMALL SEABOSS GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SUBMERSIBLE ARM GRAB	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   TEFLON SHOVEL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   TROWEL	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VIBRACORE	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   VIBRACORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   WHOI GIANT GRAVITY CORER	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SEABOSS (BIG)	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   EPA VanVeen	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Diver	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Craib	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   USGS Slow Corer	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   SEABOSS	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Drill rig	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Metal scoop	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   InterOcean SeaBoss (osprey config)	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   MicroSEABOSS (a.k.a. SEABOSSpro, a.k.a. GoProSEABOSS)	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Scoop	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   Rock Dredge	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   vanveen	Information unavailable from original metadata.
   ROV push core	Information unavailable from original metadata.

   Character string of width 254

   MONTH_COLL

   Calendar month sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	12
   Units:	month of year
   Resolution:	1

   DAY_COLL

   Calendar day sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	31
   Units:	day of month
   Resolution:	1

   YEAR_COLL

   Calendar year sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1955
   Maximum:	2014
   Units:	year
   Resolution:	1

   MONTH_ANAL

   Calendar month sample completed analysis. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	12
   Units:	month of year
   Resolution:	1

   DAY_ANAL

   Calendar day sample completed analysis. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	31
   Units:	day of month
   Resolution:	1

   YEAR_ANAL

   Calendar year sample completed analysis. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1969
   Maximum:	2014
   Units:	year
   Resolution:	1

   WEIGHT

   Weight of dry sample in grams. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.01
   Maximum:	9086.1
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	.0001

   GRAVEL_PCT

   Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 Phi and larger). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   SAND_PCT

   Sand content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 Phi through 4 Phi). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	102
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   SILT_PCT

   Silt content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm; 5 Phi through 8 Phi, inclusive). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   CLAY_PCT

   Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 Phi and smaller). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	94.71
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   CLASSIFICA

   Sediment Classification - Sediment description based on a rigorous definition, usually Shepard (1954) as modified by Schlee and Webster (1967), Schlee (1973), and Poppe and others (2005). A blank cell means a classification was not recorded for the sample. (Source: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory)

   Value	Definition
   BEDROCK	Solid rock.
   BOULDERS	Rocks with diameters greater than 256 mm.
   CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.004 mm.
   CLAYEY SAND	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant clay.
   CLAYEY SILT	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
   GRAVEL	Sediment whose main phase is >2 mm.
   GRAVELLY SEDIMENT	Sediment whose main phase is >2 mm, but with significant other sediment. Gravel > 10 percent.
   SAND	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
   SAND SILT CLAY	Sediment with significant (over 20 percent) sand, silt, and clay.
   SANDY CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant sand.
   SANDY SILT	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
   SILT	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm.
   SILTY CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant silt.
   SILTY SAND	Sediment whose main phase in sand, but with significant silt.
   MUD	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.0625 mm
   MUDDY SAND	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant silt and clay.

   Character string of width 19.

   MEDIAN

   Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.35
   Maximum:	10.74
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MEAN

   Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-5.93
   Maximum:	10.62
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   STDEV

   Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units (sorting). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	6.43
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   SKEWNESS

   Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. Calculated values less than -50 and greater than 50 have been set to -9999 as they are erroneous. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-14.78
   Maximum:	37.19
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   KURTOSIS

   Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. Calculated values less than -50 and greater than 50 were set to -9999 as they are erroneous. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-49.56
   Maximum:	49.98
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE1CLASS

   Mode 1 class - First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside this range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.500
   Maximum:	10.600

   MODE1FREQ

   Mode 1 strength - Modal strength of the first mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE2CLASS

   Mode 2 class - Second mode in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside this range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.50
   Maximum:	13.40
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE2FREQ

   Mode 2 strength - Modal strength of the second mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	60.50
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE3CLASS

   Mode 3 class - Third mode in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside the range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-6.50
   Maximum:	15.40
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE3FREQ

   Mode 3 strength - Modal strength of the third mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	18.15
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   NMODES

   Number of modes. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	5
   Units:	integer count
   Resolution:	1

   PHIM5

   -5 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -5 Phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm); very coarse pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM4

   -4 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -4 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 16 mm, but less than 32 mm); coarse pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM3

   -3 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -3 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 8 mm, but less than 16 mm); medium pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM2

   -2 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -2 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 4 mm, but less than 8 mm); fine pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	64.43
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM1

   -1 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -1 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2 mm, but less than 4 mm); very fine pebbles (granules). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	97.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_0

   0 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 0 Phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 1 mm, but less than 2 mm); very coarse sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	86.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_1

   1 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 1 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, but less than 1 mm); coarse sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	92.67
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_2

   2 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 2 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.25 mm, but less than 0.5 mm); medium sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	96.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_3

   3 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 3 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.125 mm, but less than 0.25 mm); fine sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	95.92
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_4

   4 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 4 Phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to .0625 mm, but less than 0.125 mm); very fine sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	92.75
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_5

   5 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 5 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.031 mm, but less than 0.0625 mm); coarse silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	80.51
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_6

   6 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 6 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.016 mm, but less than 0.031 mm); medium silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	68.32
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_7

   7 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 7 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008 mm, but less than 0.016 mm); fine silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	47.57
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_8

   8 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 8 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.004 mm, but less than 0.008 mm); very fine silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	47.90
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_9

   9 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 9 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.002 mm, but less than 0.004 mm); coarse clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	45.55
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_10

   10 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 10 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.001 mm, but less than 0.002 mm); medium clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	59.53
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_11

   11 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 11 Phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	87.3
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   ANALYST

   Name (usually first initial and last name) of person who performed the grain size or physical properties analysis, if available. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   ANAL_COMM

   Comments on analyses - Any further information about sediment analysis for all or specific parameters in this table, if available. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   LITHOLOGY

   General lithologic description of sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   COMMENTS

   Comments on sample collection or lithology, if available. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary) Character string of width 254.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Location and sediment analysis results for approximately 28,000 samples collected and analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center through March 2014. We caution users of this data that in a few samples from some of the older data (from groups 1 and 2), fraction weights and phi weight percents do not add up to 100 +/- 2 percent. This is noted for each affected sample in the Comments section.

   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)
   • U.S. Geological Survey
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   The U.S. Geological Survey must be referenced as the originator of the dataset in any future products or research derived from these data.

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Larry Poppe

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)

   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)

   lpoppe@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This ArcGIS shapefile contains the locations of marine sediment samples collected and (or) analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center starting in 1955 thru March 2014. Distribution of this dataset allows the user the ability to visualize the information in a Geographic Information System.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   ecstdb2014.xls (source 1 of 1)

   U.S. Geological Survey, unknown, Information unavailable from original metadata..

   Type_of_Source_Media: online
   Source_Contribution:

   This Excel spreadsheet contains the accumulated results of the surficial sediment analysis collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) through March 2014. Data collected from February 2011 through March 2014 were appended to the previously published ecstdb2011.xls spreadsheet. This file has been updated as errors in latitudes, longitudes, depths, and other information have been corrected for over 500 samples. Also, no data values of -9999 in the phi percents and gravel/sand/silt/clay percents have been changed to 0 for many samples in group 3 where it looked like the original blanks in the data should have been 0s (generally, if data was present for part of a coarse or fine fraction, then it was assumed that, based on USGS Woods Hole Sediment Laboratory analytical policy, all the phi classes in that coarse or fine fraction were analyzed and any no data values should be replaced with a 0). This combined spreadsheet was the source of the data that was converted into the Esri shapefile.

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 2014 (process 1 of 6)

   Surficial sediment data from February 2011 through March 2014 were recorded in an Excel (version 2003) spreadsheet. This spreadsheet was appended to ecstdb2011.xls. Errors found in the ecstdb2011.xls data were corrected for approximately 500 samples and numerous no data values of -9999 in the phi percentages and gravel/sand/silt/clay percentages were replaced with 0s. No data values were replaced with 0s where it looked like a portion of either the fine or coarse fraction of the sample was analyzed and the original blanks should have been 0s. However, for instance, in some cases it looked like only the coarse fraction was analyzed and any sediment in the fine fraction was recorded as 5 phi, the finer phi sizes remained as no data values in this case. No data values were not changed to 0 in samples that were not analyzed at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Lab, or in samples in groups 1 or 2. Samples where the phi weight percents did not equal the appropriate gravel, sand, silt, and/or clay percents were normalized and run through GSSTAT. The Excel file was edited and a comma-delimited text file was generated. The Excel file was imported into ArcMap 9.3 to create a table with the Add XY Data tool. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Katherine McMullen

   Field and Laboratory Technician

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   (508) 548-8700 x2277 (voice)

   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)

   kmcmullen@usgs.gov

   Data sources used in this process:

   • ecstdb2011.xls

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • Sheet1$ Events
   • ecstdb2014.txt

   Date: 2014 (process 2 of 6)

   The table was then converted to an ArcGIS shapefile (Data, Export Data) to be used as a GIS data layer using ArcMap 9.3. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: Katherine McMullen

   Field and Laboratory Technician

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   (508) 548-8700 x2277 (voice)

   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)

   kmcmullen@usgs.gov

   Data sources used in this process:

   • Sheet1$ Events

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • ecstdb2014.shp

   Date: 16-May-2018 (process 3 of 6)

   Edits to the metadata were made to fix any errors that MP v 2.9.46 flagged. This is necessary to enable the metadata to be successfully harvested for various data catalogs. In some cases, this meant adding text "Information unavailable" or "Information unavailable from original metadata" for those required fields that were left blank. Other minor edits were probably performed (title, publisher, publication place, etc.). Reordered the links in the identification section so a landing page link is first. Attempted to modify http to https where appropriate. The source information was incomplete and had to be modified to meet the standard. Added additional information to a cross-reference. Attribute format had to be modified to meet the standard. The metadata date (but not the metadata creator) was edited to reflect the date of these changes. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata bundled within a download file. Compare the metadata dates to determine which metadata file is most recent. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

   Date: 20-Jul-2018 (process 4 of 6)

   USGS Thesaurus keywords added to the keyword section. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

   Date: 18-Nov-2019 (process 5 of 6)

   Crossref DOI link was added as the first link in the metadata. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross

   Marine Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   vatnipp@usgs.gov

   Date: 08-Sep-2020 (process 6 of 6)

   Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme 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?
   Poppe, L.J., Eliason, A.H., and Hastings, M.E., 2004, A Visual Basic program to generate sediment grain-size statistics and to extrapolate particle distributions: Computers and Geosciences v. 30, no. 7, p. 791-795.

   Online Links:

   • https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html

   Poppe, L.J., Eliason, A.H., and Hastings, M.E., 2003, A Visual Basic program to classify sediments based on gravel-sand-silt-clay ratios: Computers and Geosciences v. 29, no. 6, p. 805-809.

   Online Links:

   • https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html

   Poppe, L.J., and Eliason, A.H., 2008, A Visual Basic program to plot sediment grain-size data on ternary diagrams: Computers and Geosciences v. 34, p. 561-565.

   Online Links:

   • https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html

   Hathaway, J.C., 1971, Data file - Continental Margin Program, Atlantic coast of the United States: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Reference No. 71-15 71-15, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.1575/1912/1035

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?
   Positional accuracy varies due to different systems, datums, and navigational equipment used over the years.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   Positional accuracy varies due to different systems, datums, and navigational equipment used over the years. This information comes from the scientist and is sometimes incomplete.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   This dataset contains almost all the samples processed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) Sediment Laboratory through March 2014, with the exception of those withheld at the request of the submitter (several hundred).
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   No additional checks for topological consistency were performed on this data. A no data value of -9999 is used in number formatted columns where no data were collected or recorded. These cells were originally blank in the Excel file, but in an effort to prevent ArcGIS software from filling those blank cells with 0s in the shapefile, a no data value was added to all blank numerical cells. Many of the no data values were then changed to 0s in the phi percents and gravel/sand/silt/clay percents where it looked like a full coarse (sand and gravel) or fine (silt and clay) analysis was completed and the original blanks likely should have been 0s.

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:

Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the source of this information.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 3)
   
   Larry Poppe

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)

   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)

   lpoppe@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
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 USGS 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:	A WinZip (v. 14.0) file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the zip file in format Shapefile (version ArcGIS 9.3) Esri Shapefile Size: 9
     Network links:	https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.zip

   • Cost to order the data: None

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. The user must have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcGIS Explorer, capable of displaying the data is available from Esri at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

---

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 3)
   
   Larry Poppe

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)

   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)

   lpoppe@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
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 USGS 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:	A WinZip (v. 14.0) file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the zip file. in format XLS (version 2003) Microsoft Excel spreadsheet Size: 9
     Network links:	https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.zip https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.xls

   • Cost to order the data: None

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. The user must have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcGIS Explorer, capable of displaying the data is available from Esri at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

---

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 3 of 3)
   
   Larry Poppe

   U.S. Geological Survey

   Geologist

   384 Woods Hole Road

   Woods Hole, MA
   

   USA

   508-548-8700 x2314 (voice)

   508-457-2310 (FAX)

   lpoppe@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
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 USGS 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:	A WinZip (v. 14.0) file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the zip file. in format CSV (version Information unavailable from original metadata.) Comma separated value Size: 9
     Network links:	https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.zip https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2014.csv

   • Cost to order the data: None

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. The user must have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcGIS Explorer, capable of displaying the data is available from Esri at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 16-Nov-2021

Metadata author:

Katherine McMullen

U.S. Geological Survey

Field and Laboratory Technician

384 Woods Hole Road

Woods Hole, MA

USA

(508) 548-8700 x2277 (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 Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)