Grain Size Distribution of Surficial Sediments offshore of the Grand Strand, South Carolina region (GRAINSIZE_POLY, Polygon shapefile)

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Grain Size Distribution of Surficial Sediments offshore of the Grand Strand, South Carolina region (GRAINSIZE_POLY, Polygon shapefile)
Abstract:
In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, began a study to investigate processes affecting shoreline change along the northern coast of South Carolina, focusing on the Grand Strand region. Previous work along the U.S. Atlantic coast shows that the structure and composition of older geologic strata located seaward of the coast heavily influences the coastal behavior of areas with limited sediment supply, such as the Grand Strand. By defining this geologic framework and identifying the transport pathways and sinks of sediment, geoscientists are developing conceptual models of the present-day physical processes shaping the South Carolina coast. The primary objectives of this research effort are: 1) to provide a regional synthesis of the shallow geologic framework underlying the coastal upland, shoreface and inner continental shelf, and define its role in coastal evolution and modern beach behavior; 2) to identify and model the physical processes affecting coastal ocean circulation and sediment transport, and to define their role in shaping the modern shoreline; and 3) to identify sediment sources and transport pathways; leading to construction of a regional sediment budget.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2007, Grain Size Distribution of Surficial Sediments offshore of the Grand Strand, South Carolina region (GRAINSIZE_POLY, Polygon shapefile): Open-File Report 2005-1346, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Baldwin, W.E., Denny, J.F., Schwab, W.C., Gayes, P.T., Morton, R.A., and Driscoll, N.W., 2006, Geologic Framework Studies of South Carolina's Long Bay from Little River Inlet to Winyah Bay, 1999-2003; geospatial data release: Open-File Report 2005-1346, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -79.143795
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -78.516507
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 33.845505
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 33.294296
  3. What does it look like?
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1346/images/grainsize_poly.jpg (JPEG)
    Locations of surficial grab samples collected in 2000 and 2001
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2007
    Currentness_Reference:
    publication date
  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):
      • G-polygon (213)
    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 0.000008. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000008. 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?
    grainsize_poly
    ESRI point shapefile (Source: ESRI)
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI) Coordinates defining the features.
    Id
    Internal Identifier (Source: ESRI)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:3
    Units:integer count
    Resolution:1
    Grain_Size
    Grain size definition (Source: USGS)
    ValueDefinition
    Coarse SandSediment of 0-1 phi
    Fine SandSediment of 2-3 phi
    Medium SandSediment of 1-2 phi

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?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Jane Denny
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2311 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This data set contains polygon shapefile outlining grain size distribution throughout the 1999 - 2003 survey area, offshore of the Grand Strand, SC.

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: 2002 (process 1 of 7)
    The grab samples were acquired with a shipek grab sampler by Coastal Carolina University. Textural analyses were conducted by Coastal Carolina University and the USGS. Processing occurred 2000 to 2002. Person who carried out this activity:
    Jane Denny
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2311 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov
    Date: 2002 (process 2 of 7)
    Sample locations and textural information were used to generate a point shapefile. Person who carried out this activity:
    Jane Denny
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2311 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov
    Date: 2004 (process 3 of 7)
    The mean grain size of the surface grab samples were then used to hand digitize grain size polygons. The sidescan-sonar image was used as a base to help distinguish grain size boundaries. Person who carried out this activity:
    Jane Denny
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 x2311 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov
    Data sources used in this process:
    • grabs.dbf
    • grabs.shp
    • grabs.shx
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • grainsize_poly.dbf
    • grainsize_poly.shp
    • grainsize_poly.shx
    Date: 27-Jun-2016 (process 4 of 7)
    Edits to the metadata were made to fix any errors that MP v 2.9.32 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.). The link to the data in the Identification_Information section had to be fixed. The link to the data in the Distribution_Information section had to be fixed. Modified online links to point to pubs.usgs.gov. Fixed process date format. 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 Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 20-Jul-2018 (process 5 of 7)
    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 6 of 7)
    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 7 of 7)
    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?

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Interpretations of grain size distribution are based on sample textural information, sidescan-sonar imagery, swath bathymetry and seismic data. The mean grain size of surficial sediment samples were used to generate the grain size polygons. These data were manually interpreted and digitized at a scale of 1:75,000 (regional interpretation).
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    DGPS is assumed to be accurate within 1-2 meters. Standard GPS is assumed accurate within 5-10 meters. Unless noted, all GPS/DGPS data is referenced to WGS84 (NAD83). Accuracy of sample locations is assumed to be comparable to DGPS accuracy (+ 2 m). Sediment statistics at each sample location were used to generate the grain size polygons.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    These data include all grain size information. Grain size distribution is represented as polygons. All data were included in the analysis.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Additional checks for topologic consistency were conducted to ensure polygon boundaries close, and neighboring polygons share borders.

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 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    508-548-8700 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Although all data have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. 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: Shapefile contains polygons defining grain size distribution on the inner shelf offshore of the Grand Strand, SC in format SHP (version ArcGIS 9.0) ESRI Polygon Shapefile Size: 0.129
      Network links: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1346/arcgis/samples/grainsize_poly.zip
      Media you can order: DVD-ROM (Density 4.75 Gbytes) (format UDF)
    • 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, ArcExplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 08-Sep-2020
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: Jane Denny
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA
USA

508-548-8700 x2311 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
jdenny@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/open_file_report/ofr2005-1346/grainsize_poly.shp.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Tue Sep 21 18:20:21 2021