Sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region (slope)

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region (slope)
Abstract:
The slope analysis of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region off Boston, Massachusetts was performed using the slope tool in the Spatial Analyst extension in ArcGIS 8.3. The slope tool calculates the maximum rate of change in elevation over a pixel and its eight neighbors for a surface. The slope calculations were carried out for the bathymetric grids of the seafloor of this region.
Supplemental_Information:
For additional information about the field activities associated with this dataset, see https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=1994-008-FA, https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=1995-013-FA, https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=1996-032-FA, https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=1996-043-FA.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Valentine, Page C., 2005, Sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region (slope): Scientific Investigations Map 2840, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Page C. Valentine (editor), 2005, Sea floor image maps showing topography, sun-illuminated topography, backscatter intensity, ruggedness, slope, and the distribution of boulder ridges and bedrock outcrops in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region off Boston, Massachusetts: Scientific Investigations Map 2840, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Suggested citation: Valentine, P.C., Baker, J.L., Unger, T.S., Sculy, L.A., Fuller, S.J., 2005, Sea floor image maps showing topography, sun-illuminated topography, backscatter intensity, ruggedness, slope, and the distribution of boulder ridges and bedrock outcrops in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region off Boston, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2840, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim2840.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.600077
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.033436
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.800106
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.083366
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2005
    Currentness_Reference:
    publication date
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:
      • Dimensions 6201 x 3631 x 1, type Grid Cell
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      The map projection used is Mercator.
      Projection parameters:
      Standard_Parallel: 41.650000
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -70.316667
      False_Easting: 0.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 13.000000
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 13.000000
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Page C. Valentine
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Page C. Valentine
    U.S. Geological Survey
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508)457-2239 (voice)
    (508)457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The slope analysis provides an interpretation of the seabed features in the highly variable geomorphology of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region. The seabed geometry is variable due to its glacial origin and is important to the region's wide range of habitats and high biodiversity.

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: unknown (process 1 of 2)
    The slope tool in Spatial Analyst 8.3 was used to determine the slope for the bathymetric grid. This tool calculates the maximum rate of change in elevation over each pixel and its eight neighbors.
    Date: 28-Apr-2023 (process 2 of 2)
    The metadata was edited to remove errors as well as update some information. Edits include modifying the title to move the dataset name to the end of the title, adding the DOI link in the identification section, added the suggested citation, added supplemental information with link to the related field activity pages on CMGDS, added the USGS Thesaurus keywords, added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword, replaced distribution liability with FSP statement, used a generic email address in metadata. The metadata date (20050822), but not the contact (except email and contact instructions) was updated. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata available from the publication. Compare the metadata dates to determine which metadata file is most recent. Original edits on 20210816. An additional author name fix on 20210908. Links to the data were fixed with respect to case-sensitivity issues. (20230428) 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?
  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?
    Information not available from original metadata.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Information not available from original metadata.

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.
Not to be used for navigational purposes.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Page C. Valentine
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Research Geologist
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@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?
    Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcInfo GRID format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing the data file.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 28-Apr-2023
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: Page C. Valentine
Research Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey
Woods Hole, MA
USA

(508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
(508) 457-2310 (FAX)
whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
Contact_Instructions:
The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the contact person is no longer with the USGS.
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/sim/sim2840/slope_metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Fri Apr 28 16:18:39 2023