Point shapefile of quadrangle 6 station locations in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2004 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate (Geographic, NAD 83)

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Title:
Point shapefile of quadrangle 6 station locations in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2004 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate (Geographic, NAD 83)
Abstract:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Sanctuary Program, has conducted seabed mapping and related research in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region since 1993. The area is approximately 3,700 square kilometers (km2) and is subdivided into 18 quadrangles. Seven maps, at a scale of 1:25,000, of quadrangle 6 (211 km2) depict seabed topography, backscatter, ruggedness, geology, substrate mobility, mud content, and areas dominated by fine-grained or coarse-grained sand. Interpretations of bathymetric and seabed backscatter imagery, photographs, video, and grain-size analyses were used to create the geology-based maps. In all, data from 420 stations were analyzed, including sediment samples from 325 locations. The seabed geology map shows the distribution of 10 substrate types ranging from boulder ridges to immobile, muddy sand to mobile, rippled sand. Substrate types are defined on the basis of sediment grain-size composition, surficial morphology, sediment layering, and the mobility or immobility of substrate surfaces. This map series is intended to portray the major geological elements (substrates, features, processes) of environments within quadrangle 6. Additionally, these maps will be the basis for the study of the ecological requirements of invertebrate and vertebrate species that utilize these substrates and guide seabed management in the region.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Valentine, Page C., 2015, Point shapefile of quadrangle 6 station locations in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offshore of Boston, Massachusetts where video, photographs and sediment samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993-2004 - includes sediment sample analyses and interpreted geologic substrate (Geographic, NAD 83): Scientific Investigations Map 3341, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Valentine, Page C., and Gallea, Leslie B., 2015, Seabed maps showing topography, ruggedness, backscatter intensity, sediment mobility, and the distribution of geologic substrates in quadrangle 6 of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts: Scientific Investigations Map 3341, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.222210
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.033220
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.321730
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.203170
  3. What does it look like?
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3341/data/SIM3341_stations.jpg (JPEG)
    Thumbnail image showing the station locations used in the geologic interpretation of the sea floor in quadrangle 6 of Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary.
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 20-Apr-1993
    Ending_Date: 22-Jun-2004
    Currentness_Reference:
    Ground condition of data acquired at stations. However, the currentness reference for the geologic substrate attributes is publication date - 2015.
  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 (420)
    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 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?
    quad6_stations_geology
    Station locations of bottom video, bottom photographs, and sediment samples. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: Esri) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: Esri) Coordinates defining the features.
    SBNMS_id
    USGS SBNMS station number assigned in the field. In some instances, multiple transects of photo and (or) video collection were conducted at approximately the same site. These instances are noted by a decimal number. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Although the field is a numeric field, the decimal portion of the number does not represent a fraction of a station but rather another approximate occupation of the same station. In other published versions of the data the multiple sites were annotated by a letter after the station number such that instead of 3131.1, it would be 3131a.
    substr_sym
    Substrate unit symbol abbreviation corresponding to the interpreted geologic substrate that falls under the sample location. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    A1Abbreviated symbol for A1 r_cgS
    A2Abbreviated symbol for A2 i_cgS
    BAbbreviated symbol for B r_cgS / i_cbG
    CAbbreviated symbol for C i_cbG
    D1Abbreviated symbol for D1 i_cgS / pbcG
    D2Abbreviated symbol for D2 i_mcgS / pcbG
    EAbbreviated symbol for E i_cgS
    FAbbreviated symbol for F i_cgS / pbcG
    G1Abbreviated symbol for G1 i_mfgS
    G2Abbreviated symbol for G2 i_mfgS
    substrate
    Geologic substrate unit name that designates a unique substrate area on the seabed of quadrangle 6. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    A1 r_cgSRippled, coarse-grained sand. Substrate A1 is a mobile sand deposit on the upper flank of Stellwagen Bank. Depth range is 30 to 56 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud <1; sand 90 (fgS, 3; cgS, 88); gravel 9 (G1, 8; G2, 1). Substrate A1 is equivalent to the mobile portion of adjacent substrate B; and it is similar to adjacent immobile substrate A2 which lies at deeper depths (53 to 77 m) on the lower flank of Stellwagen Bank and contains more fine-grained sand (11 weight percent).
    A2 i_cgSImmobile, coarse-grained sand. Substrate A2 is an immobile sand deposit on the lower flank of Stellwagen Bank. Depth range is 53 to 77 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud 1; sand 83 (fgS, 11; cgS, 72); gravel, 16 (G1, 11; G2, 5). Substrate A2 is similar to adjacent mobile substrate A1 which lies at shallower depths (30 to 56 m) and contains less fine-grained sand (3 weight percent). It contains less mud and fine-grained sand than substrate E.
    B r_cgS / i_cbGRippled, coarse-grained sand; partial veneer on immobile, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate B is a layered substrate of mobile sand overlying immobile gravel on the shallow flank of Stellwagen Bank. Depth range is 36 to 58 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, <1; sand, 92 (fgS, 5; cgS, 86); gravel, 8 (G1, 7; G2, 1). Cobbles and boulders are identified on the basis of video and photographic imagery. Boulder ridges (substrate C) are present. The mobile sand layer of substrate B is equivalent to adjacent mobile substrate A1.
    C i_cbGImmobile, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate C is immobile gravel that forms topographic ridges where cobbles and boulders are piled upon one another and are separated by voids. It is identified on the basis of video and photographic images of mapped topographic ridges. It is present on the flank of Stellwagen Bank where it is associated with substrate B (36 to 58 m) and substrate D1 (50 to 83 m), and on the tops of North, East, and Middle Ninety Banks where it is associated with substrate D2 (87 to 105 m). It is equivalent to boulder ridges <1 m and >=1m on Maps A, E, F, and G.
    D1 i_cgS / pcbGImmobile, coarse-grained sand; partial veneer on pebble, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate D1 is a layered substrate of immobile sand overlying immobile gravel on the flank of Stellwagen Bank. Depth range is 50 to 83 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, 4; sand, 50 (fgS, 16; cgS, 34); gravel, 45 (G1, 11; G2, 34). Pebbles, cobbles, and boulders are identified on the basis of video and photographic imagery. Boulder ridges (substrate C) are present. Substrate D1 is similar to substrate D2 which lies at deeper depths (87 to 105 m) on the tops of North, East, and Middle Ninety Banks and has higher mud content (12 weight percent).
    D2 i_mcgS / pcbGImmobile, muddy, coarse-grained sand; partial veneer on pebble, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate D2 is a layered substrate of immobile sand overlying immobile gravel on the tops of North, East, and Middle Ninety Banks. Depth range is 87 to 105 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, 12; sand, 76 (fgS, 22; cgS, 55); gravel, 12 (G1, 8; G2, 4). Pebbles, cobbles, and boulders are identified on the basis of video and photographic imagery. Boulder ridges (substrate C) are present. Substrate D2 is similar to substrate D1 which lies at shallower depths (50 to 83 m) on the flank of Stellwagen Bank and has lower mud content (4 weight percent).
    E i_cgSImmobile, coarse-grained sand. Substrate E is an immobile sand deposit on the lower flank of Stellwagen Bank. Depth range is 66 to 122 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud 4; sand, 82 (fgS, 18; cgS, 64); gravel, 14(G1, 9; G2, 5). Boulder ridges are absent. Substrate E is similar in mud content to substrate D1 and contains more mud and fine-grained sand than substrate A2.
    F i_cgS / pcbGImmobile, coarse-grained sand; partial veneer on pebble, cobble, boulder gravel. Substrate F is a layered substrate of immobile sand overlying immobile gravel on the flanks of the Ninety Meter Banks. Depth range is 90 to 148 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, 9; sand, 69 (fgS, 25; cgS, 44); gravel, 22 (G1, 13; G2, 9). Pebbles, cobbles, and boulders are identified on the basis of video and photographic imagery. Boulder ridges are absent. Substrate F is similar to substrates D1 and D2, except that F lies at deeper depths, and the partial veneer of coarse grained sand on the gravel is more extensive.
    G1 i_mfgSImmobile, muddy, fine-grained sand. Substrate G1 is an immobile muddy sand deposit in valleys between Stellwagen Bank and the Ninety Meter Banks. Depth range is 85 to 171 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, 10; sand, 88 (fgS, 78; cgS, 10); gravel, 1 (G1, 1; G2, 1). Substrate G1 is similar to substrate G2 which lies at deeper depths (125 to 185 m) and has higher 4 phi sand (58 weight percent) and higher mud content (23 weight percent).
    G2 i_mfgSImmobile, muddy, fine-grained sand. Substrate G2 is an immobile muddy sand deposit in deep parts of valleys lying between the Ninety Meter Banks. Depth range is 125 to 185 m. Mean weight percents per grain-size category: mud, 23; sand, 77 (fgs, 77; cgS, 1); gravel, 0. Substrate G2 has the highest mud content of all substrates in quadrangle 6.
    photos
    The value of this attribute indicates if seabed photographs were taken at the station. True indicates that photo(s) were taken, false indicates no photo(s) were taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has seabed photo(s), false indicates no photo(s).
    video
    The value of this attribute indicates if seabed video was recorded at the station. True indicates that photo(s) were taken, false indicates no video was taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has video imagery of the seabed, false indicates no video.
    sample
    The value of this attribute indicates if seabed video was recorded at the station. True indicates a sediment sample was taken, false indicates no sediment sample was taken. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Boolean character set. True indicates the station has a sediment sample, false indicates no sediment sample.
    labno
    Sediment database identification number for analyzed sediment samples. The unique identifier consists of two characters and three numerals assigned during lab analysis. A blank value is a NODATA value indicating where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey.) Character set of width 5.
    longitude
    Longitude coordinate of the station location. In the case of sediment samples, this is the longitude of the sediment sample. For other station locations, this location marks the approximate end of the occupied station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.22221
    Maximum:-70.03322
    Units:decimal degrees
    latitude
    Latitude coordinate of the station location. In the case of sediment samples, this is the latitude of the sediment sample. For other station locations, this location marks the approximate end of the occupied station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:42.20317
    Maximum:42.32173
    Units:decimal degrees
    cruise_id
    U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center cruise identifier. This is a combination of vessel name codes and field activity number. For example: FERL9409 indicates the vessel used was the Ferrel; 9409 refers to the cruise number where the first two digits are the year and the remaining numbers indicate the field activity of that year. 9409 indicates 1994, the ninth field activity of that year. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    ANDR95015vessel Anderson, 1995, field activity 15.
    ANDR95036vessel Anderson, 1995, field activity 36
    ARGO94014vessel Argo Maine, 1994, field activity 14
    CAND98022vessel Christopher Andrew, 1998, field activity 22
    CONN03014vessel Connecticut, 2003, field activity 14
    DIAN96025vessel Diane G, 1996, field activity 25
    DLWR93006vessel Delaware II, 1993, field activity 6
    DLWR93030vessel Delaware II, 1993, field activity 30
    DLWR99011vessel Delaware II, 1999, field activity 11
    FERL94004vessel Ferrel, 1994, field activity 4
    FERL95012vessel Ferrel, 1995, field activity 12
    FERL98029vessel Ferrel, 1998, field activity 29
    FSTR04010vessel Nancy Foster, 2004, field activity 10
    ISBL96037vessel Isabel S, 1996, field activity 37
    ISBL98017vessel Isabel S, 1998, field activity 17
    depth_m
    Water depth of station (in meters), measured at some location by the ship's fathometer and at other locations by the SEABOSS depth sensor. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:30
    Maximum:185
    Units:meters
    year
    Year the station was occupied. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1993
    Maximum:2004
    Units:year
    jday
    Julian day and time the station was occupied. Time is GMT. The format is Julian Day:HH:MM:SS. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set specifying day and time in the format Julian day:HH:MM:SS.
    quad
    Quadrangle number in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region that the station occupied. In the case of drift stations, this number represents where the quadrangle occupied at the end of the station. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    ValueDefinition
    6Quadrangle 6 of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
    device
    The sampler used to acquire the sediment sample - the USGS modified Van Veen (VV) grab sampler. A blank value is a NODATA value indicating where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set.
    t_depth
    Top depth of the sample below sediment-water interface. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:cm
    b_depth
    Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:2
    Units:cm
    weight
    Weight of dry sample in grams. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:2
    Units:grams
    zsand
    Sand content in percent dry weight. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:14.7
    Maximum:99.4
    Units:percent
    zgravel
    Gravel content in percent dry weight. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:80.6
    Units:percent
    zclay
    Clay content in percent dry weight. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:18.3
    Units:percent
    zsilt
    Silt content in percent dry weight. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:13.9
    Units:percent
    zmud
    Mud (combined clay and silt) content in percent dry weight. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:29.7
    Units:percent
    median
    Middle point in the grain-size distribution in phi units. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-5.2
    Maximum:3.6
    Units:phi
    mean
    Average value in the grain-size distribution in phi units. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-3.5
    Maximum:4.6
    Units:phi
    stdev
    Standard deviation of the grain-size distribution in phi units. A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.7
    Maximum:3.7
    Units:phi
    phi_11
    Weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction (clay). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:4.2
    Units:percent
    phi_10
    Weight percent of the sample in the 10 phi fraction (clay). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:7.2
    Units:percent
    phi_9
    Weight percent of the sample in the 9 phi fraction (clay). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:7
    Units:percent
    phi_8
    Weight percent of the sample in the 8 phi fraction (very fine silt). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:5.3
    Units:percent
    phi_7
    Weight percent of the sample in the 7 phi fraction (fine silt). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:4.3
    Units:percent
    phi_6
    Weight percent of the sample in the 6 phi fraction (medium silt). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:3.7
    Units:percent
    phi_5
    Weight percent of the sample in the 5 phi fraction (coarse silt). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:3.1
    Units:percent
    phi_4
    Weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (very fine sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:62.8
    Units:percent
    phi_3
    Weight percent of the sample in the 3 phi fraction (fine sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:75
    Units:percent
    fg_sand
    Weight percent of the combined 4-phi and 3-phi weight percents (fine-grained sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.3
    Maximum:94.2
    Units:percent
    phi_2
    Weight percent of the sample in the 2 phi fraction (medium sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:55.1
    Units:percent
    phi_1
    Weight percent of the sample in the 1 phi fraction (coarse sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:67
    Units:percent
    phi_0
    Weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (very coarse sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:56.9
    Units:percent
    cg_sand
    Weight percent of the combined 2-phi, 1-phi and 0-phi weight percents (coarse-grained sand). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:97.5
    Units:percent
    PHIm1
    Weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (granule). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:18.9
    Units:percent
    PHIm2
    Weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (pebble). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:22.5
    Units:percent
    G1
    Weight percent of the combined -1-phi and -2-phi weight percents (gravel subclass 1). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:35.6
    Units:percent
    PHIm3
    Weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (pebble). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:28.7
    Units:percent
    PHIm4
    Weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (pebble). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:40.7
    Units:percent
    PHIm5
    Weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction (pebble). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:61.8
    Units:percent
    G2
    Weight percent of the combined -3-phi, -4-phi and -5-phi weight percents (gravel subclass 2). A value of -9999 is a NODATA value entered where samples were not physically collected. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:75.3
    Units:percent
    substr_nam
    Brief text description corresponding to the interpreted geologic substrate of the seabed that falls at the station location. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set.
    comment
    Provides addition pertinent information regarding the station. This information can include why a sample was not used in the interpretation. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey) Character set.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    In the substrate attribute, weight percents described in the domain value definitions may not add to 100 due to rounding of values. Also in the geo_substr attributes, the mean weight percents for the units, sand is divided into two composite grades: fine-grained sand (fgS; 0.062 to <0.25 mm) and coarse-grained sand (cgS; 0.25 to <2mm). Gravel is also divided into two composite grades: Gravel1 (G1; w to <8 mm) and Grave2(Gs; 8 to <64 mm). This G1 and G2 are not to be confused with the geologic substrate units G1 i_mfgS and G2 i_mfgS.
    In addition to the shapefile, there is an accompanying Excel spreadsheet (SIM3341_table4.xlsx). The spreadsheet has the original column headings as described in SIM 3341, table 5: http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3341. Additional information regarding abbreviations is at the top of the spreadsheet.
    That following information included here as column: column heading: description.
    Column A: USGS SBNMS Sta No.: Station number for samples collected during this project in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts
    Column B: Substrate unit symbol: Symbol of substrate shown on maps
    Column C: Substrate unit name: Combination of substrate unit symbol and abbreviation of substrate descriptive name (see column AV)
    Column D: Photos: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) seabed photographs at the station
    Column E: Video: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) video imagery at the station
    Column F: Sample: Collected (TRUE) or did not collect (FALSE) sediment sample at the station
    Column G: USGS-DBID: USGS sediment grain size analysis database identification; n.d., no data
    Column H: Longitude west, decimal degrees: Longitude west in decimal degrees
    Column I: Latitude north, decimal degrees: Latitude north in decimal degrees
    Column J: WHCMSC field activity (cruise) no.: USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center field activity (cruise) number. Example ANDR95036. ANDR is vessel name code (Peter W. Anderson), 95 is last two digits of year, and 036 is the 36th field activity of the year.
    Column K: Sample collection water depth, m: Water depth at which sample was taken, in meters
    Column L: Sample collection year: Year sediment sample was collected
    Column M: Sample collection date, DDD:HH:MM:SS GMT: Date expressed as Julian Day (DDD) and time as HOUR:MINUTES:SECONDS Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) at which sample was collected (GMT same as UTC, Universal Coordinated Time, and ZULU, military time)
    Column N: Quad: Quadrangle number in SBNMS region in which sample was collected
    Column O: Sampler used: Sediment sample collected by a USGS modified Van Veen (VV) grab sampler http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/seaboss.htm
    Column P: Sediment sample top, cm below seabed surface: Top of sediment sample is the seabed surface (0 cm)
    Column Q: Sediment sample bottom, cm below seabed surface: Bottom of sediment sample is 2 cm below the seabed surface
    Column R: Dry sediment sample mass, g: Mass of dry sediment used for grain-size analysis in grams
    Column S: Sand, wt percent: Weight percent of sand in sample
    Column T: Gravel, wt percent: Weight percent of gravel in sample
    Column U: Clay, wt percent: Weight percent of clay in sample
    Column V: Silt, wt percent: Weight percent of silt in sample
    Column W:Mud (clay+silt), wt percent: Weight percent of mud (combined clay and silt) in sample
    Column X: Median grain size, phi units: Median grain size of sample in phi units
    Column Y: Mean grain size, phi units: Mean grain size of sample in phi units
    Column Z: Standard deviation of grain sizes, phi units: Standard deviation of the distribution of phi grain size units in a sample, in phi units
    Column AA: 11-phi-size class (clay), wt percent: Weight percent of 11-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AB: 10-phi-size class (clay), wt percent: Weight percent of 10-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AC: 9-phi-size class (clay), wt percent: Weight percent of 9-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AD: 8-phi-size class (very fine silt), wt percent: Weight percent of 8-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AE: 7-phi-size class (fine silt), wt percent: Weight percent of 7-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AF: 6-phi-size class (medium silt), wt percent: Weight percent of 6-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AG: 5-phi-size class (coarse silt), wt percent: Weight percent of 5-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AH: 4-phi-size class (very fine sand), wt percent: Weight percent of 4-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AI: 3-phi-size class (fine sand), wt percent: Weight percent of 3-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AJ: fine-grained sand (fgS) (4 + 3 phi), wt percent: Weight percent of combined 3-phi- and 4-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AK: 2-phi-size class (medium sand), wt percent: Weight percentage of 2-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AL: 1-phi-size class (coarse sand), wt percent: Weight percent of 1-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AM: 0-phi-size class (very coarse sand), wt percent: Weight percent of 0-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AN: coarse-grained sand (cgS) (2 + 1 + 0 phi), wt percent: Weight percent of combined 2-phi-, 1-phi-, and 0-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AO: -1-phi-size class (granule), wt percent: Weight percent of -1-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AP: -2-phi-size class (pebble), wt percent: weight percent of -2-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AQ: Gravel 1 (G1) (-1 + -2 phi), wt percent: G subscript 1 weight percent of combined -1-phi- and -2-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AR: -3-phi-size class (pebble), wt percent: Weight percent of -3-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AS: -4-phi-size class (pebble), wt percent: Weight percent of -4-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AT: -5-phi-size class (pebble), wt percent: Weight percent of -5-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AU: Gravel 2 (G2) (-3 + -4 + -5 phi), wt percent: G subscript 2 weight percent of combined -3-phi-, -4-phi-, and -5-phi-size sediment in sample
    Column AV: Substrate unit name translation: Describes the mobility, texture, and layering of the sediment substrate
    Column AW: Comment: Explanatory notes for selected stations.
    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)
    • Page C. Valentine
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    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.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Page C. Valentine
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    (508) 548-8700 x2239 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    pvalentine@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This shapefile contains quadrangle 6 station locations, interpreted geologic substrate at each location, and description of sampling type (sediment sample, video, photograph). Station locations that have sediment samples include the sediment analyses data.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    SEABOSS (source 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey, Unknown, SEABOSS photographs and video of the sea floor.

    Type_of_Source_Media: film and digital photos
    Source_Contribution:
    The SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for rapid and effective collection of seabed images and sediment samples in coastal regions. The observations from video and still cameras and the sediment data are used to explore the nature of the seafloor and, in conjunction with high-resolution geophysical data, to make interpretive maps of sedimentary environments and validate the acoustic remote sensing data. The SEABOSS is a simple system that can be deployed from both small and large surface vessels and operates in water depths up to 200 m. It incorporates two video cameras, a still camera, a depth sensor, and a modified Van Veen sediment sampler. The elements of the SEABOSS system used on Stellwagen Bank are housed within a stainless steel framework that measures 1.2 x 1.2 meters and weighs approximately136 kilograms overall. The frame has a stabilizer fin that orients the system as it drifts over the seabed. The height of the camera above the seabed (76 cm; 30 in) initially was determined by viewing an object hanging from the SEABOSS below the video camera; when the object touched the seabed, the camera height was appropriate for still photography. Later in the project, the camera height was determined by viewing a pattern of laser beams on the seabed. Two parallel lasers are set 20 cm apart on the SEABOSS frame and project onto the seabed for scale measurements. All of the system's elements are powered from the surface vessel through a conducting cable. Video displays include station number, water depth (from the depth sensor), and date, time, and geographic position (provided by a shipboard navigation system). During deployment, the camera system hangs directly below the side of the ship, and the recorded navigation data closely approximates the position of the camera system near the seabed. The ship is oriented so that wind and waves will not cause it to drift over the conducting cable attached to the SEABOSS. The winch operator uses a video feed from the system to maintain the camera at the proper height above the seabed and to avoid obstacles. The scientist uses the video to decide when to take a grab sample of seabed sediment.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2012 (process 1 of 6)
    A subset of the published sediment sample analyses of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary was separated based on station locations falling within quadrangle 6. Additionally, stations where either video or bottom photographs that fell within quadrangle 6 were also extracted. These two datasets were combined into a single Excel 2003 spreadsheet. Additional columns of information were added to reflect whether or not the location marks a sediment sample location, a station that collected video, or a station that collected bottom photographs. Columns were also added to reflect the interpreted geologic substrate at the station location. Typically the SEABOSS system would be deployed to the sea floor and the ship would drift while video and photos were recorded. When sediment samples were collected, they were acquired at the end of the drift. Sediment sample locations are given as the position of the actual sediment sample. For stations where just video and/or photographs were acquired, the location marks the end of the station drift. This process step and all subsequent process steps were performed by the same person - VeeAnn A. Cross. Person who carried out this activity:
    VeeAnn A. Cross
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    (508) 548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 2012 (process 2 of 6)
    The Excel spreadsheet was edited so that the column headers would be compatible with Esri shapefile attribute headings. Additionally, numeric fields with null values (blanks) were set to -9999. This will prevent blank cell values from being converted to zeros when the data are converted to a shapefile. With those modifications complete, the Excel spreadsheet was converted to a comma-delimited text file. The original spreadsheet (not edited for use with ArcMap) is included in the zip file.
    Date: 2012 (process 3 of 6)
    The comma-delimited text file was added to ArcMap 9.3.1 as an event theme using Tools - Add XY Data. The X Field was set to longitude and the Y Field was set to latitude. The coordinate system was defined as a geographic coordinate system, NAD83. The event theme was then converted to a shapefile by right mouse clicking the event theme and exporting to a shapefile with a geographic, NAD83 coordinate system.
    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: 30-Jan-2019 (process 5 of 6)
    Fixed a broken link and added the DOI link. 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?
    Valentine, P., Blackwood, D., and Parolski, K., 2000, Seabed observation and sampling system: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-142-00, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Poppe, L.J., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2005, U.S. Geological Survey east-coast sediment analysis: Procedures, database, and GIS data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Blackwood, D.S., and Parolski, K.F., 2001, Seabed observation and sampling system: Sea Technology v. 42, no. 2, p.39-43.

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?
    These data were navigated with a differential global position system (DGPS); they are accurate to +/- 10 meters horizontally. During deployment, the camera system hangs directly below the side of the ship, and the recorded navigation data closely approximates the position of the camera system near the seabed. The ship is oriented so that wind and waves will not cause it to drift over the conducting cable attached to the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS).
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Depth was acquired using the ship fathometer until 1998. After 1998 depth was acquired using the depth sensor on the SEABOSS. Depths are accurate to +/- 1 meter.
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    All available grain-size data from quadrangle 6 in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region collected between 1993 and 2004 are included in this dataset. All stations used to derive the geologic substrate interpretation of quadrangle 6 are included in this dataset. There are 17 stations that indicate no video, photographs, or sediment sample were acquired. However, the comments attribute explains why these stations are included. Instances occurred where the grab sampler could not obtain a viable sample for complete sediment analysis, but the presence of cobble(s) in the sampler did give insight as to the geologic substrate. One station falling within quadrangle 6 was omitted (station 1090.1) due to the fact that it provided no relevant information on the seabed at the site.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    All of the sediment samples were processed in the same lab.

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 None.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Page C. Valentine
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Research Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    (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? SIM3341_stations_geology.zip containing SIM3341_stations_geology.shp and the shapefile components as well as FGDC metadata and the browse graphic SIM3341_stations.jpg. An Excel 2010 spreadsheet (SIM3341_table4.xlsx) containing the same information is also included in the zip file. Additionally, the ArcGIS 9.3.1 layer file SIM3341_stations_geology.lyr file is included.
  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: The WinZip (version 14.0) contains the shapefile, and Excel 2010 spreadsheet of the same information, and associated metadata. An ArcGIS 9.3.1 layer file is also included. in format Shapefile (version ArcGIS 9.3.1) Size: 0.3
      Network links: https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3341/data/SIM3341_stations_geology.zip
      Data format: The WinZip (version 14.0) contains the shapefile, and Excel 2010 spreadsheet of the same information, and associated metadata. An ArcGIS 9.3.1 layer file is also included. in format XLSX (version Excel 2010) Size: 0.2
      Network links: https://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3341/data/SIM3341_stations_geology.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 software capable of reading this format. The data are available for download in WinZip format.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 18-Mar-2024
Metadata author:
VeeAnn A. Cross
U.S. Geological Survey
Marine Geologist
384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA

(508) 548-8700 x2251 (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 person is no longer with USGS. (updated on 20240318)
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/sim/sim3341/SIM3341_stations_geologymeta.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Mon Mar 25 16:05:46 2024