# Contours--Offshore Monterey, California

#### Frequently anticipated questions:

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

### What does this data set describe?

Title: Contours--Offshore Monterey, California
Abstract:
This part of DS 781 presents bathymetric contours for several seafloor maps of the Offshore of Monterey map area, California. This metadata file refers to the data included in "Contours_OffshoreMonterey.zip," which is accessible from https://doi.org/10.5066/F70Z71C8. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Johnson, S.Y., Dartnell, P., Hartwell, S.R., Cochrane, G.R., Golden, N.E., Watt, J.T., Davenport, C.W., Kvitek, R.G., Erdey, M.D., Krigsman, L.M., Sliter, R.W., and Maier, K.L. (S.Y. Johnson and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2016, California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Monterey, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1110, pamphlet 44 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161110.
Bathymetric contours of the Offshore of Monterey map area, California, were generated from bathymetry data collected by California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), as well as from bathymetric lidar data collected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Center of Expertise (JALBTCX). Mapping was completed between 1998 and 2012 using a combination of 30-kHz Simrad EM-300 and 200-kHz/400-kHz Reson 7125 multibeam echosounders, as well as 234-kHz and 468-kHz SEA SWATHplus bathymetric sidescan-sonar systems. Bathymetric lidar mapping was completed between 2009 and 2010 for the California Coastal Mapping Project (CCMP). The mapping missions collected bathymetry data from about the 10-m isobath to beyond the 3-nautical-mile limit of California's State Waters.
Bathymetric contours were generated separately from the modified 2-m and 5-m bathymetric surfaces then merged to one final contour dataset. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m. The original surface was smoothed using the Focal Mean tool in ArcGIS and a circular neighborhood with a radius of 20 to 30 m (depending on the area). The contours were generated from this smoothed surface using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Contour tool. The most continuous contour segments were preserved; smaller segments and isolated island polygons were excluded from the final output.
Supplemental_Information:
For additional information CSUMB on bathymetry data online visit http://seafloor.otterlabs.org and for MBARI data see http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/bathymetry/relief.html.

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Golden, Nadine, 2016, Contours--Offshore Monterey, California: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   - https://doi.org/10.3133/ds781
   - https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/data/csmp/OffshoreMonterey/data_catalog_OffshoreMonterey.html

   This is part of the following larger work.

   Golden, Nadine E., 2015, California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog: Data Series DS 781, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   - https://doi.org/10.3133/ds781

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.06
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -121.79
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.84
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.68
3. What does it look like?
   https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/56cf5fc5e4b015c306ed183c?name=Contours_OffshoreMonterey.jpg&allowOpen=true (JPEG)
     Bathymetric contours offshore of Monterey.
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
   Beginning_Date: 1998
   Ending_Date: 2014
   Currentness_Reference:
     ground condition
5. What is the general form of this data set?
   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Vector shapefile
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):
      - String (151)
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 10
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -123.00000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.00000
      False_Easting: 500000.0
      False_Northing: 0.00
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.01
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.01
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is WGS84.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.00.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
   Contours_OffshoreMonterey.shp
     The shapefile attributes include FID - Internal Feature Number, SHAPE - feature geometry, ID - feature ID, and CONTOUR - contour depth value. The shapefile can be added to any ESRI ArcMap project. (Source: ESRI)
     FID
       Internal feature number. (Source: Esri) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
     Shape
       Feature geometry (Source: Esri) Polyline
     ID
       Unique identifier for each contour line. Value of 0 means the line segment has been generated during the smoothing process. (Source: ESRI)

       Range of values
       Minimum: | 98
       Maximum: | 674
       Units: | Double

     Contour
       Contours are lines that connect points of equal depth based on the bathymetry grid. The contour values indicate the depth value the line represents. This makes it easier to identifier features on the seafloor. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m, then the contours were clipped to the boundary of the map area. Values are negative to indicate depth below sea level. (Source: USGS)

       Range of values
       Minimum: | -1600
       Maximum: | -10
       Units: | Integer values -10 to -1600 representing depth intervals as described above

     Shape_Length
       Length of feature in internal units. (Source: Esri) Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

### Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   - Nadine Golden
2. Who also contributed to the data set?
3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
   Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
   2885 Mission Street
   Santa Cruz, CA
   US

   831-427-4747 (voice)
   pcmsc_data@usgs.gov

### Why was the data set created?

> These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. These data can be used with geographic information systems or other software to identify bathymetric features. These data are not intended to be used for navigation.

### 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: 2006 (process 1 of 9)
     During the CSUMB mapping missions, an Applanix POS MV (Position and Orientation System for Marine Vessels) was used to accurately position the vessels during data collection, and it also accounted for vessel motion such as heave, pitch, and roll (position accuracy, +/-2 m; pitch, roll, and heading accuracy, +/-0.02 percent; heave accuracy, +/-5 percent, or 5 cm). To account for tidal-cycle fluctuations, KGPS data (GPS data with real-time kinematic corrections) was used; in addition, sound-velocity profiles were collected with an Applied Microsystems (AM) SVPlus sound velocimeter. Soundings were corrected for vessel motion using the Applanix POS MV data, for variations in water-column sound velocity using the AM SVPlus data, and for variations in water height (tides) using vertical-position data from the KGPS receivers. Finally, the soundings were converted into 2-m-resolution bathymetric-surface-model grids. Person who carried out this activity:
     Carrie Bretz
     Seafloor Mapping Lab, California State University Monterey Bay
     Projects Manager, GIS & Metadata Supervisor
     100 Campus Center, Bldg 13
     Seaside, CA
     USA

     831.582.4197 (voice)
     carrie_bretz@csumb.edu
   Date: 2014 (process 2 of 9)
     During the MBARI mapping mission an Applied Analytic POS MV (Position and Orientation System for Marine Vessels) was used to accurately position the vessel and account for vessel motion with navigational input from a kinematic GPS system. Soundings were corrected for variations in water-column sound velocity using data from a SeaBird CTD and Sippican T5 expendable bathythermographs. The USGS downloaded the original MBARI survey line files from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) on-line bathymetry server (http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/bathymetry/relief.html, 2014). Using MB-Systems, depth values were extracted from the survey line files and exported as one overall XYZ file. The XYZ file was gridded at 5-m spatial resolution in Fledermaus software (QPS), converted to an ASCIIRaster file, and imported into a geographic information system (GIS). The grid was clipped to the Offshore of Monterey map boundary. Person who carried out this activity:
     Pete Dartnell
     U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
     Physical Scientist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA
     USA

     (831) 460-7415 (voice)
     pdartnell@usgs.gov
   Date: 2014 (process 3 of 9)
     Nearshore acoustic and lidar bathymetric data within California State Waters were merged together by Dewberry as part of the 2013 NOAA Coastal California TopoBathy Merge Project (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013). Merged bathymetry data within the Offshore of Monterey map area were downloaded from this data set and re-sampled to 2-m spatial resolution. The MBARI 5-m bathymetric surface-model-grid was also clipped to the Offshore of Monterey map boundary. Person who carried out this activity:
     Pete Dartnell
     U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
     Physical Scientist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA
     USA

     (831) 460-7415 (voice)
     pdartnell@usgs.gov
   Date: 2014 (process 4 of 9)
     Bathymetric contours were generated separately from the modified 2-m and 5-m bathymetric surface then merged to one final contour dataset. 10-m intervals were generated in water depths shallower than 100 m, at 50-m intervals from 100 to 200 m, and at 200-m intervals in water depths deeper than 200 m. The original surface was smoothed using the Focal Mean tool in ArcGIS and a circular neighborhood with a radius of 20 to 30 m (depending on the area). The contours were generated from this smoothed surface using the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Contour tool. The most continuous contour segments were preserved; smaller segments and isolated island polygons were excluded from the final output. Person who carried out this activity:
     Pete Dartnell
     U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
     Physical Scientist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA
     USA

     (831) 460-7415 (voice)
     pdartnell@usgs.gov
   Date: 05-Oct-2017 (process 5 of 9)
     Keywords section of metadata optimized for discovery in USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Data Catalog. Person who carried out this activity:
     U.S. Geological Survey
     Attn: Alan O. Allwardt
     Contractor -- Information Specialist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA

     831-460-7551 (voice)
     831-427-4748 (FAX)
     aallwardt@usgs.gov
   Date: 26-Apr-2018 (process 6 of 9)
     Added keywords from Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) to metadata. Person who carried out this activity:
     U.S. Geological Survey
     Attn: Alan O. Allwardt
     Contractor -- Information Specialist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA

     831-460-7551 (voice)
     831-427-4748 (FAX)
     aallwardt@usgs.gov
   Date: 19-Oct-2020 (process 7 of 9)
     Edited metadata to add keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. No data were changed. 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: 14-Oct-2021 (process 8 of 9)
     Performed minor edits to the metadata to correct typos. No data were changed Person who carried out this activity:
     U.S. Geological Survey
     Attn: Susan A. Cochran
     Geologist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA

     831-460-7545 (voice)
     scochran@usgs.gov
   Date: 19-May-2022 (process 9 of 9)
     Edits were made to bring the metadata up to current PCMSC standards including standardizing authors' names, adding a doi# link, correcting typos, refining keywords, and using current access and distribution liability statements. Point of Contact and Metadata Contact information sections were changed to static PCMSC contact information. No data were changed. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata bundled within a download file. Users are advised to compare the metadata date of this file to any similar file to ensure they are using the most recent version. Person who carried out this activity:
     U.S. Geological Survey
     Attn: Susan A. Cochran
     Geologist
     2885 Mission Street
     Santa Cruz, CA

     831-460-7545 (voice)
     scochran@usgs.gov
3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
   Johnson, S.Y., Dartnell, P., Hartwell, S.R., Cochrane, G.R., Golden, N.E., Watt, J.T., Davenport, C.W., Kvitek, R.G., Erdey, M.D., Krisgman, L.M., Sliter, R.W., and Maier, K.L., 2016, California State Waters Map Series--Offshore of Monterey, California: Open-File Report 2016-1110, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

   Online Links:

   - https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161110

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   Not applicable for raster data from which these contours were created.
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   Estimated to be no less than 2 m, owing to water depth and total propagated uncertainties of the mapping systems, which include sonar system, position and motion compensation system, and navigation, as well as data processing that includes sounding cleaning, gridding, and datum transformations.
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   Estimated to be no less than 20 cm, owing to water depth and total propagated uncertainties of the mapping systems, which include sonar system, position and motion compensation system, and navigation, as well as data processing that includes sounding cleaning, gridding, and datum transformations.
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   Complete
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   Unspecified

### 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:
> > USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain. Acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey and California State University, Monterey Bay, Seafloor Mapping Lab in products derived from these data. Share data products developed using these data with the U.S. Geological Survey. This information is not intended for navigational purposes. Read and fully comprehend the metadata prior to data use. Uses of these data should not violate the spatial resolution of the data. Where these data are used in combination with other data of different resolution, the resolution of the combined output will be limited by the lowest resolution of all the data. This database has been approved for release and publication by the Director of the USGS. Although this database has been subjected to rigorous review and is substantially complete, the USGS reserves the right to revise the data pursuant to further analysis and review. Furthermore, it is released on condition that neither the USGS nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from its authorized or unauthorized use. Although this Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata file is intended to document these data in nonproprietary form, as well as in ArcInfo format, this metadata file may include some ArcInfo-specific terminology.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   U.S. Geological Survey
   345 Middlefield Rd
   Menlo Park, CA
   USA

   (650) 329-4309 (voice)
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   > These databases, identified as bathymetric contours of the Offshore of Monterey map area, California have been approved for release and publication by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Although these databases have been subjected to rigorous review and are substantially complete, the USGS reserves the right to revise the data pursuant to further analysis and review. Furthermore, it is released on condition that neither the USGS nor the United States Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from its authorized or unauthorized use. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The USGS or the U.S. Government shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. These data are not intended for navigational use.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   - Availability in digital form:

     Data format: | The .zip file for a shapefile includes the .aux, .dbf, .shp, .shx, .sbx, and .sbn files, as well as FGDC-compliant metadata for the Contours data layer of Offshore of Monterey, California. in format shapefile (version ArcMap (version 10.0, ESRI , 2011)) Point, line, and polygon features are in shapefile format and are projected in UTM Zone 10 coordinates, with datum WGS84. Size: 2.1
     Network links: | https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/56d0df0ae4b015c306ee9cb0 https://doi.org/10.5066/F70Z71C8 https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/

   - Cost to order the data: none

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   > The downloadable data file has been compressed with the "zip" command and can be unzipped with Winzip (or other tool) on Windows systems. To utilize these data, the user must have software capable of uncompressing the WinZip file and importing and viewing an Esri ArcMap TIFF. Users should download the ArcGIS Project File, OffshoreMontereyGIS.mxd.zip, a compressed (with the "zip" command) version of the ArcMap document (.mxd) that has all the data layers loaded in the table of contents for "Offshore of Monterey map area" and has all the data symbolized as on the data release map sheets. Download and save this ArcGIS project file, including all data layers, to the directory the user has created for this GIS.

### Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
  Last modified: 19-May-2022
Metadata author:
  U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
  Attn: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator
  2885 Mission Street
  Santa Cruz, CA
  US

  831-427-4747 (voice)
  pcmsc_data@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
  Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Generated by `mp` version 2.9.52 on Fri May 20 14:58:48 2022