slopeimage.tif: GeoTIFF image of sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region.

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Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
slopeimage.tif: GeoTIFF image of sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region.
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. This raster data set was then converted to a GeoTIFF image.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Valentine, Page C. , 2005, slopeimage.tif: GeoTIFF image of sea floor slope analysis for the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region.: 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, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

  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?

    <http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2005/2840/data/slope/slopeimage/slopeimage-thumb.gif> (GIF)
    Thumbnail image showing overview of the change in slope in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region.
    http//pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2005/2840/data/slope/slopeimage/slopeimage-browse.gif (GIF)
    Image showing overview of the change in slope in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary region.

  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: GeoTIFF image of an ESRI grid

  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 Pixel

    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)

  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 02543-1598
    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?

    (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.

    (process 2 of 2)
    ESRI grid was converted to a GeoTIFF.

  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 observations, including topology?

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 02543-1598
    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?

    Although these data have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey as to the accuracy of the data. 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?

  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: 26-Sep-2005
Last Reviewed: 22-Aug-2005
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
c/o Page C. Valentine
Research Geologist
U.S. Geological Survey
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
USA

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

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.8.6 on Mon Sep 26 18:02:22 2005