As part of the proposed regional Coastal Dynamics Program to be conducted jointly with the State Geological Surveys of Alabama and Mississippi, the USGS conducted a pilot survey in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound. During this test cruise we wanted to determine if we could obtain usable acoustic profiles and records in these two shallow water environments. Both the bay and sound have very shallow water depths and extensive areas of fine-grained sediments, which contain interstitial gas.
Location
Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound, Alabama, Mississippi, United States, Gulf of Mexico, North America, North Atlantic;
Summary
The following seismic systems were tested during the first day of the cruise: (1) ORE GeoPulse System; (2) Data Sonics Bubble Pulser System; (3) ORE 3.5 kHz System; and (4) Klein Sidescan Sonar System. However, only the ORE GeoPulse and 3.5 kHz Systems were used subsequently along the survey lines. Sediment samples of the bottom were collected by Richard Hummell and Steven Parker using a bucket dredge. These samples were collected at opportune times when the ship was not underway. Originally scheduled for 4 days, the cruise was shortened to 3 days due to poor weather. 2 May: field testing various seismic systems; 9 bottom samples collected. 3 May: running survey lines using GeoPulse and 3.5 kHz sub-bottom systems; 6 bottom samples collected. 4 May: GeoPulse survey line only; 12 bottom samples collected. (Total: 4 tracklines, 27 bucket dredge grabs.)
Comments
Original Center People field contained: Ronald Circe (Scientist and Cruise Curator), Ken Parolski (Electronics Technician).
Project = Common Services, Common Services
