Dataset description: Backscatter-Oregon OCS Floating Wind Farm Site

This Data Release contains data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) survey of the Oregon outer Continental shelf (OCS) Floating Wind Farm Site in 2014. The backscatter intensity data was collected along with bathymetry data by USGS during the period from August 20 to September 1, 2014, using a Reson 7111 multibeam echosounder. The mapping mission collected bathymetry data from about 163 m to 566 m depths on the Oregon outer continental shelf. The acquisition was funded by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Within the final imagery, brighter tones indicate higher backscatter intensity, and darker tones indicate lower backscatter intensity. The intensity represents a complex interaction between the acoustic pulse and the seafloor, as well as characteristics within the shallow subsurface, providing a general indication of seafloor texture and composition. Backscatter intensity depends on the acoustic source level, the frequency used to image the seafloor, the grazing angle, the composition and character of the seafloor, including grain size, water content, bulk density, and seafloor roughness, and some biological cover. Harder and rougher bottom types such as rocky outcrops or coarse sediment typically return stronger intensities (high backscatter, lighter tones), whereas softer bottom types such as fine sediment return weaker intensities (low backscatter, darker tones).

Version	1
Keywords	topography, multibeam sonar, sea-floor acoustic reflectivity, geology, marine geology, bathymetry
Data types	Multibeam
Format	TIFF;
Amount	6.8 MB

Contacts

Contact	Guy R Cochrane PCMSC_data@usgs.gov

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Location of materials and files

Public files	https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/file/get/56183ee4e4b0cdb063e3fdd9 https://doi.org/10.5066/F7V40S8V
Metadata	https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/metadata/pcmsc/DataReleases/CMGDS/DR_F7V40S8V/Backscatter_2014-607-FA_metadata.xml Outline - Questions and answers - Text - XML

Activities and equipment

Activity	Equipment
2014-607-FA	Reson 7111 The SeaBat 7111 produces bathymetry data suitable for the generation of high resolution hydrographic charts exceeding international standards in water depths from 3 to 1000m. Operating at 100kHz, the system forms 101, 201 high-density, equi-angle or 301 equi-distant beams to cover a total receive sector of 150¬∞. The system is pitch stabilized. The SeaBat 7111 transducer array is comprised of a cylindrical receive array and a linear transmitter array, mounted together on a support cradle that provides mounting points to the vessel. Lightweight and portable, the array can be installed temporarily over the side of a vessel of opportunity a first for a system in this frequency range.

Activity

Equipment

2014-607-FA

Reson 7111

The SeaBat 7111 produces bathymetry data suitable for the generation of high resolution hydrographic charts exceeding international standards in water depths from 3 to 1000m. Operating at 100kHz, the system forms 101, 201 high-density, equi-angle or 301 equi-distant beams to cover a total receive sector of 150¬∞. The system is pitch stabilized. The SeaBat 7111 transducer array is comprised of a cylindrical receive array and a linear transmitter array, mounted together on a support cradle that provides mounting points to the vessel. Lightweight and portable, the array can be installed temporarily over the side of a vessel of opportunity a first for a system in this frequency range.