ECSTDB2011.SHP: U.S. Geological Survey East Coast Sediment Texture Database (2011)

Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should 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?
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• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
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• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Geological Survey, 2011, ECSTDB2011.SHP: U.S. Geological Survey East Coast Sediment Texture Database (2011): Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.zip>
   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/htmldocs/datacatalog.htm>

   This is part of the following larger work.

   Poppe, L.J., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2005, USGS East-Coast Sediment Analysis: Procedures, Database, and GIS Data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -170.520000

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: 123.556830

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 69.460900

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: -16.232067

3. What does it look like?

   <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.gif> (GIF)

   Location of USGS East Coast surficial sediment samples (ecstdb2011) displayed on world map

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 1955

   Ending_Date: Jan-2011

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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 (26080)

   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 D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   ecstdb2011

   Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: ESRI)

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   GROUP

   Number assigned to data based on source. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   1	Samples taken before start of the joint USGS/WHOI project.
   2	USGS/WHOI Atlantic Continental Margin Program stations
   3	Samples analyzed by the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sediment Laboratory

   DB_ID

   Unique identification number generated in the sedimentation laboratory of the USGS's Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. For samples analyzed after 1980 this identifier consists of 2 characters and 3 numerics (e.g. AS114). For samples analyzed prior to 1980, this identifier consists of 4 numerics possibly followed by as many as 2 characters. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   FIELD_NO

   Sample name or number as assigned in the field by the Chief Scientist (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   PROJECT

   Name of project or project number under which samples were taken or data generated; sometimes project name indicates a more specific area (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   CRUISE_ID

   Name or number of cruise on which sample collected. Historically cruise identifiers were a combination of ship name, year of cruise and cruise leg. In more recent years, cruise identifier is a sequential serial number assigned to field activities within a specific year. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   CONTACT

   Name of Principal Investigator or Chief Scientist responsible for data collection (usually first initial and last name) when available. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   AREA

   General geographic area of data collection. Name is general enough to easily locate area on a state map. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   LATITUDE

   Latitude coordinate, in decimal-degrees, of sample location. South latitude recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-16.2320670
   Maximum:	69.4609
   Units:	signed decimal degrees
   Resolution:	.00000001

   LONGITUDE

   Longitude coordinate, in decimal degrees, of sample location. West longitude is recorded as negative values. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-170.52
   Maximum:	123.55683
   Units:	signed decimal degrees
   Resolution:	.00000001

   DEPTH_M

   Measured depth of water overlying sediment at sample time, not corrected for tides, in meters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	6945
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	.01

   T_DEPTH

   Top depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	115049
   Units:	centimeters
   Resolution:	1

   B_DEPTH

   Bottom depth of the sample below the sediment-water interface, in centimeters. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	115054
   Units:	centimeters
   Resolution:	1

   DEVICE

   Device used to collect the sample. A blank indicates unknown device. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   1 METER PLANKTON NET
   1-METER DREDGE
   3/4 METER PLANKTON NET
   35MM STEREO CAMERA+DRED
   ANCHOR DREDGE
   ANCHOR FLUKES
   ANCHOR SAMPLE
   BLAKE TRAWL
   BOOMERANG CORER
   BOT DRIFTER SALINOMETER
   BOTTOM DRIFTER
   BOTTOM DRIFTER BUG
   BOTTOM SKIMMER
   BOX CORE
   BOX SAMPLER
   CAM GRAB W/O CAM+PLANK T
   CAMERA SLED
   CAMPBELL GRAB W/ CAMERA
   CAMPBELL GRAB W/O CAMERA
   CHAIN BAG
   CHAIN BAG DREDGE
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE DREDGE
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE DREDGE
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE
   CHAIN BAG+PIPE DREDGE
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE
   CHAIN BAG+SM PIPE DREDGE
   CHAIN DREDGE
   CORING TUBE IN MECH ARM
   D-L SNAPPER
   D-L SNAPPER + DREDGE
   D-L SNAPPER + GRAV COR
   DIETZ-LAFOND
   DIETZ-LAFOND GRAB
   DIETZ-LAFOND SNAPPER
   DIGBY DREDGE
   DIGBY DREDGE W/ CNVS BAG
   DRAG DREDGE
   DREDGE
   Drilled Sample
   DRILLED SAMPLE
   EDGERTON CAMERA
   GOS ANCHOR CHAIN
   GRAB SAMPLER
   GRAPPLING HOOK
   GRAVITY CORER
   HAND SAMPLE
   Hand Sample
   HYDROSTATIC CORE
   HYDROSTATIC CORER
   Hydrostatic CORER
   IKU GRAB
   JAPANESE DREDGE
   M-VV GRAB + D-LF SNAPPER
   M-VV GRAB + GRAVITY CORE	modified Van Veen grab sampler and gravity corer
   MECH ARM + CORE DRILL
   MECH ARM W/ CORER
   MECH ARM W/ PRY BAR
   MECHANICAL ARM
   MINIATURE VAN VEEN
   MINIATURE VAN VEEN W/O C.
   MODIFIED PIERCE DREDGE
   NA
   NATURALIST DREDGE
   NISKIN SAMPLER
   OTHER
   PAUL CORER
   PIPE DREDGE
   PIPE DREDGE AND D-L SNAP
   PIPE DREDGE, 12 INCH
   PISTON CORER
   PONAR SAMPLER
   PULSE AUGER
   PUSH CORER
   Pulse Auger
   RAKED INTO BASKET W/ ARM
   RING NET
   ROCKER DREDGE
   ROTARY CORER
   ROTOSONIC CORER
   SALINOMETER, VANDORN BOTS
   SCALLOP DREDGE
   SCOOP FISH
   SEDIMENT TRAP
   SHIPEK GRAB
   SMALL VAN VEEN	small Van Veen grab sampler
   SMITH-MAC+MIN W, CAMERA
   SMITH-MACINTYRE GRAB	Smith-MacIntyre grab sampler
   SMITH-MACINTYRE W/ CAMERA
   SMITH-MACINTYRE W/O CAMERA
   SMITH/MAC AND NISKIN SPL
   SUBMERSIBLE SAMPLE
   Submersible Sample
   TRAWL
   TRIGGER CORE
   UNKNOWN
   VAN VEEN AND CORE
   VAN VEEN GRAB	sample collected with Van Veen grab sampler
   Van Veen Grab	sample collected with Van Veen grab sampler
   VIBRA CORE
   VISUAL OBSERVATION
   VV GRAB + D-L SNAPPER
   WATER PUMP ONLY
   BIG SEABOSS GRAB
   CRAIB CORER
   DIVER GRABS
   DIVER PUSH CORE
   DIVER, HAND
   DIVERS, BY HAND
   DRILL CORE
   DRILLED CORE
   GRAB
   GRAVITY CORE
   HAND
   MID-SIZED SEABOSS GRAB
   MINI SEABOSS
   MINI-SEABOSS
   PISTON CORE
   PISTON SAMPLER (HYDRAULIC)
   PONAR GRAB
   ROTOSONIC CORE
   SMALL SEABOSS GRAB
   SUBMERSIBLE ARM GRAB
   TEFLON SHOVEL
   TROWEL
   VIBRACORE
   VIBRACORER
   WHOI GIANT GRAVITY CORER

   Character string of width 254

   MONTH_COLL

   Calendar month sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	12
   Units:	month of year
   Resolution:	1

   DAY_COLL

   Calendar day sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	31
   Units:	day of month
   Resolution:	1

   YEAR_COLL

   Calendar year sample collected. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1955
   Maximum:	2010
   Units:	year
   Resolution:	1

   MONTH_ANAL

   Calendar month sample analyzed. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	12
   Units:	month of year
   Resolution:	1

   DAY_ANAL

   Calendar day sample analyzed. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	31
   Units:	day of month
   Resolution:	1

   YEAR_ANAL

   Calendar year sample analyzed. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1969
   Maximum:	2011
   Units:	year
   Resolution:	1

   WEIGHT

   Weight of dry sample in grams. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.01
   Maximum:	9086.1
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	.0001

   GRAVEL_PCT

   Gravel content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters greater than 2 mm; -1 Phi and larger). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   SAND_PCT

   Sand content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.0625 mm; 0 Phi through 4 Phi). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	102
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   SILT_PCT

   Silt content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.0625 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm; 5 Phi through 8 Phi, inclusive). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   CLAY_PCT

   Clay content in percent dry weight of the sample (particles with nominal diameters less than 0.004 mm; 9 Phi and smaller). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	94.71
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   CLASSIFICA

   Sediment Classification - Sediment description based on a rigorous definition, usually Shepard (1954) as modified by Schlee (1973) and Poppe and others ( 2005). (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   BEDROCK	Solid rock.
   BOULDERS	Rocks with diameters greater then 256 mm.
   CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.004 mm.
   CLAYEY SAND	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significant clay.
   CLAYEY SILT	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant clay.
   GRAVEL	Sediment whose main phase is >2 mm.
   GRAVELLY SEDIMENT	Sediment whose main phase is >2 mm, but with significant other sediment.
   SAND	Sediment whose main phase is less than 2 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.062 mm.
   SAND SILT CLAY	Sediment with significant (over 20 percent) sand, silt, and clay.
   SANDY CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant sand.
   SANDY SILT	Sediment whose main phase is silt, but with significant sand.
   SILT	Sediment whose main phase is less than 0.062 mm, but greater than or equal to 0.004 mm.
   SILTY CLAY	Sediment whose main phase is clay, but with significant silt.
   SILTY SAND	Sediment whose main phase in sand, but with significant silt.

   Character string of width 19.

   MEDIAN

   Middle point in the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.35
   Maximum:	10.74
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MEAN

   Average value in the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-5.93
   Maximum:	10.62
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   STDEV

   Standard deviation (root mean square of the deviations) of the grain size distribution in phi units (sorting). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	7.16
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   SKEWNESS

   Skewness (deviation from symmetrical form) of the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. Calculated values less than -50 and greater than 50 have been set to -9999 as they are erroneous. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-14.78
   Maximum:	37.19
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   KURTOSIS

   Kurtosis (degree of curvature near the mode) of the grain size distribution in phi units. No data value -9999. Calculated values less than -50 and greater than 50 were set to -9999 as they are erroneous. (Source: USGS Eastcoast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-49.56
   Maximum:	49.98
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE1CLASS

   Mode 1 class - First mode (particle size that occurs the most number of times) in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside this range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.500
   Maximum:	10.600

   MODE1FREQ

   Mode 1 strength - Modal strength of the first mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE2CLASS

   Mode 2 class - Second mode in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside this range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-7.50
   Maximum:	13.40
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE2FREQ

   Mode 2 strength - Modal strength of the second mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	60.50
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE3CLASS

   Mode 3 class - Third mode in phi units. Although values are reported from -5 phi to 11 phi, older datasets recorded values beyond this range and modes can occur outside the range. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-6.50
   Maximum:	15.40
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	.01

   MODE3FREQ

   Mode 3 strength - Modal strength of the third mode in percent. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	18.15
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   NMODES

   Number of modes. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	5
   Units:	integer count
   Resolution:	1

   PHIM5

   -5 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -5 Phi fraction and larger (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 32 mm); very coarse pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM4

   -4 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -4 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 16 mm, but less than 32 mm); coarse pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM3

   -3 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -3 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 8 mm, but less than 16 mm); medium pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	100.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM2

   -2 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -2 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 4 mm, but less than 8 mm); fine pebbles. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	64.43
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHIM1

   -1 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the -1 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 2 mm, but less than 4 mm); very fine pebbles (granules). No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	97.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_0

   0 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 0 Phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to 1 mm, but less than 2 mm); very coarse sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	86.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_1

   1 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 1 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, but less than 1 mm); coarse sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	92.67
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_2

   2 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 2 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.25 mm, but less than 0.5 mm); medium sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	96.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_3

   3 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 3 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.125 mm, but less than 0.25 mm); fine sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	95.92
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_4

   4 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 4 Phi fraction (nominal diameters of particles greater than or equal to .0625 mm, but less than 0.125 mm); very fine sand. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	92.75
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_5

   5 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 5 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.031 mm, but less than 0.0625 mm); coarse silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	80.51
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_6

   6 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 6 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.016 mm, but less than 0.031 mm); medium silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	68.32
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_7

   7 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 7 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.008 mm, but less than 0.016 mm); fine silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	47.57
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_8

   8 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 8 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.004 mm, but less than 0.008 mm); very fine silt. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	47.90
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_9

   9 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 9 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.002 mm, but less than 0.004 mm); coarse clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	45.55
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_10

   10 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 10 Phi fraction (nominal diameter of particles greater than or equal to 0.001 mm, but less than 0.002 mm); medium clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	59.53
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   PHI_11

   11 Phi - Weight percent of the sample in the 11 Phi fraction and smaller (nominal diameter of particles less than 0.001 mm); fine clay. No data value -9999. (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.00
   Maximum:	87.3
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	.01

   ANALYST

   Name (usually first initial and last name) of person who performed the grain size or physical properties analysis (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   ANAL_COMM

   Comments on analyses - Any further information about sediment analysis for all or specific parameters in this table (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   LITHOLOGY

   General lithologic description of sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   COMMENTS

   Comments on sample collection or lithology (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character string of width 254.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Location and sediment analysis results for approximately 26,000 samples collected and analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center through January 2011. We caution users of this data that in a few samples from some of the older data (from groups 1 and 2) fraction weights and phi weight percents do not add up to 100 +/- 2 percent. This is noted for each affected sample in the Comments section.

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Geological Survey

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   The U.S. Geological Survey must be referenced as the originator of the dataset in any future products or research derived from these data.

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Larry Poppe
   U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   USA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)
   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
   lpoppe@usgs.gov
   

Why was the data set created?

This ArcGIS shapefile contains the locations of marine sediment samples collected and analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center starting in 1955 thru January 2011. Distribution of this dataset allows the user the ability to visualize the information in a Geographic Information System.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   ecstdb2011.xls (source 1 of 1)

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

   Source_Contribution:

   This Excel spreadsheet contains the accumulated results of the surficial sediment analysis collected and processed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) through January 2011. Data collected from December 2004 through January 2011 were appended to the previously published ecstdb2005.xls spreadsheet. This file has been updated as errors in latitudes and longitudes and other information have been corrected for over 100 samples. This combined spreadsheet was the source of the data converted to the ESRI shapefile.

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 2011 (process 1 of 2)

   Surficial sediment data from December 2004 through January 2011 were recorded in an Excel (version 2003) spreadsheet. This spreadsheet was appended to ecstdb2005.xls. Errors found in the ecstdb2005.xls data were corrected for approximately 100 samples, as well as some errors found in the more recently completed analyses. The Excel file was edited and a comma-delimited text file was generated. The Excel file was imported into ArcMap 9.2 to create a table with the Add XY Data tool.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey
   c/o Katherine McMullen
   Field and Laboratory Technician
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   USA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2277 (voice)
   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
   kmcmullen@usgs.gov
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • ecstdb06.xls
   • ecstdb2005.xls

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • Sheet1$ Events
   • ecstdb2011.txt

   Date: 2011 (process 2 of 2)

   The table was then converted to an ArcGIS shapefile (Data, Export Data) to be used as a GIS data layer using ArcMap 9.2.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey
   c/o Katherine McMullen
   Field and Laboratory Technician
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   USA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2277 (voice)
   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
   kmcmullen@usgs.gov
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • Sheet1$ Events

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • ecstdb2011.shp

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

   Poppe, L.J., Eliason, A.H., and Hastings, M.E., 2004, A Visual Basic program to generate sediment grain-size statistics and to extrapolate particle distributions: Computers and Geosciences v. 30, no. 7, p. 791-795.

   Online Links:

   • <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html>

   Poppe, L.J., Eliason, A.H., and Hastings, M.E., 2003, A Visual Basic program to classify sediments based on gravel-sand-silt-clay ratios: Computers and Geosciences v. 29, no. 6, p. 805-809.

   Online Links:

   • <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html>

   Poppe, L.J., and Eliason, A.H., 2008, A Visual Basic program to plot sediment grain-size data on ternary diagrams: Computers and Geosciences v. 34, p. 561-565.

   Online Links:

   • <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/software/sediment-software.html>

   Hathaway, J.C., Data file - Continental Margin Program, Atlantic coast of the United States: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Reference No. 71-15.

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?

   Positional accuracy varies due to different systems, datums, and navigational equipment used over the years.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Positional accuracy varies due to different systems, datums, and navigational equipment used over the years. This information comes from the scientist and is sometimes incomplete.

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   This dataset is complete inasmuch as it contains all the samples processed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) Sediment Laboratory through January 2011.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   No additional checks for topological consistency were performed on this data.

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.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 3)
   Larry Poppe
   U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   USA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)
   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
   lpoppe@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?

   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:	A zip file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the WinZip. in format Shapefile (version ArcGIS 9.2) ESRI Shapefile Size: 9 MB
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.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 have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcExplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

---

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 3)
   Larry Poppe
   U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   USA
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2314 (voice)
   (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
   lpoppe@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?

   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:	A zip file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the WinZip. in format Microsoft Excel (version 2003) Microsoft Excel spreadsheet Size: 9 MB
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.zip> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.xls>

   • 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 have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcExplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

---

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 3 of 3)
   Larry Poppe
   U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543
   USA
   

   508-548-8700 x2314 (voice)
   508-457-2310 (FAX)
   lpoppe@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?

   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:	A zip file containing the geospatial data, metadata describing the dataset, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. These data are available as a shapefile, an Excel 2003 spreadsheet, and a comma-delimited text file--all within the WinZip. in format ASCII Comma delimited text file Size: 9 MB
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.zip> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/data/surficial_sediments/ecstdb2011.txt>

   • 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 have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, ArcExplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com. The user must have software capable of uncompressing archived zip files, such as WinZip or Pkware. These data are also available in Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file. These data are also available as a generic ASCII formatted data file. The user must have a software program capable of reading the comma-delimited data file.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 06-Jun-2011

Metadata author:

Katherine McMullen
U.S. Geological Survey
Field and Laboratory Technician
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
USA

(508) 548-8700 x2277 (voice)
(508) 457-2310 (FAX)
kmcmullen@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:

• <http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html>