Summary Information for Field Activity 1975-011-FA

Area of Operations: Rhode Island Sound, Rhode Island, Westport Harbor, Vineyard Sound, Cuttyhunk Island, Nomans Land, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States, North America, North Atlantic

Dates: June 19, 1975 to June 30, 1975

Chief scientist: Chuck O'Hara

Objectives: The cooperative program is designed to provide detailed geological information and an assessment of mineral resources pertaining to that part of the continental shelf beneath the coastal waters of Massachusetts. In anticipation of the development of offshore natural resources of the Commonwealth, the major focus of the research effort is directed toward the occurrance, nature and distribution of these deposits as well as establishment of baseline data for evaluation of environmental impact of exploitation. The sub-bottom profiling surveys provide the foundation for a planned program of vibracoring and bottom sampling of geological features. Laboratory analysis of the vibracore and bottom samples will evaluate the economic importance of the deposits and, coupled with the seismic data, provide information on the geology and geologic history of the area.

Type of Activity: Seismic profiling;

Information to be derived:

Summary: Traverses: 33 (27 in a NW-SE orientation with a line spacing of 1 nm, 6 in a SW-NE orientation with a line spacing of approximately 3 nm); Seismic data: 358 nm (663 km) and penetration of up to 125 meters below the bottom were achieved.

Contact: Chuck O'Hara ()

InfoBank: uses the identifier A-6-75-MA. Visit this site for more information.

Related Links:

- Download 75011.kml to view this field activity in Google Earth

Platform Info:

ASTERIAS

Publications resulting from these data

McMullen, K.Y., Poppe, L.J., Twomey, E.R., Danforth, W.W., Haupt, T.A., and Crocker, J.M.,2007, Sidescan-sonar imagery, multibeam bathymetry, and surficial geologic interpretations of the sea floor in Rhode Island Sound, off Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1150, DVD-ROM. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1150/)

McMullen, K.Y., Poppe, L.J., and Soderberg, N.K.,2009, Digital seismic-reflection data from eastern Rhode Island Sound and vicinity, 1975-1980: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1003, 2 DVD-ROMs. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1003/)

Robb, James M., and Oldale, Robert N.,1977, Preliminary geologic maps, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-889, 2 sheets. (Available as a PDF version). (Also available at http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/mf/mf889)

O'Hara, C. J.,1980, High-resolution seismic-reflection profiling data from the Inner Continental Shelf of southeastern Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-178. (Available as a PDF version)

O'Hara, Charles J., and Oldale, Robert N.,1980, Maps showing geology and shallow structure of eastern Rhode Island Sound and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-1186, 5 sheets, 41 p.. (Available as a PDF version). (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1980/mf-1186/)

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader