Summary Information for Field Activity 1977-034-FA

Area of Operations: Middle Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, Baltimore Canyon Trough area, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, United States, North America, North Atlantic

Dates: September 18, 1977 to September 25, 1977

Chief scientist: Harley Knebel

   Jim Katsolis - Ocean/Seismic/Survey, Inc., Norwood, NJ

Objectives: Obtain a set of vibracores at selected locations across the continental shelf. Core stations were selected so as to maximize the chances of sampling the muddy horizon beneath the surficial sand sheet. Geotechnical measurements (including grain size, liquid/plastic (Atterberg) limits, moisture content, and consolidation/compression tests) subsequently will be made on samples from the muddy stratum. A set of cores was also taken to provide the necessary sediments for age dating. Finally, additional seismic records (Minisparker) were collected.

Type of Activity: Seismic profiling; Vibracore collection;Vibracore collection

Information to be derived: Sea floor map; Morphology;

Summary: Because of poor weather, heavy seas, and long travel time to and from the survey area, coring time was limited to 2 full days and 2 half days. Therefore core locations were clustered in the northern part of the survey area. We obtained a set of cores from a transect across the shelf just south of Hudson Channel along a potential pipeline corridor leading to New York and New Jersey. We also obtained many cores in and around the northern subarea recently leased for oil exploration. Most of the cores penetrated the muddy horizon beneath the surficial sand sheet. Replicate cores were obtained at 3 stations. Minisparker lines: 377 km; Vibracores: 20.

Contact: Harley Knebel (hknebel@usgs.gov)

InfoBank: uses the identifier A-1-77-MC. Visit this site for more information.

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