RAF06005_SEDDATA.SHP: Surficial Sediment Data Collected During U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cruise R/V RAFAEL 06005 in Great Round Shoal Channel, Offshore Massachusetts

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?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• 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?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Poppe, L.J., 2007, RAF06005_SEDDATA.SHP: Surficial Sediment Data Collected During U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cruise R/V RAFAEL 06005 in Great Round Shoal Channel, Offshore Massachusetts: Open-File Report 2007-1138, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.zip>
   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.xls>
   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.txt>
   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/html/catalog.html>

   This is part of the following larger work.

   Poppe, L.J., Ackerman, S.D., Foster, D.S., Blackwood, D.S., Williams, S.J., Moser, M.S., Stewart, H.F., and Glomb, K.A., 2007, Sea-Floor Character and Sedimentary Processes of Great Round Shoal Channel, Offshore Massachusetts: Open-File Report 2007-1138, U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

   • <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.018330

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -69.835000

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.448000

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.402500

3. What does it look like?

   <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.gif> (GIF)

   Thumbnail image showing the location and extent of sediment data collected during R/V RAFAEL cruise 06005 in Great Round Shoal Channel, offshore Massachusetts.

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

   Calendar_Date: 26-Jun-2006

   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 (32)

   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 North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   raf06005_seddata

   Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: ESRI)

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   LABNO

   Unique identifier consisting of two characters and three numerics assigned during lab analysis (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character String of width 5

   STATIONID

   Sample name assigned in the field (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Character String of width 5

   PROJECTID

   Project under which the samples were taken (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   GREAT ROUND SHOAL CHANNEL

   CRUISEID

   Name or number of cruise during which the samples were collected (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   RAFAEL06005

   PRINCIPAL

   Name (initial and last name) of the principal investigator (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   MONTH

   Calendar month sample was analyzed (Source: USGS)

   DAY

   Day sample was analyzed (Source: USGS)

   YEAR

   Year sample was analyzed (Source: USGS)

   LATITUDE

   Latitude coordinate of sample location (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	41.402500
   Maximum:	41.448000
   Units:	Decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.0000001

   LONGITUDE

   Longitude coordinate of sample location (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-70.018330
   Maximum:	-69.835000
   Units:	Decimal degrees
   Resolution:	0.000001

   DEVICE

   Device used to collect sample (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   SMALL SEABOSS GRAB

   AREA

   General geographic area (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   QUICKS HOLE

   DEPTH_M

   Depth or sounding in meters (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	9.1
   Maximum:	34.5
   Units:	meters
   Resolution:	0.1

   T_DEPTH

   Top depth of the sample below sediment-water interface in centimeters (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

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

   B_DEPTH

   Bottom depth of the sample below sediment-water interface in centimeters (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   2	Depth in sediment in cm

   WEIGHT

   Weight of dry sample in grams (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	36.4805
   Maximum:	183.9
   Units:	grams
   Resolution:	0.0001

   ZGRAVEL

   Gravel content in percent dry weight (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	43.31
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   ZSAND

   Sand content in percent dry weight (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	56.47
   Maximum:	99.76
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   ZSILT

   Silt content in percent dry weight (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.04
   Maximum:	1.19
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   ZCLAY

   Clay content in percent dry weight (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.01
   Maximum:	0.29
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   SEDCLASS

   Sediment description based on a rigorous definition (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   SAND	Sediment whose main phase is <2 mm, but >0.062 mm
   SILTY SAND	Sediment whose main phase is sand, but with significan silt
   GRAVEL	Sediment whose main phase (usually >50%) is >2 mm
   GRAVELLY SAND	Sediment whose main phase (usually <50%) is >2 mm, but with significant sand
   SAND SILT CLAY	Sediment with sand, silt, and clay concentrations all >20%
   CLAYEY SILT	Sediment whose main phase is silt (usually >50%), but with significant clay

   MEDIAN

   Middle point in the grain-size distribution in phi units (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.15
   Maximum:	2.55
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   MEAN

   Average value in the grain-size distribution in phi units (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-1.04
   Maximum:	2.62
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   STDEV

   Standard Deviation of the grain-size distribution in phi units (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.55
   Maximum:	2.73
   Units:	phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   SKEWNESS

   Deviation from symmetrical form of the grain-size distribution (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.62
   Maximum:	3.84
   Resolution:	0.01

   KURTOSIS

   Degree of curvature near the mode of the grain-size distribution (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-1.55
   Maximum:	81.89
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_11

   Weight percent of the sample in the 11 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Value	Definition
   100	percent

   PHI_10

   Weight percent of the sample in the 10 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.11
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_9

   Weight percent of the sample in the 9 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.14
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_8

   Weight percent of the sample in the 8 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.19
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_7

   Weight percent of the sample in the 7 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.20
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_6

   Weight percent of the sample in the 6 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.25
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_5

   Weight percent of the sample in the 5 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0.55
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_4

   Weight percent of the sample in the 4 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	9.54
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_3

   Weight percent of the sample in the 3 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	86.00
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_2

   Weight percent of the sample in the 2 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	68.35
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_1

   Weight percent of the sample in the 1 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	53.71
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHI_0

   Weight percent of the sample in the 0 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	26.28
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHIM1

   Weight percent of the sample in the -1 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	8.57
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHIM2

   Weight percent of the sample in the -2 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	6.68
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHIM3

   Weight percent of the sample in the -3 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	12.85
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHIM4

   Weight percent of the sample in the -4 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	26.66
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   PHIM5

   Weight percent of the sample in the -5 phi fraction (Source: USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database data dictionary)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	percent
   Resolution:	0.01

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • L.J. Poppe

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Lawrence J. 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 data set includes the locations, identifiers, grain-size data and(or) textural descriptions of surficial sediments collected at 32 stations on topographic and backscatter data of the sea floor in Great Round Shoal Channel, offshore Massachusetts. The sediments were collected with a modified Van Veen grab (small SEABOSS) during USGS survey 06005, conducted June 26, 2006. This data set was acquired to ground-truth (verify) topography and backscatter intensity of the sea floor in Great Round Shoal Channel. These acoustic data were collected with multibeam sea floor mapping systems during NOAA survey H11079, conducted during 2004.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   (source 1 of 1)

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

   (process 1 of 1)

   Twenty-six samples were collected by grab sampler and analyzed in the laboratory. Coarse fraction determined by sieve; fine fraction determined by Coulter Counter. Visual descriptions were used for rocky/bouldery stations (6) where samples could not be collected. The shapefile was created in Arc View from the ASCII comma-delimited files created by the laboratory's software. See Poppe, Williams, and Paskevich (2005) for analytical specifics.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   L.J. 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
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • raf06005_seddata.txt

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • raf06005_seddata.shp
   • raf06005_seddata.shx
   • raf06005_seddata.dbf

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

   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 Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

   Online Links:

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

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   All attributes were checked in a consistent manner

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Navigation was by differential GPS; positional accuracy to less than 10 m

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

   All available grain-size data collected during the RV Rafael cruise 06005 are included in this data set.

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)
   L.J. 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?

   Although all data have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. 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 data set, and a browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent. in format SHP (version 3.3) ESRI point shapefile Size: 0.007
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.zip> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/html/catalog.html>
     Media you can order:	DVD-ROM (Density 4.75 Gbytes) (format UDF)

   • 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.

   ---

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
   

   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?

   Although all data have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. 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:	An Excel file containing navigation and grain-size analysis data. in format XLS Excel spreadsheet Size: 0.007
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.xls> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/html/catalog.html>
     Media you can order:	DVD-ROM (Density 4.75 Gbytes) (format UDF)

   • 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 Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format. The user must have software capable of reading or importing the Excel-formatted data file.

   ---

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

   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?

   Although all data have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. 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:	First record contains field headings. Data fields are comma separated. in format ASCII text file Size: 0.007
     Network links:	<http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/data/sediment/raf06005_seddata.txt> <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1138/html/catalog.html>
     Media you can order:	DVD-ROM (Density 4.75 Gbytes) (format UDF)

   • 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 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: 25-Jul-2007

Metadata author:

L.J. 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

Metadata standard:

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

Metadata extensions used:

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