New York Bight Fault Zone

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?

Title: New York Bight Fault Zone

Abstract:

The New York Bight fault (Hutchinson, 1984) was clearly evident within the high-resolution seismic records acquired with a CHIRP, boomer, and 15 cubic inch water gun systems. This fault was mapped from these data. Thus, yeilding a more complete picture of the inner-shelf geologic framework of the area.

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Denny, Jane F. , 2002, New York Bight Fault Zone: US Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

    

   This is part of the following larger work.

   Schwab, William C., Denny, Jane F., Foster, David S., Lotto, Linda L., Allison, Mead A., Uchupi, Elazar, Swift, B. Ann, Danforth, William W., Thieler, Robert E., and Butman, Bradford, 2002, High-Resolution Quaternary seismic stratigraphy of the New York Bight Continental Shelf: Open-File Report OFR02-152, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

    

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.06

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.8000

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.26

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40

3. What does it look like?

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

   Beginning_Date: 01-May-1995

   Ending_Date: 01-Nov-1998

   Currentness_Reference: publication data

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):

      • point
   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 0.2. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.2. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees.

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Jane F. Denny
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

   US Geological Survey
   c/o Jane F. Denny
   Geologist, Seafloor Mapping Group
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 012543
   USA
   

   508-457-2311 (voice)
   508-457-2310 (FAX)
   jdenny@usgs.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, Eastern Standard Time

In 1995, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), began a program to generate reconnaissance maps of the sea floor offshore of the New York - New Jersey metropolitan area and within the southern Long Island nearshoe area. Our methods include high-resolution sidescan sonar and subbottom profiling techniques, along with surface grab and vibracore sampling to verify the geophysical interpretations. The goal of the investigation is to provide a regional synthesis of the sea-floor environment, to determine regional-scale availability of sand as a resource for beach nourishment programs, and to investigate the role that inner-shelf morphology and geologic framework have in the evolution of the coastal region within the New York Bight Apex and southern Long Island. Maps derived from interpretation of the subbottom profiles show information on the geometry and distribution of the Quaternary sediments and the underlying coastal-plain unconformity. This seismic stratigraphy yields a regional framework on which explanations of present (and past) sediment movement, dispersal, and erosion processes are based.

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   New York Bight fault (source 1 of 2)

   Hutchinson, D.R., and Grow, J.A., 1984, New York Bight fault: Geological Society of America Bulletin v. 96, p. 975-989., State of New York Department of Conservation and Water Power and Control Commission, unknown.

   Type_of_Source_Media: map

   Source_Contribution:

   Data reported here were used to guide interpetations of the New York Bight fault.

   Seismic Stratigraphy of New York Bight (source 2 of 2)

   Lotto, L.L, 2000, Seismic stratigrpahy and Quaternary evolution of the New York Bight inner continental shelf: Texas A&M University, unpublished M.S. Thesis, College Station, TX, 79p and 16 sheets.: Masters of Science Thesis unknown, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

   Source_Contribution:

   The well log data compiled within this thesis were used to generate a gridded data set of the depth to coastal-plain Unconformity and Quaternary thickness onshore Long Island, NY.

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

   Date: 2000 (process 1 of 1)

   As part of the MS Thesis, the location of the New York Bight fault was mapped from high-resolution seismic records (15 cubic inch water-gun). The location of the fault was saved as a digital ASCII file listing x,y (eastings and northings). The coordinates were transformed from UTM, Zone18, WGS84 to Geographic, Coordinate System, WGS84 datum. These ASCII x,y data were imported into ArcView 3.2 as a table. They were then coverted into an ESRI point shapefile.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Jane F. Denny
   US Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543
   USA
   

   508-457-2311 (voice)
   508-457-2310 (FAX)
   jdenny@usgs.gov
   

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

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   These data are derived from 2D seismic reflection profiles that are spaced approximately 1.3 km apart in the cross track-direction. Shore perpendicular track lines were spaced about 3-4 km apart. Along track samples of the seismic profiles are approximately 1 meter assuming a ship speed of 2 meters/second. The data were downsampled in the along-track direction at an interval of about 30 meters.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   DGPS is assumed to be accurate within 1-2 meters. Standard GPS is assumed accurate within 5-10 meters. 99% of the positional data is DGPS. Unless noted, all GPS/DGPS data is referenced to WGS84 (NAD83). The horizontal positioning did not account for source and receiver offsets and offset the GPS antennae and the boomer source and streamer. It is estimated that these offsets could lead to inaccuracies of about 30 m.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Vertical positioning accuracy of the offshore data is based on the seafloor reference used.

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

   complete

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

   The New York Bight Fault was mapped from high-resolution CHIRP, boomer, and 15 cubic inch water gun seismic systems. These data were checked for consistency be comparing mapped locations to those reported in the literature (Hutchinson, 1984).

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: None

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

   Jane F. Denny
   US Geological Survey
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543
   USA
   

   508-457-2311 (voice)
   508-457-2310 (FAX)
   jdenny@usgs.gov
   

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

   nybfault

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Altough this data set and its lineage 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 it's 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 items. Users must assume responsibility for the proper use of this data. This data should not be used at resolutions for which it is not intended. This data has no been reviewed for conformity with US Geological Survey editorial standards, or the North American Strigraphic code. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government.

4. How can I download or order the data?

Dates:

Last modified: 19-Jan-2002
Last Reviewed: 2002

Metadata author:

Jane F. Denny
US Geological Survey
Geologist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543
USA

508-457-2311 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
jdenny@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

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