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Open-File Report 2014–1018


Sea-Floor Geology in Northwestern Block Island Sound, Rhode Island


Bottom Photography

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Click on figures for larger images
Thumbnail image of figure 21 and link to larger figure. Map showing locations of bottom photographs taken in the study area.
Figure 21. Map showing locations of the bottom photographs taken during U.S. Geological Survey cruise 2012-002-FA in the H12296 study area in northern Block Island Sound.
Thumbnail image of figure 22 and link to larger figure. Photograph of the sea floor in the study area.
Figure 22. Photograph of the sea floor at station NBIS49 showing a sandy sea floor with symmetrical oscillation ripples and scattered shell debris.
Thumbnail image of figure 23 and link to larger figure. Photograph of the sea floor in the study area.
Figure 23. Photograph of the sea floor at station NBIS29 showing boulders covered with sponges, possible tunicates, hydrozoans, and algae.

Several photographs and a few minutes of video of the sea floor were collected at each sampling station (fig. 21). This still and video photography shows that most sandy stations have ripples with scattered shells and shell hash, and coarser material often collects in the ripple troughs (fig. 22). Snails and crabs are often present in sandy locations. Gravelly and boulder areas often have algae and sponges and (or) tunicates growing on boulders, and fin fish are often present (fig. 23).

Low-resolution images (150 x 113 pixels) of the photographs can be viewed by browsing the thumbnails in the photograph gallery below. These thumbnails are linked to medium-resolution images (600 x 450 pixels) for more detailed viewing. A .zip file with all the medium-resolution images can be accessed by clicking here. The .zip file contains metadata about the photographs and their acquisition. A .zip file containing the full-resolution images (3648 x 2736 pixels) and metatdata can be accessed by clicking here. The images can be identified by using the .jpg image names in the galleries below. Individuals interested in obtaining video photography collected in this area can do so at the Data Library of the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, Mass.

Photograph Gallery

Station  /   Lithologic Description

 

NBIS25 / Gravel, boulders, and rippled sand with coarse material in the troughs. Boulders are overgrown with algae. Scattered shell hash, kelp, sponges and (or) tunicates, fin fish, skate, and starfish are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS25f

 

 

 

NBIS26 / Gravel with patches of sand and scattered shell hash. Rippled sea floor with coarser gravel in the troughs and finer gravel on the crests. Coarser gravel and cobbles are encrusted with barnacles and algae.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS26a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS26b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS26c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS26d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS26e

 

 

 

NBIS27 / Rippled sand and gravel with scattered shells and shell hash and coarse material in the troughs. Moon snail egg cases are present and ctenophores were observed in the water column.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS27f

 

 

 

NBIS28 / Boulders and gravel with intervening patches of sand and scattered shells and shell hash. Boulders and cobbles are covered with algae and sponges and (or) tunicates. Kelp, fin fish, starfish, skate, and skate egg cases are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28f

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS28g

 

NBIS29 / Boulders, gravel, and intervening patches of sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Boulders and cobbles are covered with algae, hydroids, and sponges and (or) tunicates. Anemones, kelp, fin fish, skate egg cases, ctenophores, and starfish are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29f

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS29g

 

NBIS30 / Hummocky sand with burrows, animal tracks, snails, and scattered shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS30a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS30b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS30c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS30d

 

NBIS31 / Boulders with intervening patches of sand. Boulders are covered with algae, hydrozoans, and sponges and (or) tunicates. Fin fish and kelp are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS31a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS31b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS31c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS31d

 

NBIS32 / Sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Hermit crabs and ctenophores are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS32a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS32b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS32c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS32d

NBIS33 / Sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Crabs, animal tracks, and small burrows are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS33a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS33b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS33c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS33d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS33e

 

 

 

NBIS34 / Sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Moon snail egg case and crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34f
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS34g

 

 

NBIS35 / Rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Hermit crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS35a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS35b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS35c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS35d

 

NBIS36/ Rippled sand and gravel with abundant shells, shell hash, and floating algae. Coarser material collects in ripple troughs. Several cobbles are present at the end of the transect.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS36a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS36b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS36c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS36d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS36e

 

 

 

NBIS37 / Rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash. Animal tracks, skate egg case, and hermit crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS37a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS37b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS37c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS37d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS37e

 

 

 

NBIS38 / Rippled sand with sparsely scattered shells, shell hash, and floating algae.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS38a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS38b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS38c

 

 

NBIS39 / Patches of sand and gravel, and boulders covered with algae. Kelp, snails, and sponges and (or) tunicates are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS39f

 

 

 

NBIS40 / Rippled sand and pea gravel with scattered shells and shell hash. Coarser material collects in the ripple troughs.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS40a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS40b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS40c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS40d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS40e

 

 

 

NBIS41 / Sand and pea gravel with scattered shells and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS41a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS41b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS41c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS41d

 

NBIS42 / Boulders, gravel, and patches of sand with abundant shells and shell hash. Boulders covered with algae and sponges and (or) tunicates.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS42f

 

   

NBIS43 / Rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS43a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS43b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS43c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS43d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS43e

 

 

 

NBIS44 / Rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS44a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS44b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS44c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS44d

 

NBIS45 / Rippled sand with abundant shell hash and scattered shells.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS45a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS45b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS45c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS45d

 

NBIS46 / Sand with animal tracks and burrows.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS46a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS46b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS46c

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS46d

NBIS47 / Sand with animal tracks, hermit crabs, floating algae, scattered shells, and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS47a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS47b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS47c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS47d

 

NBIS48 / Sand with animal tracks, fine algae, scattered shells, and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS48a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS48b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS48c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS48d

 

NBIS49 / Rippled sand with scattered shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS49a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS49b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS49c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS49d

 

NBIS50 / Rippled sand with shells and gravel in ripple troughs.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS50a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS50b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS50c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS50d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS50e

 

 

 

NBIS51 / Rippled sand and gravel with abundant shells, shell hash, and pea gravel in ripple troughs.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS51a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS51b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS51c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS51d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS51e

 

 

 

NBIS52 / Rippled sand with floating algae and scattered shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS52a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS52b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS52c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS52d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS52e

 

 

 

NBIS53 / Boulders and gravel encrusted with algae, hydroids, and sponges and (or) tunicates. Fin fish and kelp are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53a

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS53f

 

NBIS54 / Sand and gravel with a few cobbles, scattered shells, and shell hash. Crabs, moon snail, and moon-snail egg case are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS54a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS54b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS54c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS54d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS54e

 

 

 

NBIS55 / Sand with abundant scattered shells and shell hash. Crabs and snails are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS55a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS55b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS55c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS55d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS55e

 

 

 

NBIS56 / Rippled sand with floating algae, scattered shells, and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS56a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS56b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS56c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS56d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS56e

 

 

 

NBIS57 / Rippled sand with gravel in ripple troughs and scattered shells and shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS57a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS57b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS57c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS57d

 

NBIS58 / Rippled sand with scattered shell hash and floating algae.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS58a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS58b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS58c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS58d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS58e

 

 

 

NBIS59 / Rippled sand with gravel, shells, and shell hash collecting in the troughs. Crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS59a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS59b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS59c

 

 

NBIS60 / Rippled sand with scattered shell hash.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS60a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS60b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS60c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS60d

 

NBIS61 / Rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash. A horseshoe crab is present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS61a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS61b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS61c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS61d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS61e

 

 

 

NBIS62 / Gravel and boulders encrusted with algae, hydroids, and sponges and (or) tunicates. Kelp, moon snail egg case, and crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS62f

 

 

 

NBIS63 / Rippled sand with spider crabs and skate present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS63a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS63b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS63c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS63d

 

NBIS64 / Rippled sand with scattered shell hash. Snails and crabs are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS64a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS64b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS64c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS64d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS64e

 

 

 

NBIS65 / Mussel beds, boulders, gravel, and rippled sand with scattered shells and shell hash collecting in troughs.  Boulders are covered with algae and sponges and (or) tunicates. Kelp, fin fish, and skate are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65f

 

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65g
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS65h

NBIS67 / Rippled sand and gravel with abundant scattered shells and shell hash. Skate, moon snails, and moon snail egg cases are present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS67a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS67b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS67c
 
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS67d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS67e

 

 

 

NBIS69 / Boulders with intervening patches of sand and gravel. Boulders are covered with algae and sponges and (or) tunicates. Kelp is present.

Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69a
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69b
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69c
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69d
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69e
Photograph showing the sea floor in the study area.
NBIS69f

 

 

 

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