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Open-File Report 2014–1224

Prepared in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Sea-Floor Morphology and Sedimentary Environments in Western Block Island Sound, Offshore of Fishers Island, New York

By Katherine Y. McMullen, Lawrence J. Poppe, William W. Danforth, Dann S. Blackwood, William G. Winner, and Castle E. Parker

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (10.4 MB)Abstract

Multibeam-bathymetric and sidescan-sonar data, collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a 114-square-kilometer area of Block Island Sound, southeast of Fishers Island, New York, are combined with sediment samples and bottom photography collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 36 stations in this area in order to interpret sea-floor features and sedimentary environments. These interpretations and datasets provide base maps for studies on benthic ecology and resource management. The geologic features and sedimentary environments on the sea floor are products of the area’s glacial history and modern processes. These features include bedrock, drumlins, boulders, cobbles, large current-scoured bathymetric depressions, obstacle marks, and glaciolacustrine sediments found in high-energy sedimentary environments of erosion or nondeposition; and sand waves and megaripples in sedimentary environments characterized by coarse-grained bedload transport. Trawl marks are preserved in lower energy environments of sorting and reworking. This report releases the multibeam-bathymetric, sidescan-sonar, sediment, and photographic data and interpretations of the features and sedimentary environments in Block Island Sound, offshore Fishers Island.

First posted March 16, 2015

For additional information, contact:
Director, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
384 Woods Hole Road
Quissett Campus
Woods Hole, MA 02543
http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

McMullen, K.Y., Poppe, L.J., Danforth, W.W., Blackwood, D.S., Winner, W.G., and Parker, C.E., 2015, Sea-floor morphology and sedimentary environments in western Block Island Sound, offshore of Fishers Island, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1224, 1 DVD-ROM, https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141224.

ISSN 2332–4899 (DVD)

ISSN 2331–1258 (online)



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Settings

Methods

Bathymetry

Sidescan Sonar

Sediments

Bottom Photography

Interpretation

GIS Data Catalog

Summary

Acknowledgments

References

Contacts


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