From August 13 to 23, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted geophysical surveys offshore of Petit Bois Island, Mississippi. These efforts are a continued part of the U.S. Geological Survey Gulf of Mexico Science Coordination partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to assist the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) and the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) Ecosystem Change and Hazards Susceptibility Project, by mapping the shallow geologic stratigraphic framework of the Mississippi Barrier Island Complex.

These geophysical surveys provide the data necessary for scientists to define, interpret, and provide baseline bathymetry and seafloor habitat for this area to aid scientists in predicting future geomorphological changes to the islands with respect to climate change, storm impacts, and sea-level rise. Furthermore, these data, combined with the geomorphological results, provide the properties and extent of local offshore sand sediment resources available for planning and execution of the Gulf Islands National Seashore barrier island restoration.

The geophysical data were collected during one cruise (USGS Field Activity Numbers 13CCT04) aboard the University of Southern Mississippi Research Vessel Tommy Munro offshore along the gulf side of Petit Bois Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi. Data were acquired with the following equipment: a Systems Engineering and Assessment, Ltd., SWATHplus interferometric sonar (468 kilohertz (kHz)), an EdgeTech 424 (4-24 kHz), an EdgeTech 525i chirp subbottom profiling system, and a Klein 3900 sidescan sonar system.

This report serves as an archive of the processed interferometric swath bathymetry and sidescan sonar data. Geographic information system data products include an interpolated digital elevation model, an acoustic backscatter mosaic, a trackline map, and point data files. Additional files include error analysis maps, Field Activity Collection System logs, and formal Federal Geographic Data Committee metadata.

NOTE: These data are scientific in nature and are not to be used for navigation. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Post Hurricane Isaac oblique aerial photograph looking south-west along Petit Bois Island, Gulf Island National Seashore, Mississippi, September, 2012. Photograph by USGS Coastal and Marine Geology. [Click to enlarge]