U.S. Geological Survey BLM/OCS Baltimore Canyon (Mid-Atlantic) data set

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:

U.S. Geological Survey BLM/OCS Baltimore Canyon (Mid-Atlantic) data set

Abstract:

This data set contains analytical data from samples acquired from the Baltimore Canyon (Mid-Atlantic) area of the Outer Continental Shelf, U.S. East Coast, by the U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Marine Geology, Woods Hole, Mass., 02543, during the first year of environmental assessment work funded by the Bureau of Land Management (1 July 1975 - 30 June 1976).

Supplemental_Information:

For more information about the dataset, see: <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/data/0608/06085001/readme.txt>

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Robb, James M. , Bailey, Norman G. , and U.S. Geological Survey, 1977, U.S. Geological Survey BLM/OCS Baltimore Canyon (Mid-Atlantic) data set: National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/baltcanyon.html>

   Other_Citation_Details: NGDC Data Set G02882

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -075.3100

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -071.8683

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.8900

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.0767

3. What does it look like?

   83353.jpg (JPEG)

   Image map showing extent and distribution of data layer coverage

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

   Beginning_Date:

   Ending_Date: 30-Jun-1976

   Currentness_Reference: 197710

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Digital

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 (500 (301 included in usSEABED))

   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 0.00167. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00167. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1927.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.400000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.978698.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   83353

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   LATITUDE

   LONGITUDE

   WATERDEPTH

   SAMPLETOP

   SAMPLEBASE

   SITENAME

   DATASETKEY

   SITEKEY

   SAMPLEKEY

   SAMPLER

   DATATYPES

   GRAVEL

   SAND

   MUD

   CLAY

   GRAINSIZE

   SORTING

   SEABEDCLS

   CLSMSHP

   FOLKCODE_F

   ROCKMSHP

   WEEDMSHP

   CARBONATE

   MUNSLCODE

   ORGCARBON

   LGSHEARSTR

   POROSITY

   PWAVEVEL

   ROUGHNESS

   LGCRSHST

   SAMPLEPHAS

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   This dataset consists of ten relationally linked text files which include: 1. collection documentation 2. grain size of sediments 3. high molecular weight hydrocarbons 4. hydrocarbon contaminent and intercalibration samples 5. trace metals 6. carbon content 7. suspended sediment 8. suspended matter 9. clay mineralogy 10. carbon-14 dates

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/baltcanyon.html> <http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/data/0608/06085001/readme.txt>

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • James M. Robb
   • Norman G. Bailey
   • U.S. Geological Survey

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   Bureau of Land Management funded the study; and National Geophysical Data Center archives and provides online access to the data.

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

   U.S. Geological Survey
   c/o Jim Robb
   Geologist
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   

   (508) 548-8700 x2297 (voice)
   jrobb@usgs.gov
   

No purpose is cited on the NGDC website

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   NGDC Data Set G02882 (source 1 of 1)

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

   Date: Jul-2004 (process 1 of 2)

   No information about the process of the original data is available. For usSEABED, the data were concatenated based on relational key.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   U.S. Geological Survey
   c/o Jane A. Reid
   Geologist
   400 Natural Bridges Drive
   Santa Cruz, CA 95060
   

   831-427-4727 (voice)
   jareid@usgs.gov
   

   Contact_Instructions: email preferred

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • USGS_BaltimoreCanyn_1975

   (process 2 of 2)

   Metadata imported.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • F:\pubwork\baltcany.xml

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

   Robb, James M. , 1983, Summary of environmental geologic studies in the mid-Atlantic outer continental shelf area: Results of 1978-1979 field seasons: Open-File Report 83-353, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

   Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, Lynch, Maurice P. , U.S. Geological Survey, and Lynch, David W. , 1977, Middle Atlantic outer continental shelf environmental studies: Unknown PB-281 297, Springfield, VA, Gloucester Point, VA.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Four volumes; available at the USGS Library, Reston VA and Menlo Park, CA 585.3(220) V819M

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   No information available. Data originally stored on a 9-track magnetic tape, written in EBCDIC, 800bpi, phase encoded in 10 files.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Latitude and longitudes are given to nearest minute-tenth. No navigational information is available.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Water depth determination technique not noted in report. Water depths given to 0.1 meters, subsample depths in centimeters from top of core.

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

   Some data do not have relational keys; therefore, these data are not included in usSEABED.

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

   Data fall within normal ranges.

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

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

Please cite the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the data and NGDC as the archival institution.

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

   National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)
   c/o Robin R. Warnken
   E/GC3 325 Broadway
   Boulder, CO 80305-3328
   

   303-497-6338 (voice)
   Robin.R.Warnken@noaa.gov
   

   Contact_Instructions: NGDC Data Set G02882

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

   Baltimore Canyon (Mid-Atlantic) Data Set

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   Although this data set has 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.

   Trade, firm, or product names and other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the USGS, USDOI, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	text in format ASCII Size: 150 KB
     Network links:	<http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/geology/baltcanyon.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

   web browser and internet access required for digital download

Dates:

Last modified:

Metadata author:

U.S. Geological Survey
c/o Jane A. Reid
Geologist
400 Natural Bridges Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

841-427-4727 (voice)
jareid@usgs.gov

Contact_Instructions: email preferred

Metadata standard:

CSDGM Version 2 (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:

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