Late Cenozoic sedimentation on the Washington continental slope

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Metadata:

Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: William Dana Barnard
Publication_Date: 1973
Title: Late Cenozoic sedimentation on the Washington continental slope
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Paper
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Seattle, WA
Publisher: University of Washington
Other_Citation_Details:
PhD. dissertation, Department of Oceanography Research supported by the National Science Foundation, Texaco Fellowship in Oceanography, and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Contract AT (45-1)-2225-T24
Description:
Abstract:
The Washington continental slope, which is situated between the continental shelf on the east and Cascadia Basin on the west, consists of an upper and lower slope. The lower slope of borderland is composed of north to northwest trending, en echelon, anticlinal ridges and intervening sediment-filled basins. The indurated mudstone and limestone ridges represent older Cascadia Basin turbidites that have been accreted onto the continental margin within the last two million years as a result of the underthrusting of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath North America. The ridges ages and the borderland structure indicate that deformation has progressed in a westward direction with time and has probably continued up to the present. Folding and thrusting of the outermost or marginal ridges is presently occurring at a rate of 0.7 cm/yr. The depressions between these ridges, which may be filled with hemipelagic and turbidite sediment, often form valleys that drain the submarine canyons notching the upper slope. Since all the borderland ridges are probably less than 2 million years old, the deposition of postdeformational sediment between the ridges must have occurred during the Pleistocene. Approximate Pleistocene sediment accumulation rates range from less than 0.5m/1000 yrs to more than 1m/1000 yrs. Most of this sediment, trapped in the borderland basins, was probably deposited by turbidity currents during periods of glaciation on the adjacent continent. Although deformation of the lower slope has continued throughout the Pleistocene, there is no evidence in the seismic reflection profiles that the major routes of sediment dispersal have shifted significantly since the beginning of postdeformational sedimentation. The sediment in the borderland piston cores consists of interlayer turbidite and hemipelagic deposits. The sediment is divided into glacial and postglacial sections based on a change from foraminiferan-rich, gray lutite to radiolarian-rich, olive gray lutite. This faunal change, which begins at about 10,500 yrs B.P. on the lower slope, is time transgressive in the northeast Pacific and may separate geologic-climate units. It cannot be used to define the Pleistocene-Holocene time-stratigraphic boundary. The postglacial sediment deposited between 10,500 yrs B.P. and the present can be divided into early and late postglacial sections based on the lowest horizon of Mazama glass deposited about 6,750 yrs. B.P. During the last glacial period turbidity currents played a major role in deposition of sediments. The lower continental slope was apparently deluged with turbidity currents enroute to the deep-sea fans of Cascadia Basin. All the canyons notching the upper slope were probably active until about 10,500 yrs. B.P. With the onset of postglacial conditions the importance of hemipelagic sedimentation increased. All the canyons were probably less active and turbidity currents apparently occurred less frequently, were composed of finer grained material, and tended to be depositional in nature. Over the last 6,750 years Astoria, Grays, and Juan de Fuca Canyons have been filling up with hemipelagic mud and some sand/silt turbidites. Willapa Canyon remained an active avenue for nondepositional or erosional turbidity currents until about 5,000 yrs B.P. when it too began to fill up. All these canyons presently appear to be filling up with fine-grained material, which is probably derived primarily from the Columbia River. Quinault Canyon apparently acts as a funnel for a large amount of material that is moving northward along the continental shelf. This material accumulates in the head of the canyon for about 500 years before it is flushed down the canyon as a large turbidity current that flows down lower Quinault Canyon, out lower Willapa Canyon and into Cascadia Basin.
Purpose:
The recent development of seismic reflection profiling has greatly advanced our knowledge of continental margin structures, while improvements in coring and bottom sampling techniques have made detailed studies of the near-surface sediments more feasible. This study is oriented towards the utilization of these techniques to describe the stratigraphy and near-surface sedimentary record on the Washington continental slope. It is hoped that a better understanding of the late Cenozoic history and development of this region can be gained by integrating data from both seismic profiles and near-surface sediment samples.
Supplemental_Information:
Seismic reflection profiles, cores, and dredge hauls used in this study were collected on the R/V T. Washington (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) Leg 9A-Seven Tow expedition, and on R/V T.G. Thompson (University of Washington) cruises TT-053, TT-063, and TT-068. Data digitized by the USGS for inclusion into usSEABED (<http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/usseabed>)
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 1973
Currentness_Reference: Publication date
Status:
Progress: complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -126.41833
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.67000
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.20500
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 46.04667
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: University of Washington
Theme_Keyword: Department of Oceanography
Theme_Keyword: Piston core
Theme_Keyword: Gravity core
Theme_Keyword: Box core
Theme_Keyword: Chain- ball dredge
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: Oceans and Estuaries
Theme_Keyword: Location
Theme_Keyword: GeoscientificInformation
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:
NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keyword. Version 5.3.3
Theme_Keyword: Marine Sediments
Theme_Keyword: Geotechnical Properties
Theme_Keyword: Sediment Composition
Theme_Keyword: Sedimentary Structures
Theme_Keyword: Sedimentary Textures
Theme_Keyword: Terrigenous Sediments
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System
Place_Keyword: Washington, State of
Place_Keyword: Columbia River
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Astoria Canyon
Place_Keyword: Juan de Fuca Canyon
Place_Keyword: Willapa canyon
Place_Keyword: Grays Canyon
Place_Keyword: Quinault Canyon
Temporal:
Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geologic
Temporal_Keyword: Late Cenozoic
Temporal_Keyword: Pleistocene
Temporal_Keyword: Holocene
Access_Constraints:
Dissertation is available at libraries and the University of Washington
Use_Constraints:
Cite William D. Barnard and the University of Washington as originators of the data.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Washington
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mail
Address: P.O. Box 357940
Address: University of Washington
City: Seattle
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 98195
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-543-5060
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Barnard_PhD_1973
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Screen grab of GIS-produced sample distribution, with bathymetry and land for reference.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: JPG
Data_Set_Credit:
William Dana Barnard at the University of Washington for the collection and analysis of data. For inclusion into usSEABED: Digitization: Jennifer Mendonca, (USGS); Formatting corrections: Jane Reid (USGS) and Chris Jenkins (University of Colorado)
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Tkme: Another editor for formal metadata by Peter N. Schweitzer (U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 22092), version 2.9.13, Microsoft Windows Version 5.1; Microsoft Word 2000 9.0
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
No estimate made for the accuracy of the data in the original report. Data digitized by the USGS and partners were visually compared to the source data, and corrected. Where appropriate, data were tested for completeness using MS Excel. Locations checked using GIS.
Logical_Consistency_Report: Data fall within normal ranges for the given parameters.
Completeness_Report:
Sample number, station locations, water depth, sampler type, and core length (Appendix 2), core descriptions (Appendix 3); Sediment composition (Appendix 4); microfossil data from piston cores (Appendix 5), and sediment densities and water content(Appendix 8) completely digitized. Microfossil data from dredge haul samples (Appendix 6), carbon values (Appendix 7), and sediment velocities (Appendix 9) were not digitized and are not included in usSEABED.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Navigation by satellite. Latitudes and longitudes given in degrees, tenths, minutes.
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Water depth determinations by 12-kHz transducer using an assumed sound velocity of 1463 m/sec. No slope corrections were made. Water depths given in meters.
Lineage:
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
"All cores used in this study were split lengthwise and logged visually. The Rock Color Chart (Geological Society of America, 1963) was used in logging the sediment color. General sediment texture and composition were qualitatively determined by means of smear slides...estimates of texture were made by comparing the sample slides with "standard" sand, silt, and clay slides. This method of estimating sediment composition, although very qualitative, does give a general idea of the sediment components and their relative amounts. All the estimates are based on visual estimates without regard to weight or volume percentages. Bulk densities were measured in a Beckman air comparison pycnometer (model 930); the density was calculated by dividing the weight by the volume. The velocity of sound was measured at 10 cm intervals on an Underwater Systems Sediment Velocimeter (model U.S.I. 103)." For usSEABED, core descriptions were transcribed from drawings using the legends provided. Qualitative estimates of sand, silt, clay abundances were translated using the legends provided, i.e., >35% = abundant, 10-35% = common, 1-10% = rare, and >1% = trace, and mined as a written description.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Geological Society of America, 1963
Process_Date: Unknown
Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: Barnard_PhD_1973
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Washington
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mail
Address: P.O. Box 357940
Address: University of Washington
City: Seattle
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 98195
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-543-5060
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 72
Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 0.00167
Longitude_Resolution: 0.00167
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: Point
Entity_Type_Definition: SDTS point
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Sample number
Attribute_Definition: Sample number based on cruise number and sample number
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Alpha numeric number based on cruise and core information
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Depth in core
Attribute_Definition: Subsample depth
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 5.22
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Meters
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Core description
Attribute_Definition: Core description
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Lithologic description of cores and dredges, including color
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Sand
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of sand in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Silt
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of silt in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Clay
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of clay in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Forams
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of foraminifera in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Rads/Diatoms
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of radiolaria and diatoms in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Wood/plant fragments
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of wood and plant fragments in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Dark minerals
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of dark minerals in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Light minerals
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of light minerals in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Volcanic galss
Attribute_Definition: Qualitative estimate of volcanic glass in subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Abundant (>35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: C
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Common (10-35%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Rare (1-10%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Trace (<1%)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Planktonic foraminfera
Attribute_Definition:
Ratio of planktonic foraminfera to sum of radiolaria and planktonic foraminifera
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 100
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1.0
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Radiolaria
Attribute_Definition:
Ratio of radiolaria to sum of radiolaria and planktonic foraminifera
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 100
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1.0
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Bulk density
Attribute_Definition: Bulk density of subsample
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 2.55
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2.87
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: G/cc
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Water content
Attribute_Definition: Average water content
Attribute_Definition_Source: Source report
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 21.8
Range_Domain_Maximum: 66.2
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Washington
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mail
Address: P.O. Box 357940
Address: University of Washington
City: Seattle
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 98195
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-543-5060
Resource_Description: Barnard_PhD_1973
Distribution_Liability:
Although this dataset has been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data. Users of the data should be aware of limitations of the data due to possible imprecision due to navigational inaccuracies and limitations of the statistical data.
Standard_Order_Process:
Non-digital_Form:
Report is available at libraries and the University of Washington.
Fees: None
Technical_Prerequisites: None
Available_Time_Period:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 1973
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 2005
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Person: Jane A. Reid
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Physical and mail
Address: 400 Natural Bridges Drive
City: Santa Cruz
State_or_Province: CA
Postal_Code: 95060
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4727
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jareid@usgs.gov
Contact_Instructions: Email preferred
Metadata_Standard_Name: CSDGM Version 2
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
Metadata_Use_Constraints:
Metadata was written by a user of the data. Any information contained in the physical report is authoritative and supercedes any information given here.
Generated by mp version 2.8.17 on Tue May 16 19:56:41 2006