The formation of continental margin strata

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Charles Nittrouer

Originator: Clark Alexander

Originator: Jeffry Borgeld

Publication_Date: 1999

Title: The formation of continental margin strata

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Paper

Series_Information:

Series_Name:

Marine Geology Special Issue: The formation of continental-margin strata, C.A. Nittrouer, editor

Issue_Identification: Volume 154 (1999) 1-426

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Amsterdam

Publisher: Elsevier

Other_Citation_Details: Special Issue ISSN 0025-3227

Description:

Abstract:

" The strata formed on continental margins record the history of both marine and terrestrial events occurring on Earth. The STRATAFORM Program was created to develop a better understanding of relationships between these events and margin stratigraphy. In order to obtain the maximum information from strata, they are being examined simultaneously on various temporal and spatial scales, and their formation is being studied where events and accumulation are known to be active. The general objectives of STRATAFORM are: to add geological perspective to studies of sedimentary processes, to constrain stratigraphic interpretations better, and to develop numerical models relating processes and stratigraphy. This research is being undertaken on margins off northern California and New Jersey, which provide unique opportunities for investigation of short-term and long-term stratigraphy, respectively. This volume and paper focus upon studies undertaken off northern California, north of Cape Mendocino. This area is tectonically active, with a coastal mountain range, narrow shelf, and input of sediment primarily from the Eel River. Recent estimates indicate that 1 to 3×107 t/yr of mud (silt and clay) are supplied to the continental shelf. Sand accumulates on the inner shelf (<55 m water depth), and the mud rapidly deposits on the middle shelf north of the Eel mouth. An energetic physical regime causes significant seaward transport of muddy sediment, and much (>70%) reaches the continental slope (or deeper). During the previous lowstand of sea level, sediment discharge was ~25% greater, and probably led to hyperpycnal, debris and other flows transporting sediment down the slope. On the Eel shelf, flood and storm events combine to create normally stratified fine-grained layers with basal sand, and much terrestrial organic debris. These layers are modified through time, but some can be buried and preserved. Subsurface flood layers seem to impact observations of acoustic backscatter on the middle shelf, and subsurface fluids (gas? freshwater?) affect electromagnetic measurements on the inner shelf. Budgets of Eel River mud accumulation for the past century indicate ~20% trapped on the adjacent shelf and ~20% on the upper slope (150-600 m). The remaining 60% is dispersed to more distal locations. Over Holocene time scales, Eel River sediment has built a small sandy subaqueous delta, and a subtle bulge of muddy sediment on the middle shelf north of the river. Gullies have been eroded on the open slope during lowstands of sea level, and have accreted upward during highstands. A massive failure has formed the Humboldt slide, due to earthquake activity and unstable substrates (possibly from excess pore pressures and gas). The tectonic setting has impacted margin stratigraphy from small scales (fluid-expulsion pockmarks) to large scales (spatial variation of late Cenozoic sedimentation). The broad dispersal of Eel sediment demonstrates the three-dimensional character of the resulting stratigraphy, including the large-scale clinoform structure developed on the shelf/upper slope. The rollover point (topset/foreset boundary) for this feature is the shelf break (i.e., below sea level), which is important information for stratigraphic interpretations of sea-level change. "

Purpose:

"The STRATAFORM Program has three primary objectives. One is to use insights gained from observations of long-term (1000 to 100,000 yr) stratigraphic assemblages (i.e. sequence stratigraphy) to add geological perspective to studies of sedimentary processes. Another objective is touse these investigations of how short-term (<100 yr) sedimentary processes form strata, so better constraints can be placed on sequence-stratigraphic interpretations. The final objective is to employ modeling studies to bridge the gap between time scales of sedimentary processes and those of sequence stratigraphy; in this way, knowledge of processes and stratigraphy can be applied better for predictive and interpretative purposes."

Supplemental_Information:

Partially funded through the STRATAFORM Program within the Geology and Geophysics at the Office of Naval Research (J.H. Kravitz), ONR grant NOOO149510060. Data collected as part of the STRATAFORM project provided for inclusion into usSEABED by the originators (C. Alexander, J. Borgeld, C. Nittrouer) and may include pre-STRATAFORM data from the area.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1979

Ending_Date: 1999

Currentness_Reference: Publication date

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.74500

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.10765

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.67180

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.30628

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: Office of Naval Research

Theme_Keyword: STRATAFORM

Theme_Keyword: Skidway Institute of Oceanography

Theme_Keyword: Humboldt State University

Theme_Keyword: University of Washington

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: Geoscientific Information

Theme_Keyword: Imagery BaseMaps EarthCover

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System

Place_Keyword: California

Place_Keyword: Humboldt Bay

Place_Keyword: Eel River

Access_Constraints:

None. Journal is available at libraries; many papers within the volume are available online.

Use_Constraints:

Cite Jeff Borgeld and the University of Washington as originators of the data.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: See cruise identification and distributors

Contact_Organization: NA

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical

Address: NA

City: NA

State_or_Province: NA

Postal_Code: NA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: See distributors

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: See distributors

Browse_Graphic:

Browse_Graphic_File_Name: Strataform_Project

Browse_Graphic_File_Description:

Sample distribution with coastline and bathymetry for reference.

Browse_Graphic_File_Type: .jpg

Data_Set_Credit:

Charles Nittrouer at the University of Washington, Clark Alexander at the Skidway Institute of Oceanography and Jeffry Borgeld at Humboldt State University for the collection, analysis and archival of data. For inclusion into usSEABED: Digitization and formatting: K. Halimeda Kilbourne (USGS), Jane Reid (USGS), and Mark Zimmermann (NOAA). 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:

Tests were performed on the textural class values to ensure completeness.

Completeness_Report:

All data are included; some data are decommissioned due to no sample/photo information (failed attempt?).

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Navigation by DGPS, usually good to +/- 5 meters.

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Depth determination method unknown; no assessment made for accuracy.

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Processes varied by PI and lab; see Marine Geology Volume

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Unknown

Process_Date: Unknown

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: STRATAFORM data

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 563

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001

Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001

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

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Alpha numeric code based on cruise identification and sample number.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Cruise ID

Attribute_Definition: Cruise identifier

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID TT141

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Tommy Thompson, 1979, provided by Jeff Borgeld

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9502

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1995, provided by Clark Alexander

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9509A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1995, provided by Jeff Borgeld and Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH950304

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1995, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH950515

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1995, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH951110

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1995, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH951216

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1995, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID WR961A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Warrior, 1996, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID TN062

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard an unknown vessel, provided by Clark Alexander

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH960317

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1996, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PH960424

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pacific Hunter, 1996, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9701A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1997, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9606A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1996, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9701A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1997, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID M9707

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard an unknown vessel, 1997, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PS9705

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pt. Sur, 1997, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9801

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1998, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID W9807A

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Wecoma, 1998, provided by Jeff Borgeld

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Cruise ID PS9803

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Data collected aboard the R/V Pt. Sur, 1998, provided by Charles Nittrouer

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Unpublished information

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Gravel

Attribute_Definition: Amount of gravel in sample

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Gravel was not measured

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sample description

Attribute_Definition: Verbal description of sample

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Core log and/or photos, including color

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sand

Attribute_Definition: Amount of sand in sample

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.46

Range_Domain_Maximum: 96.06

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Silt

Attribute_Definition: Amount of silt in sample

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2.55

Range_Domain_Maximum: 83.16

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Clay

Attribute_Definition: Amount of clay in sample

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.13

Range_Domain_Maximum: 59.82

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Median

Attribute_Definition: Median grain size value

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.6

Range_Domain_Maximum: 8.59

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Phi

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Mean

Attribute_Definition: First moment of grain size distribution

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 4.02

Range_Domain_Maximum: 8.88

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Phi

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Standard deviation (sorting)

Attribute_Definition: Second moment of grain size distribution

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2.16

Range_Domain_Maximum: 3.65

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Phi

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Skewness

Attribute_Definition: Third moment of grain size distribution

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: -0.32

Range_Domain_Maximum: 1.12

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Unitless

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Kurtosis

Attribute_Definition: Fourth moment of grain size distribution

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: -1.27

Range_Domain_Maximum: 4.15

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Unitless

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Inman mean

Attribute_Definition: Mean grainsize determined using Inman, 1952 equation

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.66

Range_Domain_Maximum: 8.71

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Phi

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Inman standard deviation (sorting)

Attribute_Definition:

Standard deviation of grainsize distribution using Inman, 1952 equation

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.29

Range_Domain_Maximum: 3.69

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Phi

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Inman first skewness

Attribute_Definition:

First skewness of grain size distribution using Inman, 1952 equation

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: -0.27

Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.92

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Inman Kurtosis

Attribute_Definition: Kurtosis of grain size distribution using Inman, 1952 equation

Attribute_Definition_Source: Unpublished data

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.11

Range_Domain_Maximum: 4.82

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percent

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.01

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Clark Alexander

Contact_Organization: Skidway Institute of Oceanography

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical

Address: 10 Ocean Science Circle

City: Savannah

State_or_Province: GA

Postal_Code: 31411

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 912-598-2329

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 912-598-2310

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: clark@skio.peachnet.edu

Resource_Description: Unpublished STRATAFORM data

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: Principal investigator should be contacted

Fees: None

Technical_Prerequisites: None

Available_Time_Period:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 1979

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jeff Borgeld

Contact_Organization: Humboldt State University

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical

Address: Department of Oceanography

Address: 1 Harpst Street

City: Arcata

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 95521-8299

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 707-826-3328

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 707-826-4145

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jdb2@humboldt.edu

Resource_Description: Unpublished STRATAFORM data

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: Principal investigator should be contacted

Fees: None

Technical_Prerequisites: None

Available_Time_Period:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 1995

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Charles Nittrouer

Contact_Organization: University of Washington

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical

Address: Box 351310

City: Seattle

State_or_Province: WA

Postal_Code: 98195

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-543-5099

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 206-543-0489

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nittrouer@ess.washington.edu

Resource_Description: Unpublished STRATAFORM data

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: Principal investigator should be contacted

Fees: None

Technical_Prerequisites: None

Available_Time_Period:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 1995

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.