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.