Progress report on status of analysis and interpretation of data collected on cruises F7-90-NC and F8-90-NC, Farallon Escarpment, 19 July to 3 August and 5 to 17 August, 1990

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?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   Karl, H.A., Drake, D. E. , Schwab, W.C., Edwards, B.D., Lee, H.J., and Chin, J.L., 19901101, Progress report on status of analysis and interpretation of data collected on cruises F7-90-NC and F8-90-NC, Farallon Escarpment, 19 July to 3 August and 5 to 17 August, 1990: USGS Woods Hole Science Center Report WHSC 90027, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA 02543.

   Online Links:

   • <http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/1990/90027/archive/>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Data from USGS cruises F790NC (<http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/f/f790nc/html/f-7-90-nc.meta.html>) and F890NC (<http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/f/f890nc/html/f-8-90-nc.meta.html>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.4182

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.9057

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.5275

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.1660

3. What does it look like?

   WHSC_90027 (JPG)

   Screen grab of GIS-produced sample distribution, with bathymetry and land for reference.

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

   Beginning_Date: 19-Jul-1990

   Ending_Date: 17-Aug-1990

   Currentness_Reference: Publication date

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Paper

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 (33)

   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 0.00001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.00001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Point

   SDTS point (Source: Source report)

   Sample number

   Sample number (Source: US Geological Survey)

   Alpha numeric number based on cruise and core information

   Water depth

   Depth of sample from surface of water (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	280
   Maximum:	3120
   Units:	Meters
   Resolution:	1.0

   Gravel

   Amount of gravel in subsample (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	0
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   Sand

   Amount of sand in subsample (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.07
   Maximum:	91.94
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   Silt

   Amount of silt in subsample (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	6.95
   Maximum:	88.9
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   Clay

   Amount of clay in subsample (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.99
   Maximum:	42.42
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   Mud

   Amount of mud in subsample (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	8.06
   Maximum:	98.93
   Units:	Percent
   Resolution:	0.01

   Median

   Median of grain-size distribution (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.07
   Maximum:	7.77
   Units:	Phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   Mean

   First moment of grain-size distribution (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1.13
   Maximum:	8.3
   Units:	Phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   Sorting

   Second moment of grain-size distribution (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.96
   Maximum:	2.3
   Units:	Phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   Skewness

   Third moment of grain-size distribution (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.28
   Maximum:	3.3
   Units:	Unitless
   Resolution:	0.01

   Kurtosis

   Fourth moment of grain-size distribution (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	2.71
   Maximum:	23.13
   Units:	Unitless
   Resolution:	0.01

   Mean

   Mean of grain-size distribution (Source: Folk and Ward, 1974)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.01
   Maximum:	11.4
   Units:	Phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   Sorting

   Standard deviation of grain-size distribution (Source: Folk and Ward, 1974)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.58
   Maximum:	2.17
   Units:	Phi
   Resolution:	0.01

   Skewness

   Skewness of grain-size distribution (Source: Folk and Ward, 1974)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-0.17
   Maximum:	0.72
   Units:	Unitless
   Resolution:	0.01

   Kurtosis

   Kurtosis of grain-size distribution (Source: Folk and Ward, 1974)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.82
   Maximum:	4.45
   Units:	Unitless
   Resolution:	0.01

   Mud/sand ratio

   Mud/sand ratio (Source: Source report)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.84
   Maximum:	7.84
   Units:	Unitless
   Resolution:	0.01

   Shepard classification

   Classification of sediment on the sand-silt-clay ternary (Source: Shepard 1954)

   Classification of sediment on the sand-silt-clay ternary (sand, silt, clayey silt, silty sand, sandy silt, sand-silt-clay)

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • H.A. Karl
   • D. E. Drake
   • W.C. Schwab
   • B.D. Edwards
   • H.J. Lee
   • J.L. Chin

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   H.A. Karl, D. E. Drake, W.C. Schwab, B.D. Edwards, H.J. Lee, J.L. Chin at the United States Geological Survey for the collection and analysis of data. For usSEABED, formatting: Jane Reid (USGS); Formatting corrections: Jane Reid (USGS) and Chris Jenkins (University of Colorado)

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   United States Geological Survey
   USGS Information Services
   Denver, CO 80225
   

   1-800-ASK-USGS (voice)
   

Why was the data set created?

"This report is the first of two interim reports to be submitted prior to the final report (due August 1991) that describe the progress of the analysis of data collected on the Farallon Escarpment.... In this report, we describe (1) the sidescan sonar mosaic,(2) examples of the high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles, (3) the surficial grain-size data, and (4) some of the physical properties of the sediment as determined by geotechnical analyses."

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

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

   Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)

   No specific information is available for cores from this cruise. General analytical techniques for the USGS Menlo Park Sediment Laboratory: Initial splits into size fractions by wet sieving using A.S.T.M. #10 (2mm) and A.S.T.M. #230 (0.063 mm) sieves. Fraction specific techniques for particle size analysis: for the coarse fraction (> 2.0 mm) is by sieve analysis and the medium fraction (2-0.063 mm) by settling tube. The fine fraction (<0.062 mm) is by pipette (Folk, 1968; Carver, 1971), hydrophotometer (Jordan and others, 1971), laser-diffraction (Beckman Coulter), or Sedigraph (Micromeretics), or combinations thereof. Settling tubes are modifications of those described by Theide, Chriss, Clauson and Swift, 1976 and are calibrated using Gibbs, 1971. Since 1998, the fine fraction (silt and clay), and occasionally up to 1 mm, is usually analyzed by the Beckman Coulter LS100Q (1 mm - 0.4 microns) and the LS230 (2 mm to 40 nanometers). Between 1993 and 1998, the fine fraction (0.063 mm to 1 micron) was generally analyzed by SediGraph (Micromeretics 5100. Between 1976 and 1995, the fine fraction was generally analyzed by hydrophotometer (Jordan and others, 1971). Data reduction, size analysis, and statistics performed by the SDSZ computer program (McHendrie, 1988). Carbon analyses by UIC Coulometrics (Joliet, IL) carbon analyzers, using protocols described in the UIC CM5012 and 5014 Coulometer instruction manuals (systems CM130, CM150, or CM250). Total carbon (TC) and total inorganic carbon (TIC) are determined by coulometric titration using Coulometer coupled to an acidification module and furnace apparatus. TC and TIC analyses are conducted separately on sediment samples. TC content is measured by combusting a sample (~20 mg) in a furnace preheated to 1000 degrees C until no more CO2 is evolved (~ five minutes). TIC content is measured using a heated perchloric acid digestion until no more CO2 is evolved (~ five minutes). Total organic carbon (TOC) content in sediments is calculated by difference (TOC = TC - TIC). For a description of USGS CMG lab procedures, see the Lab Analysis Section in: <http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/reports/ofr91-375/>

   Data sources used in this process:

   • Folk, 1968
   • Carver, 1971
   • Jordan and others, 1971
   • Theide, Chris, Clauson and Swift, 1976
   • Gibbs, 1971
   • McHendrie, 1988

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?

   No estimate made for original report. For usSEABED, data were digitized (typed in), compared to original and corrected as needed. Where appropriate, data were tested for completeness using MS Excel. Locations checked using GIS.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Navigation by integrated navigation (Del Norte range-range, GPS, Loran C Rho-Rho); given in decimal degrees (five significant figures).

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Depth determinations by 3.5 kHz, 4.5 kHz, or 10 kHz bathymetric profilers, given to nearest meter.

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

   No estimate made for original report. For inclusion into usSEABED, all data in the report were included.

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

   Data fall within expected ranges for the attributes measured.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

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

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: Cite the U.S. Geological Survey as the originators of the data.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   United States Geological Survey
   USGS Information Services
   Denver, CO 80225
   

   1-800-ASK-USGS (voice)
   

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

   Woods Hole Science Center (WHSC) Report 90027

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   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.

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

     Report is available through the USGS; available online at: <http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/1990/90027/archive/>

   • Cost to order the data: None

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

   Adobe Acrobat required: Download: <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html>

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 2005

Metadata author:

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

Metadata standard:

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