National Geophysical Data Center Coastal Relief Model

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?
  8. What are the components of this data set?
• 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?
• 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?

Title: National Geophysical Data Center Coastal Relief Model

Abstract:

This data set includes sea floor topography of the area offshore of New York and New Jersey from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Relief Model. The data set is derived from historical measurements of sea floor depth and is gridded at 90 m spatial resolution.





1. How should this data set be cited?
   
   

   National Oceanographic and Atmo, National Geophysical Data Center, 2002, National Geophysical Data Center Coastal Relief Model:.
   
   Online Links:

   • <URL: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coastal/coastal.html>

   
   
   

   Other_Citation_Details:

   A fundamental database for GIS/LIS applications is gridded elevations, upon which digital maps of rivers, infrastructure and other geographic information can be overlain. While digital elevation models (DEMs) of the coastal states are available through the US Geological Survey (USGS), until now there has been no comparable product for offshore elevations aside from custom grids generated by individual investigators. Our team at NGDC is taking advantage of the recently restructured NOS Hydrographic Database, and the maturation of software for constructing, managing, accessing and viewing gridded hydrographic data, to assemble a gridded database of coastal zone elevations that complements and enhances the USGS 3-arc-second DEMs. This Coastal Relief Gridded database provides the first comprehensive view of the US Coastal Zone; one that extends from the coastal state boundaries to as far offshore as the NOS hydrographic data will support a continuous view of the seafloor. In many cases, this seaward limit reaches out to, and in places even beyond the continental slope. Data sources include the US National Ocean Service and the US Geological Survey. Volumes 3 through 5 also include bathymetric contours from the International Bathymetric Chart of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico project.

   This is part of the following larger work.
   
   

   Butman, Bradford, Danforth, W.W., Knowles, S.C., May, Brian, and Serrett, Laurie, 2002, Sea Floor Topography and Backscatter Intensity of the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS), Offshore of New York, Based on Multibeam Surveys Conducted in 1996, 1998, and 2000: Open File Report OFR00-503, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
   
   Online Links:

   • <URL: https://pubs.usgs.gov/openfile/of00-503>

   
   
   

   
   
   
2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
   
   

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -74.5666614

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.998985

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.873091

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.001819

   
   
   
3. What does it look like?
   
   
   
   
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
   
   

   Beginning_Date: 1996

   Ending_Date: 2000

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data

   
   
   
6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   
   
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      
      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:
      • Dimensions 4127 x 4107, type Grid Cell
      
      
      
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      
      The map projection used is Mercator.
      
      

      Projection parameters:

      Standard_Parallel: 40.0

      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -75

      False_Easting: 0

      False_Northing: 0

      
      
      Planar coordinates are encoded using row and column
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 45
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 45
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      
      
      
      The ellipsoid used is World Geodetic System 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
      
      
      

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

      Depth_System_Definition:

      Depth_Datum_Name: Mean lower low water

      Depth_Resolution: Unknown

      Depth_Distance_Units: meters

      Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit depth coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

   
   
   
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
   
   

   noaa_bathy.shp

   Arcview shapefile with polylines (Source: ESRI)
   
   

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
   
   

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   

   Value	Definition
   polyline	feature geometry name

   
   
   

   Fnode_

   Arcview generated node identification (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   

   Value	Definition
   0	Arcview generated number

   
   
   

   Tnode_

   Arcview generated node identification (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   

   Value	Definition
   0	Arcview generated number

   
   
   

   Lpoly_

   Arcview generated polyline identification (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   

   Value	Definition
   0	Arcview generated number

   
   
   

   Rpoly

   Arcview generated polyline identification (Source: ESRI)
   
   
   
   

   Value	Definition
   1	Arcview generated number

   
   
   

   Length

   length of polyline (Source: Arcview)
   
   
   
   

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.004
   Maximum:	0.422
   Units:	decimal degrees

   
   
   

   Noaa_ed_

   Arcview generated identification (Source: Arcview)
   
   
   
   

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	924
   Units:	Arcview generated sequential numbers

   
   
   

   Noaa_ed_id

   Arcview generated identification (Source: Arcview)
   
   
   
   

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	2240
   Units:	Arcview generated numbers

   
   
   

   Cont_int

   depth attribute of polyline (Source: data processor)
   
   
   
   

   Range of values
   Minimum:	20
   Maximum:	200
   Units:	meters

   
   
   

   Cont_id

   Arcview generated identification (Source: Arcview)
   
   
   
   

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	2240
   Units:	Arcview generated numbers

   
   
   

   
   
   

   
   
   
8. What are the components of this data set?
   
   

   ngdc_gridclpd (ESRI grid)

   A 90 meter resolution ESRI grid depicting bathymetry generated from data extracted from the NGDC Coastal Relief Model.

   noaa_bathy.shp (Arcview shapefile)

   This line shapefile depicts bathymetry in 100 meter contour intervals.

   ngdc hilclmosx100 (ESRI grid)

   A grid depicting topography exagerrated 100 times and illuminated from 350 degrees with an sun angle of 45 degrees.

   ngdc_hilx5 (ESRI grid)

   A grid depicting topography exagerrated 5 times and illuminated from 350 degrees with an sun angle of 45 degrees.

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   
   
   • National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center
   
   
   
2. Who also contributed to the data set?
   
   

   Interpretation by Bradford Butman, data processing by William W. Danforth and Laurie Serrett, metadata written by Tammie J. Middleton

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

   Brad Butman
   United States Geological Survey
   Oceanographer
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598
   
   
   508.457.2212 (voice)
   508.457.2309 (FAX)
   bbutman@usgs.gov
   

Why was the data set created?

The purpose of this project is to map the surficial geology of the sea floor of Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS) and changes in surficial characteristics over time. This GIS project presents multibeam and other data in a digital format for analysis and display by scientists, policy makers, managers and the general public.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
   
   

   NOAA (source 1 of 1)

   National Oceanographic and Atmo, National Geophysical Data Center, 1999, Coastline Extractor: NGDC National Coastal Relief Model Volumes 1 and 2, NESDIS National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, CO.
   
   Online Links:

   • <URL: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/coastal/coastal.html>

   
   
   

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The first elevation grids constructed for the database formed volumes one and two of the NGDC Coastal Relief Model CD-ROM series. These volumes collectively covered an area of the US coastal zone that extends from 48° N to 31° N latitude, encompassing the land areas and surveyed offshore areas of the coastal states from Maine to Georgia. In October, 2001, volumes three, four, and five were released covering the coast of Florida and the US Gulf of Mexico coastal zone (see illustration at upper left). The gridded database will eventually encompass the coastal zone of the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. However, the US coastal zone is being gridded in sections due to the immense volume of data involved in this project. The grids of the eastern US coastal zone (excluding Florida) are the first in a series of gridded data sets that are being compiled for the US coastal zone. The data sets are being systematically assembled proceeding clockwise around the continental US. The next datasets to be released will be of the western US coastal zone, encompassing California, Oregon and Washington, of the Great Lakes and their bordering states, and then of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. Data sets of Hawaii and Puerto Rico will be included amongst these as well.

   Type_of_Source_Media: CD_ROM

   Source_Contribution:

   The source contributed the database from which we extracted data for the section of coastline we were interested in.

   
   
   

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

   Date: 2000 (process 1 of 1)

   The data for these data layers were extracted from the Geodas CDROM Volumes 1 and 2. These CD's are produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, CO. Spatially referenced depth values were exported into an ASCII raster file, which was then imported into Arcview Spatial Analyst to create gridded bathymetry with a cell size of 90 by 90 meters. The grid was then contoured at 20 meter intervals from 20 to 200 meters.
   
   The ASCII raster file was also used to generate a sunilluminated image with software from University of New Brunswick, which had an elevation angle of 45 degrees and was illuminated from the north with an exagerration of 100 times. This image was then converted into a grid to be used as a brightness theme for the bathymetry grid.
   
   

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   
   Unknown
   
   
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
   Unknown
   
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
   Unknown
   
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   
   These data are known to be complete.
   
   
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   
   These data are considered to be logically consistent.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

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

Access_Constraints:

These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by the 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.

Use_Constraints:

These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by the 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.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 2)
   
   

   Bradford Butman
   U.S. Geological Survey
   Oceanographer
   384 Woods Hole Road
   Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543-1598
   USA
   
   
   508.548.8700x2212 (voice)
   508.457.2309 (FAX)
   bbutman@usgs.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
   
   
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
   
   

   These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by the 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.

   
   
   
4. How can I download or order the data?
   
   

   ---

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 2 of 2)
   
   

   U.S. Geological Survey Information Services
   Box 25286 Denver Federal Center
   Denver, Colorado 80225-0046
   USA
   
   
   303.202.4700 (voice)
   303.202.4188 (FAX)
   

   Hours_of_Service: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
   
   
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
   
   

   These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by the 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.

   
   
   
4. How can I download or order the data?
   
   

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 19-Oct-2001

Metadata author:

Brad Butman
United States Geological Survey
Oceanographer
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598


508.548.8700x2212 (voice)
508.457.2309 (FAX)
bbutman@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)