This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code). Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. We thank Melissa Lamont and Robin Hurst (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), Bill Hahn (University of Rhode Island), and Fran Scannell (Bigelow Laboratory) for their assistance during the acquisition and organization of some sediment data layers and images. We also thank Page Valentine, Tammie Middleton, and Jim Robb (all USGS) for critically reviewing this product.

We would also like to acknowledge Dann Blackwood (USGS) for the photograph on the cover jacket and his assistance in accumulating the images in the photo gallery.

The Gulf of Maine shaded relief bathymetric image shown in the Introduction page was created by Rich Signell of the U.S. Geological Survey.  Detailed information regarding the construction of the image as well as links to download the digital data and derived products may be found at the Gulf of Maine Information System website at the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Field Center.