SAMPLES: Bottom sample analysis and locations in the vicinity of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (ESRI POINT SHAPEFILE)

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Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
SAMPLES: Bottom sample analysis and locations in the vicinity of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (ESRI POINT SHAPEFILE)
Abstract:
The USGS Woods Hole Science Center conducted a nearshore geophysical survey offshore of the southern coast of Martha's Vineyard, in the vicinity of the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO) in August 2007. This mapping program was part of a larger research effort supporting the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Ripples Directed-Research Initiative (DRI) studies at MVCO by providing data collection and modeling. The geophysical data will be used to provide initial conditions for wave and circulation models for the study area. Ultimately, geophysical mapping, oceanographic measurements and modeling will help to improve our understanding of coastal sediment-transport processes.

The geophysical mapping utilized a suite of high-resolution instrumentation to map the surficial sediment distribution, depth and sub-surface geology: dual-frequency 100/500 KHz sidescan-sonar system, 234-KHz interferometric sonar, and 500 Hz -12 KHz chirp sub-bottom profiler. The survey was conducted aboard the M/V Megan Miller August 9-13, 2007. The study area covers 35 square kilometers from about 0.2 km to 5-km offshore of the south shore of Martha's Vineyard, and ranges in depth from ~ 5 to 20 meters.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, SAMPLES: Bottom sample analysis and locations in the vicinity of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (ESRI POINT SHAPEFILE): Open-File Report 2008-1288, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Denny, J.F., Danforth, W.W., Foster, D.S., and Sherwood, C.R., 2009, Geophysical Data Collected off the South Shore of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts: Open-File Report 2008-1288, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.573700
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.532600
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.349700
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.326000

  3. What does it look like?

    <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1288/GIS_catalog/Samples/samples_sm.jpg> (JPEG)
    Thumbnail image of seafloor and beach sample data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperators at the MVCO in 2005 and 2007

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

    Calendar_Date: 09-Sep-2005
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

  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):

      • Entity point (73)

    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 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is D_WGS_1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS_1984.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257224.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    samples
    ESRI Point Shapefile (Source: ESRI)

    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

    Coordinates defining the features.

    FRAME
    Indicates the instrument frame associated with the sample, or beach location. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Indicates the instrument frame associated with the sample, or beach location.

    FIELD_NO
    Original sample information recorded in the field. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Original sample information recorded in the field.

    LATITUDE
    Location of sample, WGS84 (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:41.326
    Maximum:41.3497
    Units:decimal degrees

    LONGITUDE
    Location of sample station, WGS84 (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-70.5737
    Maximum:70.5326
    Units:decimal degrees

    DEPTH_M
    Depth at sample location read from the ship's fathometer (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:16
    Units:meters

    DEVICE
    Sampling device (if reported) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Sampling Device used. A 'Not Reported' is listed if the sampling device was not reported.

    T_DEPTH
    Sample depth in sediment (cm) used for analyses. If not specifically noted, the samples are from the sediment surface, nominally including the top 2 cm. -9999 to represent 'No Data' if sampling device was not reported. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:21
    Units:centimeters

    B_DEPTH
    Sample depth in sediment (cm) used for analyses. If not specifically noted, the samples are from the sediment surface, nominally including the top 2 cm. -9999 value used to represent 'No Data' if sampling device was not reported. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:23
    Units:centimeters

    MONTH_COLL
    Month sample was collected (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Month of the year
    Codeset Source:USGS

    DAY_COLL
    Day sample was collected (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Day of the year
    Codeset Source:USGS

    YEAR_COLL
    Year sample was collected (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Formal codeset
    Codeset Name:Calendar Year
    Codeset Source:USGS

    WEIGHT
    Dry mass (gm) of sample used in analysis (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:4.7116
    Maximum:83.2817
    Units:percent

    GRAVEL_PCT
    Percent Gravel in sample (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:12.36
    Units:percent

    SAND_PCT
    Percent Sand in sample (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:85.12
    Maximum:99.99
    Units:percent

    SILT_PCT
    Percent silt in sample (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:2.86
    Units:percent

    CLAY_PCT
    Percent clay in sample (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:1.74
    Units:percent

    CLASSIFICA
    Descriptive size classification according Shepard (1954) ternary classification system, as modified by Schlee, 1973). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    ValueDefinition
    SANDSediment grain size < 2 mm and > 0.062 mm
    Gravelly SedimentGrain Size > 2mm and < 64 mm

    MEDIAN
    median size of sample (phi) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-0.01
    Maximum:3.22
    Units:phi

    MEAN
    mean size of sample (phi) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.1
    Maximum:3.1
    Units:phi

    STDEV
    Standard Deviation of sample (phi) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.13
    Maximum:1.64
    Units:phi

    SKEWNESS
    Skewness of sample (unitless) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-14.78
    Maximum:4.53
    Units:unit less

    KURTOSIS
    Kurtosis of sample (unitless) (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:-1
    Maximum:275.88
    Units:unit less

    PHIm5
    Fraction of analyzed sample in negative 5 phi size class ( m indicates a minus sign). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:phi

    PHIm4
    Fraction of analyzed sample in negative 4 phi size class ( m indicates a minus sign). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0
    Units:phi

    PHIm3
    Fraction of analyzed sample in negative 3 phi size class ( m indicates a minus sign). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:3.13
    Units:phi

    PHIm2
    Fraction of analyzed sample in negative 2 phi size class ( m indicates a minus sign). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:4.2
    Units:phi

    PHIm1
    Fraction of analyzed sample in negative 1 phi size class ( m indicates a minus sign). (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:8.22
    Units:phi

    PHI_0
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 0 phi size class. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:44.05
    Units:phi

    PHI_1
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 1 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.06
    Maximum:82.44
    Units:phi

    PHI_2
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 2 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.49
    Maximum:89.55
    Units:phi

    PHI_3
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 3 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:77.08
    Units:phi

    PHI_4
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 4 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01
    Maximum:63.34
    Units:phi

    PHI_5
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 5 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.87
    Units:phi

    PHI_6
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 6 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.65
    Units:phi

    PHI_7
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 7 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.69
    Units:phi

    PHI_8
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 8 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.86
    Units:phi

    PHI_9
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 9 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.89
    Units:phi

    PHI_10
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 10 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.6
    Units:phi

    PHI_11
    Fraction of analyzed sample in 11 phi size class (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:0.25
    Units:phi

    ANALYST
    USGS Sediment Analyst (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    USGS Sediment Analyst's Comments

    ANAL_COMM
    Analyst's Comments (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    USGS Sediment Analyst's Comments

    LITHOLOGY
    physical character of the sample (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    USGS Comments on physical character of sample

    COMMENTS
    Additional USGS Comments (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)

    Additional USGS Comments

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Column A FRAME This indicates which instrument frame the sample is associated with, except for beach samples, indicated with a B. The key for the other samples is:

    First letter C or F indicates coarse or fine sediment patch, D indicates dividing line between coarse and fine at the USGS 11-m site. Two-digit number 08, 11, 12, 16 indicates nominal water depth (meters, relative to MLW).

    Next letter C or T (if present) indicates location of sample on crest or trough of a ripple.

    Final letter T or B (if present) indicates top or bottom of diver push core.

    Column B FIELD_NO

    This column contains the original sample information recorded in the field. In some cases, it includes a date and a sample number; in others, it provides more information on sample location. In the case of the beach samples, KB indicates Katama Beach. Sediment samples were collected on south-facing Katama Beach in Edgartown, MA on September 16, 2005. Samples were collected in three parallel transects, roughly 5m apart. Each transect started at the base of the dune and ran to the low-tide water level (12:50pm EDT), totaling 7 samples at 5m intervals, zero to 30 meters from the dune base. Samples at 0m are labeled dune then +5, +10, +15, etc. The second number identifies the transect, with transect 1 farthest west.

    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    Definitions of the fields within the sediment sample shapefile were provided by Chris R. Sherwood, USGS.

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    U.S. Geological Survey

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

    Chris Sherwood
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

    (508) 548-8700x2269 (voice)
    5084572310 (FAX)
    csherwood@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This sample data set is used to support the Office of Naval Research (ONR) OASIS (optical and acoustic sediments in situ) and Ripples Directed Research Initiative (DRI) projects near the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO). Specifically, sample data were collected to mark the boundary between coarse and fine sediment prior to deployment of instrumented tripods, after retrieval of tripods, and to document physical characteristics of the beach. (See Sherwood and others, 2009)

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    (source 1 of 1)
    .

    Source_Contribution:
    In August, 2007 USGS deployed instrumented tripods at two locations within the geophysical survey area. Prior to tripod deployment, seafloor sediment samples were collected at the tripod locations, to define the boundary between coarse and fine sediment. The sample locations were dictated by the investigative needs of the OASIS (optical and acoustic sediments in situ) and DRI projects, and were not collected to ground-truth the 2007 geophysical survey area. In October, 2007 the tripods were recovered and additional sample locations were collected. Beach samples collected in 2005 are also included.

    All samples were processed for grain size in the WHSC sediment lab using sieve and coulter counter techniques (Poppe, and others, 2005). Beach samples (top 2 cm) were hand-sampled with a Teflon-coated scoop. Most other samples were obtained by SCUBA divers with short (~15 to 30-cm long x 4.5-cm diameter) push cores, but a few were collected with a modified Van Veen grab sampler and subsampled to obtain representative material from the top 2 cm. Samples were collected in September, 2005 and August and October, 2007. Only samples collected in August, 2007 are associated with a USGS, Woods Hole Science Center, Field Activity Number (07028).

    Sediment sizes are reported in phi units, which are defined as: size [phi] = -log2( size [mm] ).

    Beach samples were obtained by R. Horwitz. USGS diver samples were obtained by D. Blackwood and C. Worley. Samples were also provided by A. Hay (Dalhousie University) and P. Traykovski (WHOI). Sample analyses were performed by K. McMullen.

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

    Date: 2009 (process 1 of 1)
    A Microsoft Excel 2004 spreadsheet containing sediment analysis and additional acquisition information was exported as a comma-delimited text file (*.csv). The comma-delimited text file was then imported to ArcGIS 9.2 using Tools - Add XY Data, creating an event theme referenced to the Geographic Coordinate System WGS84. The event theme was then exported as a point shapefile.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    Jane F. Denny
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA 02543
    USA

    508-548-8700 x 2311 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

    Poppe, L.J., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., 2005, USGS East-Coast Sediment Analysis Procedures, Database, and GIS Data: Open-File Report 2005-1001, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    Schlee, J., 1973, Atlantic continental shelf and slope of the United States -- sediment texture of the northeastern part: Professional Paper 529-L, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

    Shepard, F.P., 1954, Nomenclature based on sand-silt-clay ratios: Journal Sedimentary Petrology: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology v. 24, p. 151-158, Society for Sedimentary Geology, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Sherwood, C.R., Butman, B., Rubin, D.M., Signell, R.P., and Warner, J.C., 2009, National Community Sediment-Transport Modeling Project: U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

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?

    Navigation was provided by the R/V Connecticuts GPS system for samples collected in August and October 2007, (<http://www.marinesciences.uconn.edu/MSTC/Vesselops/rv_specs.html>). GPS (no Selective Availability) is considered to provide roughly 10 meters positional accuracy (<http://www.navcen.uscg.gov>).

    The location of beach samples was estimated from Google Earth images (2005).

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    Water depth of sample locations were recorded from the ship's echosounder to provide a general depth for each sample. Nominal depth (meters, relative to MLLW, probably accurate to +/- 1 m).

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

    All sample data collected in September 2005, August and October, 2007 are included in this ESRI shapefile.

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

    Onshore beach samples were collected within approximately 0.5 kilometers of the MVCO Meteorological Mast in September 2005. Seafloor samples were collected in the vicinity of the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO) 12-meter node and ASIT in August and October 2007. Beach samples were collected by hand, seafloor samples were collected by SCUBA divers using short (30-cm) push cores or by Van Veen grab sampler. All samples were processed by the U.S. Geological Survey sediment laboratory.

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:
Public domain data from the U.S. Government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset.

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

    Jane Denny
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

    (508) 548-8700x2311 (voice)
    5084572310 (FAX)
    jdenny@usgs.gov

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

    Downloadable Data

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Neither the U.S. Government, the Department of the Interior, nor the USGS, nor any of their employees, contractors, or subcontractors, make any warranty, express or implied, nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, nor represent that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights. 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.

    Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

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

    This zip file contains data available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) point shapefile format. The user must have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing the data. A free data viewer, ArcExplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 19-Jan-2010
Metadata author:
Jane Denny
U.S. Geological Survey
Geologist
384 Woods Hole Rd.
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

(508) 548-8700x2311 (voice)
5084572310 (FAX)
jdenny@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.8.25 on Tue Jan 19 12:37:05 2010