Sea-Floor Character and Sedimentary Processes of Block Island Sound, Offshore Rhode Island

By L.J. Poppe, W.W Danforth, K.Y. McMullen, M.A. Blankenship, K.A. Glomb, D.B. Wright, and S.M. Smith

Abstract

Gridded multibeam bathymetry covers approximately 634 square kilometers of sea floor in Block Island Sound. Although originally collected for charting purposes during National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hydrographic surveys H12009, H12010, H12011, H12015, H12033, H12137, and H12139, these combined acoustic data and the sea-floor sediment sampling and photography stations subsequently occupied to verify them during U.S. Geological Survey cruise 2011-006-FA (1) show the composition and terrain of the seabed, (2) provide information on sediment transport and benthic habitat, and (3) are part of an expanding series of studies that provide a fundamental framework for research and management activities (for example, wind farms and fisheries) along the Rhode Island inner continental shelf.

First posted August 7, 2012

Revised August 13, 2014

Title Page Report (11 KB)

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Suggested citation:

Poppe, L.J., Danforth, W.W., McMullen, K.Y., Blakenship, M.A., Glomb, K.A., Wright, D.B., and Smith, S.M., 2014, Sea-floor character and sedimentary processes of Block Island Sound, offshore Rhode Island (ver.1.1, August 2014): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1005, http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1005/.