USGS - science for a changing world

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1071

High-Resolution Seismic-Reflection and Marine-Magnetic Data from Offshore Central California—San Gregorio to Point Sur

By

Ray W. Sliter, Samuel Y. Johnson, Janet T. Watt, Daniel S. Scheirer, Parker Allwardt, and Peter J. Triezenberg

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey collected high-resolution seismic-reflection data on four surveys (S-N1-09-MB, S-15-10-NC, S-06-11-MB, and S-04-12-MB) and marine-magnetic data on one survey (S-06-11-MB) between 2009 and 2012, offshore of central California between San Gregorio and Point Sur. This work was supported in part by the California Seafloor Mapping Program.

The survey areas span about 120 km of California's coast (including Monterey Bay). Most data were collected aboard the U.S. Geological Survey R/V Parke Snavely. Cumulatively, approximately 1,410 km of single-channel seismic-reflection data were acquired, mainly using a SIG 2mille minisparker. About 44 km of data were collected simultaneously using an EdgeTech Chirp 512. Subbottom acoustic penetration spanned tens to several hundreds of meters, variable by location. Marine magnetic data were collected on approximately 460 km of track lines (mainly in southern Monterey Bay) using a Geometrics G882 cesium-vapor marine magnetometer.

This report includes maps and navigation files of the surveyed transects, linked to Google Earth™ software, as well as digital data files showing images of each transect in SEG-Y and JPEG formats. The images of bedrock, sediment deposits, and tectonic structure provide geologic information that is essential to hazard assessment, regional sediment management, and coastal and marine spatial planning at Federal, State and local levels, as well as to future research on the geomorphic, sedimentary, tectonic, and climatic record of central California.

For more information, contact the PCMSC.

Suggested citation:
Sliter, R. Johnson, S.Y., Watt, J.T., Scheirer, D.S., Allwardt, P. and Triezenberg, P.J., 2013, High-resolution seismic-reflection and marine-magnetic data from offshore central California—San Gregorio to Point Sur: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1071.

U.S. Department of the Interior
KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey
Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

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

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/of/2013/1071/index.html
Page Contact Information: GS Pubs Web Contact
Page Last Modified: Monday, 20-May-2013 18:21:44 EDT