Interpretation of sea floor geologic units for Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds, Massachusetts (polygon shapefile; Geographic, WGS 84)

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Metadata:


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Wayne Baldwin
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:
Interpretation of sea floor geologic units for Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds, Massachusetts (polygon shapefile; Geographic, WGS 84)
Edition: 1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2016-1119
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Online_Linkage:
<https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1119/GIS_catalog/SurficialGeology/VineyardNantucketSound_surfgeol.zip>
Larger_Work_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Wayne E. Baldwin
Originator: David S. Foster
Originator: Elizabeth A. Pendleton
Originator: Walter A. Barnhardt
Originator: William C. Schwab
Originator: Brian D. Andrews
Originator: Seth D. Ackerman
Publication_Date: 2016
Title:
Shallow Geology, Sea-Floor Texture, and Physiographic Zones of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds, Massachusetts
Edition: 1
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2016-1119
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1119/>
Description:
Abstract:
Geologic, sediment texture, and physiographic zone maps characterize the sea floor of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds, Massachusetts. These maps were derived from interpretations of seismic-reflection profiles, high-resolution bathymetry, acoustic-backscatter intensity, bottom photographs, and surficial sediment samples. The interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy and mapping of glacial and Holocene marine units provided a foundation on which the surficial maps were created. This mapping is a result of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to characterize the surface and subsurface geologic framework offshore of Massachusetts.
Purpose:
This data set describes sea-floor geology of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds. Polygons are used to indicate the areal distribution of sea-floor outcrop for sub-surface stratigraphic units interpreted in high-resolution seismic reflection data. These data are useful for assessing relations between geologic framework, sea-bed morphology, and sediment textural trends.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20090602
Ending_Date: 20110831
Currentness_Reference:
ground condition of the source data that this interpretation is based on
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.028732
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -70.431894
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.539837
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.321217
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: USGS
Theme_Keyword: Coastal and Marine Geology Program
Theme_Keyword: CMGP
Theme_Keyword: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Theme_Keyword: WHCMSC
Theme_Keyword: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Theme_Keyword: CZM
Theme_Keyword: Sea floor
Theme_Keyword: Marine Geology
Theme_Keyword: Interpretation
Theme_Keyword: Seismic Interpretation
Theme_Keyword: Geologic Framework
Theme_Keyword: Surficial Geology
Theme_Keyword: Esri Shapefile
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1184
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012-1006
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1020
Theme_Keyword: EdgeTech
Theme_Keyword: 512i
Theme_Keyword: 424
Theme_Keyword: Knudsen
Theme_Keyword: 3200
Theme_Keyword: Boomer
Theme_Keyword: Seismic-reflection Profiles
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Vineyard Sound
Place_Keyword: Nantucket Sound
Place_Keyword: Atlantic Ocean
Place_Keyword: Cape Cod
Place_Keyword: Succonnesset Point
Place_Keyword: Falmouth
Place_Keyword: Woods Hole
Place_Keyword: Gosnold
Place_Keyword: Elizabeth Islands
Place_Keyword: Nonamesset Island
Place_Keyword: Naushon Island
Place_Keyword: Pasque Island
Place_Keyword: Nashawena Island
Place_Keyword: Cuttyhunk Island
Place_Keyword: Martha's Vineyard
Place_Keyword: Aquinnah
Place_Keyword: Menemsha
Place_Keyword: Vineyard Haven
Place_Keyword: Oak Bluffs
Place_Keyword: Edgartown
Place_Keyword: Cape Poge
Place_Keyword: Lucas Shoal
Place_Keyword: Middle Ground Shoal
Place_Keyword: L'Hommedieu Shoal
Place_Keyword: Succonnesset Shoal
Place_Keyword: Hedge Fence Shoal
Place_Keyword: Squash Meadow Shoal
Stratum:
Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Stratum_Keyword: Sea floor
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 (USGS) as the source of this information. Additionally, there are limitations associated with qualitative geologic mapping interpretations. Polygon editing was done at scales between 1:8,000 and 1:20,000, depending on the size of the outcrop area, but the recommended scale for application of these data is 1:25,000.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
<https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1119/GIS_catalog/SurficialGeology/VineyardNantucketSound_surfgeol.png>
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Image of the surficial geology shapefile for Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PNG
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows Vista Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.4095
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Charles J. O'Hara
Originator: Robert N. Oldale
Publication_Date: 1980
Title:
Maps showing geology and shallow structure of eastern Rhode Island Sound and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Series_Information:
Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map
Issue_Identification: MF-1186
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Other_Citation_Details: 5 sheets
Online_Linkage: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/1980/mf-1186/>
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Charles J. O'Hara
Originator: Robert N. Oldale
Publication_Date: 1987
Title:
Maps showing geology, shallow structure, and bedforms of Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Series_Information:
Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map
Issue_Identification: MF-1911
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Other_Citation_Details: 4 sheets
Online_Linkage: <http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_5475.htm>

Data_Quality_Information:
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Chirp seismic-reflection data collected during USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center field activities 2009-002-FA, 2010-003-FA, 2010-004-FA, 2011-004-FA, and 2011-013-FA and boomer seismic-reflection data during USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center field activities 2010-047-FA and 2010-100-FA were used to interpret the geologic framework of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds. Because of the scale (polygon editing was done at scales between 1:8,000 and 1:20,000, depending on the size of the outcrop area) and line spacing of the source seismic profiles, not all changes in seafloor geology are captured. The boundaries of polygons are inferred between seismic lines, and polygon boundaries should be considered an approximation of the location of a change in geology. Further, a constant seismic velocity of 1,500 m/s was assumed for all profiles, through water and all sediment types, which may result in inaccurate depths of stratigraphic units.
Completeness_Report:
All chirp and boomer seismic-reflection data collected within the study area during USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center field activities 2009-002-FA, 2010-003-FA, 2010-004-FA, 2010-047-FA, 2010-100-FA, 2011-004-FA, and 2011-013-FA were used to interpret the subsurface geologic units.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Navigational accuracy of the seismic-reflection data used for this interpretation was assumed to be ± 10 to 20 meters. Refer to seismic trackline metadata in Pendleton and others (2012; 2014), and Andrews and others (2014) for specific seismic data acquisition parameters and accuracy reports. Additional navigational uncertainty in this interpretation arises from subjective digitizing of the seismic reflectors, sampling of the interpreted horizons at 10-m along track intervals prior to export from the seismic interpretation package.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Pendleton, E.A.
Originator: Twichell, D.C.
Originator: Foster, D.S.
Originator: Worley, C.R
Originator: Irwin, B.J.
Originator: Danforth, W.W.
Publication_Date: 2012
Title:
High-resolution geophysical data from the sea floor surrounding the Western Elizabeth Islands, Massachusetts
Edition: 1.0
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: raster digital data
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2011-1184
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1184/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20100909
Ending_Date: 20100918
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Pendleton and others, 2012
Source_Contribution:
This report provided source geophysical data (sidescan, bathymetry, and seismic-reflection profiles) for the area of Vineyard Sound surrounding the western Elizabeth Islands. High-resolution chirp seismic-reflection profiles were collected during U.S. Geological Survey field activity 2010-003-FA using an EdgeTech Geo-Star full spectrum sub-bottom (FSSB) system and SB-424 towfish. Thorough descriptions of acquisition and processing parameters for the survey are provided by Pendleton and others (2012) in the methods section and seismic-reflection metadata. Shallow geologic framework and surficial geology were interpreted from post-processed chirp seismic-reflection profiles.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Andrews, B.D.
Originator: Ackerman, S.D.
Originator: Baldwin, W.E.
Originator: Foster, D.S.
Originator: Schwab, W.C.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:
High-Resolution Geophysical Data from the Inner Continental Shelf: Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts
Edition: 2
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2012-1006
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1006/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20090528
Ending_Date: 20110517
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Andrews and others, 2014
Source_Contribution:
This report provided source geophysical data (sidescan, bathymetry, and seismic-reflection profiles) for most of the Vineyard and western Nantucket Sound Study area. The mapping was conducted onboard the Megan T. Miller (2009, 2010) and the Scarlett Isabella (2011) during U.S. Geological Survey field activities 2009-002-FA , 2010-004-FA, and 2011-004-FA. Chirp seismic-reflection data were collected using an EdgeTech Geo-Star FSSB subbottom profiling system and an SB-0512i towfish. Thorough descriptions of acquisition and processing parameters for each survey are provided by Andrews and others (2014) in the methods section and seismic-reflection metadata. Shallow geologic framework was interpreted from post-processed chirp seismic-reflection profiles
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Pendleton, E.A.
Originator: Andrews, B.D.
Originator: Danforth, W.W.
Originator: Foster, D.S.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:
High-resolution geophysical data collected aboard the U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Rafael to supplement existing datasets from Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 2013-1020
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Reston, VA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage: <https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1020/>
Type_of_Source_Media: online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 20071005
Ending_Date: 20110413
Source_Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Pendleton and others, 2014
Source_Contribution:
This report provided source geophysical data (sidescan, bathymetry, and seismic-reflection profiles) for several of the shallowest areas of Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, across Middleground, L'Hommedieu, and Hedge Fence shoals, as well as several supplemental boomer seismic-reflection profiles. These areas were surveyed with the RV Rafael in 2010 and 2011 during U.S. Geological Survey field activities 2010-047-FA, 2010-100-FA, and 2011-013-FA. In 2010, seismic-reflection data were acquired with a boomer source and GeoEel 8-channel streamer. In 2011, high-resolution chirp seismic data were collected using a dual frequency (3.5 and 200 kHz) Knudsen Engineering Limited (KEL) Chirp 3202 system. Thorough descriptions of acquisition and processing parameters for each survey are provided by Pendleton and others (2014) in the methods section and seismic-reflection metadata. Shallow geologic framework and surficial geology were interpreted from post-processed chirp and boomer seismic-reflection profiles.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Chirp and boomer seismic-reflection data were interpreted using Landmark SeisWorks 2D (R5000) seismic interpretation software. Interpretation consisted of identifying and digitizing erosional unconformities defining the boundaries between Holocene, Pleistocene, and pre-Quaternary seismic units, and digitizing the extent over which each of the defined sub-surface seismic units crops out on the sea floor. The digitized Sea-floor outcrop extents for each seismic unit were sampled at a 10-meter along track interval and exported from SeisWorks as ASCII text. The resultant text file was imported into ArcMap (9.3.1) as point features (easting, northing, seismic unit) using the 'Add XY data' function, then saved as a point shapefile (UTM, Zone 19N, WGS84).
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
Seisworks horizons representing the sea-floor outcrop extents of interpreted geologic units
Process_Date: 2015
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
A polygon shapefile of the seismic-reflection survey area was created by digitizing around a polyline shapefile of the profile tracklines (file > new > shapefile in ArcCatalog 9.3.1, then editor >'create new feature' in ArcMap 9.3.1). A new attribute field named 'Geology' was added to the shapefile attribute table. The point shapefile containing the along track extents of seismic unit outcrop was then used to guide division of the larger survey area polygon into smaller polygons representative of individual seismic unit outcrop areas (using editor processes 'cut polygon feature', 'intersect', 'merge', and 'clip' in ArcMap 9.3.1). As each new polygon area was created, the 'Geology' attribute field was populated with the appropriate geologic unit label. Polygon editing was done at scales between 1:8,000 and 1:20,000, depending on the size of the outcrop area.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:
shapefile of profile tracklines and point shapefile containing the along track extents of seismic unit outcrop
Process_Date: 2014
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Polygon shapefile containing the surficial geologic units was imported as a feature class within a file geodatabase feature dataset, and topological rules were established (ArcCatalog 9.3.1). Topological errors, primarily overlaps and gaps, were identified and remedied using the topology toolbar in ArcMap (9.3.1).
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Polygon shapefile containing the surficial geologic units
Process_Date: 2014
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
The surficial geology polygon feature class was exported back to a shapefile and the 'Shape_Area' and 'Shape_Length' fields were deleted from its attribute table (ArcCatalog and ArcMap 9.3.1). XTools Pro (7.1.0) was then used to add and populate a new attribute field containing polygon area in square kilometers based on UTM, zone 19, WGS84. Finally, the shapefile was reprojected from UTM zone 19 N, WGS 84 to GCS WGS84 using ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations > Feature > Project.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Polygon feature class containing the surficial geologic units
Process_Date: 2014
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 671

Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 0.000001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.000001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: VineyardNantucketSound_surfgeol
Entity_Type_Definition:
Surficial geologic shapefile for Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: FID
Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute_Definition_Source: ESRI
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Shape
Attribute_Definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name: Polygon
Codeset_Source: Esri
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Coordinates defining the features.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Geology
Attribute_Definition: Surficial geologic unit
Attribute_Definition_Source: Seismic interpretations
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qdt - Pleistocene glacial till and ice contact deposits - Drift composed of poorly sorted mud, sand, gravel, and boulders, that produce rugged topography where they crop out at the seafloor. While seismic penetration is typically limited, these units produce chaotic reflectors with common diffraction hyperbolae. Underlies Ut and Ur, and in places overlie the fluvial unconformity U1, and the tops of older Pleistocene till and drift and Cretaceous and Tertiary coastal plain deposits (QTKu?).
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qdm - Pleistocene Martha's Vineyard and Buzzards Bay end moraine deposits - Drift composed of poorly sorted mud, sand, gravel, and boulders that produce rugged topography where they crop out at the seafloor. Seismic penetration is limited in chirp profiles. Similar to Qdt, boomer profiles locally penetrate Qdm. Internal reflections are irregular or parabolic. Underlies the transgressive (Ut) and regressive (Ur) unconformities and in places overlies the U1 unconformity, and the tops of older Pleistocene till and drift (Qpw?) and Cretaceous and Tertiary coastal plain deposits (TKu?). Qdm crops out at the sea-floor forming ridges and ledges, which are composed of sand, gravel, and in places, boulders.
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qdl - Pleistocene glaciolacustrine (glaciodeltaic and lake floor) - Stratified drift composed of mud and sand that produce strong to weak, vertically laminated, horizontal to gently dipping reflectors. Underlies Ut and Ur, and typically drapes glacial till (Qdt) and moraine (Qdm).
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qdf - Pleistocene glaciofluvial (outwash) - Stratified drift composed of sand and gravel that produce vertically laminated, roughly horizontal to broadly undulating reflectors, cut and fill structures, and zones of acoustic transparency. Underlies Ut and Ur, and typically overlies glaciolacustrine (Qdl) and glacial till (Qdt).
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qfe - Holocene fluvial and estuarine - Fluvial sands and gravels, and estuarine sands and muds (locally > 11 m thick) that fill incised fluvial valleys. Produces vertically laminated, horizontal to concave-up reflectors and zones of acoustic transparency; local indications of cut-and-fill. Bounded above and below by Ut and the regressive unconformity (Ur), respectively.
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qmd - Holocene deepwater marine - Sandy muds and muddy sands (locally > 6 m thick) that blanket westernmost Vineyard Sound in water > 30 m deep. Generally acoustically transparent with faint, flat-lying reflectors locally. Overlies the transgressive unconformity (Ut).
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Codeset_Domain:
Codeset_Name:
Qmn - Holocene nearshore marine - Mostly sandy deposits (typically <2 m but up to 17 m thick) that form tidal shoals and sand waves in central portions of the sounds, and beaches and bars locally along their nearshore margins. Generally acoustically transparent with faint, flat-lying reflectors, except within the tidal shoals, where internal reflectors are indicative of morphologic evolution. Overlies transgressive unconformity (Ut) and grades to Qmd westward toward Rhode Island Sound.
Codeset_Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Area_km
Attribute_Definition:
Geologic unit outcrop area in square kilometers (UTM, zone 19, WGS84)
Attribute_Definition_Source: seismic interpretations
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.001786
Range_Domain_Maximum: 112.109448
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Square Kilometers
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.000001
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Four primary seismic stratigraphic units, undifferentiated Late Cretaceous(?), Tertiary(?), and (or) early Pleistocene(?) age coastal plain and continental shelf deposits and possibly late Pleistocene (pre-Wisconsinan?) age glacial drift (QTKu?), late Pleistocene glacial drift (Qd), Holocene age postglacial fluvial and estuarine (Qfe) deposits, and Holocene age postglacial marine (Qm) deposits are separated by three regional unconformities (reflectors) defined by reflections U1, Ur, and Ut (fig. 9). In addition, glacial drift (Qd) and postglacial marine (Qm) are each divided into subunits on the basis of seismic facies, stratigraphic position, and spatial distribution. For detailed descriptions of the interpreted seismic units and unconformities, please refer to the "Seismic Stratigraphy" and "Geologic Interpretation and Seismic Stratigraphic Mapping" sections of the "Results" in the larger work.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
The seismic stratigraphic units used here as attributes for surficial geology were first described by O'Hara and Oldale (1980 and 1987). The interpretation of the surficial extent of these units have been refined in this study using the dense, high resolution, seismic surveys of Pendleton and others (2012), Andrews and others (2014), and Pendleton and others (2014).

Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Resource_Description:
VineyardNantucketSound_surfgeol.zip from USGS Open File report 2016-1119. WinZip version 14.5 file contains qualitatively derived polygons that define the sea-floor geology of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sound, MA and the associated metadata.
Distribution_Liability:
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 U.S. Geological Survey 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
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: Shapefile
Format_Version_Number: ArcGIS 9.3.1
Format_Specification: Esri Polygon Shapefile
Format_Information_Content:
WinZip version 14.5 file contains qualitatively derived polygons that define the sea-floor geology of Vineyard and western Nantucket Sounds, MA and the associated metadata
File_Decompression_Technique: WinZip or pkUnzip
Transfer_Size: 3.17
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name:
<https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1119/GIS_catalog/SurficialGeology/VineyardNantucketSound_surfgeol.zip>
Network_Resource_Name:
<https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1119/ofr2016-1119-data_catalog.html>
Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded via the World Wide Web (WWW)
Fees: None
Technical_Prerequisites:
These data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) shapefile format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing this data type.

Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20150805
Metadata_Review_Date: 2016
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Wayne Baldwin
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address: 384 Woods Hole Rd.
City: Woods Hole
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 02543
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 508-548-8700 x2226
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 508-457-2310
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: wbaldwin@usgs.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time
Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
Metadata_Use_Constraints: None

Generated by mp version 2.9.12 on Mon Jul 25 12:02:48 2016