Shallow geology, seafloor texture, and physiographic zones of the Inner Continental Shelf from Nahant to northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts

Elizabeth A. Pendleton; Wayne E. Baldwin; Walter A. Barnhardt; Seth D. Ackerman; David S. Foster; Brian D. Andrews; William C. Schwab

doi:10.3133/ofr20121157

Shallow geology, seafloor texture, and physiographic zones of the Inner Continental Shelf from Nahant to northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts

Open-File Report 2012-1157

By: Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Wayne E. Baldwin, Walter A. Barnhardt, Seth D. Ackerman, David S. Foster, Brian D. Andrews, and William C. Schwab

https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20121157

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Abstract

The Massachusetts inner continental shelf between Nahant and northern Cape Cod Bay has been profoundly affected by the occupation and retreat of glacial ice sheets and relative sea-level change during the Quaternary. Marine geologic mapping of this area is a component of a statewide cooperative effort involving the U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Interpretation of high-resolution geophysical data (interferometric and multibeam swath bathymetry, lidar, backscatter, and seismic reflection), sediment samples, and bottom photographs was used to produce a series of maps that describe the distribution and texture of seafloor sediments, shallow geologic framework, and physiographic zones of this inner-shelf region. These data and interpretations are intended to aid efforts to inventory and manage coastal and marine resources, and provide baseline information for research focused on coastal evolution and environmental change.

Suggested Citation

Pendleton, E., Baldwin, W.E., Barnhardt, W., Ackerman, S.D., Foster, D.S., Andrews, B., Schwab, W.C., 2013, Shallow geology, seafloor texture, and physiographic zones of the Inner Continental Shelf from Nahant to northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012-1157, HTML Document, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20121157.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Shallow geology, seafloor texture, and physiographic zones of the Inner Continental Shelf from Nahant to northern Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
Series title	Open-File Report
Series number	2012-1157
DOI	10.3133/ofr20121157
Year Published	2013
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location	Reston, VA
Contributing office(s)	Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description	HTML Document
Country	United States
State	Massachusetts
Other Geospatial	Nahant;Cape Cod Bay
Online Only (Y/N)	Y