Bedrock geologic map of the Uxbridge quadrangle, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Providence County, Rhode Island

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Bedrock geologic map of the Uxbridge quadrangle, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Providence County, Rhode Island
Abstract:
The bedrock geology of the 7.5-minute Uxbridge, MA-RI quadrangle consists of deformed Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic crystalline metamorphic and intrusive igneous rocks of the Avalon terrane. The database includes contacts of bedrock geologic units, faults, outcrops, structural geologic information, geochemistry data, and photos.
Supplemental_Information:
Locational data were collected in latitude and longitude (degrees minutes seconds) in WGS84 datum. These data were reprojected to the state plane coordinate system currently in use in Massachusetts. The database is accompanied by a large format color map, an explanatory pamphlet, and a readme.txt file.
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Walsh, Gregory J., 2014, Bedrock geologic map of the Uxbridge quadrangle, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Providence County, Rhode Island: Scientific Investigations Map 3295, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Walsh, G.J., 2014, Bedrock geologic map of the Uxbridge quadrangle, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Providence County, Rhode Island: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3295, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000, 36-p. pamphlet, https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3295.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.75
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -71.625
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.125
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.0

  3. What does it look like?

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

    Beginning_Date: 2007
    Ending_Date: 2014
    Currentness_Reference: publication date

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

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map

  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):

      • Complete chain (122)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: State Plane Coordinate System 1983
      State_Plane_Coordinate_System:
      SPCS_Zone_Identifier: 2001
      Lambert_Conformal_Conic:
      Standard_Parallel: 41.716667
      Standard_Parallel: 42.683333
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -71.500000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 41.000000
      False_Easting: 200000.000000
      False_Northing: 750000.000000

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000100
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000100
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    The geologic data layers in the GIS database of this report include, 1) CONTX - Polygon and arc data layers of bedrock geologic map units, including a lithology attribute table, 2) EXPOSURE - Unattributed polygon data layer of bedrock outcrops, 3) FOLDS - Arc data layer of axial traces of major folds, 4) STRUCTURE - Point data layer of ductile and brittle structural geology, 5) PTSCARTO - Point data layers of ductile and brittle structural geology used for cartography; a subset of STRUCTURE, 6) GEOCHEM – Point data for whole-rock geochemistry, and 7) PHOTOS - Point data layers for photographs.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sim3295/downloads/readme.txt

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?

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

    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Gregory J. Walsh
    >
    geologist
    P.O. Box 628
    Montpelier, Vermont
    USA

    802-828-4528 (voice)
    802-828-4465 (FAX)
    gwalsh@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

The bedrock geology was mapped to study the tectonic history of the area and to provide a framework for ongoing hydrogeologic characterization of the fractured bedrock. The digital data are intended for use by all government, academic, commercial, or other agencies in need of digital geologic map information.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

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

    Date: 2010 (process 1 of 1)
    Geology mapped at a scale of 1:24,000. Locational information was provided by GPS receiver. The line and polygon data were first compiled in Adobe Illustrator over registered scans of field sheets using the topographic base. Film positive separates of the published topographic base map were scanned at 400 dpi and registered in ArcMap. Illustrator files were converted to DXF vector files and imported to Arc/Info version 9.3. Point data were collected with GPS and attribute data were entered into Microsoft Excel. Data from Excel were converted to tab-delimited TXT files, joined with GPS coordinate data in ArcMap, saved as a shapefile, and exported into an Arc/Info coverage where point symbols were created and plotted. Line and polygon data were edited in Arc/Info and converted to shapefiles. Shapefiles were plotted in ArcMap and exported to Illustrator. Final cartography was done in Adobe Illustrator CS4.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    Gregory J. Walsh
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    P.O. Box 628
    Montpelier, Vermont
    USA

    802-828-4528 (voice)
    802-828-4465 (FAX)
    gwalsh@usgs.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 0900 to 1700 eastern standard time
    Data sources produced in this process:
    • Walsh (2014)

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

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    All attributes digitized during the creation process were verified by displaying the lines and points in the database with respect to the USGS 7.5-minute topographic map, but no formal tests were performed.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    The data were created on a USGS 7.5 minute topographic map at 1:24,000 scale. Therefore, the horizontal accuracy is assumed to be within National Map Accuracy Standards, with a horizontal accuracy of 45.6 feet at the 95% confidence level. Locational information in the field was provided by a Garmin eTrex Venture GPS receiver or similar.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    The data were delineated on a USGS 7.5 minute topographic map at 1:24,000 scale. Therefore, the vertical accuracy is assumed to be within National Map Accuracy Standards, with a vertical accuracy of 11.9 feet at the 95% confidence level.

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

    The geologic contacts were delineated on USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps based on observations at the outcrops shown in the database. Not all outcrops within the area were identified or visited during mapping. The geologic contacts might change if additional outcrops are discovered or exposed as the natural land changes or as the result of development. The features in the database are not based on legal parcels or definitions.

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

    These data are believed to be logically consistent, though no tests were performed. Geometry is topologically clean.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints:
Although all data released in this report have been used by the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and related materials and (or) the functioning of the software. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Use_Constraints: none

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

    U.S. Geological Survey - Information Services
    Box 25286, Denver Federal Center
    Denver, Colorado
    USA

    1-888-ASK-USGS (voice)
    ask@usgs.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 0900 to 1700 mountain standard time
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3295

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    This digital publication was prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this report, or represents that its use would not infringe 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. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or related service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 05-Sep-2014
Metadata author:
USGS
Attn: Gregory J. Walsh
>
Research Geologist
P.O. Box 628
Montpelier, VT
USA

802-828-4528 (voice)
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Generated by mp version 2.9.27 on Fri Sep 5 11:55:37 2014