Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
Active
By Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
January 1, 2019
High-resolution geophysical and geological data collected in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts
Sea-Floor Sediment and Imagery Data Collected in Nantucket Sound
Shallow Geology, Sea-Floor Texture, and Physiographic Zones
Inner Continental Shelf From Aquinnah to Wasque Point, Martha’s Vineyard, and Eel Point to Great Point, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Inner Continental Shelf From Aquinnah to Wasque Point, Martha’s Vineyard, and Eel Point to Great Point, Nantucket, Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will serve the needs of research, management and the public. This project page provides a description of the mapping program and links to data and publications produced for this project and other Massachusetts mapping efforts. Link to interactive map.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Geologic mapping of the Massachusetts inner continental shelf is a cooperative effort that was initiated in 2003 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Ocean Service (NOAA-NOS) is also an important partner and contributes hydrographic data that are integrated into the maps. The overall goal of this cooperative is to determine the geologic framework of the sea floor within the Massachusetts coastal zone, using high-resolution geophysical techniques, sediment sampling, and sea floor photography. Water depths in the study area range from about 2 m (6 ft) along the coast to 90 m(295 ft) in offshore areas.
The products and knowledge developed by this project have broad application to regional science and resource-management issues. The geologic and bathymetric maps help us understand the processes that have shaped the coast and how it has evolved over time, and thereby help evaluate the vulnerability of coastal environments to storms, sea-level rise, and long-term climate change. Accurate maps that depict the distribution of bottom types on the inner continental shelf provide scientific guidance for appropriately siting offshore development such as sand mining, pipelines, and renewable energy projects. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) uses the maps to monitor habitat recovery following pipeline construction in Massachusetts Bay and to conduct fisheries research. Ultimately, these maps will support the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, an integrated, multi-use, proposal for the management of Massachusetts waters.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 33
Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Shaded relief backscatter image of a shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Shaded relief backscatter image of a shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Bathymetry of southern Gulf of Maine and Massachusetts coastal zone
Bathymetry of of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey.
Bathymetry of of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey.
Southern Gulf of Maine and Massachusetts coastal zone bathymetry
Image showing the bathymetry of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey. The images on the right display how the geophysical and sample data are combined to create an interpretation of seafloor geology
Image showing the bathymetry of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey. The images on the right display how the geophysical and sample data are combined to create an interpretation of seafloor geology
Data input heirarchy
Sediment texture and distribution data were mapped qualitatively in Esri ArcGIS using a hierarchical methodology. Backscatter data were the first input, followed by bathymetry, surficial geologic and shallow stratigraphic interpretations, and photograph and sample databases. DEM, digital elevation model.
Sediment texture and distribution data were mapped qualitatively in Esri ArcGIS using a hierarchical methodology. Backscatter data were the first input, followed by bathymetry, surficial geologic and shallow stratigraphic interpretations, and photograph and sample databases. DEM, digital elevation model.
Sediment Textures
Inner continental shelf sediment textures within western Massachusetts Bay classified using Barnhardt and others (1998). Bottom photographs A-D show sediment texture in select locations (photograph locations are shown as white dots on the sediment texture map).
Inner continental shelf sediment textures within western Massachusetts Bay classified using Barnhardt and others (1998). Bottom photographs A-D show sediment texture in select locations (photograph locations are shown as white dots on the sediment texture map).
Swath Bathymetry
Swath bathymetry and derivative products such as slope, hillshaded relief, and rugosity maps provide information not only on water depth, but also the roughness and smoothness of the sea floor, which correlates with sea floor texture and depositional environment.
Swath bathymetry and derivative products such as slope, hillshaded relief, and rugosity maps provide information not only on water depth, but also the roughness and smoothness of the sea floor, which correlates with sea floor texture and depositional environment.
Bathymetry surrounding Martha's Vineyard, MA
Oblique hillshaded-relief view of the bathymetry surrounding Martha’s Vineyard and the Upper Cape looking south across Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound
Oblique hillshaded-relief view of the bathymetry surrounding Martha’s Vineyard and the Upper Cape looking south across Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound
Shaded relief image of Red Brook Harbor
Shaded relief image of Red Brook, Massachusetts Harbor
Shaded relief image of Red Brook, Massachusetts Harbor
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will serve the needs of research, management and the public. This project page provides a description of the mapping program and links to data and publications produced for this project and other Massachusetts mapping efforts. Link to interactive map.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Geologic mapping of the Massachusetts inner continental shelf is a cooperative effort that was initiated in 2003 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Ocean Service (NOAA-NOS) is also an important partner and contributes hydrographic data that are integrated into the maps. The overall goal of this cooperative is to determine the geologic framework of the sea floor within the Massachusetts coastal zone, using high-resolution geophysical techniques, sediment sampling, and sea floor photography. Water depths in the study area range from about 2 m (6 ft) along the coast to 90 m(295 ft) in offshore areas.
The products and knowledge developed by this project have broad application to regional science and resource-management issues. The geologic and bathymetric maps help us understand the processes that have shaped the coast and how it has evolved over time, and thereby help evaluate the vulnerability of coastal environments to storms, sea-level rise, and long-term climate change. Accurate maps that depict the distribution of bottom types on the inner continental shelf provide scientific guidance for appropriately siting offshore development such as sand mining, pipelines, and renewable energy projects. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) uses the maps to monitor habitat recovery following pipeline construction in Massachusetts Bay and to conduct fisheries research. Ultimately, these maps will support the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, an integrated, multi-use, proposal for the management of Massachusetts waters.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 33
Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Shaded relief image of Woods Hole, MA
Shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Shaded relief backscatter image of a shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Shaded relief backscatter image of a shipwreck near Cuttyhunk, MA
Bathymetry of southern Gulf of Maine and Massachusetts coastal zone
Bathymetry of of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey.
Bathymetry of of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey.
Southern Gulf of Maine and Massachusetts coastal zone bathymetry
Image showing the bathymetry of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey. The images on the right display how the geophysical and sample data are combined to create an interpretation of seafloor geology
Image showing the bathymetry of the southern Gulf of Maine with the Massachusetts coastal zone boundary outlined in grey. The images on the right display how the geophysical and sample data are combined to create an interpretation of seafloor geology
Data input heirarchy
Sediment texture and distribution data were mapped qualitatively in Esri ArcGIS using a hierarchical methodology. Backscatter data were the first input, followed by bathymetry, surficial geologic and shallow stratigraphic interpretations, and photograph and sample databases. DEM, digital elevation model.
Sediment texture and distribution data were mapped qualitatively in Esri ArcGIS using a hierarchical methodology. Backscatter data were the first input, followed by bathymetry, surficial geologic and shallow stratigraphic interpretations, and photograph and sample databases. DEM, digital elevation model.
Sediment Textures
Inner continental shelf sediment textures within western Massachusetts Bay classified using Barnhardt and others (1998). Bottom photographs A-D show sediment texture in select locations (photograph locations are shown as white dots on the sediment texture map).
Inner continental shelf sediment textures within western Massachusetts Bay classified using Barnhardt and others (1998). Bottom photographs A-D show sediment texture in select locations (photograph locations are shown as white dots on the sediment texture map).
Swath Bathymetry
Swath bathymetry and derivative products such as slope, hillshaded relief, and rugosity maps provide information not only on water depth, but also the roughness and smoothness of the sea floor, which correlates with sea floor texture and depositional environment.
Swath bathymetry and derivative products such as slope, hillshaded relief, and rugosity maps provide information not only on water depth, but also the roughness and smoothness of the sea floor, which correlates with sea floor texture and depositional environment.
Bathymetry surrounding Martha's Vineyard, MA
Oblique hillshaded-relief view of the bathymetry surrounding Martha’s Vineyard and the Upper Cape looking south across Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound
Oblique hillshaded-relief view of the bathymetry surrounding Martha’s Vineyard and the Upper Cape looking south across Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound
Shaded relief image of Red Brook Harbor
Shaded relief image of Red Brook, Massachusetts Harbor
Shaded relief image of Red Brook, Massachusetts Harbor
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of Quicks Hole, Massachusetts
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of the Outer Cape Cod, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA
Shaded relief image of Nahant to Gloucester, MA