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Accessing usSEABED

Completed
By Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program May 19, 2020

Use the map interface to query and download usSEABED

Explore usSEABED

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been combined into a unified database.

The usSEABED integrated sea-floor-characterization database, built with the dbSEABED processing system, provides data coverages describing the character and nature of the sea floor, combining observations from various published and previously unpublished resources.  

This usSEABED database contains six point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for samples collected within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, integrated using the software system dbSEABED. Textural, statistical, geochemical, geophysical, dominant component, and color data are available as three files, which represent the ways the data were obtained: US9_EXT contains lab-based, analytical data (extracted data); US9_PRS contains data created from written descriptions by using fuzzy-set theory incorporated in the dbSEABED software (parsed data); and US9_CLC contains data created through the application of known relationships between analytical values or empirical relationships (calculated data). These three data files are also combined into a single output file, US9_ONE, for a more extensive and less duplicative coverage of the sea floor.  The facies data layer, US9_FAC, represents concatenated information about components (minerals and rock type), genesis (metamorphic, carbonate, terrigenous), and other appropriate groupings of information about the sea floor parsed from written descriptions from cores, grabs, photographs, and videos.  The component data layer, US9_CMP, gives numeric data about selected components (for example, minerals, rock type, microfossils, and benthic biota) and sea-floor features (for example, odors) at a given site; values in the attribute fields represent the degree of membership to that attribute's fuzzy set. In addition to the six point coverages, a source file, US9_SRC, is included with the database and contains information about the original data that were incorporated into the usSEABED database.

Download the Entire Database

Download a zip file of the entire usSEABED database as CSV files along with the metadata and browse graphic.

Read the Metadata

Download the metadata as an HTML file for all usSEABED data files.

Download the metadata as a TXT file for all usSEABED data files.

Download the metadata as an XML file for all usSEABED data files.

Search usSEABED

Search the usSEABED database using the map interface.

Use the magnifying glass icon to the left of the map to enter search criteria relating to usSEABED information types and bounding coordinates.

To select samples from the map interface:

  • Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out or hold the Shift key and drag the pointer to draw a rectangle to zoom in.
  • Hold the Ctrl key for PC or command (⌘) key for Mac and drag the pointer to select by drawing a rectangle.
  • A simple left-click on the map will select data in the vicinity of the point clicked. The user selected records can be downloaded in a zip package with metadata.

Citation

Buczkowski, B.J., Reid, J.A., Schweitzer, P.N., Cross, V.A., and Jenkins, C.J., 2020, usSEABED—Offshore surficial-sediment database for samples collected within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9H3LGWM.

Associated publication for this data release:

Buczkowski, B.J., Reid, J.A., and Jenkins, C.J., 2020, Sediments and the sea floor of the continental shelves and coastal waters of the United States—About the usSEABED integrated sea-floor-characterization database, built with the dbSEABED processing system: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1046, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201046.

 

Learn more about usSEABED.

link
Map of a western coastal region showing land and waterways, with dots in the ocean showing varied data points.

usSEABED

usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

usSEABED

usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
Learn More
link
Map of land and ocean shows dots in the water where samples were taken and how many shells and worms in each sample.

usSEABED data format and content

The USGS data release for the usSEABED database enables search and download of six interlinked files of output data and a seventh file that provides linked information about the original data sources. These files can be downloaded in their entirety and are also searchable through an online interface that allows for search and selection either through a GIS display or through a web form. Both...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

usSEABED data format and content

The USGS data release for the usSEABED database enables search and download of six interlinked files of output data and a seventh file that provides linked information about the original data sources. These files can be downloaded in their entirety and are also searchable through an online interface that allows for search and selection either through a GIS display or through a web form. Both...
Learn More
link
Image of the outline of the United States and nearby continents with shapes along the coastline to show where data was collected

Accessing usSEABED

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Accessing usSEABED

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been...
Learn More
link
Map of coastline and dots plotted offshore show where sediment and rock samples were collected and their compositions.

dbSEABED: Data processing and mining

At the core of usSEABED is dbSEABED, a data-mining program based on the application of fuzzy set theory to marine geological and biological data. Fuzzy set theory allows expansion of coverage of the seafloor by the use of word-based data from core logs, sample descriptions, photos, and videos, as well as the more standard numeric data from a laboratory.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

dbSEABED: Data processing and mining

At the core of usSEABED is dbSEABED, a data-mining program based on the application of fuzzy set theory to marine geological and biological data. Fuzzy set theory allows expansion of coverage of the seafloor by the use of word-based data from core logs, sample descriptions, photos, and videos, as well as the more standard numeric data from a laboratory.
Learn More
link
Map of land and ocean shows dots in the water where samples were taken and how many shells and worms in each sample.

Parsing in dbSEABED

Numeric data mined from verbal logs, core or grab descriptions, shipboard notes, and photographic descriptions are classified as “parsed” data. Input data are maintained using the terms employed by the original researchers and are coded using phonetically sensible terms for easier processing by dbSEABED .
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Parsing in dbSEABED

Numeric data mined from verbal logs, core or grab descriptions, shipboard notes, and photographic descriptions are classified as “parsed” data. Input data are maintained using the terms employed by the original researchers and are coded using phonetically sensible terms for easier processing by dbSEABED .
Learn More

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been combined into a unified database.

The usSEABED integrated sea-floor-characterization database, built with the dbSEABED processing system, provides data coverages describing the character and nature of the sea floor, combining observations from various published and previously unpublished resources.  

This usSEABED database contains six point coverages of known sediment samples, inspections, and probes from the usSEABED data collection for samples collected within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, integrated using the software system dbSEABED. Textural, statistical, geochemical, geophysical, dominant component, and color data are available as three files, which represent the ways the data were obtained: US9_EXT contains lab-based, analytical data (extracted data); US9_PRS contains data created from written descriptions by using fuzzy-set theory incorporated in the dbSEABED software (parsed data); and US9_CLC contains data created through the application of known relationships between analytical values or empirical relationships (calculated data). These three data files are also combined into a single output file, US9_ONE, for a more extensive and less duplicative coverage of the sea floor.  The facies data layer, US9_FAC, represents concatenated information about components (minerals and rock type), genesis (metamorphic, carbonate, terrigenous), and other appropriate groupings of information about the sea floor parsed from written descriptions from cores, grabs, photographs, and videos.  The component data layer, US9_CMP, gives numeric data about selected components (for example, minerals, rock type, microfossils, and benthic biota) and sea-floor features (for example, odors) at a given site; values in the attribute fields represent the degree of membership to that attribute's fuzzy set. In addition to the six point coverages, a source file, US9_SRC, is included with the database and contains information about the original data that were incorporated into the usSEABED database.

Download the Entire Database

Download a zip file of the entire usSEABED database as CSV files along with the metadata and browse graphic.

Read the Metadata

Download the metadata as an HTML file for all usSEABED data files.

Download the metadata as a TXT file for all usSEABED data files.

Download the metadata as an XML file for all usSEABED data files.

Search usSEABED

Search the usSEABED database using the map interface.

Use the magnifying glass icon to the left of the map to enter search criteria relating to usSEABED information types and bounding coordinates.

To select samples from the map interface:

  • Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out or hold the Shift key and drag the pointer to draw a rectangle to zoom in.
  • Hold the Ctrl key for PC or command (⌘) key for Mac and drag the pointer to select by drawing a rectangle.
  • A simple left-click on the map will select data in the vicinity of the point clicked. The user selected records can be downloaded in a zip package with metadata.

Citation

Buczkowski, B.J., Reid, J.A., Schweitzer, P.N., Cross, V.A., and Jenkins, C.J., 2020, usSEABED—Offshore surficial-sediment database for samples collected within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9H3LGWM.

Associated publication for this data release:

Buczkowski, B.J., Reid, J.A., and Jenkins, C.J., 2020, Sediments and the sea floor of the continental shelves and coastal waters of the United States—About the usSEABED integrated sea-floor-characterization database, built with the dbSEABED processing system: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1046, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201046.

 

Learn more about usSEABED.

link
Map of a western coastal region showing land and waterways, with dots in the ocean showing varied data points.

usSEABED

usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

usSEABED

usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
Learn More
link
Map of land and ocean shows dots in the water where samples were taken and how many shells and worms in each sample.

usSEABED data format and content

The USGS data release for the usSEABED database enables search and download of six interlinked files of output data and a seventh file that provides linked information about the original data sources. These files can be downloaded in their entirety and are also searchable through an online interface that allows for search and selection either through a GIS display or through a web form. Both...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

usSEABED data format and content

The USGS data release for the usSEABED database enables search and download of six interlinked files of output data and a seventh file that provides linked information about the original data sources. These files can be downloaded in their entirety and are also searchable through an online interface that allows for search and selection either through a GIS display or through a web form. Both...
Learn More
link
Image of the outline of the United States and nearby continents with shapes along the coastline to show where data was collected

Accessing usSEABED

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Accessing usSEABED

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been...
Learn More
link
Map of coastline and dots plotted offshore show where sediment and rock samples were collected and their compositions.

dbSEABED: Data processing and mining

At the core of usSEABED is dbSEABED, a data-mining program based on the application of fuzzy set theory to marine geological and biological data. Fuzzy set theory allows expansion of coverage of the seafloor by the use of word-based data from core logs, sample descriptions, photos, and videos, as well as the more standard numeric data from a laboratory.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

dbSEABED: Data processing and mining

At the core of usSEABED is dbSEABED, a data-mining program based on the application of fuzzy set theory to marine geological and biological data. Fuzzy set theory allows expansion of coverage of the seafloor by the use of word-based data from core logs, sample descriptions, photos, and videos, as well as the more standard numeric data from a laboratory.
Learn More
link
Map of land and ocean shows dots in the water where samples were taken and how many shells and worms in each sample.

Parsing in dbSEABED

Numeric data mined from verbal logs, core or grab descriptions, shipboard notes, and photographic descriptions are classified as “parsed” data. Input data are maintained using the terms employed by the original researchers and are coded using phonetically sensible terms for easier processing by dbSEABED .
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Parsing in dbSEABED

Numeric data mined from verbal logs, core or grab descriptions, shipboard notes, and photographic descriptions are classified as “parsed” data. Input data are maintained using the terms employed by the original researchers and are coded using phonetically sensible terms for easier processing by dbSEABED .
Learn More
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