Summary for Field Activity Number 1972-001-FA

Alternate Leg ID: Phases I and II

Area of Operations: Cape Ann Light to Brant Rock, Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts, United States, North America, North Atlantic

Dates: May 02, 1972 to May 24, 1972

Objectives: This survey was undertaken to establish if exploitable aggregate resources exist in Massachusetts waters. A reconnaissance survey of the area from Cape Ann to Brant Rock between the 40 and 150 foot contours was conducted using sub-bottom profiling and sidescan sonar to ascertain the general geologic conditions. Following the reconnaissance survey, a detailed survey and physical sampling operations were conducted to delineate potential areas of economic aggregate deposits using acoustical methods, grab sampling, and bottom photography.

Type of Activity: Sea floor mapping
Photography
Sampling
Seismic profiling

Information to be derived: Grain size analysis
Sea floor map

Summary: Cruise conducted by Raytheon Company under contract to MA Div. of Mineral Resources with no USGS ship-board presence. Bob Oldale and John Schlee provided planning and evaluation of samples and seismic survey data. Data: Bottom photos: 103; Shipek grab samples: 66; Uniboom data: 500 miles; Sidescan sonar; Bathymetry (unprocessed).

USGS Project Number: MCMIS

Contact: Bob Oldale (boldale@usgs.gov)