Summary for Field Activity Number 1981-006-FA

Alternate Leg ID: WF 81-1

Area of Operations: Georges Bank, United States, North America, North Atlantic

Dates: April 01, 1981 to April 06, 1981

Objectives: Evaluate sand wave migration rates in a small area on Georges Bank.

Type of Activity: Sea floor mapping

Information to be derived: Sea floor map

Summary: WHITEFOOT 81-1 cruise was the final of 3 cruises conducted to evaluate sandwave migration rates in a small area (about 1.5 x 2.0 km) on Georges Bank. During this cruise two of the three transponders deployed on WF 80-2 (FA 80015) and WF 80-3 (FA 80026) were enabled. The third could not be enabled, so one transponder was deployed. The three transponders were surveyed in to establish the navigation grid, then the survey was conducted using sidescan sonar and 3.5 kHz echo sounding techniques. After completing the survey, the three transponders were recovered and the transponder which could not be enabled was lost. In addition to the detailed survey, some widely spaced lines were run to obtain an understanding of the setting of the study area. 3.5 kHz data: 199 km; Sidescan data: 199 km.

USGS Project Number: EA

Contact: Dave Twichell (dtwichell@usgs.gov)