Summary for Field Activity Number 2006-012-FA

Area of Operations: South Shore, Hull to Duxbury, Massachusetts, United States, North America, North Atlantic

Dates: August 01, 2006 to August 24, 2006

Objectives: Geologic mapping of inner shelf to: 1) support management of habitat and ocean resources; 2) clarify the post-glacial history of sea-level change in the region; and 3) reconstruct coastal environments and quantify rates of change over the last few thousand years.

Type of Activity: Seismic profiling
Sea floor mapping

Information to be derived: Sea Floor Map
Bathymetric Maps

Summary: We collected 100% coverage of sea floor with bathymetry and sidescan sonar data (total mapped area 277 km2), and approximately 2340 km of closely spaced seismic reflection profiles. Cruise focused on nearshore areas in water depths of 5-50 m, mostly inside state waters. Intermittent problems with GPS reception caused numerous shutdowns, especially during first 10 days of cruise. Cause is uncertain but we suspect jamming by radar or other external source. Gear snagged many lobster pots, which are VERY thick in the survey area. See cruise log for details.

USGS Project Number: 2921-AWW66 - Project Description

Contact: Walter Barnhardt (wbarnhardt@usgs.gov)

InfoBank: uses the identifier M-1-06-MA. Visit this site for more information.