Field Activity 2015-001-FA

Identifier 2015-001-FA
Purpose map inner shelf bathymetry, surficial sediment type, geologic framework
Location Mid-Atlantic Bight, Delaware/Maryland/Virginia, United States, North America, North Atlantic
Summary Collected 5,516 km of geophysical tracklines. 125 grab samples
Info derived Sea floor map;Bathymetric maps; sub subsurface data
Comments Other instrumentation: Edgetech 512i Other Staffing: Jackson Curie from the PCMSC also participated in the field activity. Inner shelf Delmarva peninsula, Cape Henlopen, DE to Fisherman Island, VA
Projects
Related activities
2014-002-FA: Project
Platform
Scarlett Isabella
130 ft. offshore supply ship
Itinerary
Start Ocean City, MD 2015-06-08
End Norfolk, VA 2015-07-17
Days in the field 37
Bounds
West -75.93200684
East -75.11474806
North 37.86714455
South 36.96062274

Personnel

Organization
384 Woods Hole Road
Quissett Campus
Woods Hole, MA02543-1598
(508) 548-8700
Principal investigators E. Robert ThielerLaura Brothers
Crew members
(not identified)
Scientist, Staff
William W Danforth
Scientist, Staff
Eric Moore
Scientist, Staff
Laura Brothers
Scientist, Staff
David S Foster
Scientist, Staff
Seth Ackerman
Scientist, Staff
Wayne E Baldwin
Scientist, Staff
Brian Andrews
Scientist, Staff
Emile Bergeron
Scientist, Staff
Charles R Worley
Scientist, Staff
Alexander R Nichols
Scientist, Staff
Information specialist(s)
Elizabeth P Pendleton
Specialist, Information

Data types and categories

Data category: Imagery, Location-Elevation, Sampling, Seismics, Sonar
Data type: Photo, Video, Navigation, Geology, Boomer, Multichannel, Sub Bottom Profiler, Interferometric, Sidescan, Sound Velocity

Equipment used

Equipment Usage description Data types Datasets
Edgetech chirp subbottom profiler 512i Sub Bottom Profiler 2
GoPro camera Bottom photographs and sediment samples were acquired to validate the seafloor interpretations made from geophysical data. Often sediment samplers are unable to recover large-diameter particles, so photographs can document the seafloor character in areas where samples may not be obtained. Two GoPro cameras were mounted to a USGS SEABOSS (Mark II configuration) with a modified VanVeen sampler frame. Approximate SEABOSS dimensions are 115 X 115 X 117 cm. The Van Veen sampler is housed at the bottom and center of the frame at approximately 30 X 32 X 16 cm with a 1/10 sq. meter sample capacity. Two red lasers were mounted on the frame above the sampler, 20 cm apart for scale in bottom photographs. A Keldan (Advanced Lighting Technology) light was mounted at the top of the frame and aimed downward to illuminate the seabed for photographs. Two GoPro cameras were mounted on the frame and set to capture photographs at 2 or 5 second intervals. The GoPro Hero 2 was mounted approximately 70 cm from the bottom of the SEABOSS frame and captured photographs at 2-second interval. The GoPro Hero 3+ was mounted approximately 20 cm from the bottom of the SEABOSS frame and captured video and photographs at 5-second interval. Because the frame was stationary on the bottom of the seabed only one photograph for each camera was chosen to represent the seafloor at each station location. Photographs collected in the water column, on the ship's deck, and duplicate photos of the seafloor were deleted. The Hero 2 field of view includes the Hero 3 GoPro (furthest to the right) and 2 instruments that were attached to the SEABOSS for additional data. The instrument to the left is a Suunto SK-7 dive compass, which shows the orientation of the SEABOSS. The digital readout to the right of the dive compass is the Uwatec dive timer, which shows 4 readouts: upper left is depth in meters, lower left is max depth in meters, upper right is dive time in minutes and lower right is temperature in Celsius (during ascent, this changes to ascent rate in meters per minute and shows an arrow when it senses the rate is too fast). Photo, Video 1
SEA SWATHplus-M 234 kHz These swath interferometric bathymetry data were collected to identify sea-floor morphology. Interferometric 2
Sensor - MVP30 (Odim) These data were deployed to correct sound velocity artifacts in bathymetery data Sound Velocity 1
GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone These seismic reflection profile data were collected to image the sediment layers beneath the seafloor. Multichannel 5
Other Unknown, Multichannel, Boomer, Sub Bottom Profiler, Sparker, Bubble Gun, Air Gun / Water Gun, Ocean Bottom Seismometer, Sonobuoy (no data reported)
Edgetech 4200 sidescan Sidescan sonar data were collected with an Edgetech 4200 dual frequency (100/410 kHz) frequency modulated sidescan-sonar towfish on the M/V Scarlet Isablella. The sonar was towed from the stern A-frame of the vessel. A 3PS digital block cable counter was used to measure the amount of tow cable deployed, and cable out values were transmitted via serial connection to the Edgetech Discover (version 34.0.1.106) acquisition software (lines L40F1 to L47F1) and SonarWiz software (version 6.01.0009) (lines L47F3 to L183-20150714_134804) on the sonar acquisition computer for layback calculation. Tracklines are generally spaced 200m apart. Sidescan 2
Real Time Kinematic GPS Navigation data were collected to provide spatial navigation for bathymetric data collection and to spatially correlate the bathymetric data with other data in the GIS. Navigation 1
Van Veen grab sampler Bottom photographs and sediment samples were acquired to validate the seafloor interpretations made from geophysical data. Often sediment samplers are unable to recover large-diameter particles, so photographs can document the seafloor character in areas where samples may not be obtained. Two GoPro cameras were mounted to a USGS SEABOSS (Mark II configuration) with a modified VanVeen sampler frame. Approximate SEABOSS dimensions are 115 X 115 X 117 cm. The Van Veen sampler is housed at the bottom and center of the frame at approximately 30 X 32 X 16 cm with a 1/10 sq. meter sample capacity. Two red lasers were mounted on the frame above the sampler, 20 cm apart for scale in bottom photographs. A Keldan (Advanced Lighting Technology) light was mounted at the top of the frame and aimed downward to illuminate the seabed for photographs. Two GoPro cameras were mounted on the frame and set to capture photographs at 2 or 5 second intervals. Samples were recovered when the frame was lifted off the seabed and triggered the Van Veen sampler to close. Geology 1
S-Boom seismic source MCS seismic data were collected using S-Boom source and a 100-m long GeoEel 16-channel streamer. The applied acoustics S-Boom source was towed astern of the M/V Scarlet Isabella at a power level of 400 joules. The Geometrics GeoEel, 16-channel liquid filled digital streamer was towed from the starboard side of the vessel, and the center of the first channel of the active section was 10 to 20 meters aft of the boomer source. The streamer had a group interval of 3.25 meters connected to Geometrics Streamer Power Supply Unit (SPSU). Data were acquired in Geometrics SEG-D format on Windows PC controller system using Geometrics CNT-1 software. The fire rate was 1 s, the record length was 250 ms and the sample interval was 0.25 ms. Boomer (no data expected)

Datasets

Datasets produced in this activity

Dataset name Equipment Description Dataset contact
2015-001-FA_512i_images Edgetech chirp subbottom profiler 512i PNG formatted images of EdgeTech SB-512i chirp seismic-reflection data collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_512i_track Edgetech chirp subbottom profiler 512i Trackline navigation for EdgeTech SB-512i chirp seismic-reflection data collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_Photos GoPro camera Location of bottom photographs along with images collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD, and VA Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_bathy SEA SWATHplus-M 234 kHz Bathymetric data from swath interferometric bathymetry data. Bathymetric data are useful geophysical datasets for geologic framework studies. These data can be used in conjunction with other geophysical and sample data to identify sea-floor morphology. Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_bathytracks SEA SWATHplus-M 234 kHz Trackline navigation for swath interferometric bathymetry data collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_MVP-SVP_data Sensor - MVP30 (Odim) Location of sound velocity profiles along with profile plots collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD, and VA (PNG images, CSV text, ASVP text, and Esri point shapefile, GCS WGS 84) Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_MCS GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone multi-channel streamer seismic-reflection profiles collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD, and VA. Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_MCS_100rp GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone Reflection point navigation for multi-channel streamer seismic-reflection profiles collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_MCS_tracks GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone Trackline navigation for multi-channel streamer seismic-reflection profiles collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_sss Edgetech 4200 sidescan 1-meter resolution sidescan-sonar mosaic image collected by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA in 2015 Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_ssstracks Edgetech 4200 sidescan Trackline navigation for Edgetech 4200 sidescan sonar data collected in 2015 by the U.S. Geological Survey along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD and VA Edward M Sweeney
2015-001-FA_HYPACK Real Time Kinematic GPS Text files of the navigation logged with HYPACK Software during survey 2015-001-FA conducted along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD, and VA by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015. Elizabeth P Pendleton
2015-001-FA_Samples Van Veen grab sampler Location and analyses of sediment samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2015 along the Delmarva Peninsula, MD, and VA Seth Ackerman

Datasets compiled from multiple sources

Dataset name Equipment Description Dataset contact
Delmarva_depth GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone Depth to Quaternary regional unconformities offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula, including Maryland and Virginia state waters. This dataset contains six grids: 1) Uqt, the Quaternary-Tertiary composite unconformity; 2) U4, the subaerially and fluvially eroded lower boundary of the Persimmons Point and Ocean City Paleochannels; 3) U6, the subaerially and fluvially eroded lower boundary of the Exmore (Qx) and Belle Haven Paleochannels; 4) U8, the subaerially and fluvially eroded lower boundary of the Eastville Paleochannel and tributaries (Qe);5) U9, the transgressive ravinement surface above Qe and at the base of a Pleistocene highstand system tract (Q2); and 6) U10-U10.5, the composite of subaerially eroded (U10) and tidal ravinement (U10.5) unconformities that are the lower boundaries of the Cape Charles Paleochannel and tributaries and tidal inlet and back-barrier estuarine deposits. David S Foster
Delmarva_thickness GeoEel 16-channel hydrophone Thickness of Quaternary seismic stratigraphic units offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula, including Maryland and Virginia state waters. This dataset contains five grids: 1) Q, the total Quaternary sediment thickness above the composite unconformity (Uqt); 2) Qbd, a unit interpreted to be the equivalent of the Beaverdam Formation on land that overlies Uqt, or where present, U5 that separates the Persimmons Point and Ocean City Paleochannel fill from Qbd; 3) Q2, a highstand system tract above the U9 ravinement surface and below the composite subaerially and fluvially eroded unconformity (U10), tidal ravinement surface (U10.5), the Holocene transgressive ravinement surface (U11), and the sea floor; 4) Qcch, the fluvial and estuarine fill of the Cape Charles Paleochannel and tributaries, and the tidal inlet and back-barrier estuarine deposits above a tidal ravinement (U10.5)that are truncated by the Holocene transgressive ravinement surface (U11) or the sea floor; and 5) Qmn, include Holocene to modern nearshore marine sediment above the Holocene transgressive ravinement surface (U11). Hereafter, Qcch refers to Qcch and Qbb included in the same unit named Qcch. These data are useful for assessing the geologic framework. David S Foster

Datasets not currently associated with specific equipment

Dataset name Description Dataset contact
USGS_Delmarva_SedTexture_Geomorph Sediment texture and geomorphology of the sea floor from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fisherman's Island, Virginia Elizabeth P Pendleton

Publications

Samples collected during this field activity