Stretched Sidescan-Sonar Image of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11321 in Central Rhode Island Sound (H11321_1M_SSS_GEO_STR.TIF, Geographic)

• Main Authors: U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: USGS Science Data Catalog 2008
• Subjects: U.S. Geological Survey; USGS; Coastal and Marine Geology Program; CMGP; Woods Hole Science Center; WHSC; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; NOAA; NOAA Ship RUDE; GeoTIFF; sidescan-sonar mosaic; image; gray-scale image; backscatter; Open-File Report 2007-1366; OFR 2007-1366; geoscientificInformation; imageryBaseMapsEarthCover; oceans; distributions; physical habitats and geomorphology; seabed; sidescan sonar; marine geophysics; image mosaics; sea-floor characteristics; sea-floor acoustic reflectivity; Rhode Island Sound; Rhode Island; northeast United States; U.S. East Coast; United States; North America; Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/17ec7f78-8b3c-4557-9ecd-14bcecd1b2a4

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working cooperatively with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to interpret the surficial geology in estuaries along the coast of the northeastern United States. The purpose of our present study is to define the sea floor morphology and sedimentary environments in an area of Rhode Island Sound using sidescan-sonar imagery, multibeam bathymetry, and seismic records. The mosaic, bathymetry, and their interpretations serve many purposes, including: (1) defining the geological variability of the sea floor, which is one of the primary controls of benthic habitat diversity; (2) improving our understanding of the processes that control the distribution and transport of bottom sediments and their distribution of benthic habitats and associated infaunal community structures; and (3) providing a detailed framework for future research, monitoring, and management activities. The sidescan-sonar mosaics and bathymetry images also serve as base maps for subsequent sedimentological, geochemical, and biological observations, because precise information on environmental setting is important for selection of sampling sites and for accurate interpretations of point measurements.