45-m ArcRaster Grid of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11322 in Western Rhode Island Sound (H11322_UTM45M, UTM19)

• Main Authors: U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: USGS Science Data Catalog 2009
• Subjects: U.S. Geological Survey; USGS; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; NOAA; Woods Hole Science Center; NOAA Ship RUDE; bathymetry; Survey H11322; Coastal and Marine Geology Program; CMGP; WHSC; depth; ArcRaster Grid; multibeam bathymetry; Open-File Report 2008-1181; OFR 2008-1181; oceans; elevation; geoscientificInformation; North America; United States; Atlantic Ocean; Rhode Island; Rhode Island Sound; U.S. East Coast; Northeast United States; North Atlantic Ocean; Point Judith; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/65bd64b6-9dc4-4ff6-b9a1-b095f5b2868a

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 western Rhode Island Sound using sidescan-sonar imagery and bathymetry data collected aboard the NOAA Ship RUDE, as well as historic 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 the 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.