H11321_GEO45M: 45-m Grid of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11321 in Central Rhode Island Sound (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; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; NOAA; Woods Hole Science Center; NOAA Ship RUDE; bathymetry; Survey H11321; Coastal and Marine Geology Program; CMGP; WHSC; depth; multibeam bathymetry; ArcRaster Grid; Open-File Report 2007-1366; OFR 2007-1366; oceans; oceans and coastal; oceans and estuaries; elevation; geoscientificInformation; North America; United States; Atlantic Ocean; Rhode Island; Rhode Island Sound; U.S. East Coast; Northeast United States; North Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/66c786d3-5fcc-472f-a8d6-7d24a1c57923

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 central 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 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.