1-m Stretched Sidescan-Sonar Image of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11322 in Western Rhode Island Sound (H11322_1M_SSS_UTM_STR.TIF, UTM)

• 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; 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 2008-1181; OFR 2008-1181; NOAA Survey H11322; Klein 5500; geoscientificInformation; imageryBaseMapsEarthCover; oceans; Rhode Island Sound; Rhode Island; northeast United States; U.S. East Coast; United States; North America; Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic Ocean; Point Judith; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/c38a1062-3fe8-4eeb-beff-69fa232e34c6

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 and bathymetric data collected onboard the NOAA Ship RUDE as well as historic seismic-reflection data. 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.