H11320_1M_SSS_GEO_EN.TIF: Enhanced Composite Sidescan Sonar Mosaic of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H11320 in Rhode Island Sound (Geographic)

• Main Authors: U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: USGS Science Data Catalog 2007
• 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; oceans and estuaries; geoscientificInformation; imageryBaseMapsEarthCover; distributions; physical habitats and geomorphology; seabed; sidescan sonar; marine geophysics; image mosaics; sea-floor characteristics; sea-floor acoustic reflectivity; Rhode Island Sound; Rhode Island; northeastern United States; U.S. East Coast; United States; North America; Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://search.dataone.org/view/c3d9ff94-65cb-41bf-a4cc-23815bcce7b7

The U.S. 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 interpret the distributions of surficial sediments 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 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.