Backscatter A: Hueneme Canyon and Vicinity, California, 2008

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract
This layer is a georeferenced raster image containing acoustic-backscatter data for Hueneme Canyon and the surrounding vicinity in California. The majority of the data for this map area was collected by CSUMB in the summers of 2006 and 2007, using a 244-kHz Reson 8101 multibeam echosounder. Within the final imagery, brighter tones indicate higher backscatter intensity, and darker tones indicate lower backscatter intensity. The intensity represents a complex interaction between the acoustic pulse and the seafloor, as well as characteristics within the shallow subsurface, providing a general indication of seafloor texture and sediment type. Backscatter intensity depends on the acoustic source level; the frequency used to image the seafloor; the grazing angle; the composition and character of the seafloor, including grain size, water content, bulk density, and seafloor roughness; and some biological cover. Harder and rougher bottom types such as rocky outcrops or coarse sediment typically return stronger intensities (high backscatter, lighter tones), whereas softer bottom types such as fine sediment return weaker intensities (low backscatter, darker tones). This map was published in Scientific Investigations Map 3225. This layer is part of the USGS Data Series 781.
Purpose
In 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP) to create a comprehensive seafloor map of high-resolution bathymetry, marine benthic habitats and geology within the 3-nautical-mile limit of California's State Waters. CSMP has divided coastal California into 110 map blocks, each to be published individually as United States Geological Survey Open-File Reports (OFRs) or Scientific Investigations Maps (SIMs) at a scale of 1:24,000. Maps display seafloor morphology and character, identify potential marine benthic habitats and illustrate both the seafloor geology and shallow (to about 100 m) subsurface geology. Data layers for bathymetry, bathymetric contours, acoustic backscatter, seafloor character, potential benthic habitat and offshore geology were created for each map block, as well as regional-scale data layers for sediment thickness, depth to transition, transgressive contours, isopachs, predicted distributions of benthic macro-invertebrates and visual observations of benthic habitat from video cruises over the entire state. These data are intended for science researchers, students, policy makers, and the general public. This information is not intended for navigational purposes.The data can be used with geographic information systems (GIS) software to display geologic and oceanographic information.

Description

Type of resource cartographic, software, multimedia
Form Raster Dataset
Place Santa Cruz, California, US
Publisher Geological Survey (U.S.)
Date valid 2006 - 2008
Publication date 2012
Edition 1.0
Language English
Digital origin born digital
Map data Scale not given. ; Custom projection W 119°20ʹ17ʺ--W 119°8ʹ22ʺ/N 34°13ʹ23ʺ--N 34°3ʹ29ʺ, Scale not given ; EPSG::4326

Creators/Contributors

Creator Phillips, Eleyne L.
Creator Ritchie, Andrew C.
Creator Kvitek, Rikk G.
Creator Johnson, Samuel Y.
Creator Dartnell, Peter
Creator Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Creator Golden, Nadine E.

Subjects

Subject Coasts
Subject Digital elevation models
Subject Remote sensing
Subject Bathymetric maps
Subject Multibeam mapping
Subject Submarine topography
Subject Submarine geology
Subject Sediments (Geology)
Subject Marine sediments
Subject Ocean bottom
Subject Seismic reflection method
Subject California
Subject Ventura County (Calif.)
Subject Pacific Ocean
Subject 2006-2008
Subject Imagery and Base Maps
Subject Oceans
Subject Elevation
Genre Geospatial data
Genre Cartographic dataset

Bibliographic information

WGS84 Cartographics This layer is presented in the WGS84 coordinate system for web display purposes. Downloadable data are provided in native coordinate system or projection.
Location https://purl.stanford.edu/hm490xd8335

Access conditions

Use and reproduction
This item is in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.
Copyright
This work is in the Public Domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright.

Preferred citation

U.S. Geological Survey. (2013). Backscatter A: Hueneme Canyon and Vicinity, California, 2008. California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 781. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/hm490xd8335.

Collection

California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog

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