Color Shaded-Relief GeoTIFF Image Showing the 2-m Bathymetry Generated from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Survey H12296 in Block Island Sound (H12296_MB2M_UTM.TIF, UTM Zone 19, NAD 83)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is producing detailed geologic maps of the coastal sea floor. Bathymetric and sidescan-sonar data, originally collected by NOAA for charting purposes, provide a fundamental framework for research and management activities along this part of Block Island Sound, show the composition and terrain of the seabed, and provide information on sediment transport and benthic habitat. During June 2012, bottom photographs and surficial sediment data were acquired as part of a ground-truth reconnaissance survey of this area. Interpretations were derived from the multibeam-echosounder, sidescan-sonar, sedimentary, and photographic data collected in Block Island Sound. For more information on the ground-truth survey see <http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2012-002-FA>.美国地质调查局（U.S. Geological Survey, USGS）与美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA）合作，正在开展海岸海底详细地质图的编制工作。原本由NOAA为海图绘制任务采集的测深（bathymetric）与侧扫声呐（sidescan-sonar）数据，为布洛克岛海峡（Block Island Sound）区域的科研与管理活动提供了基础支撑框架，可直观呈现海床的物质组成与地形特征，同时可为沉积物输运（sediment transport）与底栖栖息地（benthic habitat）相关研究提供关键信息。2012年6月，作为该区域实地验证踏勘调查的一部分，项目组获取了海底摄影数据与表层沉积物（surficial sediment）数据。本次数据集的解译成果源自在布洛克岛海峡采集的多波束测深仪（multibeam-echosounder）、侧扫声呐、沉积物及摄影数据。如需了解本次实地验证踏勘调查的更多详情，请访问<http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2012-002-FA>。