In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

Geologic features in the Puerto Rico trench are remotely sensed, monitored, collected, studied, and analyzed. This data set was colorized by depth and converted to sun illuminated raster imagery; it was collected and processed during the U.S. Geological Survey science cruise 03008 in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research Cruise RB0303 from 18 February to 7 March 2003, Leg II of III. (Leg I and III: 20020924 to 20020930 and 20030828 to 20030904, respectively).

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA

The Puerto Rico Trench is a tectonic plate boundary where the North American Plate slides by and descends under the Caribbean Plate. Although much of the trench lies within the United States of America's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), surprisingly few surveys have been conducted there during the past 25 years. This data set is a grey toned surface model mosaic derived from the 150 meter grid made from the multibeam bathymetric data collected during the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science cruise 03008 in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Research Cruise RB0303 from 18 February to 7 March 2003, Leg II of III. (Leg I and III: 20020924 to 20020930 and 20030828 to 20030904, respectively).

The Puerto Rico Trench is a tectonic plate boundary where the North American Plate slides by and descends under the Caribbean Plate. Although much of the trench lies within the United States of America's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), surprisingly few surveys have been conducted there during the past 25 years. This data set is a grey toned surface model mosaic derived from the 150 meter grid made from the multibeam bathymetric data collected during the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science cruise 03008 in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Research Cruise RB0303 from 18 February to 7 March 2003, Leg II of III. (Leg I and III: 20020924 to 20020930 and 20030828 to 20030904, respectively).

Bathymetric terrain models (BTMs) of seafloor morphology are an important component of marine geological investigations. Advances in technologies of acquiring and processing bathymetric data have facilitated the creation of high-resolution bathymetric surfaces that approach the resolution of those available for onshore investigations. These bathymetric terrain models provide a detailed representation of the Earth's subaqueous surface and when combined with other geophysical and geologic datasets, allow for interpretation of modern and ancient geologic processes. More information about the individual USGS source surveys (if USGS scientists participated in survey) for this grid can be found on the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Field Activity webpage: 2002-051-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA 2003-008-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2003-008-FA 2003-032-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2003-032-FA 2005-019-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2005-019-FA 2006-008-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2006-008-FA 2007-004-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2007-004-FA 2013-036-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2013-036-FA

Bathymetric terrain models (BTMs) of seafloor morphology are an important component of marine geological investigations. Advances in technologies of acquiring and processing bathymetric data have facilitated the creation of high-resolution bathymetric surfaces that approach the resolution of those available for onshore investigations. These bathymetric terrain models provide a detailed representation of the Earth's subaqueous surface and when combined with other geophysical and geologic datasets, allow for interpretation of modern and ancient geologic processes. More information about the individual USGS source surveys (if USGS scientists participated in survey) for this grid can be found on the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Field Activity webpage: 2002-051-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA 2003-008-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2003-008-FA 2003-032-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2003-032-FA 2005-019-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2005-019-FA 2006-008-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2006-008-FA 2007-004-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2007-004-FA 2013-036-FA: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2013-036-FA

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises (USGS Cruise 02051, NOAA RB0208, September 24 to 30, 2002; USGS Cruise 03008, NOAA RB0303, February 18 to March 7, 2003 and USGS Cruise 03032, NOAA RB0305, August 28 to September 4, 2003). These cruises mapped for the first time the morphology of this entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Observations from these three exploration cruises, coupled with computer modeling and published Global Positioning System (GPS) results and earthquake focal mechanisms have provided new information that is changing the evaluation of the seismic and tsunami hazard from this plate boundary. The observations collected during these cruises also contributed to the basic understanding of the mechanisms that govern plate tectonics, in this case, the creation of the island of Puerto Rico and the deep trench north of it. Results of the sea floor mapping have been an important component of the study of tsunami and earthquake hazards to the northeastern Caribbean and the U.S. Atlantic coast off the United States. For additional information on the cruises see: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=2002-051-FA