Cape Cod Bay, lying on the Massachusetts coast partly enclosed by Cape Cod, is in a glaciated region of low relief. Coarse sediments generally occur in areas exposed to wave and current action as in shallow water near shore or on shoals, and in the deep channel north of the tip of Cape Cod, which is swept by tidal currents. Fine sediments are restricted to the deeper water in the central portion of the Bay, and to the small well-protected embayments of the shore. Although Hough (1942) is available as part of the NGDC Deck 41 Database, additional data from the original report were manually entered and, therefore, this file is unque.

The reconnaissance maps upon which this data set is based show the areal distribution of the major bottom sediment types covering the sea floor off Massachusetts between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. The maps were intended as a guide to the future mapping of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, and, because these sediments reflect the hydraulic conditions, they are also helpful for deducing the important sediment transport mechanisms.

The reconnaissance maps upon which this data set is based show the areal distribution of the major bottom sediment types covering the sea floor off Massachusetts between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. The maps were intended as a guide to the future mapping of gravel, sand, silt, and clay, and, because these sediments reflect the hydraulic conditions, they are also helpful for deducing the important sediment transport mechanisms.

This data set includes the sedimentary environments for the sea floor offshore of northern and eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This interpretation is based on data collected with a multibeam sea floor mapping system during USGS survey 98015, conducted November 9 - 25, 1998 and on data collected with a bottom sampling and photographic system during USGS survey 04011, conducted during May and June, 2004.

This data set includes the sedimentary environments for the sea floor offshore of northern and eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This interpretation is based on data collected with a multibeam sea floor mapping system during USGS survey 98015, conducted November 9 - 25, 1998 and on data collected with a bottom sampling and photographic system during USGS survey 04011, conducted during May and June, 2004.

The modern sediments of Buzzards Bay are described principally by the use of quantitative data from mechanical analyses. The environment of the sediment and its source and mode of deposition are discussed in the original publication. Although Hough (1940) is available as part of the NGDC Deck41 database, additional data from the original report were manually entered and, therefore, this file is unique.

The modern sediments of Buzzards Bay are described principally by the use of quantitative data from mechanical analyses. The environment of the sediment and its source and mode of deposition are discussed in the original publication. Although Hough (1940) is available as part of the NGDC Deck41 database, additional data from the original report were manually entered and, therefore, this file is unique.

This data set includes the locations, identifiers, grain-size data and(or) textural descriptions of surficial sediments collected at 89 stations on topographic and backscatter data of the sea floor offshore east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The sediments were collected with a modified Van Veen grab (small SEABOSS) during USGS survey 04011, conducted May 25- June 4, 2004.

This data set includes the locations, identifiers, grain-size data and(or) textural descriptions of surficial sediments collected at 89 stations on topographic and backscatter data of the sea floor offshore east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The sediments were collected with a modified Van Veen grab (small SEABOSS) during USGS survey 04011, conducted May 25- June 4, 2004.

These data were collected under a cooperative agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC). Initiated in 2003, the primary objective of this program is to develop regional geologic framework information for the management of coastal and marine resources. Accurate data and maps of sea-floor geology are important first steps toward protecting fish habitat, delineating marine resources, and assessing environmental changes due to natural or human impacts. The project is focused on the inshore waters of coastal Massachusetts, primarily in water depths of 3-30 meters deep. Data collected for the mapping cooperative have been released in a series of USGS Open-File Reports (http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/coastal_mass/html/current_map.html). The data collected in the study area located in Northern Cape Cod Bay Massachusetts includes high-resolution geophysics (bathymetry, backscatter intensity, and seismic reflection), and ground validation (sediment samples, video tracklines, and bottom photographs). The data were collected during five separate surveys conducted between 2006 and 2008 and cover 480 square kilometers of the inner continental shelf. More information about the individual USGS surveys conducted as part of the northern Cape Cod Bay project can be found on the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Field Activity webpage: 06012: http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/2006/06012/ 07001: http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/2007/07001/ 07002: http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/2007/07002/ 07003: http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/2007/07003/ 08002: http://quashnet.er.usgs.gov/data/2008/08002/