Marine Geomorphology, Evolution, and Habitats
Science Center Objects
Seafloor resource managers and modelers need seafloor maps that can be combined in GIS, modeling, and statistical analysis environments and related successfully to biologic and oceanographic data. The Marine Geomorphology, Evolution, and Habitats Project encompasses mapping activities and the development of new mapping systems and methodologies. The emphasis is on the role of geologic processes in the evolution of habitats. Interest in USGS habitat maps and habitat change studies remains high.
OBJECTIVES
Develop seafloor habitat map products that directly apply to habitat and offshore energy impact modeling
Improve seafloor maps through combined technologies
Generate USGS map and data publications for California’s State Waters. The California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP) is a cooperative program to create a comprehensive coastal/marine geologic and habitat base map series for all of California’s State waters
Determine the geomorphology and seafloor character of the Gulf of Alaska, as a multi-agency cooperative
Generate geo-referenced video mosaics from seafloor video collected by other USGS projects at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire’s Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping
Understand the processes that control seafloor stability and the resulting modification of continental shelf geomorphology, sediment distribution, and benthic habitats
California Seafloor Mapping Program
The California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP) is a cooperative program to create a comprehensive coastal/marine geologic and habitat base map series for all of California's State waters. The California Ocean Protection Council (COPC) authorized funds to establish the CSMP in 2007 and assembled a team of experts from state and federal agencies, academia, and private industry to develop the...
Characterization of deep-sea coral and sponge communities in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary: Point Arena South Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area and New Amendment 28 Areas
This report summarizes samples collected during a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) cruise conducted in October 2019 on board E/V Nautilus. Areas sampled in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary included areas proposed for fisheries management zoning in the Point Arena South (PAS) Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area (EFH). Dive planning...
Graiff, Kaitlin; Roletto, Jan; Tezak, Sage; Williams, Gary E.; Cochrane, Guy R. Controls on sediment distribution in the coastal zone of the central California transform continental margin, USA
We use >10,000 km of high-resolution seismic-reflection data together with multibeam bathymetry to document complex and highly variable post-Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) sediment distribution and thickness in the coastal zone (~10 m isobath to 5.6 km offshore) along a ~800 km section of central California's transform...
Johnson, Samuel Y.; Beeson, Jeffrey W.; Watt, Janet; Sliter, Ray; Papesh, Antoinette
Offshore shallow structure and sediment distribution, Punta Gorda to Point Arena, Northern California
This publication consists of two map sheets that display shallow geologic structure, along with sediment distribution and thickness, for an approximately 150-km-long offshore section of the northern California coast between Punta Gorda and Point Arena. Each map sheet includes three maps at scales of either 1:100,000 or 1:200,000, and together the...
Beeson, Jeffrey W.; Johnson, Samuel Y.
Offshore shallow structure and sediment distribution, Point Sur to Point Arguello, central California
This publication consists of three map sheets that display shallow geologic structure, along with sediment distribution and thickness, for an about 225-km-long offshore section of the central California coast between Point Sur and Point Arguello. Each map sheet includes three maps, at scales of either 1:150,000 or 1:200,000, as well as a set of...
Johnson, Samuel Y.; Hartwell, Stephen R.; Watt, Janet T.; Beeson, Jeffrey W.; Dartnell, Peter Morphology and genesis of giant seafloor depressions on the southeasterncontinental shelf of the Korean Peninsula
We identify and describe five giant seafloor depressions from the southeastern continental shelf of the Korean Peninsula using multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom profiler, and multi-channel seismic reflection data, supplemented by piston cores. Multibeam bathymetry data from the shelf show four crescent-shaped depressions (SD1 to SD4) and one near-...
Cukur, Deniz; Kong, Gee-Soo; Chun, Jong-Hwa; Kang, Moo-Hee; Um, In-Kwon; Kwon, Taekhyun; Johnson, Samuel; Kim, Kyong-O Shallow structure and geomorphology along the offshore northern San Andreas Fault, Tomales Point to Fort Ross, California
We mapped a poorly documented 35-km-long section of the northern San Andreas fault zone (NSAF) between Tomales Point and Fort Ross, California. Mapping is largely based on high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles (38 fault crossings), multibeam bathymetry, and onshore geology. NSAF strike in this section is nearly parallel to plate motion,...
Johnson, Samuel; Beeson Jeffrey W.
California State Waters Map Series — Offshore of Point Conception, California
IntroductionIn 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed 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. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed...
Johnson, Samuel Y.; Cochran, Susan A.; Johnson, Samuel Y.; Dartnell, Peter; Cochrane, Guy R.; Hartwell, Stephen R.; Golden, Nadine E.; Kvitek, Rikk G.; Davenport, Clifton W.
California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Gaviota, California
IntroductionIn 2007, the California Ocean Protection Council initiated the California Seafloor Mapping Program (CSMP), designed 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. The CSMP approach is to create highly detailed...
Johnson, Samuel Y.; Cochran, Susan A.; Johnson, Samuel Y.; Dartnell, Peter; Cochrane, Guy R.; Hartwell, Stephen R.; Golden, Nadine E.; Kvitek, Rikk G.; Davenport, Clifton W. Benthic assemblages of mega epifauna on the Oregon continental margin
Environmental assessment studies are usually required by a country's administration before issuing permits for any industrial activities. One of the goals of such environmental assessment studies is to highlight species assemblages and habitat composition that could make the targeted area unique. A section of the Oregon continental slope that had...
Hemery, Lenaïg G.; Henkel, Sarah K.; Cochrane, Guy R. Shelf evolution along a transpressive transform margin, Santa Barbara Channel, California
High-resolution bathymetric and seismic reflection data provide new insights for understanding the post–Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ca. 21 ka) evolution of the ∼120-km-long Santa Barbara shelf, located within a transpressive segment of the transform continental margin of western North America. The goal is to determine how rising sea level,...
Johnson, Samuel Y.; Hartwell, Stephen; Sorlien, Christopher C.; Dartnell, Peter; Ritchie, Andrew C. The transtensional offshore portion of the northern San Andreas fault: Fault zone geometry, late Pleistocene to Holocene sediment deposition, shallow deformation patterns, and asymmetric basin growth
We mapped an ~120 km offshore portion of the northern San Andreas fault (SAF) between Point Arena and Point Delgada using closely spaced seismic reflection profiles (1605 km), high-resolution multibeam bathymetry (~1600 km2), and marine magnetic data. This new data set documents SAF location and continuity, associated tectonic...
Beeson, Jeffrey W.; Johnson, Samuel Y.; Goldfinger, Chris
Oregon OCS seafloor mapping: Selected lease blocks relevant to renewable energy
In 2014 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) entered into Intra-agency agreement M13PG00037 to map an area of the Oregon Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off of Coos Bay, Oregon, under consideration for development of a floating wind energy farm. The BOEM requires seafloor mapping and site...
Cochrane, Guy R.; Hemery, Lenaïg G.; Henkel, Sarah K.-
Date published: July 21, 2021High-resolution multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data collected in 2004 for the northern Channel Islands region, southern California
This data release presents data for 5-m resolution multibeam-bathymetry and acoustic-backscatter data of the northern Channel Islands region, southern California. The USGS collected the data in the northern Channel Islands region in 2004 aboard R/V Ewing using a Kongsberg Simrad EM-1002 multibeam echosounder. These datam previously published, are now reprocessed to a finer spatial...
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Date published: July 12, 2021High-resolution multi-channel and Chirp seismic-reflection data from USGS cruise 2018-641-FA collected in south-central California in support of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Cal DIG I offshore alternative energy project
The purpose of the study is to assess shallow geohazards, benthic habitats, and thereby the potential for alternative energy infrastructure (namely floating wind turbines) offshore south-central California due to its proximity to power grid infrastructure associated with the Morro Bay power plant. This dataset was collected as part of a geophysical survey during two legs at sea in 2018.
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Date published: April 30, 2020Quaternary faults offshore of California
A comprehensive map of Quaternary faults has been generated for offshore of California. The Quaternary fault map includes mapped geometries and attribute information for offshore fault systems located in California State and Federal waters. The polyline shapefile has been compiled from previously published mapping where relatively dense, high-resolution marine geophysical data exist. The data...
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Date published: August 21, 2019California State Waters Map Series Data Catalog
This data catalog contains much of the data used to prepare the OFRs, SIRs, and SIMs in the California State Waters Map Series. Other data that were used to prepare the maps were compiled from previously published sources (for example, onshore geology) and, thus, are not included herein. GIS data files for map areas offshore of California are listed with a brief description, a small image, and...
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Date published: September 24, 2018Bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data collected in 2007 from the San Miguel Passage in the Channel Islands, California
Bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data were collected in the San Miguel Passage, Channel Islands, California in August 2007. Data collection was conducted aboard the ship R/V Shearwater as part of the USGS research cruise S-2-07-SC. The San Miguel Passage is within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and is the body of water between the two western-most islands of the...
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Date published: September 19, 2017Interpretive data release for Oregon OCS seafloor mapping: Selected lease blocks relevant to renewable energy
This data release includes the results of analysis of video data conducted by Oregon State University and the geo-habitat interpretation of multibeam echo sounder (MBES) data conducted by the USGS.
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Date published: July 25, 2017Data Release for USGS Field Activity 2014-607-FA--Oregon OCS Seafloor Mapping: Selected Lease Blocks Relevant to Renewable Energy
Data collected during 12-hour day operations in 2014, out of Charleston Harbor near Coos Bay, Oregon. The cruise plan consisted of 23 days on site split between sonar mapping and video ground truth surveying.
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Date published: August 3, 2020A Research Retrospective: Offshore Fault Mapping of the San Andreas
Study of New Offshore Fault Mapping Related to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake: In 2019, for the first time ever, scientists comprehensively mapped a previously overlooked offshore section of the San Andreas Fault system which may provide insight on how the fault could rupture in the future.
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Date published: March 29, 2016New Maps Illuminate Monterey Bay Area Seafloor
Six new sets of maps reveal the diverse and complex range of seafloor habitats along 130 kilometers (80 miles) of the central California coast from the Monterey Peninsula north to Pigeon Point. The publicly available maps can be used by a large stakeholder community to understand and manage California’s vast and valuable marine resources.
Attribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 21, 2015New Maps Reveal Seafloor off San Francisco Area
Three new sets of maps detail the offshore bathymetry, habitats, geology and submarine environment of the seafloor off the coast of San Francisco, Drakes Bay, and Tomales Point.
Attribution: Water Resources -
Date published: March 18, 2015Dive In – Explore Thousands of Coastal and Seafloor Images
Thousands of photos and videos of the seafloor and coastline—most areas never seen before—are now available and easily accessible online. This is critical for coastal managers to make important decisions, ranging from protecting habitats to understanding hazards and managing land use.
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Date published: August 9, 2013California Seafloor Mapping Reveals Hidden Treasures
Science and technology have peeled back a veil of water just offshore of California, revealing the hidden seafloor in unprecedented detail. New imagery, specialized undersea maps, and a wealth of data from along the California coast are now available.
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