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The Sea Floor Mapping Group (SFMG) is a core capability at the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) that provides support for coastal, lacustrine and marine geologic research. The staff has a wide-range of expertise and is responsible for geophysical and sampling data acquisition, processing, interpretation and publication, logistics, design, and research and development. SFMG has successfully supported Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program research for more than 25 years.
SFMG uses acoustic and optical techniques to acquire detailed geologic information about the sea floor, such as seabed topography, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure. This information defines the geologic framework and provides a base for a wide-range of USGS research.
Each year the SFMG supports dozens of research efforts, most recently including: gas hydrate and methane/carbon dioxide flux along the Atlantic margin; landslide and tsunami hazards along the mid-Atlantic and New England passive margin and the southeast Alaska active margin; characterization of mudflow hazards along the Mississippi River Delta Front; dive support for biological invasive species studies and benthic habitat studies; sediment characterization within the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary; field observations in support of sea-level rise storm response studies along the east coast; and mapping lake floor topography and underlying stratigraphy in support of natural resource management within western reservoirs and Great Lakes.
SFMG maintains a suite of instruments used to map the seafloor surface and underlying structure in shallow to deep-water environments. These instruments include: multibeam, single-beam, and split beam echo sounders, sidescan-sonar, phase differencing bathymetric sonar, single- and multichannel seismic-reflection systems, and sample equipment designed to collect sediment samples, still photographs, and/or video images of the sea floor.
SFMG is a diverse team of marine electronics technicians, engineers, geologists, physical scientists, geographers, and visual and imaging specialists. This group has expertise in collecting, processing and interpreting geophysical and sample data in lacustrine, coastal and marine environments.
SFMG staff regularly collaborates with scientists at Universities, federal and state agencies, and the private sector to support collaborative research, and to help develop new software and hardware remote sensing techniques.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
This animation takes the viewer down the Glen Canyon from Bullfrog Bay to the Rincon, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. New high resolution multibeam bathymetry collected by the USGS in 2018 shows the submerged portions of Glen Canyon.
This animation takes the viewer down the Glen Canyon from Bullfrog Bay to the Rincon, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. New high resolution multibeam bathymetry collected by the USGS in 2018 shows the submerged portions of Glen Canyon.
Sediment transport team members attach a quick-release to the top of a bottom lander prior to deployment
Sediment transport team members attach a quick-release to the top of a bottom lander prior to deployment
The R/V Muddy Waters lends itself to be a versatile survey launch and assistance vessel for the deployment and retrieval of inshore moorings and scientific sensor platforms. The boat can easily be towed to location by a full sized pickup truck and is easily launched and retrieved for fast mobilization after storm events or other rapid response surveys.
The R/V Muddy Waters lends itself to be a versatile survey launch and assistance vessel for the deployment and retrieval of inshore moorings and scientific sensor platforms. The boat can easily be towed to location by a full sized pickup truck and is easily launched and retrieved for fast mobilization after storm events or other rapid response surveys.
USGS R/V Stephens operating within Lake Powell, UT-AZ. A multibeam echosounder is deployed off the starboard side of the vessel and is used to collect depth information within the reservoir.
USGS R/V Stephens operating within Lake Powell, UT-AZ. A multibeam echosounder is deployed off the starboard side of the vessel and is used to collect depth information within the reservoir.
The USGS Utah Water Science Center and the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a collaborative geophysical research effort within Lake Powell, UT-AZ to map the bathymetry of the lake and characterize shallow sediment deposition near the mouths of the San Juan and Colorado Rivers.
The USGS Utah Water Science Center and the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a collaborative geophysical research effort within Lake Powell, UT-AZ to map the bathymetry of the lake and characterize shallow sediment deposition near the mouths of the San Juan and Colorado Rivers.
Browse collage for 2017-003-FA data release
Browse collage for 2017-003-FA data release
Overview of the 4 Continuous Bathymetry and Elevation Models of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone and Continental Shelf
Overview of the 4 Continuous Bathymetry and Elevation Models of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone and Continental Shelf
Long Island Sound Survey mapping team. This project is a collaboration of several agencies and institutions including Univ of Connecticut, Univ of New Haven, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, NOAA, LDEO, USGS
Long Island Sound Survey mapping team. This project is a collaboration of several agencies and institutions including Univ of Connecticut, Univ of New Haven, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, NOAA, LDEO, USGS
SeaBOSS on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut on Long Island Sound at sunrise
SeaBOSS on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut on Long Island Sound at sunrise
Image of the SeaBOSS and USGS personnel on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Image of the SeaBOSS and USGS personnel on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Seafloor photograph of a spider crab, sediment, rocks, taken by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center SeaBOSS during a deployment off the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Seafloor photograph of a spider crab, sediment, rocks, taken by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center SeaBOSS during a deployment off the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Wayne Baldwin, USGS, deploys a sound velocity profiler off the stern of the R/V Stephens in Lake Powell, UT-AZ as part of a collaborative program with the Utah Water Science Center to map the depth and sediments within Lake Powell, UT-AZ.
Wayne Baldwin, USGS, deploys a sound velocity profiler off the stern of the R/V Stephens in Lake Powell, UT-AZ as part of a collaborative program with the Utah Water Science Center to map the depth and sediments within Lake Powell, UT-AZ.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Science Stroll participants; Dann Blackwood, Andrea Toran, Emily Sturdivant, Ellyn Montgomery, Sara Zeigler, Neil Ganju, Seth Ackerman, Laura Brothers, Meagan Gonneea
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Science Stroll participants; Dann Blackwood, Andrea Toran, Emily Sturdivant, Ellyn Montgomery, Sara Zeigler, Neil Ganju, Seth Ackerman, Laura Brothers, Meagan Gonneea
SeaBOSS Selfies were a big hit at the 2017 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
SeaBOSS Selfies were a big hit at the 2017 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
SeaBOSS operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of MA waters.
SeaBOSS operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of MA waters.
SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SeaBOSS) operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of Massachusetts waters .
SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SeaBOSS) operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of Massachusetts waters .
Digital still photograph from Massachusetts Bay near Scituate, MA showing Spiny Sunstar (Crossaster papposus), yellow encrusting Crumb of Bread Sponge (Halichondria panacea) on rock (top center), white tubular (right bottom corner) and boulders covered in pink bubblegum algae. Water depth at this location is approximately 27 meters.
Digital still photograph from Massachusetts Bay near Scituate, MA showing Spiny Sunstar (Crossaster papposus), yellow encrusting Crumb of Bread Sponge (Halichondria panacea) on rock (top center), white tubular (right bottom corner) and boulders covered in pink bubblegum algae. Water depth at this location is approximately 27 meters.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists aboard the RV Rafael prepare to launch the Mini SEABOSS just off of Nantucket! The Mini SEABOSS collects samples, photos and video of the seafloor.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists aboard the RV Rafael prepare to launch the Mini SEABOSS just off of Nantucket! The Mini SEABOSS collects samples, photos and video of the seafloor.
Glacier Bay, Alaska, dive team.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center personnel process data in the dry lab on the M/V Scarlett Isabella
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center personnel process data in the dry lab on the M/V Scarlett Isabella
Map showing the tracklines and grab sample sites of the 2014 and 2015 geophysical surveys offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula.
Map showing the tracklines and grab sample sites of the 2014 and 2015 geophysical surveys offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula.
The Sea Floor Mapping Group (SFMG) is a core capability at the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) that provides support for coastal, lacustrine and marine geologic research. The staff has a wide-range of expertise and is responsible for geophysical and sampling data acquisition, processing, interpretation and publication, logistics, design, and research and development. SFMG has successfully supported Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program research for more than 25 years.
SFMG uses acoustic and optical techniques to acquire detailed geologic information about the sea floor, such as seabed topography, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure. This information defines the geologic framework and provides a base for a wide-range of USGS research.
Each year the SFMG supports dozens of research efforts, most recently including: gas hydrate and methane/carbon dioxide flux along the Atlantic margin; landslide and tsunami hazards along the mid-Atlantic and New England passive margin and the southeast Alaska active margin; characterization of mudflow hazards along the Mississippi River Delta Front; dive support for biological invasive species studies and benthic habitat studies; sediment characterization within the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary; field observations in support of sea-level rise storm response studies along the east coast; and mapping lake floor topography and underlying stratigraphy in support of natural resource management within western reservoirs and Great Lakes.
SFMG maintains a suite of instruments used to map the seafloor surface and underlying structure in shallow to deep-water environments. These instruments include: multibeam, single-beam, and split beam echo sounders, sidescan-sonar, phase differencing bathymetric sonar, single- and multichannel seismic-reflection systems, and sample equipment designed to collect sediment samples, still photographs, and/or video images of the sea floor.
SFMG is a diverse team of marine electronics technicians, engineers, geologists, physical scientists, geographers, and visual and imaging specialists. This group has expertise in collecting, processing and interpreting geophysical and sample data in lacustrine, coastal and marine environments.
SFMG staff regularly collaborates with scientists at Universities, federal and state agencies, and the private sector to support collaborative research, and to help develop new software and hardware remote sensing techniques.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
This animation takes the viewer down the Glen Canyon from Bullfrog Bay to the Rincon, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. New high resolution multibeam bathymetry collected by the USGS in 2018 shows the submerged portions of Glen Canyon.
This animation takes the viewer down the Glen Canyon from Bullfrog Bay to the Rincon, in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. New high resolution multibeam bathymetry collected by the USGS in 2018 shows the submerged portions of Glen Canyon.
Sediment transport team members attach a quick-release to the top of a bottom lander prior to deployment
Sediment transport team members attach a quick-release to the top of a bottom lander prior to deployment
The R/V Muddy Waters lends itself to be a versatile survey launch and assistance vessel for the deployment and retrieval of inshore moorings and scientific sensor platforms. The boat can easily be towed to location by a full sized pickup truck and is easily launched and retrieved for fast mobilization after storm events or other rapid response surveys.
The R/V Muddy Waters lends itself to be a versatile survey launch and assistance vessel for the deployment and retrieval of inshore moorings and scientific sensor platforms. The boat can easily be towed to location by a full sized pickup truck and is easily launched and retrieved for fast mobilization after storm events or other rapid response surveys.
USGS R/V Stephens operating within Lake Powell, UT-AZ. A multibeam echosounder is deployed off the starboard side of the vessel and is used to collect depth information within the reservoir.
USGS R/V Stephens operating within Lake Powell, UT-AZ. A multibeam echosounder is deployed off the starboard side of the vessel and is used to collect depth information within the reservoir.
The USGS Utah Water Science Center and the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a collaborative geophysical research effort within Lake Powell, UT-AZ to map the bathymetry of the lake and characterize shallow sediment deposition near the mouths of the San Juan and Colorado Rivers.
The USGS Utah Water Science Center and the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a collaborative geophysical research effort within Lake Powell, UT-AZ to map the bathymetry of the lake and characterize shallow sediment deposition near the mouths of the San Juan and Colorado Rivers.
Browse collage for 2017-003-FA data release
Browse collage for 2017-003-FA data release
Overview of the 4 Continuous Bathymetry and Elevation Models of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone and Continental Shelf
Overview of the 4 Continuous Bathymetry and Elevation Models of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone and Continental Shelf
Long Island Sound Survey mapping team. This project is a collaboration of several agencies and institutions including Univ of Connecticut, Univ of New Haven, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, NOAA, LDEO, USGS
Long Island Sound Survey mapping team. This project is a collaboration of several agencies and institutions including Univ of Connecticut, Univ of New Haven, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, NOAA, LDEO, USGS
SeaBOSS on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut on Long Island Sound at sunrise
SeaBOSS on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut on Long Island Sound at sunrise
Image of the SeaBOSS and USGS personnel on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Image of the SeaBOSS and USGS personnel on the fantail of the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Seafloor photograph of a spider crab, sediment, rocks, taken by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center SeaBOSS during a deployment off the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Seafloor photograph of a spider crab, sediment, rocks, taken by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center SeaBOSS during a deployment off the R/V Connecticut in Long Island Sound
Wayne Baldwin, USGS, deploys a sound velocity profiler off the stern of the R/V Stephens in Lake Powell, UT-AZ as part of a collaborative program with the Utah Water Science Center to map the depth and sediments within Lake Powell, UT-AZ.
Wayne Baldwin, USGS, deploys a sound velocity profiler off the stern of the R/V Stephens in Lake Powell, UT-AZ as part of a collaborative program with the Utah Water Science Center to map the depth and sediments within Lake Powell, UT-AZ.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Science Stroll participants; Dann Blackwood, Andrea Toran, Emily Sturdivant, Ellyn Montgomery, Sara Zeigler, Neil Ganju, Seth Ackerman, Laura Brothers, Meagan Gonneea
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Science Stroll participants; Dann Blackwood, Andrea Toran, Emily Sturdivant, Ellyn Montgomery, Sara Zeigler, Neil Ganju, Seth Ackerman, Laura Brothers, Meagan Gonneea
SeaBOSS Selfies were a big hit at the 2017 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
SeaBOSS Selfies were a big hit at the 2017 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
SeaBOSS operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of MA waters.
SeaBOSS operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of MA waters.
SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SeaBOSS) operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of Massachusetts waters .
SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SeaBOSS) operations were conducted north of Nantucket, MA as part of an agreement with Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of Massachusetts waters .
Digital still photograph from Massachusetts Bay near Scituate, MA showing Spiny Sunstar (Crossaster papposus), yellow encrusting Crumb of Bread Sponge (Halichondria panacea) on rock (top center), white tubular (right bottom corner) and boulders covered in pink bubblegum algae. Water depth at this location is approximately 27 meters.
Digital still photograph from Massachusetts Bay near Scituate, MA showing Spiny Sunstar (Crossaster papposus), yellow encrusting Crumb of Bread Sponge (Halichondria panacea) on rock (top center), white tubular (right bottom corner) and boulders covered in pink bubblegum algae. Water depth at this location is approximately 27 meters.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists aboard the RV Rafael prepare to launch the Mini SEABOSS just off of Nantucket! The Mini SEABOSS collects samples, photos and video of the seafloor.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists aboard the RV Rafael prepare to launch the Mini SEABOSS just off of Nantucket! The Mini SEABOSS collects samples, photos and video of the seafloor.
Glacier Bay, Alaska, dive team.
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center personnel process data in the dry lab on the M/V Scarlett Isabella
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center personnel process data in the dry lab on the M/V Scarlett Isabella
Map showing the tracklines and grab sample sites of the 2014 and 2015 geophysical surveys offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula.
Map showing the tracklines and grab sample sites of the 2014 and 2015 geophysical surveys offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula.