Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
Bathymetry surrounding Marthas Vineyard, MA
Multi-channel and Single-channel Seismic Data
Split-beam Sonar
Sediment Textures
Seafloor Flares
The Data Library maintains the data produced by research at the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) and provides access to a wide variety of digital data through online portals. In addition, visitors to the library can examine the original analog data in person and request copies for use in their own research projects.
The primary mission of the Woods Hole Caostal and Marine Science Center's (WHCMSC) Data Library is to collect, organize, and make available scientific data collected since 1962 by USGS research cruises and other field investigations. These collections include older log books, field records, and laboratory analyses in hard copy and their newer electronic counterparts stored on network or hard drives, CDs (compact discs), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and other formats. In addition to compiling and integrating data records from multiple scientific investigations, the data library maintains records that link datasets with supporting information about their originating data acquisition, processing, and quality-control activities.
Request Data
Data requests can be made to our WHCMSC data librarian Linda McCarthy directly at lpmccarthy@usgs.gov or by contacting WHSC_data_contact@usgs.gov, the 'official' USGS Woods Hole feedback and data inquires email system.
Online Data: The cotuit web site offers a collection of data files from research cruises and other field activities. Data is organized by Field Activity number, 1965-001-FA thru 2011-49-FA. This resource is a good starting point if you already have the field activity number. Please note, not all the available data for the field activities may be found on Cotuit. Additional data may be available from the library.


Data Types
This form, located on the Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System site, will search for field activity and data information collected by the USGS and includes data collected by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This search uses a combination approach to determine the results. Search results must match all of the selections made.
Related Links and Resources
- Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center’s Samples Repository has been supporting research by providing secure storage for geological, biological, and geochemical samples; maintaining organization and an active inventory of these sample collections; as well as by providing access to these collections for study and reuse.
- Oceanographic Time Series Data provides access to Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs.
- East-Coast Sediment Texture Database contains information on the collection, location, description, and texture of samples taken by marine sampling programs at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
- U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database contains estimates of wave-current bottom stress and sediment mobility for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast continental shelf regions.
- National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys is a marine seismic reflection data archive consisting of data acquired by or contributed to U.S. Department of the Interior agencies.
- Science Data Catalog provides seamless access to USGS research and monitoring data from across the nation.
- USGS Model Catalog provides access to models developed by USGS scientists.
- USGS Publications Warehouse provides access to publications by USGS authors
- Collections of data from research cruises and other field activities
- Field Activity Information Search
Related Sound Waves Articles (Coastal and Marine Research News from across the USGS)
- Re-Evaluating the Causes and Hazards of South Carolina Earthquakes
- New Quaternary Geology Map Reuses Decades-Old USGS Data
- In Search of a Solid Footing for Offshore Wind Turbines
- USGS Data from 1981–1982 Still Serving the Nation, p. 10 of April / May 2016 Sound Waves
Below are science projects associated with the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Geologic Mapping
Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
Below are publications associated with the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
Opportunities to improve alignment with the FAIR Principles for U.S. Geological Survey data
Collections management plan for the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Samples Repository
Collections management plan for the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
The U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Collections Management System (GCMS)—A master catalog and collections management plan for U.S. Geological Survey geologic samples and sample collections
Below are news stories associated with the Woods Hole Data Library
New Quaternary Geology Map Reuses Decades-Old USGS Data
The Data Library maintains the data produced by research at the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) and provides access to a wide variety of digital data through online portals. In addition, visitors to the library can examine the original analog data in person and request copies for use in their own research projects.
The primary mission of the Woods Hole Caostal and Marine Science Center's (WHCMSC) Data Library is to collect, organize, and make available scientific data collected since 1962 by USGS research cruises and other field investigations. These collections include older log books, field records, and laboratory analyses in hard copy and their newer electronic counterparts stored on network or hard drives, CDs (compact discs), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and other formats. In addition to compiling and integrating data records from multiple scientific investigations, the data library maintains records that link datasets with supporting information about their originating data acquisition, processing, and quality-control activities.
Request Data
Data requests can be made to our WHCMSC data librarian Linda McCarthy directly at lpmccarthy@usgs.gov or by contacting WHSC_data_contact@usgs.gov, the 'official' USGS Woods Hole feedback and data inquires email system.
Online Data: The cotuit web site offers a collection of data files from research cruises and other field activities. Data is organized by Field Activity number, 1965-001-FA thru 2011-49-FA. This resource is a good starting point if you already have the field activity number. Please note, not all the available data for the field activities may be found on Cotuit. Additional data may be available from the library.


Data Types
This form, located on the Coastal and Marine Geoscience Data System site, will search for field activity and data information collected by the USGS and includes data collected by the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This search uses a combination approach to determine the results. Search results must match all of the selections made.
Related Links and Resources
- Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center’s Samples Repository has been supporting research by providing secure storage for geological, biological, and geochemical samples; maintaining organization and an active inventory of these sample collections; as well as by providing access to these collections for study and reuse.
- Oceanographic Time Series Data provides access to Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs.
- East-Coast Sediment Texture Database contains information on the collection, location, description, and texture of samples taken by marine sampling programs at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
- U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database contains estimates of wave-current bottom stress and sediment mobility for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coast continental shelf regions.
- National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys is a marine seismic reflection data archive consisting of data acquired by or contributed to U.S. Department of the Interior agencies.
- Science Data Catalog provides seamless access to USGS research and monitoring data from across the nation.
- USGS Model Catalog provides access to models developed by USGS scientists.
- USGS Publications Warehouse provides access to publications by USGS authors
- Collections of data from research cruises and other field activities
- Field Activity Information Search
Related Sound Waves Articles (Coastal and Marine Research News from across the USGS)
- Re-Evaluating the Causes and Hazards of South Carolina Earthquakes
- New Quaternary Geology Map Reuses Decades-Old USGS Data
- In Search of a Solid Footing for Offshore Wind Turbines
- USGS Data from 1981–1982 Still Serving the Nation, p. 10 of April / May 2016 Sound Waves
Below are science projects associated with the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Geologic Mapping
Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
Below are publications associated with the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
Opportunities to improve alignment with the FAIR Principles for U.S. Geological Survey data
Collections management plan for the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Samples Repository
Collections management plan for the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Data Library
The U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Collections Management System (GCMS)—A master catalog and collections management plan for U.S. Geological Survey geologic samples and sample collections
Below are news stories associated with the Woods Hole Data Library