High-resolution geophysical data and sampling data collected in Nantucket Sound Massachusetts in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal, during USGS Field Activity 2023-001-FA

In May and June 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, collected high-resolution geophysical and seafloor sampling data, in Nantucket Sound to understand the regional geology in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal. Geophysical data collected include swath bathymetry, backscatter, and seismic reflection profile data. Ground-truth data, including sediment samples, underwater video, and bottom photographs were also collected. This effort is part of a long-term collaboration between the USGS and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to map the State’s waters. In addition to resolving coastal hazards, habitats and resources, these data can be used to better understand the Quaternary history of coastal Massachusetts including the influence of sea-level change and sediment supply on coastal evolution. This collaboration produces high-resolution geologic data that serve the needs of research, management, and the public. Data collected as part of this mapping cooperative continue to be released in a series of USGS Reports and Data Releases https://www.usgs.gov/centers/whcmsc/science/geologic-mapping-massachuse…