Bathymetry of the Belfast Bay, ME pockmark field.
Laura Brothers, PhD
My research focuses on coastal and shelf evolution, and includes regional geologic framework, shallow geohazards and permafrost studies.
Dr. Laura Brothers is a marine geologist at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. She studies how the seafloor, and the earth beneath the seafloor change with time and major events. From the shores of the Arctic, Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic and to the deep sea Laura has worked in teams that have geologically mapped tens of thousands of kilometers of the seabed using geophysical and advanced imaging data. Laura led the DOI Hurricane Sandy supplemental project focused on defining the geologic framework offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula. She leads the USGS-partnership with the State of Massachusetts to geologically map the State’s inner continental shelf.
Science and Products
Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with...
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will...
Hurricane Sandy Response- Linking the Delmarva Peninsula's Geologic Framework to Coastal Vulnerability
The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy. In order to better constrain controls on coastal vulnerability and evolution, the region’s sediment sources, transport pathways and sediment sinks must be identified. This project defines the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through...
Belfast Seafloor
Bathymetry of the Belfast Bay, ME pockmark field.
Nantucket Sound's Seafloor
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of Nantucket Sound's seafloor. It is dominated by sand waves.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of Nantucket Sound's seafloor. It is dominated by sand waves.
Nantucket Sound - Seismic Reflection Profile
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of a seismic reflection profile showing layers of sediment deposited during a glacial period.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of a seismic reflection profile showing layers of sediment deposited during a glacial period.
Nantucket Sound - Processing Seafloor Mapping Data
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. While a crew is at sea collecting new data, geographer Brian Andrews is processing yesterday's seafloor mapping data.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. While a crew is at sea collecting new data, geographer Brian Andrews is processing yesterday's seafloor mapping data.
Nantucket Sound Seafloor Mapping
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. Eric Moore and Alex Nichols deploy the chirp subbottom profiler. The chirp is the device that allows us to see underneath the seafloor.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. Eric Moore and Alex Nichols deploy the chirp subbottom profiler. The chirp is the device that allows us to see underneath the seafloor.
Okeanos Explorer
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port after completing EX1205L1.
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port after completing EX1205L1.
AUV Sentry
Photo of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sentry being recovered after a dive on the Blake Ridge Diapir.
Photo of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sentry being recovered after a dive on the Blake Ridge Diapir.
Science and Products
Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with...
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will...
Hurricane Sandy Response- Linking the Delmarva Peninsula's Geologic Framework to Coastal Vulnerability
The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy. In order to better constrain controls on coastal vulnerability and evolution, the region’s sediment sources, transport pathways and sediment sinks must be identified. This project defines the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through...
Belfast Seafloor
Bathymetry of the Belfast Bay, ME pockmark field.
Bathymetry of the Belfast Bay, ME pockmark field.
Nantucket Sound's Seafloor
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of Nantucket Sound's seafloor. It is dominated by sand waves.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of Nantucket Sound's seafloor. It is dominated by sand waves.
Nantucket Sound - Seismic Reflection Profile
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of a seismic reflection profile showing layers of sediment deposited during a glacial period.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. This is an image of a seismic reflection profile showing layers of sediment deposited during a glacial period.
Nantucket Sound - Processing Seafloor Mapping Data
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. While a crew is at sea collecting new data, geographer Brian Andrews is processing yesterday's seafloor mapping data.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group is mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. While a crew is at sea collecting new data, geographer Brian Andrews is processing yesterday's seafloor mapping data.
Nantucket Sound Seafloor Mapping
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. Eric Moore and Alex Nichols deploy the chirp subbottom profiler. The chirp is the device that allows us to see underneath the seafloor.
The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Sea Floor Mapping Group mapping the seafloor and subseafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term collaboration with the State of Massachusetts. Eric Moore and Alex Nichols deploy the chirp subbottom profiler. The chirp is the device that allows us to see underneath the seafloor.
Okeanos Explorer
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port after completing EX1205L1.
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in port after completing EX1205L1.
AUV Sentry
Photo of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sentry being recovered after a dive on the Blake Ridge Diapir.
Photo of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Sentry being recovered after a dive on the Blake Ridge Diapir.