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Sun-Illuminated Sea Floor Topography of Quadrangle 2 in the Great South Channel, Western Georges Bank

January 1, 2002

The Great South Channel separates the western part of Georges Bank from Nantucket Shoals and is a major conduit for the exchange of water between the Gulf of Maine to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Water depths range mostly between 65 and 80 m in the region. A minimum depth of 45 m occurs in the east-central part of the mapped area, and a maximum depth of 100 m occurs in the northwest corner. The channel region is characterized by strong tidal and storm currents that flow dominantly north and south. Major topographic features of the seabed were formed by glacial and postglacial processes. Ice containing rock debris moved from north to south, sculpting the region into a broad shallow depression and depositing sediment to form the irregular depressions and low gravelly mounds and ridges that are visible in parts of the mapped area. Many other smaller glacial featuresprobably have been eroded by waves and currents at worksince the time when the region, formerly exposed bylowered sea level or occupied by ice, was invaded by the sea. The low, irregular and somewhat lumpy fabric formed by the glacial deposits is obscured in places by drifting sand and by the linear, sharp fabric formed by modern sand features. Today, sand transported by the strong north-south-flowing tidal and storm currents has formed large, east-west-trending dunes. These bedforms (ranging between 5 and 20 m in height) contrast strongly with, and partly mask, the subdued topography of the older glacial features.

Publication Year 2002
Title Sun-Illuminated Sea Floor Topography of Quadrangle 2 in the Great South Channel, Western Georges Bank
DOI 10.3133/i2698D
Authors Page C. Valentine, Jeremy T. Malczyk, Tammie J. Middleton
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title IMAP
Series Number 2698
Index ID i2698D
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization U.S. Geological Survey
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