usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
Information about seafloor characteristics from the beach to the deep sea improves the understanding of interactions between land and sea, effects of river discharge and sea level changes, distributions of benthic flora and fauna, location and type of resources, potential consequences of human activities on the oceans, and other critical issues. Large- and small-scale maps of the seabed, as well as reliable data over broad geographical areas, allow for integrated insights into these issues and more.
To assist in addressing these issues, the USGS and the University of Colorado have created usSEABED. The usSEABED datasets currently hold georeferenced point data for more than 300,000 data sites in U.S. waters from the beach to the deep sea, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. In usSEABED, existing data from the USGS and other research groups are processed and extended to maximize their density and usability creating unified, comprehensive, relationally linked datasets for mapping and analysis. Source data include surficial and subbottom data from physical sampling equipment (grabs and cores) and virtual sampling such as descriptions from seafloor photographs and videos.
In addition to quantified lab-derived data, the datasets of usSEABED also include estimated numeric values for those typical seabed characteristics—noted above—based on the extensive accumulation of word-based data in U.S. waters. These data are rich in information, but were previously difficult to quantify, map, plot, or use in comparative analyses or models.
These descriptive data—from short sentences, small essays, or single phrases—are treated as a mathematical equation that is considered as a whole. Filters based on fuzzy set theory assign relative weight to each word in the description, and estimate the values of textural and other parameters. In addition, the textural implications of non-textural terms—such as 'broken shells' or Halimeda—are included in the calculation of grain-size parameters.
The resulting numeric data, now useable in a GIS or model, should be considered "fuzzy"; that is, they give an approximation—not a rigorous measurement—of the assessed values.
Learn more about usSEABED.
usSEABED
Accessing usSEABED
usSEABED data format and content
dbSEABED: Data processing and mining
Parsing in dbSEABED
- Overview
usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.
Information about seafloor characteristics from the beach to the deep sea improves the understanding of interactions between land and sea, effects of river discharge and sea level changes, distributions of benthic flora and fauna, location and type of resources, potential consequences of human activities on the oceans, and other critical issues. Large- and small-scale maps of the seabed, as well as reliable data over broad geographical areas, allow for integrated insights into these issues and more.
To assist in addressing these issues, the USGS and the University of Colorado have created usSEABED. The usSEABED datasets currently hold georeferenced point data for more than 300,000 data sites in U.S. waters from the beach to the deep sea, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. In usSEABED, existing data from the USGS and other research groups are processed and extended to maximize their density and usability creating unified, comprehensive, relationally linked datasets for mapping and analysis. Source data include surficial and subbottom data from physical sampling equipment (grabs and cores) and virtual sampling such as descriptions from seafloor photographs and videos.
In addition to quantified lab-derived data, the datasets of usSEABED also include estimated numeric values for those typical seabed characteristics—noted above—based on the extensive accumulation of word-based data in U.S. waters. These data are rich in information, but were previously difficult to quantify, map, plot, or use in comparative analyses or models.
These descriptive data—from short sentences, small essays, or single phrases—are treated as a mathematical equation that is considered as a whole. Filters based on fuzzy set theory assign relative weight to each word in the description, and estimate the values of textural and other parameters. In addition, the textural implications of non-textural terms—such as 'broken shells' or Halimeda—are included in the calculation of grain-size parameters.
The resulting numeric data, now useable in a GIS or model, should be considered "fuzzy"; that is, they give an approximation—not a rigorous measurement—of the assessed values.
- Science
Learn more about usSEABED.
usSEABED
usSEABED is the collaborative product of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and other partners, and provides integrated data from small and large marine research efforts by many entities—federal and state agencies, local authorities, universities, as well as private and public consortiums.Accessing usSEABED
Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been an increase in scientific interest, research effort, and information gathered on the geologic sedimentary character of the continental margins of the United States. Data and information from thousands of sources have increased our scientific understanding of the geologic origins of the margin surface, but rarely have those data been...usSEABED data format and content
The USGS data release for the usSEABED database enables search and download of six interlinked files of output data and a seventh file that provides linked information about the original data sources. These files can be downloaded in their entirety and are also searchable through an online interface that allows for search and selection either through a GIS display or through a web form. Both...dbSEABED: Data processing and mining
At the core of usSEABED is dbSEABED, a data-mining program based on the application of fuzzy set theory to marine geological and biological data. Fuzzy set theory allows expansion of coverage of the seafloor by the use of word-based data from core logs, sample descriptions, photos, and videos, as well as the more standard numeric data from a laboratory.Parsing in dbSEABED
Numeric data mined from verbal logs, core or grab descriptions, shipboard notes, and photographic descriptions are classified as “parsed” data. Input data are maintained using the terms employed by the original researchers and are coded using phonetically sensible terms for easier processing by dbSEABED. - Data
- Publications