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William W Danforth, M.S. Geology

Geologist with a demonstrated history in the marine industry and with 30+ years work experience at the U.S. Geological Survey. Skilled in Petrology/Minerology, Earth Science, Marine Science, Geophysical Surveying, GPS Navigation, and Computer Technology/Programming.

Career has focused on the advances in the technology and techniques used to collect, analyze, and publish marine remote sensing data (multibeam, sidescan, seismic reflection, navigation) over the last 30+ years.

Professional Experience

  • 1988 - Present, Geologist, USGS Woods Hole

  • 1986-1988, System Administrator, NOAA Anchorage OAD office

  • 1985 -1986, Physical Science Technician, USGS Woods Hole

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. University of Rhode Island, Geology/Petrology

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 44

Marine geophysical data collected in a shallow back-barrier estuary, Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

In 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, began a multidisciplinary research project to better understand the water quality in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. This back-barrier estuary is experiencing degraded water quality, algal blooms, loss of seagrass, and increases in oxygen stress, macroalgae, stinging nettles, and brown tide. T
Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Jennifer L. Miselis, William W. Danforth, Barry J. Irwin, Charles R. Worley, Emile M. Bergeron, Dann S. Blackwood
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sea-floor morphology and sedimentary environments in western Block Island Sound, offshore of Fishers Island, New York

Multibeam-bathymetric and sidescan-sonar data, collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a 114-square-kilometer area of Block Island Sound, southeast of Fishers Island, New York, are combined with sediment samples and bottom photography collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 36 stations in this area in order to interpret sea-floor features and sedimentary environmen
Authors
Katherine Y. McMullen, Lawrence J. Poppe, William W. Danforth, Dann S. Blackwood, William G. Winner, Castle E. Parker
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hydrographic survey data used in a U.S. Geological Survey regional geologic framework study along the Delmarva Peninsula

The U.S. Geological Survey initiated a research effort in 2014 to define the geologic framework of the Delmarva Peninsula inner continental shelf, which included new data collection and assembly of relevant extant datasets. Between 2006 and 2011, Science Applications International Corporation, under contract to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service, carried out
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Laura L. Brothers, E. Robert Thieler, William W. Danforth, Castle E. Parker
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sea-floor morphology and sedimentary environments of western Block Island Sound, northeast of Gardiners Island, New York

Multibeam-echosounder data, collected during survey H12299 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a 162-square-kilometer area of Block Island Sound, northeast of Gardiners Island, New York, are used along with sediment samples and bottom photography, collected at 37 stations in this area by the U.S. Geological Survey during cruise 2013-005-FA, to interpret sea-floor features and
Authors
Katherine Y. McMullen, Lawrence J. Poppe, William W. Danforth, Dann S. Blackwood, Andrew R. Clos, Castle E. Parker
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution swath interferometric data collected within Muskeget Channel, Massachusetts

Swath interferometric bathymetery data were collected within and around Muskeget Channel and along select nearshore areas south and east of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Data were collected aboard the U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Rafael in October and November 2010 in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This report d
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Jane F. Denny, William W. Danforth, Wayne E. Baldwin, Barry J. Irwin
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution geophysical data collected aboard the U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Rafael to supplement existing datasets from Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts

Geophysical and geospatial data were collected in Buzzards Bay, in the shallow-water areas of Vineyard Sound, and in the nearshore areas off the eastern Elizabeth Islands and northern coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, on the U.S. Geological Survey research vessel Rafael between 2007 and 2011, in a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Office of Coas
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Brian D. Andrews, William W. Danforth, David S. Foster
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Combined multibeam and bathymetry data from Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound: a regional perspective

Detailed bathymetric maps of the sea floor in Rhode Island and Block Island Sounds are of great interest to the New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts research and management communities because of this area's ecological, recreational, and commercial importance. Geologically interpreted digital terrain models from individual surveys provide important benthic environmental information, yet many
Authors
Lawrence J. Poppe, Katherine Y. McMullen, William W. Danforth, Mark R. Blankenship, Andrew R. Clos, Kimberly A. Glomb, Peter G. Lewit, Megan A. Nadeau, Douglas A. Wood, Castleton E. Parker
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations

Multibeam bathymetry data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench and Northeast Caribbean region are compiled into a seamless bathymetric terrain model for broad-scale geological investigations of the trench system. These data, collected during eight separate surveys between 2002 and 2013, covering almost 180,000 square kilometers are published here in large format map sheet and digital spatial data.

Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Uri S. ten Brink, William W. Danforth, Jason D. Chaytor, J Granja-Bruna, A Carbo-Gorosabel
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

2010 Joint United States-Canadian Program to explore the limits of the Extended Continental Shelf aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy--Cruise HLY1002

In August and September 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, conducted bathymetric and geophysical surveys in the Beaufort Sea and eastern Arctic Ocean aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy. The principal objective of this mission to the high Arctic was to acquire data in support of a delineation of the outer limits of the
Authors
Brian D. Edwards, Jonathan R. Childs, Peter J. Triezenberg, William W. Danforth, Helen Gibbons
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Final report and archive of the swath bathymetry and ancillary data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench region in 2002 and 2003

In 2002 and 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), conducted three exploration cruises that mapped for the first time the morphology of the entire tectonic plate boundary stretching from the Dominican Republic in the west to the Lesser Antilles in the east, a distance of approximately 700 kilometers (430 miles). Obse

Authors
Uri S. ten Brink, William W. Danforth, Christopher F. Polloni
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2020 Puerto Rico Earthquakes

High-resolution geophysical data collected within Red Brook Harbor, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, in 2009

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a high-resolution geophysical survey within Red Brook Harbor, Massachusetts, from September 28 through November 17, 2009. Red Brook Harbor is located on the eastern edge of Buzzards Bay, south of the Cape Cod Canal. The survey area was approximately 7 square kilometers, with depths ranging from 0 to approximately 10 meters. Data were collected aboard the U.S. G
Authors
Aaron M. Turecek, William W. Danforth, Wayne E. Baldwin, Walter A. Barnhardt
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

2008 Joint United States-Canadian program to explore the limits of the Extended Continental Shelf aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy--Cruise HLY0806

In September 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), conducted bathymetric and geophysical surveys in the Arctic Beaufort Sea aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Healy. The principal objective of this mission to the high Arctic was to acquire data in support of delineation of the outer limits of the U.S. and Can

Authors
Jonathan R. Childs, Peter J. Triezenberg, William W. Danforth
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Image shows R/V FAlkor Underway

Seeking the Seeps

From June 12 to July 3, 2019, the USGS sailed onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor with several other partners, seeking methane seeps along the seafloor of several underwater canyons off the coast of Oregon and Washington. On this cruise, USGS scientists will seek to understand how much methane is coming out of these seeps, how it travels through the water column, and its ultimate fate in...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Communications and Publishing, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Subduction Zone Science
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Seeking the Seeps

From June 12 to July 3, 2019, the USGS sailed onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor with several other partners, seeking methane seeps along the seafloor of several underwater canyons off the coast of Oregon and Washington. On this cruise, USGS scientists will seek to understand how much methane is coming out of these seeps, how it travels through the water column, and its ultimate fate in...
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Graphic showing the geophysical systems used to map the seafloor surface and underlying structure, and sampling instruments

Sea Floor Mapping Group

The Sea Floor Mapping Group (SFMG) is a core capability at the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) that provides support for coastal, lacustrine and marine geologic research. The staff has a wide-range of expertise and is responsible for geophysical and sampling data acquisition, processing, interpretation and publication, logistics, design, and research and development. SFMG has...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Hurricane Sandy
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Sea Floor Mapping Group

The Sea Floor Mapping Group (SFMG) is a core capability at the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) that provides support for coastal, lacustrine and marine geologic research. The staff has a wide-range of expertise and is responsible for geophysical and sampling data acquisition, processing, interpretation and publication, logistics, design, and research and development. SFMG has...
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Filter Total Items: 16

High-resolution geophysical data collected in Nantucket Sound Massachusetts in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal, during USGS Field Activity 2022-001-FA

In June 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, collected high-resolution geophysical data, in Nantucket Sound to understand the regional geology in the vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal. This effort is part of a long-term collaboration between the USGS and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to map the State’s waters, support research o
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multibeam bathymetry and acoustic backscatter from the Alaskan region, Extended Continental Shelf Project, 2011 field season: Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea

This publication releases swath bathymetry and backscatter datasets derived from multibeam bathymetric data acquired by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the R/V Marcus G. Langseth legs MGL1108 (transit) and MGL1109 in the Gulf of Alaska, and MGL1111 in the Bering Sea. Leg MGL1108 data were combined with leg MGL1109 data during processing. These data were acquired with a Kongsberg Simrad EM-122
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

High-resolution geophysical and geological data collected in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts during USGS Field Activities 2019-002-FA and 2019-034-FA (ver. 2.0, September 2022)

Accurate data and maps of sea floor geology are important first steps toward protecting fish habitat, delineating marine resources, and assessing environmental changes due to natural or human impacts. To address these concerns the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), comprehensively mapped the Cape Cod Bay sea floor to characterize
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution marine geophysical data collected by the USGS in the Belfast Bay, Maine pockmark field in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

The U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in cooperation with the University of Maine mapped approximately 50 square kilometers of the seafloor within Belfast Bay, Maine. Three geophysical surveys conducted in 2006, 2008 and 2009 collected swath bathymetric (2006 and 2008) and chirp seismic reflection profile data (2006 and 2009). The project characterized the spatia
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution geophysical and sampling data collected off Town Neck Beach in Sandwich, Massachusetts, 2016

Geophysical and geological survey data were collected off Town Neck Beach in Sandwich, Massachusetts, in May and July 2016. Approximately 130 linear kilometers of subbottom (seismic-reflection) and 234-kilohertz interferometric sonar (bathymetric and backscatter) data were collected along with sediment samples, sea floor photographs, and (or) video at 26 sites within the geophysical survey area. S
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sidescan sonar, single beam bathymetry, and navigation collected offshore of Sandwich Beach in 2016, U.S. Geological Field Activity 2016-030-FA

The objectives of the survey were to provide bathymetric and sidescan sonar data for sediment transport studies and coastal change model development for ongoing studies of nearshore coastal dynamics along Sandwich Town Neck Beach, MA. Data collection equipment used for this investigation are mounted on an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) uniquely adapted from a commercially sold gas-powered kayak an
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Sandy Hook artificial reef, offshore of New Jersey

The Sandy Hook artificial reef, located on the sea floor offshore of Sandy Hook, New Jersey was built to create habitat for marine life. The reef was created by the placement of heavy materials on the sea floor; ninety-five percent of the material in the Sandy Hook reef is rock. In 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey surveyed the area using a Simrad EM1000 multibeam echosounder mounted on the Canadia
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Atlantic Beach artificial reef, offshore of New York

The Atlantic Beach artificial reef, located on the sea floor 3 nautical miles south of Atlantic Beach, New York in about 20 meters water depth, was built to create habitat for marine life. The reef was originally created by placing heavy materials such as tires, automobile bodies and other vehicles, barges, and rock from a dredging project on the sea floor. In 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey surv
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry, backscatter intensity, and geomorphology of the sea floor of the Hudson Canyon and adjacent slope and rise

A multibeam survey was carried out in 2002 to map the bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Hudson Canyon and adjacent slope and rise. The Canyon begins on the outer continental shelf off the eastern coast of the United States at about 100-meter (m) water depth and extends offshore southeastward across the continental slope and rise. The survey covered an area approximately
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Seismic reflection and sample data collected offshore of Fire Island, New York in 2014, U.S. Geological Field Activity 2014-009-FA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a geophysical and sampling survey in October 2014 that focused on a series of shoreface-attached ridges offshore of western Fire Island, NY. Seismic-reflection data, surficial grab samples and bottom photographs and video were collected along the lower shoreface and inner continental shelf. The purpose of this survey was to assess the impact of Hurricane
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Hudson Shelf Valley

The Hudson Shelf Valley is the submerged seaward extension of the ancestral Hudson River drainage system and is the largest physiographic feature on the Middle Atlantic continental shelf. The valley begins offshore of New York and New Jersey at about 30-meter (m) water depth, runs southerly and then southeasterly across the Continental Shelf, and terminates on the outer shelf at about 85-m water d
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Historic Area Remediation Site in 1996, 1998, and 2000

Surveys of the bathymetry and backscatter intensity of the sea floor of the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS), offshore of New York and New Jersey, were carried out in 1996, 1998, and 2000 using a Simrad EM1000 multibeam echosounder mounted on the Canadian Coast Guard ship Frederick G. Creed. The objective of the multiple echosounder surveys was to map the bathymetry and surficial sediments ov
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Shaded relief, sea floor topography, and backscatter intensity of Massachusetts Bay and the Stellwagen Bank region offshore of Boston, Massachusetts

No abstract available.

Backscatter intensity, shaded relief, and sea floor topography of Quadrangle 2 in western Massachusetts Bay offshore of Boston, Massachusetts

No abstract available.

Shaded relief and sea floor topography of Quadrangle 2 in western Massachusetts Bay offshore of Boston, Massachusetts

No abstract available.
Mapping by Moonlight

Mapping by Moonlight

How does USGS geologist, Bill Danforth, plan the technological and seafloor mapping path forward during the #HuntingforBubbles cruise along the...

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