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Open-File Report 2014–1220

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### Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management

# Shallow Geology, Sea-Floor Texture, and Physiographic Zones of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

#### By David S. Foster, Wayne E. Baldwin, Walter A. Barnhardt, William C. Schwab, Seth D. Ackerman, Brian D. Andrews, and Elizabeth A. Pendleton

| Abstract
Geologic, sediment texture, and physiographic zone maps characterize the sea floor of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. These maps were derived from interpretations of seismic-reflection profiles, high-resolution bathymetry, acoustic-backscatter intensity, bottom photographs, and surficial sediment samples. The interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy and mapping of glacial and Holocene marine units provided a foundation on which the surficial maps were created. This mapping is a result of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to characterize the surface and subsurface geologic framework offshore of Massachusetts. | First posted January 7, 2015

Revised June 21, 2016
-  **Report** (HTML format) 
-  Companion Report  Open-File Report 2014-1221 (HTML and PDF formats)  Geological Sampling Data and Benthic Biota Classification: Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts  https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141221 

**For additional information, contact:**Director, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center          U.S. Geological Survey          384 Woods Hole Road           Quissett Campus          Woods Hole, MA 02543http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/

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### Suggested citation:

Foster, D.S., Baldwin, W.E., Barnhardt, W.A., Schwab, W.C., Ackerman, S.D., Andrews, B.D., Pendleton, E.A., 2016, Shallow geology, sea-floor texture, and physiographic zones of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (ver. 1.1, June 2016): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1220, https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141220.

ISSN 2331–1258 (online)

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### Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results 

Discussion

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

Appendix 1 – Geospatial Data

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