Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 

Geophysical and Sampling Data from the Inner Continental 

Shelf: Duxbury to Hull, Massachusetts 

By Walter A. Barnhardt, Seth D. Ackerman, Brian D. Andrews, and Wayne E. Baldwin 

Open-File Report 2009–1072 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior 

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Marcia K. McNutt, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2010 

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Suggested citation: 

Barnhardt, W.A., Ackerman, S.D., Andrews, B.D., and Baldwin, W.E., 2010, Geophysical 

and sampling data from the inner continental shelf; Duxbury to Hull, Massachusetts: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1072, 1 DVD-ROM. (Also available at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1072/.) 

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endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. 
iii

Contents 

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Data Collection and Processing..................................................................................................................................... 2

Bathymetry ............................................................................................................................................................... 2

Acoustic Backscatter ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Seismic-Reflection Profiling...................................................................................................................................... 3

Seismic-Reflection Data Acquisition 06012......................................................................................................... 3

Seismic-Reflection Data Acquisition 07001......................................................................................................... 4

Ground Validation..................................................................................................................................................... 4

Surficial Sediment Samples and Grain-Size Analyses ........................................................................................ 4

Photography and Video....................................................................................................................................... 4

Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

References Cited........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Figures 

Figure 1. Map showing the location of the survey area (outlined in red) offshore of eastern Massachusetts 

between Duxbury and Hull. The 50-meter depth contour is shown. Black rectangle indicates area of detail 

shown in figures 2, 3, and 4.............................................................................................................................. 7

Figure 2. Map showing tracklines of geophysical data collected by USGS (red and green lines) and NOAA (purple 

lines). USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ................ 8

Figure 3. Photographs of research vessels used for mapping surveys in this project. A, RV Megan T. Miller; B,

RV Rafael; C, RV Connecticut; D, RV Thomas Jefferson. .......................................................................... 9

Figure 4. Map showing shaded-relief topography of seafloor in study area. Coloring and bathymetric contours 

represent depths in meters, relative to the local Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) datum. ............................. 10

Figure 5. Map showing sampling sites over acoustic-backscatter intensity in the study area. Backscatter intensity 

is an acoustic measure of the hardness and roughness of the seafloor. In general, higher values (light tones) 

represent rock, boulders, cobbles, gravel, and coarse sand. Lower values (dark tones) generally represent 

fine sand and muddy sediment. Tonal variations may occur across track in the sidescan-sonar data and 

between survey days in the multibeam echosounder data. ............................................................................ 11

Figure 6. Photograph of the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS), which was used to collect 

photographic data and sediment samples. ..................................................................................................... 12

 
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Conversion Factors 

SI to Inch/Pound 

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.) 

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) 

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi) 

kilometer (km) 0.5400 mile, nautical (nmi) 

meter (m) 1.094 yard (yd) 

Area 

square kilometer (km2) 247.1 acre 

square kilometer (km2) 0.3861 square mile (mi2) 

Phi conversion: Particle size in phi units may be converted to millimeters (mm) as follows: mm=2-phi

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). 

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS 84). 
Geophysical and Sampling Data from the Inner 

Continental Shelf: Duxbury to Hull, Massachusetts 

By Walter A. Barnhardt, Seth D. Ackerman, Brian D. Andrews, and Wayne E. Baldwin 

Abstract 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone 

Management (CZM)have cooperated to map approximately 200 km2 of the Massachusetts inner 

continental shelf between Duxbury and Hull. This report contains geophysical and geological data 

collected by the USGS on three cruises between 2006 and 2007. These USGS data are supplemented 

with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hydrographic survey conducted in 

2003 to update navigation charts. The geophysical data include (1) swath bathymetry from 

interferometric sonar and multibeam echosounders, (2) acoustic backscatter from sidescan sonar and 

multibeam echosounders, and (3) subsurface stratigraphy and structure from seismic-reflection profilers. 

The geological data include sediment samples, seafloor photographs, and bottom videos. These spatial 

data support research on the influence sea-level change and sediment supply have on coastal evolution, 

and on efforts to understand the type, distribution, and quality of subtidal marine habitats in the 

Massachusetts coastal ocean. 

Introduction 

This report presents high-resolution maps and spatial data for the seafloor offshore of 

Massachusetts, between Duxbury and Hull (fig. 1). Approximately 200 square kilometers (km2) of the 

inner continental shelf was mapped with a focus on areas inside the 3-mile limit of State jurisdiction. 

Water depths ranged from 2 to 38 m. The maps are the fourth in a series (Barnhardt and others, 2006, 

2009; Ackerman and others, 2006) produced by a cooperative mapping program of the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The marine 

geophysical data, sediment samples, and bottom photography in this report were obtained during three 

USGS research cruises in 2006 and 2007, and one National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) hydrographic survey in 2003 (fig. 2). Existing data, collected by NOAA to update navigation 

charts in the region, have been used throughout this mapping program to help characterize seafloor 

geology and morphology whenever possible. 

The long-term objectives of this mapping program are to build a foundation for scientific 

research and to provide geologic information for management of coastal and marine resources. 

Accurate maps of seafloor geology are important first steps toward protecting fish habitat, delineating 

marine resources, and assessing environmental changes caused by natural or human impacts. This 

report documents the data collection and processing methods and provides access to the data. Available 

datasets include bathymetry, acoustic backscatter intensity, seismic reflection, textural analyses of 

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sediment samples, and bottom photographs. These data products are integrated within a Geographic 

Information System (GIS) to form the basis for interpretive geologic maps that will be published for this 

region and help guide future management decisions. 

The inner continental shelf offshore of this section of the Massachusetts coast is a high-relief, 

glaciated seafloor. The general configuration of the shoreline and inner shelf is controlled by the 

lithology and structural features of the region’s underlying bedrock. Multiple episodes of glacial 

erosion modified the bedrock framework and deposited unconsolidated sediment to form moraines, 

drumlins, and other glacial landforms. Following deglaciation, relative sea-level change has been the 

major process shaping the coast and inner shelf over the last 14,500 years (Oldale and others, 1993). 

Shoreline transgression and regression have reworked a wide expanse of the inner shelf and largely 

removed fine-grained sediment from the seafloor in water depths of less than about 50 meters (m). 

These shallow, nearshore areas are characterized by rugged rock outcrops and relatively thin, 

discontinuous deposits of coarser grained sediment that ranges in size from sand to gravel and large 

boulders. Erosion of these glacial deposits provides most of the new sediment that builds beaches and 

marshes along this stretch of coast. 

Data Collection and Processing 

Bathymetry 

Bathymetric data were acquired by the USGS using a Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd 

(SEA) SwathPlus 234-kilohertz (kHz) interferometric sonar system at a ping rate of 0.25 seconds 

(s). During field activity 06012, the transducers were mounted on a rigid pole on the starboard side of 

the RV Megan T. Miller (fig. 3), about 2.6 m below the waterline. A TSS Ltd. Dynamic Motion Sensor 

(DMS) 2-05 motion reference unit was mounted directly above the sonar transducers and continuously 

measured vertical displacement (heave) and attitude (pitch and roll) of the vessel during 

acquisition. During USGS field activity 07001, the transducers were mounted on a rigid pole on the bow 

of the RV Rafael, about 0.5 m below the waterline. A CodaOctopus F-180 inertial-motion unit, mounted 

directly above the transducers, measured vertical displacement and attitude of the vessel during 

acquisition. Sound-velocity profiles were collected approximately every 2 hours using a hand-casted 

Applied MicroSystems SV Plus sound velocimeter. Survey lines were run at an average speed of 5 

knots and were spaced 100 m apart to obtain overlapping swaths of data and full coverage of the 

seafloor. Navigation was based on a Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS). The 

RTK-corrected GPS signal was sent to the ship from a base station established by the USGS on 

land. Soundings were referenced to MLLW using orthometric to chart datum offsets obtained from 

NOAA Tidal Station #8446009 at Brant Rock Harbor, MA. SEA SwathPlus acquisition software and 

the Computer Aided Resource Information System (CARIS) Hydrographic Information Processing 

System (HIPS version 6.1) were used to post-process the raw bathymetric soundings. Navigation data 

were inspected and edited, soundings were vertically adjusted using corrections from RTK-GPS waterlevel and sound-velocity profile data, spurious soundings were eliminated, and final processed 

soundings were gridded at a resolution of 5 m per pixel (fig. 4). 

Bathymetric data were collected by NOAA in an area adjacent to the northern boundary of the 

USGS survey area (fig. 2). Survey launches 1005 and 1014 acquired soundings using hull-mounted 

RESON SeaBat 8101 and 8125 multibeam-echosounder systems, respectively. The position and 

attitude of both launches were measured using TSS POS/MV 320 GPS-aided inertial navigation 

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systems. A Digibar Pro was used on Launch 1014 to continuously measure surface sound-velocity data. 

Survey lines were spaced between 15 and 50 m apart to obtain overlapping swaths of data and full 

coverage of the seafloor. Navigation was based on a Global Positioning System (GPS) corrected by U.S. 

Coast Guard differential GPS (DGPS) beacon No. 771 located at Portsmouth, NH. Tidal corrections 

were calculated using a discrete tidal zoning model and verified data from tidal station #8443970 at 

Boston, MA, and final corrected soundings were referenced to MLLW (NOAA DAPR, 2003; NOAA 

DR, 2003). 

The USGS and NOAA swath bathymetric datasets were combined into a single final 5-m per 

pixel grid, which is available in grid or image format in appendix 1 (Geospatial Data). 

Acoustic Backscatter 

Acoustic backscatter data were collected during USGS field activities 06012 and 07001 with a 

Klein 3000 dual-frequency sidescan sonar (132/445 kHz) that was towed approximately 10 m above the 

seafloor. Data for most of the survey were acquired over a swath width of 200 m (100 m to either side 

of vessel) using Klein SonarPro acquisition software (versions 9.6 and 10.0). Beam angle and slantrange distortions were corrected by using Xsonar (version 1.1) and ShowImage (Danforth, 1997). The 

132-kHz data from each survey line were mapped at 1 m per pixel resolution in geographic space in 

Xsonar, imported as raw image files to PCI Geomatica (OrthoEngine version 10.0.3), and combined into 

a mosaic (fig. 5). The mosaic was exported out of PCI as a georeferenced Tagged Image File Format 

(TIFF) image for further analysis in ArcGIS. 

Acoustic backscatter data from multibeam echosounders were also collected during NOAA 

hydrographic survey H10993. RESON SeaBat 8101 and 8125 multibeam echosounder systems were 

hull-mounted on NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson launches 1005 and 1014, respectively. The raw 

eXtended Triton Format (XTF) multibeam backscatter data from NOAA survey H10993 were processed 

at the USGS using a radiometric-correction technique developed by the Ocean Mapping Group and the 

University of New Brunswick (Beaudoin and others, 2002). 

GeoTIFF mosaics of backscatter imagery are presented in appendix 1 (Geospatial Data) of this 

report. The mosaic of USGS data is all derived from Klein 3000 sidescan-sonar backscatter. The 

mosaic of NOAA data is all derived from multibeam-echosounder backscatter. Due to acquisition and 

processing differences, these images were not combined into a single mosaic but can be used 

independently to define seafloor character and morphology. 

Seismic-Reflection Profiling 

Seismic-Reflection Data Acquisition 06012 

Chirp seismic data were collected using an EdgeTech Geo-Star FSSB sub-bottom profiling 

system and an SB-0512i towfish, which was mounted on a catamaran and towed astern of the RV 

Megan T. Miller. EdgeTech J-Star seismic acquisition software was used to control the Geo-Star topside 

unit and digitally log trace data in the EdgeTech JSF format. Data were acquired using a 0.25-second 

(s) shot rate, a 9-millisecond (ms) pulse length, and a 0.5 to 6 kHz frequency sweep. Recorded trace 

lengths were approximately 266 ms. Tracklines were spaced between 100 and 200 m apart in the shoreparallel direction and between 1 and 3 km apart in the shore-perpendicular direction. 

3
Seismic-Reflection Data Acquisition 07001 

Chirp seismic data were collected using an EdgeTech Geo-Star FSSB sub-bottom profiling 

system and an SB-424 towfish, which was mounted on a rigid pole on the starboard side of the RV 

Rafael. EdgeTech J-Star and Triton Imaging Inc. SB-Logger seismic acquisition software were used to 

control the Geo-Star topside unit and digitally log trace data in EdgeTech JSF and SEG-Y Rev. 1 

formats, respectively. Data were acquired using a 0.25-s shot rate, a 10-ms pulse length, and a 4 to 16 

kHz frequency sweep. Recorded trace lengths were approximately 250 ms. Tracklines were spaced 100 

m apart in the shore-parallel direction and between 200 m and 2 km apart in the shore-perpendicular 

direction. 

Raw seismic data were post-processed with SIOSEIS (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) and 

Seismic Unix (Colorado School of Mines). JPEG images of the chirp profiles are included in appendix 

1 (Geospatial Data) of this report. Navigation and processed SEG-Y data were imported into SeisWorks 

2D (Landmark Graphics, Inc.) for digital interpretation. 

Ground Validation 

Surficial Sediment Samples and Grain-Size Analyses 

Surficial sediment samples were acquired during USGS field activity 07003 (RV Connecticut; 

September 7-11, 2007) at 28 of the 77 SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS) 

locations to validate the geophysical data (fig. 5). Sediment samples were usually collected at the end 

of each camera tow, and samples were not collected in rocky areas. The upper 2 centimeters (cm) of 

sediment were bagged and taken to the USGS sediment laboratory for grain-size analysis. Grain-size 

analyses were completed using procedures outlined by Poppe and others (2005). These data include 

information regarding sample location, bulk weight, percent of sample in each 1-phi size class from -5 

phi to 11 phi, sediment classification, kurtosis, and other sediment-related statistics. These data are 

available in spreadsheet or geospatial format in appendix 2 (Textural Analyses). 

Photography and Video 

High-resolution digital photographs and video of the seafloor were collected at all 77 locations 

within the study area. At each station, the USGS SEABOSS (Valentine and others, 2000) (fig. 6) was 

towed over the bottom at speeds of less than 1 knot. Because the recorded position is actually the 

position of the GPS antenna on the survey vessel, not the SEABOSS sampler, the estimated horizontal 

accuracy of the sample location is ± 30 m. Photographs were obtained from a digital still camera, and 

continuous video was collected, usually for 5 to 15 minutes. Digital bottom photographs are available as 

JPEG images in appendix 3 (Bottom Photographs). Continuous video data are not included in this report 

but may be available upon request. 

Acknowledgments 

Funding for this research was provided by the Coastal and Marine Geology Program of the U.S. 

Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. We wish to thank 

Anthony Wilbur, Bruce Carlisle, and Daniel Sampson for their encouragement and support of offshore 

4
research. Assistance in the field was provided by Bill Danforth, Dave Foster, Barry Irwin, Tom 

O’Brien, Dann Blackwood, Chuck Worley, Emile Bergeron, Emily Himmelstoss, Elizabeth Pendleton, 

Sandy Baldwin, and Brian Buczkowski and the captains and crews of the RV Megan T. Miller and RV 

Connecticut. Jennifer Martin arranged this document in HTML. This manuscript benefited from reviews 

by Emily Himmelstoss, Elizabeth Pendleton and VeeAnn Cross. We also thank the staff of NOAA's 

National Geophysical Data Center for providing data from NOAA hydrographic survey H10993. 

References Cited 

Ackerman, S.D., Butman, Bradford, Barnhardt, W.A., Danforth, W.W., and Crocker, J.M., 2006, Highresolution geologic mapping of the inner continental shelf; Boston Harbor and Approaches, 

Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006–1008, 1 DVD. (Also available at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1008/.) 

Barnhardt, W.A., Andrews, B.D., and Butman, Bradford, 2006, High-resolution geologic mapping of 

the inner continental shelf; Nahant to Gloucester, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 2005–1293, 1 DVD. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1293/.) 

Barnhardt, W.A., Andrews, B.D., Ackerman, S.D., Baldwin, W.E., and Hein, C.J., 2009, Highresolution geologic mapping of the inner continental shelf; Cape Ann to Salisbury Beach, 

Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1373, 1 DVD. (Also available at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1373/.) 

Beaudoin, J.D., Hughes-Clarke, J.E., van den Ameele, E.J., and Gardner, J.V., 2002, Geometric and 

radiometric correction of multibeam backscatter derived from RESON 8101 systems: Canadian 

Hydrographic Conference Proceedings, 1 CD-ROM. (Also available at 

http://www.omg.unb.ca/omg/papers/Beaudoin_Multibeam_Backscatter_Reson_8101_Systems.pdf) 

Danforth, W.W., 1997, Xsonar/ShowImage; a complete system for rapid sidescan sonar processing and 

display: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97–686, 77 p. 

NOAA DAPR, 2003, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Data Acquisition and 

Processing Report, NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson (August - November 2003), Massachusetts Bay, 

Massachusetts: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center 

(NGDC), Boulder, CO. (Available at 

http://surveys.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/NOS/DAPRs/NOAAShipTHOMASJEFFERSONAugNov2003.pdf) 

NOAA DR, 2003, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Descriptive Report, Basic 

Hydrographic Survey H10993, Approaches to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, Massachusetts: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), 

Boulder, CO. (Available at http://surveys.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/NOS/coast/H10001-

H12000/H10993/DR/H10993.pdf) 

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6

Oldale, R.N., Colman, S.M., and Jones, G.A., 1993, Radiocarbon ages from two submerged strandline 

features in the western Gulf of Maine and a sea-level curve for the northeastern Massachusetts coastal 

region: Quaternary Research, v. 40, p. 38–45. 

Poppe, L.J., Williams, S.J., and Paskevich, V.F., eds., 2005, USGS East-Coast Sediment Analysis; 

Procedures, Database, and GIS Data: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005–1001, 1 DVD 

ROM. (Also available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1001/.) 

Valentine, Page, Blackwood, Dann, and Parolski, Ken, 2000, Seabed Observation and Sampling 

System: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS 142-00, 2 p. (Also available at 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs142-00/.) 
Figure 1. Map showing the location of the survey area (outlined in red) offshore of eastern Massachusetts between 

Duxbury and Hull. The 50-meter depth contour is shown. Black rectangle indicates area of detail shown in figures 2, 3, and 

4. 

7
Figure 2. Map showing tracklines of geophysical data collected by USGS (red and green lines) and NOAA (purple lines). 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

8
9

Figure 3. Photographs of research vessels used for mapping surveys in this project. A, RV Megan T. Miller; B, RV Rafael; C, R

Jefferson. 
Figure 4. Map showing shaded-relief topography of seafloor in study area. Coloring and bathymetric contours represent 

depths in meters, relative to the local Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) datum. 

10
Figure 5. Map showing sampling sites over acoustic-backscatter intensity in the study area. Backscatter intensity is an 

acoustic measure of the hardness and roughness of the seafloor. In general, higher values (light tones) represent rock, 

boulders, cobbles, gravel, and coarse sand. Lower values (dark tones) generally represent fine sand and muddy sediment. 

Tonal variations may occur across track in the sidescan-sonar data and between survey days in the multibeam 

echosounder data. 

11
Figure 6. Photograph of the SEABed Observation and Sampling System (SEABOSS), which was used to collect photographic data 

12