High-Resolution Geologic Mapping of the Sea Floor Offshore of Massachusetts

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the University of New Brunswick, the University of New Hampshire, and the Canadian Hydrographic Service is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and subsurface geologic framework offshore of Massachusetts. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will serve the needs of research, management and the public. Geologic mapping has been completed in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Western Massachusetts Bay. Mapping is presently focused in nearshore areas, largely inside the 3-mile limit of State waters, and includes the acquisition of new data as well as reprocessing of existing data. This Web site provides a brief description of the mapping projects, links to maps available over the World Wide Web and a list of paper maps and maps available on CD-ROM.