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Backscatter B [USGS]--Offshore of Carpinteria, California

Metadata Updated: November 12, 2025

This part of DS 781 presents data for part of the acoustic-backscatter map of the Offshore of Carpinteria map area, California. The raster data file is included in "BackscatterB_USGS_OffshoreCarpinteria.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreCarpinteria/data_catalog_OffshoreCarpinteria.html. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Johnson, S.Y., Dartnell, P., Cochrane, G.R., Golden, N.E., Phillips, E.L., Ritchie, A.C., Kvitek, R.G., Greene, H.G., Endris, C.A., Seitz, G.G., Sliter, R.W., Erdey, M.D., Wong, F.L., Gutierrez, C.I., Krigsman, L.M., Draut, A.E., and Hart, P.E. (S.Y. Johnson and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2013, California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Carpinteria, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 3261, 42 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3261. The acoustic-backscatter map of the Offshore of Carpinteria map area, California, was generated from backscatter data collected by California State University, Monterey Bay, Seafloor Mapping Lab (CSUMB) and by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These metadata describe the acoustic-backscatter data collected by the USGS. See "BackscatterA_CSUMB_OffshoreCarpinteria_metadata.txt" metadata for a description of the acoustic-backscatter data collected by CSUMB. The western nearshore area, as well as the western outer shelf area, were mapped by the USGS in 2005 and 2006, using 117-kHz and 234.5-kHz SEA (AP) Ltd. SWATHplus-M phase-differencing sidescan sonars. This mapping mission collected acoustic-backscatter data from about the 10-m isobath to about the 3-nautical-mile limit of California's State Waters. Within the acoustic-backscatter imagery, brighter tones indicate higher backscatter intensity, and darker tones indicate lower backscatter intensity. The intensity represents a complex interaction between the acoustic pulse and the seafloor, as well as characteristics within the shallow subsurface, providing a general indication of seafloor texture and sediment type. Backscatter intensity depends on the acoustic source level; the frequency used to image the seafloor; the grazing angle; the composition and character of the seafloor, including grain size, water content, bulk density, and seafloor roughness; and some biological cover. Harder and rougher bottom types such as rocky outcrops or coarse sediment typically return stronger intensities (high backscatter, lighter tones), whereas softer bottom types such as fine sediment return weaker intensities (low backscatter, darker tones).

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Created Date September 13, 2025
Metadata Updated Date November 12, 2025

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date September 13, 2025
Metadata Updated Date November 12, 2025
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/usgs-0647f127-25da-4114-9d34-9b5a6482a38c
Data Last Modified 2023-03-17T00:00:00Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:12
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://ddi.doi.gov/usgs-data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Harvest Object Id 1d7ebf36-b580-4dd5-9ac8-c327af4574b3
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -119.63, 34.29, -119.43, 34.45
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 8ed1bf74426508154c83598224d727f4b6737086e73bac80f43f811df2e292c5
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -119.63, 34.29, -119.63, 34.45, -119.43, 34.45, -119.43, 34.29, -119.63, 34.29}

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