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Backscatter D [7125]--Offshore of San Francisco, California

Metadata Updated: September 24, 2025

This part of DS 781 presents data for the acoustic-backscatter map of the Offshore of San Francisco map area, California. Backscatter data are provided as separate grids depending on mapping system used and processing techniques. The raster data file is included in "BackscatterD_7125_2008_OffshoreSanFrancisco.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshoreSanFrancisco/data_catalog_OffshoreSanFrancisco.html. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Cochrane, G.R., Johnson, S.Y., Dartnell, P., Greene, H.G., Erdey, M.D., Golden, N.E., Hartwell, S.R., Endris, C.A., Manson, M.W., Sliter, R.W., Kvitek, R.G., Watt, J.T., Ross, S.L., and Bruns, T.R. (G.R. Cochrane and S.A. Cochran, eds.), 2015, California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of San Francisco, California (ver. 1.1, June 2015): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1068, pamphlet 39 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151068. The acoustic-backscatter map of the Offshore of San Francisco Map Area, California was generated from backscatter data collected by Fugro Pelagos and by California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Mapping was completed between 2004 and 2008, using a combination of 400-kHz Reson 7125 and 244-kHz Reson 8101 multibeam echosounders. Within the final 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 composition. 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.

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Dates

Metadata Created Date September 14, 2025
Metadata Updated Date September 24, 2025

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date September 14, 2025
Metadata Updated Date September 24, 2025
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/usgs-4fe3d5c9-5ee4-477f-80c2-94ff42983b5f
Data Last Modified 2023-02-17T00:00:00Z
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 ab393118-863f-4744-ac22-757b537bed91
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -122.62, 37.70, -122.42, 37.86
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 15242f60c9c48f84f023e6924b6984786d31a99ab15987005e00b4f18f3d9631
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -122.62, 37.70, -122.62, 37.86, -122.42, 37.86, -122.42, 37.70, -122.62, 37.70}

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