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BackscatterB [7125]--Offshore Pacifica, California

Metadata Updated: January 12, 2026

This part of DS 781 presents data for the acoustic-backscatter map of Offshore of Pacifica map area, California. Backscatter data are provided as two separate grids depending on mapping system. The raster data files are included in "Backscatter7125_OffshorePacifica.zip," which is accessible from https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/781/OffshorePacifica/data_catalog_OffshorePacifica.html. These data accompany the pamphlet and map sheets of Edwards, B.D., Phillips, E.L., Dartnell, P., Greene, H.G., Bretz, C.K., Kvitek, R.G., Hartwell, S.R., Johnson, S.Y., Cochrane, G.R., Dieter, B.E., Sliter, R.W., Ross, S.L., Golden, N.E., Watt, J.T., Chin, J.L., Erdey, M.D., Krigsman, L.M., Manson, M.W., and Endris, C.A. (S.A. Cochran and B.D. Edwards, eds.), 2014, California State Waters Map Series—Offshore of Pacifica, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1260, pamphlet 38 p., 10 sheets, scale 1:24,000, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141260. The acoustic-backscatter map of the Offshore of Pacifica, California was generated from backscatter data collected by Fugro Pelagos and by California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Mapping was completed between 2005 and 2007, 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.

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Created Date January 12, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 12, 2026

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date January 12, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 12, 2026
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/USGS_0ce7f53d-8404-4c12-a9d9-0d01132fc152
Data Last Modified 2023-02-24T00:00:00Z
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 197fa029-447e-48d0-88e9-ab7f37d96775
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -122.65, 37.54, -122.40, 37.70
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash f88ebf061fc783ab639c9601b19f0b3bfbe274cd289358e2c1e9d6e4be7edbf5
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -122.65, 37.54, -122.65, 37.70, -122.40, 37.70, -122.40, 37.54, -122.65, 37.54}

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