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S. W. Needell

Publications and source records attributed to S. W. Needell.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1983

Quaternary geology of the Rhode Island inner shelf

Five sedimentary units and three erosional unconformities identified in high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles reveal the stratigraphic framework and Quaternary history of the inner continental shelf south of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Late Tertiary to early Pleistocene rivers eroded the pre-Mesozoic bedrock and the Upper Cretaceous to lower Tertiary coastal plain and continental shelf strata to form a lowland and cuesta having a north-facing escarpment. The lowland and landward flanks of the cuesta were modified by glaciers during Pleistocene time and subsequently were overlain by drift and end moraine deposits of the late Wisconsinan ice advance. During deglaciation, freshwater lakes formed between the retreating ice and end moraines. Prior to sea-level rise, the drift and older deposits were cut by streams flowing south and southwestward toward Block Island Sound. As sea level rose, postglacial valleys were partly filled by fluvial, freshwater-peat, estuarine and salt-marsh deposits. Transgressing seas eroded the sea floor, exposing bedrock and coastal plain outcrops, and deposited marine sediments. ?? 1983.

Rhode Island↗
USGS1982

Erosional channels on the shoreface of Nauset Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Many channels (1 to 3 m relief)_are located offshore of Nauset Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in water 4 to 18 m deep. The channels are oblique to the shoreline, are spaced approximately 260 m apart, and deepen seaward. The southern flank of each channel is rippled whereas the northern flank and interchannel areas are smooth. The origin of the channels is unknown. They probably formed by erosion of the shoreface, perhaps by rip-current circulation during storm conditions or by rip-current circulation under quiet conditions. The channels may control current flow and thereby maintain themselves even though formative conditions may no longer exist.

Massachusetts↗
USGS1982

High-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and sidescan-sonar records collected on Block Island Sound by U.S. Geological Survey, R/V ASTERIAS, cruise AST 81-2

Cruise AST 81-2 was conducted aboard the R/V ASTERIAS during September 10-18, 1981, in Block Island Sound by the U.S. Geological Survey. It was funded in part by the Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey. The purpose of the study was to define and map the geology and shallow structure, to determine the geologic framework and late Tertiary to Holocene history, and to identify and map any potential geologic hazards of Block Island Sound. The survey was conducted using an EG&G Uniboom seismic system and an EDO Western sidescan-sonar system. Seismic signals were band-passed between 400 and 4,000 Hz and were recorded at a quarter-second sweep rate. Sidescan sonographs were collected at a 100-m scan range to each side of the ship track. In all, 702 km of seismic-reflection profiles and 402 km of sidescan-sonar records were collected. Navigation was by Loran-C, and the ship position was recorded at 5-minute intervals. Seismic-reflection profiling is continuous and good in quality. Sidescan-sonar records are varied in quality; coverage was intermittent and eventu­ally terminated owing to difficulties with the recorder. Original records can be seen and studied at the U.S. Geological Survey Data Library at Woods Hole, MA 02543. Microfilm copies of the seismic-reflection pro­files and the sidescan sonographs can be purchased only from the National Geo­physical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center, NOAA/EDIS/NGSDC, Code D621, 325 Broad­way, Boulder, CO 80303 (telephone 303-497-6338).

Open-File Report↗