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Connecticut Quaternary Geology Cross Section Lines

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What does this data set describe?

Title:
Connecticut Quaternary Geology Cross Section Lines

Abstract:
Connecticut Quaternary Geology Geologic Cross Section includes the cross sections appearing on Sheets 1 and 2 of the The Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin (Stone and others, 2005).

The Connecticut Quaternary Geology digital spatial data combines the information portrayed on the on-land portion of the Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin (Stone and others 2005) with the information portrayed on its sister map, the Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut (Stone and others, 1992).  When used together, these maps provide a three dimensional context for understanding and predicting the internal composition, resource potential and hydrologic character of Connecticut's glacial and postglacial deposits. Both were compiled at 1:24,000 scale, and published at 1:125,000 scale.

The Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin (Stone and others, 2005) portrays the glacial and postglacial deposits of Connecticut (including Long Island Sound) with an emphasis on where and how they were emplaced. Glacial Ice-Laid Deposits (thin till, thick till, and deposits of individual end moraines), Early Postglacial Deposits (Late Wisconsinan to Early Holocene stream terrace and inland dune deposits) and Holocene Postglacial Deposits (alluvium, swamp deposits, marsh deposits, beach and dune deposits, talus, and artificial fill) are differentiated from Glacial Meltwater Deposits. This mapping is based on the concept of systematic northward retreat of the Late Wisconsinan glacier.  Meltwater deposits are divided into six depositional system categories (Deposits of Major Ice-Dammed Lakes, Deposits of Major Sediment-Dammed Lakes, Deposits of Related Series of Ice-Dammed Ponds, Deposits of Related Series of Sediment-Dammed Ponds, Deposits of Proximal Meltwater Streams, and Deposits of Distal Meltwater Streams) based on the arrangement and character of the groupings of sedimentary facies (morphosequences).

The Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut (Stone and others, 1992) portrays the glacial and postglacial deposits of Connecticut in terms of their aerial extent and subsurface textural relationships. Glacial Ice-Laid Deposits (thin till, thick till, end moraine deposits) and Postglacial Deposits (alluvium, swamp deposits, marsh deposits, beach deposits, talus, and artificial fill) are differentiated from Glacial Meltwater Deposits. The meltwater deposits are further characterized using four texturally-based map units (g = gravel, sg = sand and gravel, s = sand, and f = fines). In many places a single map unit (e.g. sand) is sufficient to describe the entire meltwater section.  Where more complex stratigraphic relationships exist, "stacked" map units are used to characterize the subsurface (e.g. sg/s/f - sand and gravel overlying sand overlying fines). Where postglacial deposits overlie meltwater deposits, this relationship is also described (e.g. alluvium overlying sand). Map unit definitions (Surficial Materials Polygon Code definitions, found in the metadata) provide a short description of the inferred depositional environment for each of the glacial meltwater map units.

The geologic contacts between till and meltwater deposits coincide on both the Quaternary and Surficial Materials maps, as do the boundaries of polygons that define areas of thick till, alluvium, swamp deposits, marsh deposits, beach and dune deposits, talus, and artificial fill. Within the meltwater deposits, a Quaternary map unit (deposit) may contain several Surficial Materials textural units (akin to facies within a delta, for example). Combining the textural and vertical stacking information from the Surficial Materials map with the orderly portrayal of morphosequence relationships, up and down valley, that can be gleaned from the Quaternary map provides a three dimensional predictive context for relating the geologic setting of Connecticut's glacial meltwater deposits to their behavior as aquifers and/or transmitters of contaminants.

Since this data layer is a polygon and line feature representation of the two maps combined, each map unit's depiction and description could provide information as to its aerial extent, subsurface textural characteristics, depositional and paleogeographic settings, and facies composition in a morphosequence context. Therefore, a typical meltwater polygon would have a combination of Quaternary (e.g. Deposit of Major Sediment-Dammed Lake; Glacial Lake Middletown Cromwell Deltaic Deposit) and Surficial Materials (e.g. sand and gravel overlying sand overlying fine) map attributes.  Additional polygon features are incorporated to define surface water areas for streams, lakes, ponds, bays, and estuaries greater than 5 acres in size. Line features describe the type of boundary between individual geologic or textural units such as a geologic contact line between two different geologic units or a linear shoreline feature between a textural unit and an adjacent waterbody.

The data have been updated to reflect minor changes in map unit name (QUPOLY_COD) for consistency with the 2005 publication of the Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin. Previously distributed versions of CTQSGEOM were consistent with the 1998 Open-file Report for the same map.

It is important to note that this data layer represents only the on-land portion of the Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin (Stone and others, 2005). The off-shore geologic units are organized in separate data layers (LISQMOR, LISQFAN, LISQLAKE, LISQCHAN, LISQMARD) which can be used in conjunction with this data layer. These Long Island Sound layers have been mapped at 1:80,000 scale using seismic reflection data.

The CTQSGEOM data layer should be used as the geologic base for Connecticut Quaternary Geology / Surficial Materials Features (CTQSFEAT) data layer which represents features such as eskers, meltwater channels, spillways, and locations of radio-carbon dated samples.

Supplemental information:
Data manually digitized from 1:24,000-scale mylar quadrangle compilation sheets prepared for the Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut, 1:125,000 scale (Stone and others, 1992) and the Quaternary Geologic Map Of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin, 1:125,000 scale (Stone and others,2005).  For a more complete understanding of the geologic principles behind the data it is advisable to consult these source maps which contain cross sections, diagrams and text not available in digital form.  Digital files which should be used with this data set include: SIM-2784.pdf (pamphet from the Quaternary Geologic Map Of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin), Surficial Materials data layer, and the companion data sets: Connecticut Quaternary Geology / Surficial Materials Features (CTQSFEAT), and Long Island Sound moraines (LISQMOR), lacustrine fans (LISQFAN), lake-bottom and deltaic deposits (LISQLAKE), channel-fill deposits (LISQCHAN), and marine deltaic deposits (LISQMARD); all available for download at http://www.dep.state.ct.us/gis.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    U.S. Geological Survey (data compiler, editor and publisher), State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Geological and Natural History Survey (data compiler, editor and publisher), 2005, Connecticut Quaternary Geology Cross Section Lines: State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.

    Online links:
    This is part of the following larger work:

    Janet Radway Stone, U.S. Geological Survey, John P. Schafer, U.S. Geological Survey, Elizabeth Haley London, U.S. Geological Survey, Mary L. DiGiacomo-Cohen, Long Island Sound Resource Center, Ralph S. Lewis, Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey, Woodrow B. Thompson, Maine Geological Survey, 2005, Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin: Scientific Investigations MapSIM-2784, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, USA.

    Online links:
    Other citation details:
    The Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin is published by the U.S. Geological Suvey in cooperation with the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Geologic and Natural History Survey. The map is a USGS Scientific Investigations Map 2784 (SIM-2784), scale 1:125,000, 2 sheets, available for purchase from the Connecticut DEP Store or U.S. Geological Survey.

    This is part of the following larger work:

    Janet Radway Stone, U.S. Geological Survey, John P. Schafer, U.S. Geological Survey, Elizabeth Haley London, U.S. Geological Survey, Woodrow B. Thompson, U.S. Geological Survey, 1992, Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut: U.S. Geological Survey special map, 2 sheetsNone, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, USA.

    Online links:
    Other citation details:
    The Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut is published by the U.S. Geological Suvey in cooperation with the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Geologic and Natural History Survey. The map is a USGS Special Map, Scale 1:125,000, 2 sheets, available for purchase from the Connecticut DEP Store or U.S. Geological Survey.

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    Bounding coordinates:
    West: -73.041396
    East: -72.347070
    North: 42.031716
    South: 40.972908

  3. What does it look like?

    http://www.cteco.uconn.edu/metadata/dep/browsegraphic/QuaternaryGeologyMapElementsFullView.gif (JPEG)
    Full view of Quaternary Geology Geologic Basin Divide and Cross Section Line features

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar date: 2005
    Currentness reference:
    publication date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial data presentation form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • String (3)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      The map projection used is Lambert Conformal Conic.

      Projection parameters:
      Lambert Conformal Conic
      Standard parallel: 41.200000
      Standard parallel: 41.866667
      Longitude of central meridian: -72.750000
      Latitude of projection origin: 40.833333
      False easting: 999999.999996
      False northing: 499999.999998

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair.
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000328.
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000328.
      Planar coordinates are specified in survey feet.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

      Vertical coordinate system definition:
      Altitude system definition:
      Altitude resolution: 1.000000
      Altitude encoding method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Connecticut Quaternary Geology Cross Section Lines
    Polygons represent map units which describe the Quaternary Geologic deposits. (Source: U.S. Geological Survey and State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection)

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    QSARC_CD
    FEATARC_CD
    SHAPE
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)
                      

    Coordinates defining the features.

    SHAPE.len
    Entity and attribute overview:
    none

    Entity and attribute detail citation:
    Stone, J.R., Schafer, J.P., London, E.H., DiGiacomo-Cohen, M.L., Lewis, R.S. and Thompson, W.B., 2005, Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigaions Map 2784, 2 sheets, scale 1:125,000.
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Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)


  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Kristi LeDuc, Margaret Thomas, and Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen for designing, compiling, digitizing, and editing the Quaternary Geology and Surficial Materials data layer. Much of the production effort was undertaken by the Long Island Sound Resource Center: a partnership between the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut Marine Sciences and Technology Center. This digital data was produced by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection with support from the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Addiction Services. The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Geological and Natural History Survey drafted the 1:24,000-scale compilation sheets used to publish the 1:125,000-scale Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut, Stone and others, 1992 and create the 1:24,000-scale digital data.

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Janet Radway Stone
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Geologist
    1080 Shennecossett Rd
    Groton, Connecticut 06340
    USA

    860-405-9210 (voice)
    860-405-9214 (FAX)
    jrstone@usgs.gov
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Why was the data set created?

Connecticut Quaternary Geology and Surficial Materials is 1:24,000-scale data suitable for geologic and environmental mapping and analysis purposes. Not intended for maps printed at map scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet.). Not intended for analysis with other digital data compiled at scales greater than or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale. This data layer should be used as the geologic base for Connecticut Quaternary Geology / Surficial Materials Features (CTQSFEAT). The data layer can be used in conjunction with data layers representing related geologic features in the Long Island Sound Basin (LISQMOR, LISQFAN, LISQLAKE, LISQCHAN, LISQMARD).

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How was the data set created?

  1. Where did the data come from?

  2. What changes have been made?

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How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    none

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    The horizontal positional accuracy of this is uknown.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    none

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    none

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How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access constraints: None. The data is in the public domain and may be redistributed.
Use constraints:
No restrictions or legal prerequisites for using the data. The data is suitable for use at appropriate scale, and is not recommended for use with other data layers having source map scales greater than 1:24,000 (1 inch = 2000 feet) or printed on maps at scales greater or more detailed than 1:24,000 scale (1 inch = 2,000 feet). The geologic contacts are considered accurate as mapped at 1:24,000 scale. While it may be desirable to represent the geology at a larger scale for site-specific applications, keep in mind that 1:24,000-scale accuracy may not be appropriate for such uses. Although this data set has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the U.S. Geological Survey or the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata. When printing this data on a map or using it in a software application, analysis, or report, please acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey and the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as the source for this information. For example, include the following data source description when printing this layer on a map: Quaternary Geology - From the Quaternary Geology/Surficial Materials Master layer, compiled and published by the USGS and CT DEP. Source map scale is 1:24,000. The data is most relevent when used at the intended state-wide scale of 1:125,000 and in conjunction with the additional information found only on the following parent maps: Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut (Stone and others, 1992) and Quaternary Geologic Map of Connecticut and Long Island Sound Basin (Stone and others, 2005).

Distributor 1 of 1

  1. Who distributes the data set?

    State of Connecticut, Department of Enviromental Protection
    79 Elm Street
    Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127
    USA

    860-424-3540 (voice)
    860-424-4058 (FAX)
    dep.gisdata@ct.gov
    Hours of Service: Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30 Eastern Standard Time

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Connecticut Quaternary Geology Cross Section Lines

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although this data set  has been used by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection as to the accuracy of the data and or related materials.  The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection in the use of these data or related materials. The user assumes the entire risk related to the use of these data. Once the data is distributed to the user, modifications made to the data by the user should be noted in the metadata.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

    • Availability in digital form:


    • Data format:
      in format Shapefile, Feature Class, ArcInfo Coverage (version ArcGIS)
      Network links:http://www.ct.gov/deep

    • Cost to order the data: An online copy of the data may be accessed without charge.


  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

    The data distributor does not provide custom GIS analysis or mapping services. Data is available in a standard format and may be converted to other formats, projections, coordinate systems, or selected for specific geographic regions by the party receiving the data.

  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

    Geographic information sytem (GIS), computer-aided drawing or other mapping software is necessary to display, view and access the information.

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Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20120126

Metadata author:
Mary DiGiacomo-Cohen
Long Island Sound Resource Center, a partnership between the State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut
Long Island Sound Resource Center, UConn Avery Point, 1080 Shennecossett Rd.
Groton, CT 06340
USA

(860) 405-9015 (voice)
lisrc@uconn.edu

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata(FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html

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