TY - BOOK T1 - The bedrock geology of Massachusetts T2 - U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper Y1 - 1988 A1 - Hatch, Norman L A1 - Goldsmith, Richard A1 - Robinson, P A1 - Stanley, Rolfe S A1 - Wones, David R A1 - Zartman, Robert E A1 - Marvin, Richard F KW - #MassGeology KW - #MassGeologyMap KW - #StateGeologicMap KW - bedrock map KW - GEOLOGIC MAP KW - Goldsmith KW - Hatch KW - Hatch 1991 KW - State Geologic Map KW - Zen KW - Zen 1983 AB - USGS Professional Paper 1366 A-D & E-J: Books accompanying the 1983 State Bedrock Geologic Map, edited by Norman L. Hatch. Paper copies can be ordered via the USGS store (http://store.usgs.gov) using the USGS product numbers above or by clicking the links below. JF - U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper PB - United States Geological Survey CY - Reston, VA VL - 1366 ER - TY - BOOK T1 - Roadside Geology of Massachusetts Y1 - 2001 A1 - James W. Skehan KW - educational resources KW - GEOLOGY KW - massachusetts PB - Mountain Press ER - TY - Generic T1 - Arsenic in central Massachusetts bedrock and groundwater T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2010 A1 - McTigue, David F. A1 - Stein, Carol L. A1 - Brandon, William C. A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Keskula, Anna J. A1 - Koteas, G. Christopher KW - #StaffPubs KW - alteration KW - arsenic KW - arsenides KW - arsenopyrite KW - Ayer Granodiorite KW - BEDROCK KW - central Massachusetts KW - chelmsford granite KW - Devonian KW - dilation KW - discharge KW - dissolved materials KW - drinking water KW - Eh KW - fractures KW - General geochemistry 02A KW - geochemistry KW - granites KW - ground water KW - igneous rocks KW - joints KW - massachusetts KW - metals KW - metamorphism KW - meteoric water KW - overburden KW - Paleozoic KW - petrography KW - plutonic rocks KW - pollutants KW - reduction KW - solubility KW - solution KW - sulfides KW - theoretical models KW - United States AB - Across the New England "arsenic belt," groundwater arsenic (As) concentrations often exceed the EPA's 0.01-mg/L drinking water standard. In overburden groundwater at a site within this belt in north-central Massachusetts, As has been reported at levels up to 7.6 mg/L. Bedrock at the site consists of Silurian Central Maine Terrane metasediments intruded by the Devonian Ayer granodiorite and Chelmsford granite. Exchange of hydrothermal fluids between these lithologies during intrusion and later deformation, faulting, and metamorphism resulted in crystallization of arsenic-bearing minerals, including arsenopyrite. Quaternary deglaciation and unloading dilated joint systems in the bedrock, allowing increased exposure of the mineralogy to meteoric water. Several arsenopyrite alteration products (e.g., scorodite), of varying solubilities, precipitated on fracture surfaces and along grain boundaries between major phases. In the emerging conceptual model for this site, groundwater is recharged in bedrock uplands and moves downgradient through the fracture network, becoming increasingly reducing as it moves along a flow path. Arsenic dissolved from arsenopyrite and arsenic-bearing alteration phases in bedrock remains in solution until the groundwater discharges to lowland areas hydraulically downgradient. In these adjacent lowlands, glacial sand and gravel overburden lies above the bedrock. When the reducing water reaches more oxidizing conditions, As-sorbing hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) precipitate out on the aquifer solids, resulting in accumulation of As in the deep overburden aquifer. A large landfill at this site, now closed and capped, imposed reducing conditions, and As is mobilized into groundwater by reductive dissolution of the HFO. The presence of elevated As in groundwater is consistent with arsenic-bearing phases generated in granitoids at depth during regional metamorphism, which were subsequently altered, and are being solubilized at present by the circulation of shallow groundwater through varying redox environments. This scenario is supported by geochemical and petrographic studies of the granitoids and the occurrence of the highest groundwater and soil arsenic concentrations in the adjacent deep overburden. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 42 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010AM/finalprogram/abstract_182430.htm IS - 55 N1 - Accession Number: 2011-044094; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2010 annual meeting; Denver, CO, United States; Conference Date: 20101031; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 2; Collation: 216-217; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201125; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2010 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Converting paper geologic maps to digital products; the search for an effective method T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2003 A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Newton, R. A1 - Stepanov, A. A1 - Ene, D. A1 - Ivanov, D. KW - #StaffPubs KW - cartography KW - data bases KW - data processing KW - digital cartography KW - digital data KW - geographic information systems KW - geomorphology KW - Geomorphology 23 KW - government agencies KW - information systems KW - mapping KW - massachusetts KW - National Geologic Map Database KW - NGMDB KW - survey organizations KW - United States AB - MassGIS and the Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist are working collaboratively with the USGS to vectorize 85, published 7.5-minute surficial geologic maps in order to prepare a statewide coverage of the till-glacial stratified drift boundary. Conversion of old geologic maps from paper copies to new digital products is a complex task requiring an efficient method that minimizes errors and limits the need for heads-up digitizing. The main issue in the conversion is the accurate separation of line work (geologic contacts) on the map from the halftone colors in the polygon fills and achieving this without creating an extensive editing effort in the GIS environment. For this project, we elected to process the scanned and rectified images of the surficial geologic maps in Photoshop and adjust the resulting line work in ArcScan before vectorizing the polygons. Photoshop is an extremely sophisticated, commercial raster image editing software with a very user-friendly interface. Using tools such as the "Magic Wand" (selection of similar pixels with variable threshold control), "Select Color Range" (find all instances of similar colors), "Grow and Contract Selection", "Stroke Selection", and Photoshop "Layers", we are able to create a set of very accurate, noise free boundary lines, before the vectorization process occurs. This methodology is, in effect, "on the fly" editing of the boundary lines, eliminating the large number of errors and artifacts that "automated" vectorizing processes inevitably generate (and which must be tediously edited and/or removed later with vector editing software). Line tracings produced in Photoshop are exported to ArcScan where, using the original raster image as a background, a preview of the proposed vector is adjusted, if needed, using simple editing tools in ArcScan. Once an optimal match is achieved visually, the vectors are generated. The advantage of this approach is that the bulk of the line editing occurs early in the process, prior to vectorization, and can be achieved by moderately trained personnel using "off the shelf" commercial software. This provides greater control of the quality of the finished product because there are no computer generated false lines that need to be found and removed later with a much more complex process. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 35 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2003AM/finalprogram/abstract_64322.htm IS - 66 N1 - Accession Number: 2006-037984; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2003 annual meeting; Seattle, WA, United States; Conference Date: 20031102; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 276; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 200611; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2003 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Evidence for arsenic-mineralization in granitic basement rocks, Ayer Granodiorite, northeastern Massachusetts T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2010 A1 - Koteas, G. Christopher A1 - Keskula, Anna J. A1 - Stein, Carol L. A1 - McTigue, David F. A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Brandon, William C. KW - #StaffPubs KW - acadian KW - arsenic KW - arsenides KW - arsenopyrite KW - Ayer Granodiorite KW - Berwick formation KW - fractured materials KW - geochemistry KW - granodiorites KW - Igneous and metamorphic petrology 05A KW - igneous rocks KW - lower Paleozoic KW - massachusetts KW - Merrimack Synclinorium KW - metals KW - metamorphic rocks KW - metamorphism KW - metasedimentary rocks KW - metasomatism KW - Middlesex County Massachusetts KW - migration of elements KW - mineralization KW - Mineralogy of non-silicates 01C KW - northeastern Massachusetts KW - orogeny KW - Paleozoic KW - plutonic rocks KW - pollutants KW - pollution KW - pyrite KW - sulfides KW - United States AB - Core samples of the Ayer Granodiorite along the eastern margin of the Merrimack Belt in northeastern Massachusetts host a series of sulfide and oxide phases that resulted from interaction with sulfide-bearing meta-sedimentary host rocks. Euhedral arsenopyrite grains are found with ilmenite, apatite, and REE phosphates in zones that generally mimic the intersection between a gneissic fabric and a relict magmatic foliation. Arsenopyrite crystals are typically elongate with this lineation. Euhedral to subhedral pyrite crystals have also been observed, but are localized to areas without As-bearing phases. Micro-fractures that parallel either a steep NW-striking joint set or gently-dipping sheeting joints are commonly filled with interwoven calcite cements and As-bearing Fe-oxides. Surface coatings of major fracture sets are also characterized by Fe-As-rich rinds that host micron-scale sub-angular particles of quartz, feldspars, and phyllosilicates. Where micro-fractures are most concentrated, sulfide-bearing minerals are less common; however, subhedral to anhedral arsenopyrite grains do occur along some open micro-fractures. These crystals preserve lobate grain boundaries and are associated with As-bearing Fe-oxide-rich coatings along adjacent fractures. The presence of 1) pyrite, 2) arsenopyrite associated with phosphates, and 3) As-bearing fracture coatings suggests multiple stages of mineralization. We propose that intrusion-related fluid-rock interaction associated with heating of nearby sulfide-bearing schists of the Berwick Formation during Acadian orogenesis may have provided the necessary constituents for growth of sulfide phases in the Ayer. It appears that Late Devonian greenschist facies metamorphism and metasomatism led to mineralization that generated arsenopyrite and accompanying phosphates; however, the role of the cross-cutting Clinton Newbury Fault Zone as a conduit for hydrothermal fluids may also be important. Lower temperature As-bearing Fe-oxide and calcite coatings on open fractures surfaces may be associated with a change from lithostatic- to hydrostatic-pressures during post-glacial regional uplift. This mineralization appears to be synchronous with intense microfracturing that post-dates all other mineralization. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 42 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010NE/finalprogram/abstract_169998.htm IS - 11 N1 - Accession Number: 2010-100047; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 45th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 59th annual meeting; Baltimore, MD, United States; Conference Date: 20100314; Language: English; Coordinates: N420800N424400W0710200W0715300; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 160; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201052; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 45th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 59th annual meeting; joint meeting, abstracts volume; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Fracture characterization of crystalline bedrock for groundwater investigations; an example from the Marlborough Quadrangle, Massachusetts T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2004 A1 - Scott A Salamoff A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Donald U Wise KW - #StaffPubs KW - aquifers KW - Assabet River Fault KW - BEDROCK KW - characterization KW - controls KW - crystalline rocks KW - fractured materials KW - fractures KW - geographic information systems KW - ground water KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - hydrology KW - information systems KW - joints KW - Marlborough Quadrangle KW - massachusetts KW - Middlesex County Massachusetts KW - permeability KW - preferential flow KW - recharge KW - style KW - testing KW - theoretical models KW - United States AB - Integration of a wide array of structural data with well-field hydrologic testing is increasingly recognized as a critical step in understanding groundwater flow behavior and recharge in crystalline bedrock aquifers (Lyford et al., 2003, Walsh and Lyford, 2002). The Marlborough Quadrangle, about 40 km west of Boston, was selected as a test case of how a state geological survey can most effectively and efficiently collect and present such data in order to better constrain conceptual models of groundwater flow in general and to be of maximum use for hydrologists and consultants working on specific local problems. In this study, 3200 structural measurements were taken by a two-person team over a nine-week period at 68 stations distributed throughout the quadrangle and keyed into a GIS database. Specialized data sheets allowed efficient recording and digitization of orientations, lengths, spacing and mineralization, and separation of various classes of joints and veins. Fault data also included motion direction and sense. Summary maps in GIS format include standard geologic map bases overlain by typical rose diagrams and stereograms and maps such as fracture domains and trajectories, sheeting distribution, foliation trajectories, bedrock elevations, generalized piezometric surface configuration, and overburden type and thickness with separations into permeability class. Geology of the quadrangle can be separated into three zones: (a) north of the Assabet River Fault (ARF), (b) the area between the ARF and 1.5 km-wide Bloody Bluff Fault Zone (BBFZ), and (c) south of the BBFZ. Generalized foliations in the zones are: (a) 215, 50N, (b) 240, 65N, and (c) 270, 45N. Two pervasive, steeply-dipping (>60 degrees ) fracture sets occur throughout the quadrangle: an older 150 degrees set that includes sulfide-bearing veins and fracture surfaces along the ARF and a 015 degrees set of largely unmineralized common joints, macrojoints (>3 m length) and joint zones (av. 1.2 m width). Sheeting and unloading joints are generally coincident with shallow dipping foliation in (c) but cross-cut foliation in (a) and (b). We believe this approach will provide hydrologists and consultants with basic framework data that will expedite and improve the planning of subsurface investigations, construction activities and groundwater exploration. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 36 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004NE/finalprogram/abstract_70321.htm IS - 22 N1 - Accession Number: 2005-077195; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 38th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 53rd annual meeting; Washington, DC, United States; Conference Date: 20040325; Language: English; Coordinates: N421800N421800W0713000W0713000; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 113; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 200524; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 38th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 53rd annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Guiding principles for use of digital technology in geologic data collection and distribution T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2014 A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - House, P. Kyle A1 - Schmidt, Maxine A1 - Clark, Ryan KW - #StaffPubs KW - data KW - data preservation KW - databases KW - digital KW - digital data KW - digital geologic maps KW - geologic maps KW - GIS KW - migration AB - The past decade has seen a dramatic shift in the public perception of a map as a static paper document to a dynamic digital interface for addressing a specific geographic question. The adoption of digital technology for geologic data collection, compilation, and distribution has many advantages but requires a similar shift in attitudes towards the nature of data and resulting maps themselves to ensure that they remain accessible, viable, and relevant in this new paradigm. We propose a set of guiding principles for the use of digital technology in geologic data and map production: 1.) Utilize dedicated digital data professionals (DDPs): It is unreasonable to expect that geologists maintain expertise in their field and be thoroughly versed in complex and rapidly changing best practices for digital data. Following the recommendations of the National Research Council (2009), DDPs should be embedded in any research endeavor from its inception with geologists being savvy enough in digital technology to maintain productive engagement with DDPs. 2.) Use appropriate technology: Fully digital workflows and field equipment are not appropriate for all projects. Free or open-source software (FOSS) and easily available low-cost hardware (i.e., smartphones) have also met or surpassed the utility of many proprietary technology solutions thus reducing the price and increasing accessibility of data. 3.) Practice good data management: Digital data takes considerable resources and sustained effort to remain viable even shortly after its production. Best practices in data accessibility (data standards, open formats, etc.) and maintenance (refreshing, migration, etc.) in addition to robust metadata creation, through all phases of a project, are unquestionably necessary. 4.) Approach maps and digital data as living dynamic entities: Geologic data is out of date the moment it is published. A primary advantage of digital datasets is their ability to be easily updated, queried, and manipulated in infinite ways. Derivative products for specific applications are in arguably higher demand by end users than the data itself. Geologists must design for flexibility, appropriateness of use, and the persistence of their expert interpretations through development of all possible end products of and updates to the map and dataset. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States VL - 46 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2014NE/webprogram/Paper236362.html JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Implications for non-traditional geothermal resources in southern New England; variability in heat potential based on thermal conductivity and geochemistry studies T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2012 A1 - Koteas, G. Christopher A1 - John Michael Rhodes A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Ryan, Amy A1 - Schmidt, Joe A1 - League, Corey A1 - Goodhue, Nathaniel A1 - Adams, Sharon A. A1 - Gagnon, Teresa K. A1 - Thomas, Margaret A. KW - #StaffPubs KW - chemical composition KW - Connecticut KW - Economic geology, geology of energy sources 29A KW - energy sources KW - geothermal energy KW - geothermal exploration KW - granites KW - heat flow KW - igneous rocks KW - massachusetts KW - models KW - New England KW - plutonic rocks KW - thermal conductivity KW - United States AB - Estimating geothermal potential in southern New England in the absence of borehole heat flow data or geophysical studies has led to a focus on models based on thermal conductivity, geochemistry, and density-based heat production models. Preliminary estimates of geothermal potential generally match borehole-based heat flow data from similar tectonic environments. Nevertheless, microstructural and compositional heterogeneity with depth remain largely unconstrained. The extrapolation of regional structures based on detailed field mapping has helped to improve structural projections adjacent to major basins. However, an additional source of error in models of heat potential-with-depth are thermal conductivity estimates of igneous and meta-igneous rocks throughout Massachusetts (MA) and Connecticut (CT). Over three hundred granitoid localities in MA and CT have been analyzed to date. The southern New England region can be simplified into four major litho-tectonic zones: the Taconic-Berkshire Zone of western MA and northwestern CT, The Bronson Hill Zone associated with the CT River valley, the Nashoba Zone of central MA and eastern CT, and the Milford-Dedham Zone of eastern MA and eastern CT. Granitic rocks adjacent to the CT River valley and the Narragansett Basin vary considerably in thermal conductivity. Granites adjacent to the Narragansett Basin vary from 2.9 to 3.7 W/m * K. Average thermal conductivity values, combined with modeled heat production values, produce temperatures at 3 km depth along the Narragansett Basin that approach 85-115 degrees C. Values of meta-igneous rocks from the margin of the CT River valley in MA and CT vary more considerably in thermal conductivity, from 1.8 to 3.9W/m * K. Modeled heat potentials at 3 km depths along the eastern margin of the CT River valley vary between 74-122 degrees C and appear to be largely related to compositional variation. However, local rock composition is also related to metamorphic grade and fabric development, suggesting that both fabric and composition are first order controls on thermal conductivity. Modeling based on these data set to date suggests that combining thermal conductivity, whole rock geochemistry data, and density measurements can produce accurate reconnaissance estimates of geothermal potential in southern New England. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 44 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012NE/finalprogram/abstract_200837.htm IS - 22 N1 - Accession Number: 2012-090079; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Hartford, CT, United States; Conference Date: 20120318; Language: English; Coordinates: N420000N473000W0670000W0733000; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 2; Collation: 76-77; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 201247; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 47th annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - Generic T1 - Stratigraphy and structure of the rocks underlying Boston Harbor: new insights on the Cambridge argillite and associated diamictites and diabase sills T2 - Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs Y1 - 2012 A1 - Thompson, Peter J. A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Solway, Daniel R KW - #StaffPub KW - #StaffPubs KW - Boston Basin KW - Boston Bay Group KW - Boston Harbor KW - Cambridge Argillite KW - diabase KW - dolerite KW - harbor islands KW - sills AB - William O. Crosby studied the islands of Boston Harbor in the late 1800s, producing excellent verbal descriptions but no maps. Many of his observations stand unchallenged. His detailed maps of the southern harbor shore are especially valuable as development has since obscured many outcrops. Later compilations (e.g. Billings, Kaye, Bell) imposed stratigraphy developed in Boston onto the islands and harbor perimeter. Lithologic and structural data from new mapping of fifteen Boston Harbor Islands at 1:1000, integrated with data from sewage and outflow tunnels, shed new light on the Boston Bay Group and structures beneath the harbor. Ring fossils, identical to those previously reported in Hingham, are abundant much higher in the Cambridge Argillite on the outer harbor islands, and confirm a late Neoproterozoic age for the whole unit. The Cambridge contains several debris-flow diamictites, including the so-called “Squantum Tillite”, at different stratigraphic levels, so that there is no reason to maintain member status for that layer nor to correlate all other diamictites with the Squantum. This more complex stratigraphy allows for a simpler interpretation of structures than in previous compilations. The Inter-Island Tunnel exposes continuations of the gently ENE-plunging Central Anticline of Boston and Brewster Syncline of the islands. These (Alleghanian?) folds are cut by numerous minor faults and truncated by a major NE-trending fault zone north of Peddocks Island. Soft-sediment slump folds are common throughout the Cambridge, but tectonically overturned beds are observed only near the south margin of the harbor, where the Cambridge Argillite was apparently thrust southwards by the Rock Island fault over a thin, previously deformed, north-facing sequence atop basement. Subalkaline tholeiitic diabase sills in the outer islands intruded the Cambridge Argillite before deformation and lower greenschist regional metamorphism. Diabase/argillite contacts show tan-weathering, mafic chilled margins against gray, felsic, recrystallized melts with angular argillite clasts. A 30-m wide peperite-like breccia with similar gray fine-grained matrix is exposed on Green Island. A few steep, E-W dikes that cut the folded sills and argillite are more alkaline and resemble Paleozoic dikes on the mainland. JF - Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs VL - 44 ER - TY - Generic T1 - Subtle modification of glacially derived materials along Massachusetts’ southern coast by passing summer storms T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2015 A1 - Nicholas L Venti A1 - Sabina Gessay A1 - Paul Southard A1 - Douglass Beach A1 - Margot Mansfield A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Jonathan D Woodruff KW - #StaffPubs KW - Barges Beach KW - beach KW - beach erosion KW - beach profile KW - BOEM KW - Buzzard's Bay KW - climate change KW - coast KW - coastal KW - cobble KW - Cuttyhunk Island KW - dune KW - East beach KW - Edgartown KW - erosion KW - Falmouth KW - grain-size KW - Horseneck beach KW - intertidal KW - Low beach KW - Martha's Vineyard KW - Miacomet beach KW - Nantucket KW - nourishment KW - Oak Bluffs KW - offshore KW - onshore KW - Plum Island KW - profiles KW - sand KW - sea level rise KW - storm KW - Surf Beach KW - Sylvia State beaches KW - Town beach KW - Westport KW - winter storm AB - Engineered resupply of sand to coastal environments, i.e. nourishment, offers an attractive short-term strategy to address beach erosion in Massachusetts. For efficient nourishment, site-specific knowledge of seasonal grain size and sediment volume variability at eroding beaches is essential. We have begun measuring grain size and profile at 22 eroding Massachusetts beaches, capturing summer and winter conditions at each site through four to nine representative transects perpendicular to the shore and spaced 100-500 meters apart. Our recently completed first summer field season (August/September 2014) visited eight beaches along Massachusetts’ south coast from Rhode Island to Nantucket. These environments should reflect regional glacial history and a summer interval of reduced storm activity. Where unstratified surficial materials characterize the coast, erosion of glacial till (Horseneck and East beaches, Westport) and end moraine (Barges Beach, Cuttyhunk Island; Town and Sylvia State beaches, Oak Bluffs/Edgartown) can yield cobble berms capping steep intertidal zones. We noted that increased wave activity during storms strips a thin (inches-thick) layer of intertidal sand to reveal gravel and cobble below, while leaving beach profile essentially unchanged. In contrast, where (cobble-free) glacial outwash intersects the coast (Surf Beach, Falmouth; Miacomet and Low beaches, Nantucket) sand and gravel are distributed more evenly across beach facies. Here passing summer storms modify beach profile but not grain size: high surf cuts sandy berms, shifting steepened intertidal zones landward. We will reoccupy south coast sites at the end of winter in 2015 to examine effects of seasonally related increase in storm (and wave) activity. Survey of Massachusetts’ east coast (Sandwich to New Hampshire) is planned for summer of 2015 and winter of 2016. Additionally, overwash sequences recovered through backbarrier basin coring at selected sites complement our beach survey by providing depositional records of particularly strong storms. Study results will allow identification of suitably matched nourishment sources onshore, or offshore, as described in Massachusetts’ Office of Coastal Zone Management’s extensive grain-size database. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - Northeastern Section - 50th Annual Meeting (23–25 March 2015), Bretton Woods, NH VL - 47 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2015NE/webprogram/Paper252510.html ER - TY - Generic T1 - An update of geologic mapping in Massachusetts T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2004 A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Scott A Salamoff A1 - Hildreth, Carol KW - #StaffPubs KW - data KW - data acquisition KW - data processing KW - digital data KW - Geologic maps 14 KW - mapping KW - massachusetts KW - National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program KW - programs KW - publications KW - regional KW - review KW - STATEMAP KW - United States AB - Despite the state's relatively high population density and decades of detailed study of the bedrock geology, only about half of the 7.5' quadrangles in Massachusetts have been published as GQ series geologic maps. As the state's population continues to grow, the availability of basic geologic data becomes increasingly crucial for informed land-use and water-management decision making. Much of the published 1:24000 scale geologic mapping predates recent advances in the understanding of regional tectonics, and needs to be updated. The Office of the State Geologist has begun a geologic mapping program in Massachusetts to address these needs. Two mapping projects were conducted through the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping program in 2003. These projects focused on 7.5' quadrangles along the I-495 corridor, which is experiencing extensive population growth and development. The first project involved conversion of published 1:24,000-scale surficial geology to digital form for 10 quadrangles in southeastern Massachusetts. A semi-automated process was developed for this project that easily converts published paper geologic maps into vectorized, georeferenced datalayers. The second project involved 1:24000-scale geologic mapping of the Marlborough quadrangle in east-central Massachusetts. Products include traditional maps of bedrock and surficial geology as well as two new prototype products: a fracture characterization map and a surficial materials map. These projects mark the first time in Massachusetts' history that quadrangle-scale geologic data will be available in digital form to consultants and stakeholders, thus greatly expediting and improving the use and analysis of all geologic data. In addition, the inclusion of fracture characterization and surficial materials maps adds substantially to the value of traditional geologic map products. The new maps provide supplemental data on the hydrologic characteristics of the bedrock and the vertical stacking of surficial deposits that previously was unavailable. STATEMAP projects in 2004 will continue to focus along the I-495 corridor, and will involve revision and new mapping in the Wilmington, Reading, South Groveland, Lawrence, Hudson, and Oxford quadrangles. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 36 SN - 00167592 IS - 22 N1 - Accession Number: 2005-048993; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 38th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 53rd annual meeting; Washington, DC, United States; Conference Date: 20040325; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 58; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 200518; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, Northeastern Section, 38th annual meeting; Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 53rd annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER - TY - MAP T1 - Bedrock Geologic Map of Massachusetts Y1 - 1983 A1 - Zen, E-an A1 - Goldsmith, Richard A1 - Ratcliffe, Nicholas M A1 - Robinson, P A1 - Stanley, Rolfe S A1 - Hatch, Norman L A1 - Shride, Andrew F A1 - Weed, Elaine G A A1 - Wones, David R KW - #MassGeology KW - #MassGeologyMap KW - #StateGeologicMap KW - bedrock geology KW - eastern MA KW - GEOLOGIC MAP KW - GEOLOGY KW - map KW - massachusetts KW - western MA AB -

(Zen et al., 1983) The 1:250,000 scale Bedrock Geologic Map of Massachusetts, published by the USGS in 1983, shows the distribution of the different rock units, faults, and other features that make up the bedrock of Massachusetts. It was compiled from published 1:24,000-scale maps., unpublished data, and field reconnaissance by the authors. Many areas of the state, however, have yet to be mapped thoroughly at 1:24,000 scale. A paper version can be ordered from the USGS Store (http://store.usgs.gov/) by searching for Product Number: 32370 or by clicking the links below. A two-volume text, The Bedrock Geology of Massachusetts, published in 1991, accompanies the map. The publication is catalogued as U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1366 A-D (western Mass.) and 1366 E-J (eastern Mass.)

 

A variety of ways to download the map and text are listed in "Other Links" below.

JF - USGS Unnumbered Series PB - United States Geological Survey UR - http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_16357.htm U2 -

1:250,000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - [Draft] Surficial geology of the Marlborough quadrangle, Massachusetts Y1 - 2004 A1 - Hildreth, C.T. A1 - Byron D Stone KW - #MGSPub KW - #SurficialMaps KW - Ashland KW - Berlin KW - glacial KW - Hopkinton KW - Hudson KW - Malborough KW - Marlborough KW - Northborough KW - outwash KW - Southborough KW - stratified drift KW - surficial KW - Upton KW - Westborough JF - Open-File Report PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U1 -

GIS and metadata forthcoming

U2 -

1:24000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - [Draft] Surficial materials map of the Marlborough quadrangle, Massachusetts Y1 - 2004 A1 - Byron D Stone A1 - Hildreth C.T. A1 - Stephen B Mabee KW - #MGSPub KW - #Subsurface KW - #SurficialMaps KW - 3D KW - Ashland KW - Berlin KW - glacial KW - Hopkinton KW - Hudson KW - Malborough KW - Northborough KW - outwash KW - Southborough KW - stratified drift KW - surficial KW - till KW - Westborough AB -

This map shows the stacked vertical distribution of nonlithified surficial earth materials within the Marlborough quadrangle. This series of maps shows these deposits as they are vertically arranged in units from bottom to top. Surficial materials include mineral and rock particles in glacial deposits, and mineral, rock, and organic particles in postglacial deposits. Surficial materials also are known in engineering classifications as unconsolidated soils, which include coarse grained soils, fine grained soils, or organic fine grained soils. Surficial materials underlie and are the parent materials of modem pedogenic soils which have developed in them at the land surface. Delineation of the materials is based on surficial geologic mapping (Stone, 1978, Hildreth, 2003, 2004), the identification of glacial meltwater morphosequence deposits, knowledge of the deglaciation history of New England, and examination of borehole logs and water well records. For this set of maps, glacial meltwater deposits are distinguished by their geomorphologic expression, sediment type, and depositional environment. These deposits are further subdivided into a series of related glacial sedimentary facies, which are stacked vertically within each glaciaodeltaic or lake-bottom deposit. Postglacial deposits at the land surface are differentiated by their sediment type and geomorphic expression. The principal surficial materials map shows the distribution of these materials exposed at land surface. The smaller inset maps (maps A-F) show the surface and subsurface distribution of the glacial meltwater deposits , including the distribution of specific sedimentary facies that compose these meltwater deposits. By using each inset map in sequence both the lateral extent and vertical arrangement of the deposits at a particular location can be estimated from bottom to top.

JF - Open-File Report PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U1 -

GIS Files and metadata forthcoming

U2 -

1:24000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - Fracture characterization map of the Marlborough quadrangle, Massachusetts Y1 - 2006 A1 - Stephen B Mabee A1 - Scott A Salamoff KW - #FractureMaps KW - #MGSPub KW - Ashland KW - Berlin KW - fault KW - fracture KW - fracture trace KW - groundwater KW - Hopkinton KW - Hudson KW - hydrostructural domains KW - joint KW - lineament KW - Malborough KW - Northborough KW - Southborough KW - water resources KW - Westborough JF - Geologic Map PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U2 -

1:24000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - Onshore-Offshore Surficial Geologic Map of the Newburyport East and Northern Half of the Ipswich Quadrangles, Massachusetts Y1 - 2010 A1 - Hein, C.J. A1 - Fitzgerald, D.M, A1 - Barnhardt, W.A. A1 - Byron D Stone KW - #MGSPub KW - #OnshoreOffshore KW - #SurficialMaps KW - coastal KW - Essex KW - glacial KW - Gloucester KW - Hamilton KW - Ipswich KW - Newburport KW - Newbury KW - Newburyport KW - onshore KW - Plum Island KW - Rowley KW - Salisbury KW - surficial AB - This geologic map shows the distribution of surficial subaerial and subaqueous materials in the Newburyport East and northern half of the Ipswich 7.5' quadrangles (northeast Massachusetts) and the area of the Gulf of Maine immediately offshore, to an approximate depth of 80 m below modern mean sea level (MSL). This map was compiled from the onshore surficial geologic map of Stone et al. (2006) and the offshore surficial mapping of Barnhardt et al. (2009), and includes newly mapped shallow offshore geologic features. Onshore and offshore units are continuous across the shallow- water zone (0-20 m below MSL). The definition of map units is based on lithologic characteristics (grain size, mineralogy and structure), stratigraphic relationships and relative ages, and sedimentologic processes. The map describes the evolution of the surficial geology in terms of the sediment sources, transportation mechanisms, and depositional, post-depositional and modern processes that have acted on the late Quaternary sediments that compose these units. Cross sections are derived from subsurface data compiled from the literature and collected as part of this study. This maps supersedes MGS OFR 2011-01 JF - Geologic Map PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U1 - Note: this version has been peer reviewed, edited, and supersedes all previously published, open-file, versions of this map (2010) U2 - 1:24000 ER - TY - MAP T1 - Preliminary bedrock geologic Map of the Milford quadrangle Y1 - 2007 A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Shaw, C.E. A1 - Fernandez, M. KW - #BedrockMaps KW - #FractureMaps KW - #MGSPub KW - acadian KW - alaskite KW - alleghenian KW - amphibolite KW - antiform KW - Ashland KW - avalon KW - bedrock map KW - blackstone KW - fracture KW - GEOLOGIC MAP KW - gneiss KW - granite KW - Holliston KW - hopedale quartzite KW - Hopkinton KW - ironstone diorite KW - joints KW - l-tectonite KW - Mendon KW - MGS Publication KW - Milford KW - neoproterozoic KW - Northbridge KW - proterozoic KW - quarries KW - quartzite KW - Upton KW - Westborough AB -

Fracture Characterization Map is included as sheets 2 and 3. Water Resources data included as sheet 4.

GIS and metadata forthcoming

JF - Open-File Report PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U2 -

1:24000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - Preliminary bedrock Geology of the Northern Portion of the Blackstone quadrangle, Massachusetts Y1 - 2008 A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Shaw, C.J. KW - #BedrockMaps KW - #MGSPub KW - acadian KW - alleghenian KW - avalon KW - bedrock map KW - Bellingham KW - blackstone KW - GEOLOGIC MAP KW - gneiss KW - granite KW - hopedale quartzite KW - ironstone diorite KW - Mendon KW - MGS Publication KW - Milford KW - Millville KW - neoproterozoic KW - Northbridge KW - proterozoic KW - quarries KW - Upton KW - Uxbridge AB -

This map is an interim progress report of mapping currently underway.

JF - Open-File Report PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey UR - http://www.geo.umass.edu/stategeologist/ U2 -

1:24000

ER - TY - MAP T1 - Progress map of the onshore-offshore surficial geologic map of the North Truro quadrangle, Barnstable County, Massachusetts Y1 - 0 A1 - Borrelli, M. A1 - Gontz, A.M. A1 - Smith, T.L. A1 - Wilson, J.R. A1 - Shumchenia, E.J. A1 - and G S Geise KW - #MGSPub KW - #OnshoreOffshore KW - #SurficialMaps KW - Cape Cod KW - dunes KW - glacial KW - offshore KW - onshore KW - onshore-offshore KW - Pleistocene KW - surficial KW - Truro AB - Map undergoing editing and review. Please contact sbmabee@geo.umass.edu for a copy. PB - Massachusetts Geological Survey U2 - 1:24000 ER - TY - Generic T1 - Rock and Mineral Clubs in Massachusetts Y1 - 0 A1 - Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies KW - #Collecting KW - #MassGeology AB - A list of rock, fossil, and mineral clubs in Massachusetts maintained by the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies UR - http://www.amfed.org/efmls/clubs.htm#Massachusetts ER -