d. Processing of Data. Seismic records are visually examined to establish the principal 

 bedding and geologic features in the subbottom strata. After analyses are complete, record 

 data are reduced to detailed geologic cross-sectional profiles showing the primary reflective 

 interfaces within the subbottom. Selected acoustic reflectors are then mapped to provide 

 areal continuity of reflective horizons considered significant because of their extent and 

 relationship to the general structure and geology of the study area. Where possible, the 

 uppermost reflectors are correlated with core data to provide a measure of continuity 

 between cores. 



Cores are visually inspected and described aboard the recovery ship. After delivery to 

 CERC, the cores are sampled at close intervals by drilling through the liners and removing 

 portions of representative material. After preliminary analysis, a number of representative 

 cores are split longitudinally to show details of the bedding and changes in stratigraphy. 

 Cores are split using a wooden trough arrangement fabricated at CERC shop facilities. A 

 circular 'power saw mounted on a base which is designed to ride along the top of the trough 

 is adjusted to cut through the plastic liner and not disturb the core sediment. By making a 

 second logitudinal cut in the opposite direction, a 120° segment of the liner is cut and can 

 be removed. The sediment above the cut is then scraped away to remove altered and 

 disturbed sediment, and the core is carefully logged, sampled at closer intervals and 

 photographed and resealed. 



Samples from the cores are then examined under a plane light binocular microscope and 

 described in terms of gross lithology, color, mineralogy, and the type and abundance of 

 skeletal fragments of marine organisms. Granulometric parameters (e.g., mean size, sorting) 

 for many of the samples are also obtained by using the CERC Rapid Sand Analyzer (RSA) 

 which is analogous to that described by Zeigler, Whitney, and Hays (1960), and Schlee 

 (1966). 

 3. Scope. 



The study area covered by this report, herein referred to as the Inner New York Bight, is 

 rectangular and extends from eastern Rockaway Beach, Long Island (73°45'W.) southwest 

 to Sandy Hook (74°05'W.) and south to Shrewsbury Rocks, New Jersey (40°20'N.). A map 

 of the area (Fig. 1) shows the major geographic features of the region. Field data collection 

 in support of this study was conducted in 1964 for the Sandy Hook, New Jersey region and 

 in 1968 for the Long Island south shore region and for the area seaward of New York Bay at 

 the head of the Hudson River (submarine) channel. The field work was conducted under 

 contract with Alpine Geophysical Associates, Inc. Data collected consist of about 445 

 statute (survey) miles of continuous seismic reflection profiles and 61 sediment cores of 

 20-foot maximum, and 10.7-foot mean length. Core and trackline locations are depicted in 

 Figure 2. 



