coastal_bluff_hazards

Identification Information

Citation Information

Originator	Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)
Publication Date	2/13/09
Title	coastal_bluff_hazards
Geospatial Data Presentation Form	vector digital data
Series Name	Coastal bluff maps and Coastal landslide hazard maps
Issue Identification	Printed map citation for individual quadrangles listed in the author, pubdate, title, and source fields in associated attribute table.
Publication Place	Augusta ME
Publisher	Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS)
Other Citation Details	Full citation for coastal bluffs hazard data includes the author, date, title, and source fields in the associated attribute table.
Online Linkage	http://megis.maine.gov/catalog/
Calendar Date	20090213

Abstract

COASTAL_BLUFF_HAZARDS contains line data describing the shoreline type and relative stability of bluffs along a section of the Maine coast mapped at a 1:24,000 scale, from the Maine Geological Survey. A bluff is defined as a steep shoreline slope formed in sediment (loose material such as clay, sand, and gravel) that has three feet or more of vertical elevation just above the high tide line. Shoreline segments are classified as either being bluff, non-bluff, or unmapped or undetermined. Bluffs are classified as either (1) ledge (exposed bedrock outcrops); (2) armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.); (3) salt marsh; (4) beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment; or (5), unmapped or undetermined. The relative stability of a buff face is classified as being either (1) not a bluff, (2) stable, (3) unstable, (4) highly unstable, or (5) unmapped or undetermined. This classification is based on observed features that reflect recent activity on the bluff face. The landslide hazard is given by line data describing the internal stability of sediment bluffs along Maine's shoreline. The landslide hazard is classified by one of the following: (1) the bluff is the site of a past historical or photo interpreted landslide; (2) the bluff has an elevated risk of a landslide based on field observation; (3) the bluff has an elevated risk of a landslide based on aerial photo interpretation, but needs field assessment; (4) there is no landslide potential; or (5) the landslide potential is unmapped or undetermined.

Purpose

This data can help identify shorelines with increased risk of coastal erosion or landslides.

Time Period of Content

Beginning Date	2002
Beginning Time	Unknown
Ending Date	2009
Ending Time	Unknown
Currentness Reference	publication date

Status

Progress	Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency	Irregular

Bounding Coordinates

West Bounding Coordinate	-70.889381
East Bounding Coordinate	-67.617967
North Bounding Coordinate	44.808252
South Bounding Coordinate	43.056075

Keywords

Theme	geology, coastal, surficial deposits, landforms, coastal processes, erosion/sedimentation, landslide, hazard, 24000, bluff, geomorphology, shoreline, slope stability (Maine GIS Thesaurus - Theme)
Theme	geoscientificInformation (ISO Keywords Thesaurus)
Place	Maine, USA (Maine GIS Thesaurus - Place)
Stratum	(GCMD Keyword)
Stratum	land surface (GCMD Keyword Thesaurus)

Access Constraints

none

Use Constraints

User must include full citation (author, pubdate, title, and source fields in associated attribute table) for the coastal bluffs data when using the data in printed or digital form.Users must assume responsibility in determining the usability of this data for their purposes. Digital maps retain the accuracy of their source materials. The best use of data mapped at scales of 1:500,000 and 1:250,000 is in statewide planning and studies; at 1:100,000 in regional planning and studies; at 1:62,500 and 1:24,000 in detailed studies and local planning; and at 1:12,000 and 1:5,000 or larger scales in parcel level studies and detailed local planning. In the use of Maine GIS data, please check sources, scale, accuracy, currentness and other available information. Please confirm that you are using the correct copy of both data and metadata from the Maine GIS Data Catalog. Updates, corrections, and feedback, incorporated in the Maine GIS database are made in accordance with "Data Standards for Maine Geographic Information Systems", 2002, and coordinated by MEGIS.

Contact Organization

Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Position

Director, Earth Resource Information

Address Type

mailing address

Address

22 State House Station

City

Augusta

State or Province

Postal Code

04333-0022

Country

USA

Contact Voice Telephone

207-287-2801

Data Set Credit

Credit should be given to the data source and/or originator when data is transferred or printed. Source should be cited as: Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0022.

Native Data Set Environment

Microsoft Windows 2000 Version 5.0 (Build 2195) Service Pack 4; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.0.1770

Attribute Accuracy Report

Attribution of the data set was checked for data entry errors through a series of reviews that checked for inconsistencies with interpretation results. The coverage has been checked for label errors and attribution is complete.

Logical Consistency Report

The coast as depicted on the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute (1:24,000) topographic quadrangles was used as the base for mapping different shoreline types, shoreline stability, and landslide hazard potential. Segments of the coast were coded as to shoreline type and stability and evidence of previous landslides on paper copies of quadrangle maps, and the data transferred to a digital coverage of the coastline, splitting and coding arc segments as needed. Some sections of shoreline mapped as stable may contain small areas that are unstable but are not able to be shown in this data set.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report

The data were compiled on a 1:24,000 scale base with a horizontal accuracy +/- 40 feet or 12 meters.

Citation Information

Originator	U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Publication Date	multiple dates
Publication Time	Unknown
Title	(24k) USGS 1:24,000 scale quadrangles
Geospatial Data Presentation Form	map
Series Name	National Mapping Program Standard Series Topographic Maps
Issue Identification	USGS 7.5 Minute Map Series
Publication Place	Reston VA
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Other Citation Details	24000 Publication date is unique to each quadrangle in the map series. Standard 7.5x7.5 minute quadrangles cover geographic areas of 49 to 71 square miles. 1 inch at map scale represents 2000 feet.
Online Linkage
Beginning Date	19480101
Beginning Time	Unknown
Ending Date	Present
Ending Time	Unknown
[smcisrcc]	publication date

Beginning Date

19480101

Beginning Time

Unknown

Ending Date

Present

Ending Time

Unknown

Source Currentness Reference

publication date

Source Contribution

USGS 1:24,000 7.5' quadrangles used as mapping base

Citation Information

Originator	U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) (comp., ed.)
Publication Date	1995
Publication Time	Unknown
Title	coast
Geospatial Data Presentation Form	vector digital data
Series Name	Maine GIS
Issue Identification	SDE server; Internet Data Catalog
Publication Place	Augusta ME
Publisher	Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS)
Other Citation Details	1:24000
Beginning Date	1948
Beginning Time	Unknown
Ending Date	1999
Ending Time	Unknown
[smcisrcc]	source dates

Source Scale Denominator

24000

Type of Source Media

online

Beginning Date

1948

Beginning Time

Unknown

Ending Date

1999

Ending Time

Unknown

Source Currentness Reference

source dates

Source Citation Abbreviation

coast

Source Contribution

Data, from the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) 1:24000 library layer COAST represents the Mean High Water (MHW) line, tidal rivers and salt water ponds of coastal Maine.

Process Description

Geologists classified the coastal bluffs in this data set by observing the shoreline from small boats. Segments of the coast were coded as to shoreline type and stability on paper copies of quadrangle maps, and the data transferred to a digital coverage of the coastline, splitting and coding arc segments as needed.The geologists then assigned one of the following categories to the type of shoreline seen below the high tide line: (1) ledge (exposed bedrock outcrops); (2) armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.); (3) salt marsh; or (4) beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment. The data set includes the shoreline type, including segments of the shoreline without significant coastal bluffs. Where significant bluffs were present, geologists noted various characteristics of the bluff face such as the slope of the bluff (steep to gentle), features on the bluff face indicating recent movement of material down the slope (slumped blocks of sediment, landslide scars, fallen trees), and the amount and type of vegetation (bare sediment, grass, shrubs, mature trees). From this information, geologists assessed the relative stability of each bluff face as being (1) stable, (2) unstable, or (3) highly unstable. This classification is based on observed features that reflect recent activity on the bluff face.Landslide sites (LANDSLIDE = 'R', HAZARD = 'RPH') identified by the following: (1) Locations based on historical records and eyewitness accounts. In general, these earth movements have occurred in the last three centuries. (2) Locations based on interpretation of aerial photography.Landslide risk areas (LANDSLIDE = 'Y', HAZARD = 'RF') identified by the following: (1) Observations from land corroborated with geomorphology observed on air photos, sediment types shown on surficial geologic maps, and both elevation above sea level and steepness of bluff slopes shown on topographic maps. Bluff sediments are usually muddy and twenty feet or more

Process Date

publication date of published map

Contact Organization

Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Position

Director, Earth Resource Information

Address Type

mailing address

Address

22 State House Station

City

Augusta

State or Province

Postal Code

04333-0022

Country

USA

Contact Voice Telephone

207-287-2801

Process Description

Replaced arcs for the following Maine Geological Survey publications:05-19 Coastal bluffs in the Bass Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-10)05-21 Coastal bluffs in the Seal Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-6)05-22 Coastal bluffs in the Southwest Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-26)05-41 Coastal bluffs in the Hancock quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-12)05-42 Coastal bluffs in the Sullivan quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 02-216)06-63 Coastal bluffs in the Harrington quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-22)06-66 Coastal bluffs in the Winter Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-26)06-70 Coastal bluffs in the Bar Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 02-170)and05-24 Coastal landslide hazards in the Hancock quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-13)05-32 Coastal landslide hazards in the Bass Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-11)05-34 Coastal landslide hazards in the Seal Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-7)05-35 Coastal landslide hazards in the Southwest Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 03-25)05-37 Coastal landslide hazards in the Sullivan quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 01-545)06-67 Coastal landslide hazards in the Winter Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 04-27)06-71 Coastal landslide hazards in the Bar Harbor quadrangle, Maine (superseded publication 01-499)Added arcs for the following Maine Geological Survey publications:05-47 Coastal bluffs in the Baker Island quadrangle, Maine06-55 Coastal bluffs in the Wells quadrangle, Maine06-57 Coastal bluffs in the Kennebunkport quadrangle, Maine06-59 Coastal bluffs in the York Beach quadrangle, Maine06-61 Coastal bluffs in the Addison quadrangle, Maine06-64 Coastal bluffs in the Drisko Island quadrangle, Maine06-68 Coastal bluffs in the Schoodic Head quadrangle, Maineand05-31 Coastal

Process Date

20060710

Contact Organization

Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)

Contact Position

Director, Earth Resource Information

Address Type

mailing address

Address

22 State House Station

City

Augusta

State or Province

Postal Code

04333-0022

Country

USA

Contact Voice Telephone

207-287-2801

Process Description

Updated/replaced bluff/landslide arcs for the following MGS publications:08-63, Coastal bluffs in the Pemaquid Point quadrangle, Maine (supersedes 02-202).08-40, Coastal landslide hazards in the Pemaquid Point quadrangle, Maine (supersedes 01-531).

Process Date

20090213

Cloud Cover

Direct Spatial Reference Method

Vector

SDTS Point and Vector Object Type

String

Point and Vector Object Count

25163

Latitude Resolution

Longitude Resolution

Semi-major Axis

Denominator of Flattening Ratio

Altitude Resolution

0.000010

Altitude Encoding Method

Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

Entity Type Label

coastal_bluff_hazards

Entity Type Definition

arc feature class

Entity Type Definition Source

ESRI

Attribute Label

BLUFF

Attribute Definition

Is the shoreline a bluff?

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

bluff

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not a bluff

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

B_AUTHOR

Attribute Definition

author(s) of the published coastal bluff open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

B_PUBCODE

Attribute Definition

Maine Geological Survey publication code/ordering number for the published coastal bluff open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

B_PUBDATE

Attribute Definition

publication date of the published coastal bluff open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

B_SOURCE

Attribute Definition

source for the published coastal bluff open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

B_TITLE

Attribute Definition

title of the published coastal bluff open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

COMMENT

Attribute Definition

comment, usually a reference to the source of the mapped landslide site

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

1001-1999

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

landslide determined from air photo (Novak 1990)

Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source

Novak, Irwin D. (1990) Air photo reconaissance of slope failures in the Presumpscot Formation, Cumberland County, Maine, Maine Geological Survey (Department of Conservation), Open-File Report 90-22, 4 p. (map, scale 1:50,000)

Enumerated Domain Value

2001-2099

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

Smith (1990) - no landslide risk

Enumerated Domain Value

2101-2499

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

previously documented historical landslides - various sources (newspapers, etc.)

Enumerated Domain Value

2501-2599

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

photo interpreted potential landslide - author noted in comment

Enumerated Domain Value

3001-3999

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

field visited, researched, landslide-prone bluff

Enumerated Domain Value

5001-6999

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

photo interpreted potential landslide site; photo interpretation by Maine Geological Survey

Enumerated Domain Value

7001-7999

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

photo interpreted former landslide site; photo interpretation by Maine Geological Survey

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

GEOCODE

Attribute Definition

minor civil division (MCD) code of the town containing the shoreline segment

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

HAZARD

Attribute Definition

landslide hazard corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal landslide map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

no landslide hazard - not a bluff

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

no landslide hazard - bluff but no landslide potential

Enumerated Domain Value

RPH

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

site of former landslide based on aerial photo interpretation or historical account

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

landslide hazard - based on field observation

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

potential landslide hazard based on aerial photo interpretation - needs further assessment

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

LANDSLIDE

Attribute Definition

landslide code

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

no landslide potential

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

landslide potential determined from bluff type and elevation

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

site of a former landslide; see the value of newrefid for basis of identification of the coastal segment as a landslide site

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

L_AUTHOR

Attribute Definition

author(s) of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

L_PUBCODE

Attribute Definition

Maine Geological Survey publication code/ordering number for the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

L_PUBDATE

Attribute Definition

publication date of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

L_SOURCE

Attribute Definition

source for the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

L_TITLE

Attribute Definition

title of the published coastal landslide hazard open-file map

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

NAME

Attribute Definition

name of the town containing the shoreline segment

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

NEWREFID

Attribute Definition

basis of identifying the coastal segment as a landslide site

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

1-1999

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

landslide determined from air photo (Novak 1990)

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

OBJECTID

Attribute Definition

Internal feature number.

Attribute Definition Source

ESRI

Unrepresentable Domain

Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

STABILITY

Attribute Definition

relative bluff stability type corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal bluff maps

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not a bluff

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

stable

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

unstable

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

highly unstable

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

Shape

Attribute Definition

Feature geometry.

Attribute Definition Source

ESRI

Unrepresentable Domain

Coordinates defining the features.

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

Shape_Length

Attribute Definition

Length of feature in internal units.

Attribute Definition Source

ESRI

Unrepresentable Domain

Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

TILE

Attribute Definition

Maine Geological Survey GIS tile (derived from USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle name)

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Attribute Label

TYPE

Attribute Definition

shoreline type corresponding to mapped units on the published coastal bluff maps

Attribute Definition Source

MGS

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

not mapped or undetermined

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

beach, mud flat, or other loose sediment

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

ledge (greater than 50-percent exposed bedrock outcrops)

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

armored (seawall, riprap, gabion, bulkhead, etc.)

Enumerated Domain Value

Enumerated Domain Value Definition

vegetated; salt marsh

Beginning Date of Attribute Values

Entity and Attribute Overview

Attribute table for coastal arcs.

Entity and Attribute Overview

Attribute table for coastal arcs.

Contact Organization

(MEGIS) Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems

Contact Person

GIS Coordinator

Contact Position

GIS Coordinator

Address Type

mailing address

Address

State House Station 174

City

Augusta

State or Province

Postal Code

04333-0174

Country

USA

Contact Voice Telephone

207 624-7700

Contact Facsimile Telephone

207 287-3842

Hours of Service

Monday through Friday 0800 - 1700 EST

Resource Description

http://megis.maine.gov/catalog/

Distribution Liability

Users must assume responsibility to determine the usability of this data for their purposes. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems, no warranty expressed or implied is made by MEGIS regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Neither the Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems, nor any of its contributors, is liable for misuse of the data, for damage, for transmission of viruses, or for computer contamination through the distribution of these data sets.

Format Name

ESRI Shapefile

Format Version Number

ARC Version 9.x

Format Specification

ArcView Shapefile Format

Format Information Content

MEGIS has made all vector layers, in the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog, available in ESRI's ArcView shapefile format. A shapefile is a simple non-topological format that stores the geometry and attribute information for a set of geographic features as a set of vector (point, line, polygon) coordinates. Shapefiles draw quickly and directly in ArcView, ArcGIS, ArcExplorer. Shapefiles are a compatible data type for many other types of GIS software. Three files are fundamental to each shapefile: .shp stores the feature geometry (shape and location information); .shx stores the index of the feature geometry; .dbf a dBASE (TM) file stores the attribute information for the features. Other index files may be created to help speed analysis and query: these file formats are .sbn .sbx .ain .aix .fbn and .fbx. In addition you may find projection .prj, and metadata .xml, files associated with shapefiles.

File Decompression Technique

Data available from this website is in .zip compressed format. WinZip is a Windows based, PKZip-compatible compression utility. You will need a program like this to extract the data.

[accinstr]

These data are available to Internet browsers for download from the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog - http://megis.maine.gov/catalog/Data available from this website is in .zip compressed format. WinZip is a Windows based, PKZip-compatible compression utility. You will need a program like this to extract the data.If you are not already a GIS user, free software for viewing these files is available from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) - www.esri.com

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Fees

Data may be downloaded from Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog at no charge.

Turnaround

Data is available for immediate download from the Maine GIS Internet Data Catalog.

Technical Prerequisites

If you are not already a GIS user, free software for viewing these files is available from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) http://www.esri.com/

Contact Organization

Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems

Contact Position

GIS Coordinator

Address Type

mailing address

Address

State House Station 174

City

Augusta

State or Province

Postal Code

04333-0174

Country

USA

Contact Voice Telephone

(207) 624-7700

Contact Facsimile Telephone

(207) 287-3842

Hours of Service

Monday through Friday 0800 - 1700 EST

Resource Description

Downloadable Data

Distribution Liability

Users must assume responsibility to determine the usability of this data for their purposes.

Format Name

ARCSDE

Format Version Number

ArcSDE 9.x

Format Information Content

Oracle 9i

[accinstr]

Please contact the Maine Office of GIS (MEGIS) for access instructions.

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Fees

Access is available through Maine's wide area network; WAN users may contact the Maine Office of Information Technology, Maine Office of Geographic Information Systems (MEGIS) for a login.

Metadata Reference Information

Metadata Date

20090213

Metadata Review Date

20100114

Metadata Future Review Date

Metadata Contact

Contact Organization	Maine Department of Conservation (MEDOC), Maine Geological Survey (MGS)
Contact Person	Director, Earth Resource Information
Address Type	mailing address
Address	22 State House Station
City	Augusta
State or Province	ME
Postal Code	04333-0022
Country	USA
Contact Voice Telephone	207-287-2801

Metadata Standard Name

FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata Standard Version

FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata Time Convention

local time

Metadata Access Constraints

none

Metadata Use Constraints

none