Reconnaissance report on surficial geology of the coastal area from Tolstoi Point to Cape Nome, Norton Sound, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Reconnaissance report on surficial geology of the coastal area from Tolstoi Point to Cape Nome, Norton Sound, Alaska
Abstract:
Reconnaissance report on surficial geology of the coastal area from Tolstoi Point to Cape Nome, Norton Sound, Alaska, Alaska Open-File Report 125, presents a reconnaissance study of the surficial geology along the coastal region of Norton Sound, Alaska, from Cape Nome to Tolstoi Point. Based on photo-interpretation and helicopter-supported fieldwork conducted in July 1978, researchers mapped unconsolidated deposits, tracked littoral transport patterns, and quantified coastal erosion and progradation rates. Evidence of at least two high sea-level stands was found at elevations of approximately 4.5 and 16 meters above present mean sea level. The dominant deposits are undifferentiated silty sand and moderately sorted sandy gravel, shaped by marine processes and altered by slope movement. Other notable features include floodplains, beaches, landslides, intertidal flats, ice-wedge polygons, and thermokarst terrain. Littoral transport directions vary across the region, with erosion rates reaching up to 4 meters per year in areas with unconsolidated sea cliffs. These findings inform coastal-zone planning, geologic hazard preparedness, and assessments of hydrocarbon potential in the offshore Norton Basin. The complete report, geodatabase, and ESRI fonts and style files are available from the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys website: http://doi.org/10.14509/42.
Supplemental_Information:
This geodatabase is organized according to the AK GeMS mapping schema Hendricks, M.D., Macpherson, A.E., Athey, J.E., Wyatt, W.C., Montayne, Simone, Buchanan, Wes, Rivera, P.G., and Steinleitner, A.M., 2024, AK GeMS data dictionary: A description of the Alaska geologic mapping schema: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 170 v. 2, 13 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/31172. The distribution package includes ESRI fonts and style files, along with usage instructions. Further documentation of the symbology is provided by Ekberg, P.G., Hendricks, M.D., and Athey, J.E., 2021, AK GeMS symbology: A description of the AK GeMS style file: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 169, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30584
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Riehle, J.R., Emmel, K.S., and Bolm, J.G., 1981, Reconnaissance report on surficial geology of the coastal area from Tolstoi Point to Cape Nome, Norton Sound, Alaska: Alaska Open-File Report AOF 125, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 27 p., 3 sheets, scale 1:63,360
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -165.000096
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -160.447653
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 65.019889
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 63.571870
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 1978
    Ending_Date: 1981
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: geodatabase
  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.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 3
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -165
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest .00000001
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest .00000001
      Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
      The horizontal datum used is NAD27.
      The ellipsoid used is Clarke 1866.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378206.4.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/294.9786982.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    tolstoi_point_cape_nome_surficial_ak_gems_db_pkg
    Geodatabase, layer files, style files, and fonts (Source: DGGS and USGS)
    tolstoi_point_cape_nome_surficial_gems_db_pkg
    Geodatabase, layer files, style files, and fonts (Source: DGGS and USGS)
    tolstoi_point_cape_nome_surficial_gems_geopackage
    SQLite Database file (Source: DGGS and USGS)
    tolstoi_point_cape_nome_surficial_gems_shapefile_pkg
    Shapefiles and open data files (Source: DGGS and USGS)

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?
    Kinney Engineering, LLC staff used scanned and georeferenced paper maps to digitize geologic features into an AK GeMS database. Chris Wyatt conducted quality control of this digitizing work and completed the creation of the AK GeMS database. Ally M. Steinleitner implemented final database quality control and packaging. This geologic map (or report or conversion or product, etc.) was funded by the USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program under STATEMAP award number G23AC00584, 2023, and the State of Alaska General Fund. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.

Why was the data set created?

Geological investigation of the surficial geology along the coastal region of Norton Sound provides foundational insights into sediment distribution, coastal dynamics, and geomorphic features critical for regional planning and resource evaluation. By mapping surface deposits, analyzing erosion and sediment transport, and identifying landforms such as terraces, ice-wedge polygons, and thermokarst terrain, the study supports coastal-zone planning, geologic hazard preparedness, and hydrocarbon exploration in the offshore Norton Basin.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Ekberg, P.G. and others, 2021 (source 1 of 3)
    Ekberg, P.G., Hendricks, M.D., and Athey, J.E., 2021, AK GeMS symbology: A description of the AK GeMS style file: Miscellaneous Publication MP 169, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 7 p
    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: GIS analysis and digital cartography
    Hendricks, M.D. and others, 2021 (source 2 of 3)
    Hendricks, M.D., Ekberg, P.G., Athey, J.E., Wyatt, W.C., Willingham, A.L., and Naibert, T.J., 2021, AK GeMS data dictionary: A description of the Alaska geologic mapping schema: Miscellaneous Publication MP 170, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 10 p
    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: GIS analysis and digital cartography
    U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, 2020 (source 3 of 3)
    U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, 2020, GeMS (Geologic Map Schema) - A standard format for the digital publication of geologic maps: Techniques and Methods TM 11-B10, U.S. Geological Survey, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 1 p
    Type_of_Source_Media: paper
    Source_Contribution: GIS analysis and digital cartography
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 1978 (process 1 of 2)
    Geologic mapping - Field investigations involved a combination of photo-interpretation and helicopter-supported fieldwork conducted in July 1978. Geologic mapping focused on identifying surficial deposits, shoreline features, and geomorphic indicators of past sea-level changes. Field observations were used to verify sediment types, measure erosion and progradation rates, and document landforms such as floodplains, beaches, landslides, intertidal flats, and ice-wedge polygons. Littoral transport directions were inferred from shoreline morphology and sediment distribution. The study was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, whose personnel collected additional data on source-rock and reservoir characteristics to support hydrocarbon potential assessments in the offshore Norton Basin.
    Date: 2025 (process 2 of 2)
    GIS analysis and digital cartography - This data distribution package's geologic and geographic features were organized and attributed according to the AK GeMS geologic mapping schema. The legacy data were programmatically transformed to provide download options in three formats: (1) an AK GeMS data package that includes the complete AK GeMS database and associated files, (2) a GeMS data package that is a conversion of the AK GeMS database into the base GeMS standard published by the USGS, and (3) a shapefile data package that includes two simple shapefile representations of the data. Data sources used in this process:
    • Ekberg, P.G. and others, 2021
    • Hendricks, M.D. and others, 2021
    • U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, 2020
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    DeRaps, M.R., and Kinsman, N.E.M., 2012, Spatially referenced oblique aerial photography of the eastern Norton Sound shoreline, July 2011: Raw Data File RDF 2011-5, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 1 DVD
    Hackett, S.W., 1981, Tabulated gravity field data for Yukon Flats and Norton Sound Coastal areas: Alaska Open-File Report AOF 135, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 9 p
    Kinsman, N.E.M., and DeRaps, M.R., 2012, Coastal hazard field investigations in response to the November 2011 Bering Sea storm, Norton Sound, Alaska: Report of Investigation RI 2012-2 v. 1.1, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 51 p., 1 sheet
    Manning, K.H., and Stevens, D.L., 1982, The Chicago Creek and Norton Sound area coal exploration programs - 1982: Public Data File PDF 83-2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 103 p., 9 sheets
    Manning, K.H., and Stevens, D.L., 1986, The Chicago Creek and Norton Sound area, coal exploration programs, 1982: Public Data File PDF 86-58, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 103 p., 9 sheets

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Attribute fields within each feature class are populated using the map symbology and corresponding applicable values from the GeMS and AK GeMS specifications. When known, certainty in attribute interpretation is indicated in the relevant fields. Attribute accuracy varies throughout the map and is scale-dependent.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Certainty in feature boundaries or location varies throughout the map. Data fields within each feature class and the accompanying orientation and location confidence lookup tables record the authors' degree of confidence in the location of applicable features.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This publication is a DGGS Alaska Open-File Report (AOF). An AOF contains reports of research by DGGS personnel. Its objective was to make information available to the public as soon as possible, and therefore reports of this series were not subjected to rigorous critical review and formal editing and did not use professional cartographic services.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    All polygon features were topologically validated according to the AK GeMS geologic mapping schema specifications.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? AOF 125
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 02-Oct-2025
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Attn: Simone Montayne
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)
(907)451-5050 (FAX)
dggspubs@alaska.gov
Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Thu Oct 02 11:47:45 2025