Karst Map of Puerto Rico

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: Karst Map of Puerto Rico
Abstract:
This map is a digital update of The karst landforms of Puerto Rico (Monroe, 1976). In this new version the karst areas on the islands of Mona and Monito have been added from Briggs and Seiders (1972). This map will serve as the basis for the Puerto Rico portion of a new national karst map currently being compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, this product serves as a standalone, citable source of digital karst data for Puerto Rico. Nearly 25 percent of the United States is underlain by karst terrain, and a large part of this area is undergoing urban and industrial development. Accurate delineations of karstic rocks are needed at the national, state, and local scales. These data will lead to a better understanding of subsidence hazards, groundwater contamination potential, and cave resources, and will serve as a guide to topical research about these rocks.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Wilma B. Alemán González, 2010, Karst Map of Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010-1104, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -67.956421
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.873178
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.518647
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.873583
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2010
    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):
      • G-polygon (805)
      • Label point (804)
      • GT-polygon composed of chains (804)
      • Point (4)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      The map projection used is Polyconic.
      Projection parameters:
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -66.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 18.000000
      False_Easting: 0.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000
      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.001232
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.001232
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters
      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: 50
      Altitude_Encoding_Method:
      Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
      Altitude_Datum_Name: National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929
      Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    Puerto_Rico_karst
    Polygons showing extent of potentially karstic areas of Puerto Rico
    OBJECTID_1
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI) Coordinates defining the features.
    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    MAP_UNIT
    Abbreviation of lithology or formation name as defined on the geologic source map. (Source: Monroe, 1976; Briggs and Seiders, 1972)
    ValueDefinition
    QCrossbedded Calcarenite (eolianite) (Holocene),: Karstification has occurred at many places in the calcarite formed by induration of sand dunes that accumulated during Quaternary time near the Atlantic coast of Puerto Rico. Kaye (1959a) described ridges of indurated sand dunes at various altitudes above and below sea level, and also described the solution pans and small karren spikes that have formed on the crests and sides of these features by solution
    TlLimestone (Pliocene to Oligocene)
    TcmChalk and Marl (Miocene and Oligocene)
    TlsLimestone (Lower Tertiary)
    KLimestone (Cretaceous)
    QbBeach Deposits (Holocene): Grayish-pink, fine - to medium-grained calcite and aragonite sand; contains no quartz or heavy-mineral grains; locally includes rubble from raised reef deposits and beachrock
    QboBoulder Deposits (Holocene): Deposits of boulders of Isla de Mona Dolomite and Lirio Limestone. Includes boulders as large as 50 m in length
    QrRaised reef platform (Holocene): Fragmental grayish-orange-pink limestone composed chiefly of fossils and fossil fragments; commonly case hardened, locally somewhat chalky. Thickness ranges from 0 to at least 3 m; locally may be as thick as 10 m
    TliLirio Limestone (Miocene): Very pale orange to grayish-orange-pink fine-grained limestone, thick-bedded and very thick bedded, locally crossbedded; commonly very well indurated, perhaps as a result of surficial solution and reprecipitation; locally chalky; cavernous, most notably in lower 10 m at the periphery of Isla de Mona. Maximum exposed thickness is about 40 m
    TmIsla de Mona Dolomite (Miocene): Very pale to moderate-orange-pink finely crystalline calcitic dolomite, very thick bedded, locally crossbedded; well indurated. Zones of limestone about 5 m thick occur locally at the top and about 15 m and 50 m stratigraphically below the upper contact. Base concealed by the sea. Maximum exposed thickness is about 80 m
    Shape_Length
    Length of feature in internal units. (Source: ESRI) Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape_Area
    Area of feature in internal units squared. (Source: ESRI) Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
    lithology
    Lithology or Formation name as defined by the geologic source map (Source: Monroe, 1976)
    sinkholes_30m.dbf
    Polygons showing locations of sinkholes deeper than 30 meters in Puerto Rico
    OBJECTID
    Internal feature id, maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:1173
    Resolution:1
    DEPRESSION
    Description of the sinkhole
    ValueDefinition
    >30mDepth greater than 30 meters
    Shape_Leng
    Information maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.89969946048
    Maximum:5920.86052273000
    Shape_Area
    Information maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.01369162283
    Maximum:434681.03283200000
    sinkholes_5_30m.dbf
    Sinkholes between 5 and 30 meters depth
    OBJECTID
    Unique identifier for the feature, maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:31
    DEPRESSION
    Description of the feature
    ValueDefinition
    >5mSinkhole deeper than 5 meters, less than 30 meters
    Shape_Leng
    Information maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:5.32976412752
    Maximum:156047.85095399999
    Shape_Area
    Information maintained by the GIS
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.72157528423
    Maximum:362221203.84799998999
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Each polygon is attributed with a map unit abbreviation and a formation name.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1104/pdf/ofr2010-1104-prkarstmap.pdf

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • Wilma B. Alemán González
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Wilma B. Alemán González
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Physical Science Technician
    12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 926 A
    Reston, VA
    United States

    703-648-6932 (voice)
    703-648-6953 (FAX)
    waleman@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

This map will serve as the basis for the Puerto Rico portion of a new national karst map currently being compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, this product serves as a standalone, citable source of digital karst data for Puerto Rico.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    Monroe, 1976 (source 1 of 3)
    Monroe, W.H., 1976, The karst landforms of Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 899, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C..

    Type_of_Source_Media: Paper map
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 140000
    Source_Contribution: Delination of karst areas of Puerto Rico.
    Briggs and Seiders, 1972 (source 2 of 3)
    Brigss, R.P., and Seiders, V.M., 1972, Geologic map of the Isla de Mona quadrangle, Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-718, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

    Type_of_Source_Media: Paper map
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 20000
    Source_Contribution: Bedrock geology of the Islands of Mona and Monito.
    U.S. Geological Survey topographic map (source 3 of 3)
    U.S. Geological Survey, 1951, Puerto Rico.

    Other_Citation_Details: Contour interval 50 meters.
    Type_of_Source_Media: Paper Map
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 120000
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    (process 1 of 2)
    Paper source maps were scanned and the georegistered images used as guides to digitize the outlines of karst area polygons in ArcGIS. The karst polygons were then attributed with map unit and bedrock lithology. Person who carried out this activity:
    Wilma B. Alemán González
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Physical Science Technician
    12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 926 A
    Reston, VA
    United States

    703-648-6932 (voice)
    703-648-6953 (FAX)
    waleman@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Jul-2010 (process 2 of 2)
    Creation of original metadata record Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: Wilma B. Alemán González
    Physical Science Technician
    12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 926 A
    Reston, VA
    United States

    703-648-6932 (voice)
    703-648-6953 (FAX)
    waleman@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Monroe, W.H., 1976, The karst landforms of Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 899, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C..

    Briggs, R.P, and Seiders, V.M., 1972, Geologic Map of the Isla de Mona quadrangle, Puerto Rico: U. S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-718, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

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

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    All polygon atrtributes were checked for correct values against original map data by the technical reviewers.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    These data were created by delineating the boundaries from scanned paper maps at scales of 1:20,000 and 1:140,000 and then plotted over a base topographic map at a scale of 1:120,000. All 3 maps were of different map projections and some spatial distortions have occurred in the reprojection and registration of the data. Offsets of as much as 100 meters between the karst data and base map topographic features may occur. For optimal presentation, this open-file map is shown at a scale of 1:140,000.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Polygon coverages were queried to screen for empty or inconsistent values. Line geometry is topologically clean.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Wilma B. Alemán González
    U.S. Geological Survey
    12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS 926 A
    Reston, VA
    United States

    703-648-6932 (voice)
    703-648-6953 (FAX)
    waleman@usgs.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? USGS Open-File Report 2010-1104
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Although these data have been used by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey as to the accuracy of the data.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 04-Feb-2015
Metadata author:
Peter N Schweitzer
USGS Midwest Area
Collection manager, USGS Geoscience Data Clearinghouse, http://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/
Mail Stop 954
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
Reston, VA
USA

703-648-6533 (voice)
703-648-6252 (FAX)
pschweitzer@usgs.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/metadata/open-file/2010/1104/metadata.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.48 on Tue Jul 03 20:06:26 2018