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Monitoring changes in surface elevation using deep Surface Elevation Table and Marker Horizon data at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington

Metadata Updated: January 6, 2026

Surface Elevation Tables and Marker Horizon (collectively SET-MH) datasets provide a unique opportunity to evaluate tidal marsh accretion rates compared with current and projected sea-level rise. SET is a tool that allows for accurate and repeatable measurements of marsh elevation, while Marker Horizon allows for the measurement of sediment that has deposited on top of the feldspar marker. SETs are deep rod benchmarks with an attachment for a portable leveling device (arm) at fixed directions. The distance from the fixed arm to the marsh surface is measured by lowering a set of pins (usually nine) from the SET to the marsh surface, providing a repeatable and accurate measurement of elevation change. Marker horizon data measure the amount of sediment that is deposited onto the marsh surface, is a layer of white feldspar clay applied to a 0.5x0.5m quadrats associated with each SET. Marker horizons are measured by extracting a plug from the marsh surface using a knife or cryo-core, and measuring the sediment deposited on top of the layer. Together, repeated measurements of SET-MH data separates surface deposition from shallow subsurface processes (e.g., root growth or shallow soil compaction). The ability of a tidal marsh to keep up with sea-level rise was largely due to relative sediment load and to a smaller degree it’s position within the tidal frame.

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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Dates

Metadata Created Date January 6, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 6, 2026

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date January 6, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 6, 2026
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/USGS_671acbe7d34efed5620fcf97
Data Last Modified 2024-11-12T00:00:00Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:12
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://ddi.doi.gov/usgs-data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Harvest Object Id 1cd256de-ee7d-43f2-8013-1ddd520d59f6
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -122.74544, 47.06825, -122.68639, 47.10799
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 225e70edd8b3d3f0c04ab2a055ce00d317bfc210e624e687179eab542449e4f7
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -122.74544, 47.06825, -122.74544, 47.10799, -122.68639, 47.10799, -122.68639, 47.06825, -122.74544, 47.06825}

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