The collection includes general correspondence, field notes and data, manuscripts, photographs, slides, maps, charts, illustrations, films, newspaper clippings, citations, certificates, awards and other material documenting Shepard's research in marine geology. His interests in marine geology focused on submarine canyons, turbidity currents, internal and surface waves, coral reefs and tsunamis. The collection is arranged into eight series. Biographical series documents Shepard's family, early life, education and career. Correspondence series includes material dated 1921-1983. Subject series documents Shepard's field trips and expeditions, committees, professional associations and organizations and also includes his work on the American Petroleum Institute Project 51 during 1951-1958. Data series includes Shepard'swork on submarine canyons, bottom samples, beach erosion analysis, currents, daily Scripps pier notes, field notes and expedition logs. Published and non-published writings, series consists of manuscripts of scientific papers, notes, reviews, reports and books written or received by Shepard. Photographs series includes aerials, underwater and beach photos and photographs used for Our Changing Coastlines. Films series includes footage taken from the Diving Saucer, R/V Spencer F. Baird Japonyon III Expedition. Slide series consists of black and white, color and lantern slides taken on expeditions. Maps and illustration series consists of diagrams, charts and drawings.