The Central Region Earth Surface Processes (ESP) Team conducts multi-purpose geologic mapping and topical environmental and climate change-related studies, primarily in the Central Region states, but also nationally and internationally, to address scientific issues concerning geologic, climatic, and environmental changes; human interactions with the environment; and characterization of the earth's surface and upper crust. Our team is composed of geologists, geophysicists, paleontologists, biologists, and support personnel stationed at the Central Region Headquarters in Denver, Colorado, and in field offices in other parts of the United States.

Research Activities

The role of the Earth Surface Processes team is to use integrated studies of geology, biology, hydrology, and spatial analysis to understand the Earth's past and present changes. The research activities and products of the ESP team have applications to a wide range of public policy concerns related to managing public lands, assessing the influence of climate change on the environment (past, present and future), defining the geologic framework for groundwater-related problems, and identifying geologic and environmental hazards.

Highlights

Using various methods of sample analysis as well as geologic mapping, ESP Team scientists are developing a picture of the late Quaternary paleohydrology of the Mojave Desert. These studies, when coupled with those of nearby marine records, show how on-land paleoenvironmental conditions responded to changes in marine circulation as well as to positions of continental glaciers. These reconstructions will enable better forecasting of future effects of global climate change on a marginal desert region that is under increasing population pressure.

Other recent additions to the web site:

• 2008 ESP Team Review (4 Mb PDF)
• Surficial geology of the Mesa Verde National Park area
• Eolian History of North America
• Geologic Mapping Along the I-70 Corridor in Western Colorado

• Eastern Region ESP Team
• Western Region ESP Team
• Earth Surface Dynamics Program
• National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
• National Geologic Map Database
• Geologic Names Lexicon
• State Geological Surveys

NOTE: Our old site name (climchange.cr.usgs.gov) has changed to esp.cr.usgs.gov - please update your bookmarks.