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Geologic processes
All types of processes involving geological structures.
Subtopics:
Diagenesis (1 items)
Earthquakes (69 items)
Erosion (27 items)
Glaciation (7 items)
Hydrothermal processes (6 items)
Isostasy (1 items)
Subsidence (9 items)
Liquefaction (1 items)
Metamorphism (geological) (2 items)
Sediment transport (28 items)
Sedimentation (28 items)
Tectonic processes (19 items)
Volcanic activity (49 items)
Earth tides (1 items)
Deformation (geologic) (9 items)
Soil formation (3 items)
Magnetic storms (3 items)
Mass wasting (20 items)
Related topics:


Results 1 - 236 of 236 listed by similarity [list alphabetically]
Erosion in the Rio Puerco: geography and processes [New Window]
Paper on the accelerated erosion of the Rio Puerco, a tributary of the Rio Grande in New Mexico, which has deepened and widened its channel, or arroyo, since the settlement of the region.
Geologic framework and process of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin [New Window]
Field methods, topics of investigation, shoreline changes, publications, and satellite imagery related to geologic and hydrologic processes affecting Lake Pontchartrain and adjacent lakes which form a large estuary in the Gulf Coast region.
Geologic hazards team office [New Window]
An organizational unit within USGS that studies earthquakes, landslides, and geomagnetism. Contact information and descriptions of current research projects.
Geologic hazards: landslide images [New Window]
Photographs of examples of landslides viewable online as 100-200kb or 800 x 600kb images.
Geologic history of Cape Cod, Massachusetts [New Window]
Describes the history, geologic changes (including the glacial formation and sea level changes), and geologic mapping of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Geologic history of Long Valley Caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain, California [New Window]
Summarizes the geologic and volcanic activity of the Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain in east central California.
Geopubs: on-line geologic publications of the western United States [New Window]
Access to USGS on-line geologic publications of the western United States categorized by state, region USGS series, geologic maps, and software with links to state geologic survey publications.
Landslide types and processes [New Window]
An introductory primer giving basic scientific facts about landslides--the types of landslides, how they are initiated, and how they can begin to be managed as a hazard.
The U.S. Geological Survey Ocean Bottom Seismometer Facility [New Window]
The Ocean Bottom Seismometer facility provides technical support for a variety of scientific investigations ranging from deep crustal structure to gas hydrate and surface sediments.
The U.S. Geological Survey and the Chesapeake Bay - the role of science in environmental restoration [New Window]
Summary of a circular on USGS environmental research and Chesapeake Bay with links to full document. Includes discussion of the problems of the estuary, restoration efforts, water quality, and effects on ecosystem.
Western Region geologic information [New Window]
Links to geologic information on western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon including information on coastal and marine geology, mineral resources, earthquakes, landslides, earthquake hazards and geologic maps.
PDF A volcano rekindled; the renewed eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2004-2006 [New Window]
ANSS - Advanced National Seismic System [New Window]
Nationa network of seismic monitoring stations coordinated with a variety of regional organizations and academic institutions.
Advanced National Seismic System (seismic network) [New Window]
A program of studies with instruments to provide accurate and timely data and information on seismic events, including their effects on buildings and structures, employing modern monitoring methods and technologies.
Advanced National Seismic System: Products and services [New Window]
Maps, data, and services provided to help people understand earthquakes that have occurred.
Alaska Volcano Observatory [New Window]
Homepage for Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) with offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks monitors and studies Alaska's hazardous volcanoes. Links to featured news, updates, publications and products, and a volcano atlas for Alaska.
Albuquerque Seismological Lab [New Window]
The USGS Seismological Laboratory in Albuquerque installs and maintains a world network of seismograph stations, collects the seismic data, and evaluates seismic instruments. Site includes links to ASL publications, earthquake maps and seismic data.
America's volcanic past - volcanic highlights and features [New Window]
Links to volcanism, volcanic history, volcanic rocks, and general geology by state, by region, national parks and national monuments and a brief introduction to volcanism around the U.S. entitled: Windows into the past.
An overview of coastal land loss with emphasis on the southeastern United States [New Window]
Comprehensive background information on coastal land loss, discussing the influence of waves and storms, the intrinsic characteristics of the shoreline materials, and the role of human activities.
Atchafalaya & Mississippi River Deltas study: a tale of two deltas [New Window]
Project of the Gulf of Mexico Integrated Science program that evaluates the transport and sedimentation of contaminates through the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River delta to the near-shore Gulf of Mexico. Includes aerial photographs.
Atlantic margin offshore sediments: cooperative database and GIS development website [New Window]
This site is designed to provide information on federal interagency and cooperative developments related to coastal sand and gravel resources and management issues along the Atlantic continental margin.
PDF Beyond the Golden Gate--oceanography, geology, biology, and environmental issues in the Gulf of the Farallones [New Window]
A geologic and oceanographic study of the waters and Continental Shelf of Gulf of the Farallones adjacent to the San Francisco Bay region. The results of the study provide a scientific basis to evaluate and monitor human impact on the marine environment.
Biological soil crusts [New Window]
Explains biological soil crusts, organism-produced soil formations commonly found in semiarid and arid environments, with special reference to their biological composition, physical characteristics, and ecological significance.
PDF Biological soil crusts: webs of life in the desert [New Window]
Fact sheet on the need to protect biological soil crusts in the desert. These crusts are most of the soil surface in deserts not covered by green plants and are inhabited by cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) and other organisms useful to the ecosystem.
Boston Harbor Studies: the fate of sediments and contaminants in Massachusetts Bay [New Window]
Boston Harbor/Massachusetts Bay Studies research project conducted as part of Boston Harbor cleanup to predict the fate of contaminants and sediments introduced to Massachusetts' coastal waters from sources that include Boston sewage outfall.
Boston Harbor ecosystems [New Window]
This web site is an outgrowth of an agreement between the USGS and the New England Aquarium, designed to summarize and make available results of scientific research. It will also present educational material of interest to wide audiences.
Carbon dioxide and helium discharge from Mammoth Mountain, Long Valley caldera, California [New Window]
An explanation of toxic carbon dioxide emissions at Mammoth Mountain in Long Valley caldera, and a description of magmatic helium discharge at the Mammoth Mountain fumarole with photos, maps, and links to other studies.
Cascades Volcano Observatory [New Window]
Portal to information provided by the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, WA with links to reports and activity in the Cascade Range and other volcanoes and multiple links to general information on volcanology, reports, research, and maps.
Cascades Volcano Observatory - Learn about volcanoes [New Window]
Educational volcano site providing answers to frequently asked volcano questions with links to other general information on volcanoes and to information on specific volcanoes including the Cascade Range volcanoes.
Cascades Volcano Observatory - Mount St. Helens real-time hydrologic monitoring [New Window]
Real-time and historic data from gaging stations for water and mudflow detection in the Mount St. Helens, WA vicinity with data tables and plots, interactive location map and station descriptions.
Cascades Volcano Observatory educational outreach: Available videos [New Window]
Description of videos on Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mt. Hood, with information on obtaining copies.
Cascadia subduction zone: two contrasting models of lithospheric structure [New Window]
Summary of an investigation of the Cascadia subduction zone with detailed density-modeling experiments of the crust and mantle along two transects across Vancouver Island and the Canadian margin and the other on the margin of central Oregon.
Central California /San Francisco Bay Earthquake Hazards Project [New Window]
Information on earthquakes in central California and the San Francisco region with links to four types of field studies, deep seismic investigations, geotechnical investigations, shallow seismic imaging, and airborne geophysical surveys.
Central Region [New Window]
Entry to USGS Central Region programs with links to Biological Resources, Geology, National Mapping, Water Resources, Office of Central Region Services, emergency information, and records of a Rockies field trip, and clickable map to state programs.
Classification of natural ponds and lakes in the glaciated prairie region [New Window]
Presents a wetland classification system that reflects seasonal, regional, and local variations in the environment.
Coastal and Marine Geology Program [New Window]
Home page for Coastal and Marine Geology with links to topics of interest (sea level change, erosion, corals, pollution, sonar mapping, and others), Sound Waves monthly newsletter, field centers, regions of interest, and subject search system.
Coastal and Marine Geology Program interactive map server [New Window]
Interactive map server to view and create maps using available coastal and marine geology data sets of offshore and coastal U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. Links to available data and metadata that can be downloaded.
Coastal change hazards digital library [New Window]
Online catalog of reports and data on coastal change hazards, indexed by author, agency, project, location, feature type, and topic
Coastal storms and tsunamis [New Window]
USGS responses to and studies of the hazards and impact of major hurricanes, tsunamis, and El Nino storms. Includes links to oblique aerial photography and LIDAR surveys recording coastal changes and other effects of storms and waves.
Community model for coastal sediment transport [New Window]
Description of the National Community Sediment-Transport Model (NCSTM), an open source numerical model for sediment transport in coastal regions.
Contamination in Fractured Rock Aquifers [New Window]
Overview of fractured rock research aimed at understanding the movement of water through fracture networks, and characterize field conditions influencing contaminant migration. Includes programs and publications.
Continental shelf GIS for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary [New Window]
Interactive maps of the continental shelf of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with GIS layers for sediment data, bathymetry, geology, bathymetry, sonar imagery, and tectonics.
Costly landslide events in the United States: map layer description file [New Window]
GIS data set from the USGS National Landslides Hazards Program showing major landslide events in the United States and Puerto Rico with metadata. Map layer can be downloaded in shapefile format or SDTS format.
Cryptobiotic soils: holding the place in place [New Window]
Describes biological soil crusts, with special reference to their role in resisting soil erosion, improving soil fertility, and increasing water infiltration in the deserts of the Colorado Plateau region.
Danger to aircraft from volcanic eruption clouds [New Window]
Explanation of problems encountered by aircraft due to volcanic emissions.
Deserts, geology and resources [New Window]
Online edition of booklet describing desert geology and mineral resources.
Detection and measurement of land subsidence using Global Positioning System surveying and interferometric synthetic aperture radar, Coachella Valley, California, 1996-2005 [New Window]
Detailed measurements of elevation help to understand the extent and severity of subsidence. Study asks if subsidence indicates the aquifer system is compacting temporarily or permanently, and are the changes human-induced or tectonic.
Digital shorelines for Boston Harbor [New Window]
Modified version of paper by F.T. Manheim and A.G. McIntire, Civil Engineering Practice, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 35-48 (1998). A new shoreline file has been created for Boston Harbor by digitizing and combining the most recent charts.
Distribution of high-temperature (>150 °C) geothermal resources in California [New Window]
Description and map of geothermal resources in California.
Earth science photographic archive [New Window]
Photographic archive collection from the USGS Photo Library. Photos dated 1868-1992 are of geology, earthquake damage, national parks, pioneer photographers, St. Helens eruption and mining and available at 100, 700 and 1400 dots/inch resolution.
Earth tides and volcano monitoring [New Window]
Article in the May 28, 1998 issue of Volcano Watch describing of correlation of earth tides to volcanic eruptions and value in monitoring underground magma movement with deformation measurement instruments including tiltmeters and strainmeters.
Earthquake "Top 10" Lists & Maps [New Window]
Lists of largest earthquakes in the world and in the United States, earthquake facts and statistics, deaths from earthquakes, earthquakes by magnitude, and significant earthquakes.
Earthquake Geology and Paleoseismology [New Window]
Geological effects of earthquakes on the crust and landscape, with studies of prehistoric earthquake activity using geological evidence.
Earthquake Hazards 101 [New Window]
Provides links to explanatory materials for the layperson, including information on concepts behind earthquake maps, the use of probability, what the maps mean, how they are made, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Earthquake Hazards 201 - Technical Information [New Window]
Provides detailed technical information on earthquake hazards in the form of frequently asked questions. Desisigned for the technical audience, including building and safety planners.
Earthquake Hazards Program [New Window]
Information on earthquake activity, earthquake science, and earthquake hazard reduction with links to news reports, products and services, educational resources for teachers, glossary, and current U.S. earthquake activity map.
Earthquake Hazards Program - Central and Eastern U.S. [New Window]
Information on earthquakes in central and eastern United States with links to earthquake monitoring, published products, recent earthquake information, discussion group, and current projects.
Earthquake Hazards Program - Northern California [New Window]
Home page for Northern California Earthquake Hazards Program with links to earthquake news, real-time earthquake and shaking maps, earthquake probabilities, latest earthquake information, hazards and preparedness, research and special features.
Earthquake Hazards Program - Southern California [New Window]
Site for the Southern California Earthquake Hazards Program with links to latest quake information, real-time earthquake maps and shaking maps, general information, hazards and preparedness, research, networks, and earthquakes for kids.
Earthquake Hazards Program external research support [New Window]
Abstracts, program announcements and descriptions of projects funded by the external research program.
Earthquake Products & Publications [New Window]
Long list of online fact sheets, publications, and maps relevant to earthquake studies.
Earthquake and fault data for Google Earth [New Window]
Downloadable data for earthquakes and faults for use with the Google Earth software
Earthquake glossary [New Window]
Dictionary of terms associated with earthquakes with simple definitions and photographs especially suited for students.
Earthquake hazard maps [New Window]
National seismic hazards maps, global seismic hazards map, predictive intensity maps, shaking hazards maps and probabilities for California, and a variety of fact sheets on earthquakes.
Earthquake hazards software for download [New Window]
Numerous downloadable software packages for carrying out analyses, modeling, and ancillary calculations in earthquake research and monitoring.
Earthquake information by region [New Window]
Information on earthquake activity, maps, lists of significant earthquakes, earthquake preparedness, and earthquake research arranged by region.
Earthquake information by topic [New Window]
Information on earthquakes by topic including faults, tsunami, seismic waves, and plate tectonics.
Earthquake preparedness information [New Window]
Links to web sites, publications, and fact sheets on earthquake preparedness.
Earthquake science explained--a series of ten short articles for students, teachers, and families [New Window]
Collects a series of short articles on earthquake science and related topics for students, teachers, and parents originally published as weekly features in The San Francisco Chronicle.
Earthquake search [New Window]
Search interface allowing searches of earthquake databases by various parameters including date, depth, intensity, area, and magnitude and download data in a variety of formats.
Earthquake: Did you feel it? Report it here. [New Window]
Place to provide information about ground shaking associated with significant earthquakes. A questionnaire to let us know what you felt following an earthquake in the United States or in other countries.
Earthquakes [New Window]
Online booklet on earthquake history, earthquake occurrences, measuring earthquakes, causes, relationship of volcanoes and earthquakes and earthquake prediction.
Earthquakes and tsunamis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands [New Window]
Fact sheet on hazards from earthquakes and tsunamis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be downloaded as a PDF file or viewed as an Adobe Acrobat Reader file.
Earthquakes for kids [New Window]
Links to various earthquake projects, facts, science fair ideas, earthquake science, becoming an earthquake scientist, image glossary, earthquake facts, and puzzles and games for children.
Earthquakes: Frequently Asked Questions [New Window]
Answers to a wide variety of questions (FAQs) about earthquakes, such as dictionary of terms, earthquake activity and probabilities, common myths, faults, plate tectonics, and earthquake measurement techniques.
Education resources for paleontology [New Window]
Contacts and other sources of information for teachers, students, and others interested in paleontology with links to related USGS websites and on-line publications.
Erosion of a sea stack over 100 years [New Window]
Series of photographs showing the demise of Jump-off Joe, a sea stack at Nye Beach, Newport, Oregon from 1890 as a result of erosion.
Eruption warning and real-time notifications [New Window]
Describes strategy of volcano warnings and the real-time detection of a sudden eruption or lahar and immediate notification of the activity to the public and local, state, and federal emergency-management officials.
Eruptions from the Inyo chain about 600 years ago: sequence of events and effects in the Long Valley Area [New Window]
Describes the volcanic activity that occurred along the southern part of the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain in California about 600 years ago.
Eruptions of Mount St. Helens: past, present, future [New Window]
Online booklet on the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, past history, and future hazards.
Executive summary, workshop: seismic and tsunami hazard in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands [New Window]
Summary of workshop with links to reports that are recommendations for future projects.
Fault and fold database of the United States [New Window]
Online database of faults and associated folds in the United States that are believed to be sources of significant earthquakes during the last 1.6 million years.
Flow through unsaturated fractured rock [New Window]
Site describes studies using flow visualization and rock matrix pressure measurements to study flow through fractures in the unsaturated zone, which plays an important role in water infiltration and contaminant transport.
Fragile environments: San Francisco Bay wetlands [New Window]
Overview with links to studies on the effects of human activity on the San Francisco estuary with loss of historic fresh and saltwater tidal marshes reducing habitats, introducing contaminants in waste, and creating dredging problems.
Gas hydrate studies: a part of the Geophysics Group [New Window]
Brief overview of gas hydrates and current research. Site also contains links to related USGS research and publications and web sites of other groups participating in gas hydrate research.
General Earthquake Observation System (GEOS) [New Window]
Earthquake and aftershock data collected by the USGS General Earthquake Observation System project in Menlo Park, California.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Missouri [New Window]
Website with links to USGS hydrologic, geohydrologic, soil, and geologic projects in Missouri using geographic information systems (GIS) technology with digital datasets of images, models, and maps produced by the projects to view.
Geology of the New York City Region: A Preliminary Regional Field-Trip Guidebook [New Window]
Provide basic information about the natural history and geologic features of the landscape encompassing the greater New York City metropolitan area.
Geomagnetic observatories [New Window]
Map showing geomagnetic observatories, with detailed information about each one
Geomorphology and sediment transport -- river mechanics [New Window]
Current river mechanics research on particle friction angles of fluvial gravels (data files compressed in BenHex, Winzip and Unix) and Grand Canyon Beach evolution (animation requiring Java 1.0) plus digital elevation files (*.hgx and *.zip files).
Geothermal and hydrothermal activity [New Window]
Glossary of geothermal and hydrothermal activity terms.
Geothermal industry temperature profiles from the Great Basin [New Window]
Subsurface temperature, well temperature, and well data of geothermal resources in the Great Basin.
Geysers, fumaroles, and hot springs [New Window]
Description of volcanic geysers, fumaroles, and hot springs.
Glacier effects of the M7.9 Denali fault earthquake of November 3, 2002 [New Window]
Description and photos documenting offsets and 260 km rupture in the Denali glacier in central Alaska after the November 3, 2002 earthquake, the 9th largest earthquake in the United States in the last 200 years.
Glaciers and glaciations - ice sheets, glacial lakes, tuyas - jökulhlaups and glacial hazards [New Window]
Links to background information on glaciers, glacier hazards, ice sheets and glaciations, glacial lakes, specific glaciers, terminology, bibliographies, and related useful links.
Global Seismographic Network [New Window]
Worldwide network of seismic monitoring stations coordinated by a variety of national and international organizations.
Glossary of glacier terminology: a glossary providing the vocabulary necessary to understand the modern glacier environment. [New Window]
An illustrated glossary of terms relating to modern glaciers and glacial landforms based mainly on Alaskan examples.
Glossary of selected glacier and related terminology [New Window]
Dictionary of terms associated with glaciology with brief definitions.
Grain size analyzer technique [New Window]
Description of the technique used in particle-size analysis
Grand Canyon studies: using ocean-research techniques to study a river system [New Window]
Brief review of studies with sidescan sonar on sediment in the Grand Canyon as part of research on the changes brought about by the Glen Canyon Dam and the results gathered from a 1996-controlled flood experiment with links to related information.
Gulf of Maine internet map [New Window]
Gulf of Maine regional overview interactive map depicting research activities of the U.S. Geological Survey showing surficial sample sites, bathymetry, continental margin and coastal areas.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory [New Window]
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's latest news with links to information on Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and other volcanoes, earthquakes, volcanic hazards, photo archive, and general information about the center.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) earthquakes: HVO seismic network [New Window]
Description of the seismic monitoring of the active Hawaiian volcanoes with information on the network, instrumentation, and recording stations with links to related information.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spotlight images archive [New Window]
Images of Hawaiian volcanoes and the islands they've built in the past few million years, images of recent eruptions, and Hawaiian landscapes.
Historical earthquakes: lists and statistics [New Window]
Lists and maps of historic earthquakes by geographic area, magnitude, destructiveness, and other characteristics.
Hurricane and extreme storm impact studies: coastal and nearshore mapping with oblique aerial video and still photography [New Window]
Information on video and still photography used to supplement laser altimetry measurements of the coast. The photography is used for recognizing geomorphic and cultural features impacted by storms. Links to photo collections of hurricanes and El Nino.
Hydrologic studies in Long Valley caldera [New Window]
Hydrologic monitoring data for Long Valley caldera, California, on springs, streams, wells, fumaroles, and precipitation to study the natural hydrologic variations and the response of the hydrologic system to volcanic and tectonic processes.
Hydrologic studies in the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon [New Window]
Overview of Klamath ecological research and links to USGS Klamath studies on ground water, nutrients, sediment oxygen demand, and fish response to water quality, sucker ecology, publications, bibliographies, and data.
Karst Interest Group Proceedings (February 2001) [New Window]
Scientific presentations and papers about geologic, geophysical, and hydrologic studies of karst areas in the U.S.
Kilauea - eruption update and image archive [New Window]
Current Kilauea eruption activity, updated daily with recent photos, maps, and deformation information and links to video for broadband users, photo glossary, and image archive.
Kilauea - perhaps the world's most active volcano [New Window]
Current activity, hazards, and history of eruptions of Kilauea Volcano.
Lake Pontchartrain basin: bottom sediments and related environmental resources [New Window]
This publication focuses on the geological framework and sedimentary processes of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and provides links to interactive tools, regional research, and sediment data in GIS formats for display and analysis.
Lake Roosevelt-Upper Columbia River environmental studies [New Window]
Description of research studies of the Lake Roosavelt-Upper Columbia area on contaminants and effects on environmental health with links to publications and products, partners, related links, project summaries, and contacts.
Land Subsidence in the United States [New Window]
Describes and provides examples of impacts of human-induced land subsidence resulting from the extraction of subsurface water, including aquifer-system compaction, drainage of organic soils, dissolution and collapse of susceptible rocks.
Land Subsidence in the United States [New Window]
Describes and provides several detiled examples of impacts of human-induced land subsidence resulting from the extraction of subsurface water, including aquifer-system compaction, drainage of organic soils, dissolution and collapse of susceptible rocks.
Land subsidence and aquifer-system compaction in the Tucson Active Management Area, south-central Arizona, 1987-2005 [New Window]
Results of ground-surface monitoring and borehole water table measurements document subsidence of the land surface correlative with changes in the ground water.
Land subsidence from ground-water pumping [New Window]
Online report for an interactive workshop Impact of Climate Change and Land Use in the Southwestern United States. Discusses land subsidence due to increased ground water pumping in the Southwest and the damage caused by subsidence.
Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images (1982 to present) [New Window]
Links to Landsat Thematic Mapper images used in mapping regional and local eolian erosion vulnerability in Southwestern U.S.
Landslide Hazards Program [New Window]
Research program designed to improve understanding of the causes of ground failure so that the hazards associated with landslides can be mitigated or avoided.
Landslide events [New Window]
Current, regularly updated reports of landslides nationwide
Landslide hazards: Frequently Asked Questions [New Window]
Answers to common questions about landslides and the hazards they pose.
Landslides learning & education [New Window]
A wide variety of explanatory and educational resources about landslides and their relationship with earthquakes and storms, and preparedness. Includes glossary and photos.
Landslides research [New Window]
Description of research projects in progress to make accurate landslide hazard maps and forecasts of landslide occurrences.
Latest earthquakes in the USA - Past 7 days [New Window]
Real-time earthquake maps of the conterminous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico displaying magnitude and location of earthquake activity in the past hour, past day, and past week.
Latest worldwide earthquakes [New Window]
Near real-time list of earthquakes recently occurring anywhere in the world.
Long Island Sound [New Window]
Long Island Sound interactive map with GIS datasets and sonar imagery.
Louisiana coastal land loss [New Window]
Homepage for Louisiana coastal land loss, including links to press release, animation of wetland loss, and PDF digital images of land change maps.
Louisiana continental slope [New Window]
Louisiana continental slope interactive map with GIS datasets and sonar imagery.
Major drainage basins in Massachusetts and Rhode Island [New Window]
Location and geology of drainage basins in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Major quake likely to strike San Francisco Bay Region between 2003 and 2032 [New Window]
Study of the probability of a major earthquake in San Francisco Bay region with colored map and links to relevant publications. Text also available in PDF format and graphic available in Illustrator or Photoshop format.
Map and database of Quaternary faults and folds in Colombia and its offshore regions [New Window]
PDF file of map of Quaternary faults and folds in Columbia prepared as part of the World Map of Major Active Faults with locations, ages, and activity rates of major earthquake-related features accompanied by database of description and activity.
Maps of recent earthquake activity in California-Nevada [New Window]
Near-real-time maps of location, ground motion, and shaking intensity of earthquakes in California and Nevada for the past hour, past day, and past week and links to other earthquake information.
Mass Wasting Following the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire near Durango, Colorado, a Field Trip Guidebook [New Window]
Guidebook with photos, maps, and diagrams explaining how forest fires have affected the likelihood of mass wasting, with discussions of steps taken to minimize future impacts.
Mass wasting presentation [New Window]
Presentation explaining the various types of mass wasting, how they work, and how they differ from one another, with diagrams and photos.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island District home page [New Window]
Home page for the Massachusetts and Rhode Island District office for water resources with links to drainage basins, water, stream statistics, projects, publications, news reports, and location.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island District projects [New Window]
List of all Massachusetts and Rhode Island District water projects with links to those with homepages.
Mauna Loa current activity [New Window]
Current activity of Mauna Loa Volcano with news, GPS data, electronic tiltmeter data, and current seismicity plus links to long term monitoring.
Mauna Loa, Earth's largest volcano [New Window]
Current activity, hazards, and history of eruptions of Mauna Loa.
Measuring human-induced land subsidence from space [New Window]
Examples of the use of Satellite Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar to measure and map changes on the Earth's surface as an aid to understanding how ground-water pumping, hydrocarbon production, or other human activities cause land subsidence.
Measuring land subsidence from space [New Window]
Describes the use of satellite-borne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to precisely measure, monitor, and assess small changes in land surface elevation resulting from human-induced or naturally occuring land subsidence.
Mississippi Fan internet map [New Window]
Mississippi River alluvial fan interactive map with GIS data and imagery depicting core sites, depositional and channel interpretation, Gloria and SeaMarc datasets.
Missouri District Surface-Water Data & Analysis Section [New Window]
Overview of the Surface-Water Data & Analysis Section of the Missouri District with links to real-time and historic water data, staff members, and projects on bridge scour and gaging station network.
Monitoring data of the Long Valley caldera and Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain, California [New Window]
Describes the monitoring effort and provides real-time data of the current restless activity of the caldera, including earthquakes, ground deformation, and release of volcanic gas and plus link to volcano monitoring techniques.
PDF Monitoring the Earth's dynamic magnetic field [New Window]
Describes the reasons why USGS monitors Earth's magnetic field and the history of that monitoring effort.
Moored time series data [New Window]
Oceanographic time-series data obtained from moored instruments, generally provided in NetCDF format.
Most recent updates for U.S. volcanoes [New Window]
Short descriptions of recent volcanic activity in the US.
Multibeam data and socio-economic issues in west-central San Francisco Bay [New Window]
Webpage based on USGS Open File Report 98-139 links to information on the San Francisco Bay estuary to study dredge disposal effects, fish habitats, sediment transport, rock pinnacles and navigation, and consequences of a large oil spill.
National Earthquake Information Center [New Window]
Information on world earthquake activity with links to facts and lists on large earthquakes, earthquake e-mail notification, hazards and preparedness, educational links, news and highlights and other seismic information.
National Geomagnetism Program [New Window]
Overview of USGS programs related to geomagnetism including observatories, data, program services, links to models, charts, and movies, program contacts, Intermagnet, Geomag, publications, and bibliographies.
National Landslide Information Center [New Window]
National Landslide Information Center links to general information, teacher/student information, recent landslide events, state and local information, current projects, fire-related landslides, and images and publications on landslides.
National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) [New Window]
Homepage for description of the National Stream Quality Network (NASQAN), a long-term program monitoring the concentrations and flux of sediment and chemicals in the Nation's largest rivers (Mississippi, Columbia, Colorado, Rio Grande, and Yukon).
National assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea-level rise: preliminary results for the U.S. Pacific Coast [New Window]
Report on the potential of coastal change due to future sea level rise using the coastal vulnerability index (C.V.I.) with two regional examples in San Francisco and Monterey Bay and Tillamook Head, Oregon, to Ocean Shores, WA.
National assessment of coastal vulnerability to sea-level rise: preliminary results of the U.S. Atlantic coast [New Window]
Brief report on map showing the relative vulnerability of the Atlantic coast to changes due to future rise in sea level. Includes links to similar maps in Open-file report 2000-178 on the Pacific Coast and 2000-179 on the Gulf of Mexico Coast.
National bridge scour database [New Window]
Database with detailed data on sites and data collected on scour (downward erosion by streamflow) at bridges, piers, and abutments in the United States.
Natural Hazards - Earthquakes [New Window]
News and related information focusing on the importance of earthquake hazards in the United States.
Natural Hazards - Landslides [New Window]
News and related information focusing on the importance of landslide hazards in the United States.
Natural Hazards - Volcanoes [New Window]
News and related information focusing on the hazards associated with volcanoes in the United States.
Natural Hazards Gateway [New Window]
News and related information about the importance of seven major types of natural hazards in the United States: earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, landslides, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
Organic metamorphism in the California petroleum basins: Chapter A - ROCK-EVAL and vitrinite reflectance [New Window]
Part A of a complex report on the results of ROCK-EVAL and vitrinite reflectance analysis of a large sample base from more than 70 wells located in three oil-rich California petroleum basins in order to study the formation of oil deposits.
Organic metamorphism in the California petroleum basins: Chapter B - Insights from extractable bitumen and saturated hydrocarbons [New Window]
Part B of a complex report on the results of geochemical analysis of 75 shale samples from the Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Joaquin Basins to gather observations relevant to exploration regarding the formation of oil deposits in these basins.
Ozone in our air - friend or foe? - depends on where [New Window]
Article on ozone layer and ozone as a pollutant from the weekly newsletter Volcano Watch (Hawaiian Volcano Observatory) for August 20, 2001.
P-wave data from the Indian subcontinent [New Window]
Compilation of P-wave data from the Indian subcontinent Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) profiles that used refraction and reflection techniques to provide an estimate of crustal thickness across the subcontinent.
Photo gallery of the Long Valley area, California [New Window]
Selection of photographic images of the Long Valley area that illustrate the consequences of the past geologic history of the Sierra Nevada, Long Valley Caldera, the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain, glaciation, and faulting.
Plus side of volcanoes: geothermal energy [New Window]
Examples of the use of volcanic energy in geothermal power plants.
Potential hazards from future volcanic eruptions in the Long Valley -- Mono Lake Area, California [New Window]
An introduction to the volcano hazards in the Long Valley area based on the past geologic history of the Long Valley Caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain.
Preparing for volcanic emergencies [New Window]
Describes activities of USGS scientists to increase public awareness of volcano hazards with links to publication and videos for public information on understanding and preparing for volcanic hazards.
Publications of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island District [New Window]
Lists of publications of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island District on water resources with links to online publications.
Puget lowland paleoseismology [New Window]
Homepage for a paleoseismic field study of the geologic record of prehistoric earthquakes in the Puget Lowland region to evaluate seismic hazards with links to an atlas and reports on historic earthquakes in the Washington and Oregon area.
Real-time seismogram displays [New Window]
Description of seismograms and how they are produced by drum recorders and electronic instruments with real-time seismograms for Northern California and Long Valley, California and representative seismograms for types of earthquake activity.
Recent earthquakes in Hawaii [New Window]
Interactive maps of earthquakes of last 2 hours, last 2 days, and last 2 weeks in Hawaii.
Report of the Community Sediment Transport Modeling Workshop [New Window]
Report on workshop to explore a community approach to improving deterministic models of sediment transport in coastal seas, estuaries, and rivers.
Reservoir sediment studies in Kansas [New Window]
Report of completed reservoir sediment studies in Kansas using a combination of bathymetric surveying, sediment coring, chemical analysis, and statistical analysis to understand the quantity and quality of deposited sediment.
River corridor habitat dynamics, Lower Missouri River [New Window]
Detailed description of The Lower Missouri River Corridor Habitat Dynamics Project studying river habitat in a heavily engineered river.
San Andreas Fault [New Window]
Online booklet on the San Andreas fault system on the California coastal region with discussion of faults, relationship of faults and earthquakes, magnitude of earthquakes, and earthquake probability.
San Francisco Bay Region geology [New Window]
Gateway to the geology of the San Francisco Bay region with links to geologic maps, paleontology, marine geology, earthquakes, landslides, and geophysics. Includes maps, 3-D models, and photos.
San Francisco Bay: Central Bay region multibeam backscatter and bathymetry mosaics [New Window]
Landsat TM and bathymetry mosaic images of sediment and pollutant transport in central San Francisco Bay.
Satellite technologies detect uplift in the Yellowstone Caldera [New Window]
Explanation of uplift in the land surface of the northern part of the Yellowstone caldera (12cm, about ~5 inches) that occurred between 1997 and 2003, including the scientific methods by which it was detected and analyzed.
Schlumberger soundings at the Amargosa Desert Research Site, Nevada [New Window]
Report presenting the data, automatic interpretations, cross sections, and resistivity maps of direct current electrical soundings at the Amargosa Desert Research Site near Beatty, Nevada using a Schlumberger array.
Scientific drilling in Long Valley, California: What will we learn? [New Window]
Description of 1998 drilling project at Long Valley Exploratory Well located on Long Valley Caldera's resurgent dome to monitor changing conditions beneath the dome. (Document in PDF format.)
Sea-floor morphology between Año Nuevo and Santa Cruz, California [New Window]
Report with preliminary sea floor map displaying submarine rock exposures found along the northern part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, extent based on side-scan sonar records, seismic-reflection records, and underwater video.
Sediment Transport Instrumentation Facility [New Window]
The Sediment Transport Instrumentation Facility at USGS Woods Hole Field Center maintains and deploys oceanographic instrumentation for the study of coastal and ocean circulation and sediment transport.
Seismic properties of North America and the surrounding ocean basins [New Window]
Presentation of maps of the seismic properties of North America and the surrounding ocean basins compiled from seismic refraction and reflection data, earthquake studies, and surface wave analyses showing crustal thickness and geologic provinces.
Selected volcano information [New Window]
Selected books, maps, videos, and other materials produced by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program. Many products highlighted here are intended for general audiences.
Severity of an earthquake [New Window]
Description of intensity and magnitude as indicators of the size of an earthquake and the levels of severity measured on the Richter Magnitude Scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
ShakeMap [New Window]
ShakeMap sites provide near-real-time maps of ground motion and shaking intensity following significant earthquakes.
Sinkholes [New Window]
Explains sinkhole formation and distribution, with special emphasis on their occurrence in Missouri
South Florida Ecosystem History Project [New Window]
Project is designed to integrate studies from a number of researchers compiling data from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems within south Florida. Links to publications, maps, posters, and data of studies.
Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN) [New Window]
Homepage for the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN) Pasadena Field Office involved in operating GPS stations, data recording, and supplying of earthquake data. Links to GPS data analysis, photos, and technical information.
PDF Studies and trends of selected inland lakes of the Great Lakes Cluster National Parks [New Window]
Report on the status of the biota and ecological factors of the inland lakes of the Great Lakes Cluster Parks: Indiana Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes,and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores and Isle Royale and Voyageurs National Parks. (PDF file, 321 p.)
Studies in Long Island Sound: geology, contaminants, and environmental issues [New Window]
Description of Long Island Sound projects and links to research topics, data, publications, photos, and technology on sediment transport, sea floor mapping, contaminant sampling, sediment texture, and environmental issues.
Studies of polluted sediment offshore Los Angeles [New Window]
Overview of studies of marine sediment on the continental shelf south of Los Angeles contaminated with DDT and PCBs from past sewage effluent discharges with links to research on Santa Monica Bay, Los Angeles Shelf and Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Summary of suspended-sediment concentration data, San Francisco Bay, California, water year 2000 [New Window]
Suspended-sediment concentration data were collected in San Francisco Bay during water year 2000 using optical backscatterance sensors and water samples. This report presents the data-collection methods, data, and calibration plots.
Surface water information pages [New Window]
Lead page for detailed United States surface water information with links to real-time and historic streamflow data, suspended sediment data, USGS programs and facilities, publications, techniques, and featured news releases.
Suspended-sediment database: daily values of suspended sediment and ancillary data [New Window]
Enables searching by state, hydrologic region, basin, time period, and length of record to retrieve suspended sediment data for the United States.
Taming of a wild research well in Yellowstone National Park during November 1992 [New Window]
A valve failed in a research well, causing an uncontrolled eruption of steam and hot water. Video program shows technical problems encountered in controlling and capping the well.
Tampa Bay Study [New Window]
Overview of interdisciplinary research on the Tampa Bay estuary of the Gulf of Mexico with links to digital library, interactive mapping, reports, posters, water chemistry maps, meetings and conferences, scientist directory, and field trips.
The Earth's crust [New Window]
Information on the Earth's crust with a contour map of the thickness plus links to a global crustal database, a global crustal model - CRUST 5.1, and regional crustal models.
The Great Ice Age [New Window]
Booklet (PDF format) on the Pleistocene glaciations known as the Great Ice Age and the resulting geomorphological, climatic, and environmental changes that occurred on Earth during the period.
The Parkfield Experiment - capturing what happens in an earthquake [New Window]
Fact sheet describing plans for a San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) by drilling into the fault to install instruments for long-term monitoring near the location of the magnitude 6 Parkfield earthquakes.
The carbon cycle in lakes of the Upper Mississippi Basin [New Window]
Summary of part of the USGS interdivisional Mississippi Basin Carbon project that will study the changes in climate and the environment through carbon cycle changes recorded in lake sediments in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
The crustal structure of China from deep seismic sounding profiles [New Window]
Summary of results of Deep Seismic Sounding (DSS) profiles in China with links to a sample DSS profile, contour map of China with crustal thickness, crustal columns and maps showing profile locations and seismic data.
The great 1906 earthquake, 100 years later [New Window]
Annotated list of resources about the great earthquake of 1906, which caused significant devastation in and around San Francisco, California, compiled for the 100th anniversary of the disaster.
PDF The landslide handbook -- A guide to understanding landslides [New Window]
Basic information for homeowners, communities, emergency managers, and decisionmakers. Includes sections on landslide types, evaluation tools, and mitigation techniques.
This dynamic Earth: the story of plate tectonics [New Window]
Online booklet giving an introduction to the concept of plate tectonics and complements the information on the map This Dynamic Planet published in 1994 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Smithsonian Institution.
This dynamic planet: World map of volcanoes, earthquakes, impact craters, and plate tectonics [New Window]
Online world map with booklet (PDF format) giving an account of plate tectonics, volcanology, earthquake activity, and impact craters.
Tsunamis & earthquakes [New Window]
Homepage for tsunami research with links to information and images on basics, tsunamis in the Pacific Northwest, the 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunami, research on specific tsunamis, and animations in various formats.
Types and effects of volcano hazards [New Window]
Describes the 6 main types of hazardous activities and processes associated with volcanoes, including tephra, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows), landslides, and volcanic gas.
USGS news and information on El Nino [New Window]
Information sources on El Nino effects such as landslides, coastal hazards, floods. Includes links to maps and images.
USGS studies in the New York Bight [New Window]
Describes and provides links to USGS research in the location of the estuary and coast of Long Island, New York, to map the sea floor and to study sediment transport, contaminants, and sand resources and coastal vulnerability.
Understanding our planet through chemistry [New Window]
Site with a series of articles showing how chemists and geologists use analytical chemistry to determine the age of the Earth, determine Earth's history, predict volcanic eruptions, observe long-term atmospheric change and study pollution.
United States National Strong-Motion Program (NSMP) [New Window]
National Strong-Motion Program home page with links to program news, recent events, and datasets of digitized accelerograms downloadable as PC (*.zip) and Unix (*.tar.z) files, data processing, stations, research, publications, and personnel.
Upper Mississippi River basin: sediments, contaminants, and nutrients [New Window]
Downloadable data and map images depicting sedimentation changes and contaminants in sediments in the upper Mississippi River.
Upper Wallkill River study [New Window]
Program to measure streamflow stage and discharge at four sites in the Upper Wallkill River Valley's Black Dirt Region and determine Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration data and estimate loads of TSS and sources of contaminants.
Use of remotely sensed image data to automatically map wind erosion vulnerability (eolian mapping) and rainfall mapping [New Window]
Links to remote sensing images monitoring wind erosion and rainfall in Arizona.
Using remote sensing to detect active dust storms and map areas vulnerable to eolian erosion [New Window]
Links to remote sensing images monitoring dust storms and wind erosion.
Volcano Hazards Program [New Window]
Homepage for USGS Volcano Hazards Program with feature stories, and links to worldwide volcano updates, volcanic hazards, reducing volcanic risk, USGS international programs, and resources such as educator's page, videos, and online reports.
Volcano Hazards Program, Long Valley Observatory [New Window]
Overview of the Long Valley Caldera with links to monitoring data including earthquakes and deformations, long-term outlook, volcano hazards in the area, USGS response plan, image gallery, monitoring and topical studies, publications and references.
Volcano and hydrologic hazards, features, and terminology [New Window]
Links to explanations of volcanic hazards and features and to a glossary of volcano terminology.
Volcano hazard zones in the Long Valley - Mono Lake Area, California [New Window]
Describes the volcano-hazard zones for the Long Valley and Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain identified by scientists of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Volcano monitoring at Yellowstone National Park [New Window]
Describes volcano monitoring at Yellowstone National Park including an update of recent volcanic activity, real-time data, and link to volcano monitoring techniques information.
Volcano video and television surveillance monitoring systems [New Window]
Visual monitoring of volcanoes by closed-circuit television and video monitoring for a permanent video record of events using slow-scan television which permits continuous surveillance at a distance for remote volcanoes or in times of danger.
Volcano watch [New Window]
Volcano Watch is a weekly newsletter issued by the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on volcanic features on the Big Island, volcanic hazards, and informational topics of Long Valley, Montserrat, or Alaska.
Volcanoes [New Window]
This booklet presents a generalized summary of the nature, workings, publications, and hazards of the common types of volcanoes around the world, along with a brief introduction to the techniques of volcano monitoring and research.
Volcanoes of Hawaii feature stories archive [New Window]
Archive of feature stories on volcanic features on the Big Island, guided tours of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, eruptions and eventful earthquakes, and other topics about the work of scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Volcanoes of Hawaii photo gallery [New Window]
Images of Hawaiian volcanoes and the islands they've built in the past few million years, and images of recent eruptions.
Volcanoes of the United States [New Window]
Booklet detailing plate tectonics, eruptions, hazards, and monitoring of U.S. volcanoes with black and white photos.
Volunteer Program of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) [New Window]
Site for the Volunteer Program at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) with information on how to become a volunteer, volunteer housing, examples of volunteer experiences, available volunteer projects, and about HVO.
Wastewater Indicators Shown to Degrade in Streams [New Window]
Research findings and examples of application to real problems--the stability of contaminants that indicate human wastewater needs to be considered.
Water science for schools: glaciers and icecaps, storehouses of fresh water [New Window]
Brief information for students on glaciers and icecaps from Water Science for Schools with link to more glacial information by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
Water science for schools: land subsidence [New Window]
Site for elementary school studies on land subsidence with links to land subsidence in California, wells, ground water quality, sinkholes, glossary, and a random link.
Water-quality information - data [New Window]
Links to major databases on USGS real-time and historic time period data for water quality, atmospheric deposition, streamflow, and suspended sediments and links to related databases of other agencies.
West-central Florida erosion study [New Window]
West central Florida erosion interactive map with GIS datasets to download including geologic interpretative layers, samples, bathymetry, and imagery.
Whales and walrus: tillers of the seafloor [New Window]
Report on sea floor marks in the Northeast Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea that were identified as pits and furrows caused by whales and walruses in the process of feeding on bottom crustaceans.
What is an Ocean Bottom Seismometer? [New Window]
Description and uses of the Ocean Bottom Seismometer; a self contained data-acquisition system which free falls to the ocean floor and records seismic data generated by airguns and earthquakes.
What on Earth is plate tectonics? [New Window]
Discussion and diagrams on plate tectonics and the structure of the Earth for beginners with link to a detailed version: This Dynamic Earth for more information.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) [New Window]
Homepage of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory with links to information about the observatory at Yellowstone National Park, volcanic history, photo gallery, monitoring data, publications and products, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).


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