Summary
Ask-A-Geologist is an online virtual help desk designed to provide answers to
geologically based questions. Submitted questions are answered by one of
several USGS employees, retirees, and contractors who to participate in the
project. The participating scientists have varying degrees of experience and
include such titles as geologist, hydrologist, cartographer, and ... technician.
Questions are answered by any one of the scientists who may or may not be the
field specialist. Approximately 45% of all questions are answered within a few
days and most other questions receive an automated reply of regret.

Sample questions and answers are povided in the "example" link yet there is no
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. Ask-A-Geologist recommends that users
search for answers from the search USGS web site (http://search.usgs.gov/)
before submitting a question. Another useful site of information is the "USGS
Science Challenge". It is linked from the Ask-A-Geologist page and contains a
collection of questions and answers addressing Earth and Planetary Science
topics. Questions on this site cover science disciplines such as volcanoes,
earthquakes, mountains, rocks and minerals, hydrology, biology, and
cartography.

[Summary adapted from the Ask-A-Geologist web site,
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ask-a-geologist/ .]

Related URL

Link: VIEW RELATED INFORMATION Description: Science Challenge Questions and Answersby Carol Lawson and Mary Ellen Lazarus Open File Report Number: 98-507-A. A collection of 196 questions and answers addressing Earth and Planetary Science topics. Questions cover science disciplines such as volcanoes, earthquakes, hydrology, biology, minerals and cartography. It is intended for general audiences.

Service Citation

Originators: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Title: Ask-A-Geologist Release_Date: 1994-10-01 Provider: USGS URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ask-a-geologist/

Service Keywords

REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES >DIGITAL/VIRTUAL REFERENCE DESKS >ASK-A GEOLOGIST

Science Keywords

SOLID EARTH >VOLCANOES >ERUPTION DYNAMICS SOLID EARTH >SEISMOLOGY >EARTHQUAKE DYNAMICS SOLID EARTH >TECTONICS >LITHOSPHERIC PLATE MOTION TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >GROUND WATER >GROUND WATER DISCHARGE/FLOW SOLID EARTH >NATURAL RESOURCES >COAL SOLID EARTH >NATURAL RESOURCES >METALS SOLID EARTH >NATURAL RESOURCES >NATURAL GAS SOLID EARTH >NATURAL RESOURCES >PETROLEUM SOLID EARTH >NATURAL RESOURCES >RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS >IGNEOUS ROCKS SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS >METAMORPHIC ROCKS SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS >MINERALS/CRYSTALS SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS >SEDIMENTARY ROCKS SOLID EARTH >ROCKS/MINERALS >SEDIMENTS TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >GROUND WATER >DRAINAGE TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >GROUND WATER >SPRINGS TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >GROUND WATER >WATER TABLE TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >LAKES TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE >SURFACE WATER >RIVERS/STREAMS

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION INLAND WATERS ECONOMY

Use Constraints

Users are encouraged to include a return e-mail address in the
body of their message. Ask-A-Geologist scientists cannot answer
student test question or provide reports. Personal location and
financial questions are also not answered. You should receive a
reply in a few days -- but we can't reply to every message. We
answer about 45% of incoming messages.

Answers are not official policy of the USGS or the United States
Government, are not reviewed or guarenteed for correctness or
consistency. Questions requiring official answers should not be
sent to Ask-A-Geologist.

Ancillary Keywords

Volcanoes Earthquakes Mountains Rocks Maps Ground Water Lakes Rivers

Service Provider

DOI/USGS/CMG/WRCMG > Western Region CMG, Coastal and Marine Geology, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior Service Organization URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/ Service Provider Personnel Name: REX SANDERS Phone: (831) 427-4755 Fax: (831) 427-4748 Email: rsanders at usgs.gov Contact Address: USGS Pacific Science Center 400 Natural Bridges Drive City: Santa Cruz Province or State: California Postal Code: 95060 Country: USA

Distribution Media

Distribution_Media: electronic Distribution_Format: html

Personnel

TYLER B. STEVENS Role: SERF AUTHOR Phone: (301) 614-6898 Fax: 301-614-5268 Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov Contact Address: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Global Change Master Directory City: Greenbelt Province or State: MD Postal Code: 20771 Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

SERF Creation Date: 1999-12-08 SERF Last Revision Date: 2007-02-23

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