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USGS: Biology arrow icon Ecosystems Home arrow icon Research Topics * Extreme Events and Disturbances

Extreme Events and Disturbances

(From the USGS Natural Hazards Gateway) In the United States each year, natural hazards cause hundreds of deaths and cost tens of billions of dollars in disaster aid, disruption of commerce, and destruction of homes and critical infrastructure. 

One of the goals of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to reduce susceptibility of citizens who are in at-risk areas from natural hazards by working with partners and providing information and resources to help reduce these risks.

The Ecosystems Program at USGS provides links to research for the following major natural hazards:



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Fact Sheet thumbnail Natural Hazards -- A National Threat (Fact Sheet 2007-3009 [2.8-MB PDF]) - In the United States each year, natural hazards cause hundreds of deaths and cost billions of dollars in disaster aid, disruption of commerce, and destruction of homes and critical infrastructure.
A major goal of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to reduce the vulnerability of the people and areas most at risk from natural hazards. Working with partners throughout all sectors of society, the USGS provides information, products, and knowledge to help build more resilient communities.  More >

 
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Featured Publications


image of publication cover Hazards, Disasters, and The National Map - With state and local governments helping to standardize data by reducing inconsistencies between jusrisdictions and filling in the gaps where data are lacking, the USGS promotes partnerships to ensure that base map data are up to date, readily available, and shareable among local, state, and National users. The National Map enables other government agencies, private industry, and the public to link and share additional data that provide even more information.   Read More >>

new Access the Fact Sheet - Report PDF (500 kB)

Carswell, W.J. Jr., Newell, M.R., 2008, Hazards, Disasters, and The National Map: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2009-3010, 2 p.

Additional Resources

Riding The Storm Cover Image Riding the Storm Landslide Danger in the San Francisco Bay Area  -  USGS is proud to feature a new documentary film, based on true-life landslide events.  A catastrophic 1982 rainstorm triggered 18,000 landslides in the Bay Area, claiming 25 lives and causing millions of dollars in property damage.  More >



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Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Jul-2009 13:55:57 MDT