USGS Geography confronts some of the most pressing natural resource and environmental issues of our Nation. Observing the Earth with remote sensing satellites, USGS geographers monitor and analyze changes on the land, study connections between people and the land, and provide society with relevant science information to inform public decisions.

  Land Remote Sensing

Land Remote Sensing (LRS) is the Nation's portal to the largest archive of remotely sensed land data in the world. Working with NASA, NOAA, commercial satellite companies, State and local governments, and international programs, the LRS Program collects, maintains, and distributes millions of images acquired from satellite and aircraft sensors. From such images scientists and land managers, both public and private, derive information about natural resources, hazards, and long-term changes to the landscape. Through advancements in data archive and processing technology and through the operation and maintenance of satellites such as Landsats 5 and 7, the LRS Program provides continuous access to worldwide land images that can be used in mankind's effort to sustain the ever-changing Earth. Close Window

  Geographic Analysis and Monitoring

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Community Vulnerability to Tsunamis —Recent research suggests that a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake could create tsunami waves that impact over 1,000-km of coastline in the U.S. and Canada. To understand local community vulnerability posed by these hazards, USGS researchers are assessing variations in land-cover patterns, demographic characteristics, and business and employment patterns. Article   Report   Research

Alaska Cultural and Historical Sites Lost as rate of Erosion Doubles —Along Alaska's Beaufort Sea coastline, erosion rates have climbed from historical levels of about 20 feet per year between the mid-1950s and late-1970s, to 28 feet per year between the late-1970s and early 2000s, to 45 feet per year between 2002 and 2007. The scientists propose that the shifts in the rate and pattern of land loss along this segment of coastline are likely the result of changing Arctic conditions, including declining sea-ice extent, increasing summertime sea-surface temperature, rising sea level, and increases in storm power and corresponding wave action. Article   Research

Tracking Nature's Cycles —Phenology is the study of recurring biological cycles such as plant budding and animal migrations. The earliest known phenological records were compiled by the Chinese approximately 1000 BC. Today, USGS Remote Sensing Phenology scientists use satellites to track seasonal changes in vegetation on regional, continental, and global scales. Remotely sensed phenological data are useful for assessing crop conditions, drought severity, and wildfire risk as well as tracking invasive species, infectious diseases, and insect pests. Because phenological events are sensitive to climate variation, these data also represent a powerful tool for documenting phenological trends over time and detecting the impacts of climate change on ecosystems at multiple scales. Learn More