USGS PCMSC News

International Atomic Energy Agency Working Group on Using Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Hazard Assessments for Nuclear Power Plants

USGS oceanographer Bruce Jaffe participated in the second consultancy meeting of an International Atomic Energy Agency working group, Jan. 22-23, in Vienna. The goal of this group is to provide an intelligible technical document on using geologic histories of earthquakes and tsunamis in hazard assessments for nuclear power plants. Users are "embarking countries" seeking to develop nuclear power programs. (Bruce Jaffe, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-460-7542)

USGS researchers from across the Bureau joined specialists from other federal agencies, contractors, industry, academia, and other subject-matter experts at a workshop, Jan. 29-31, in Rockville, MD at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission headquarters. The goal of the meeting was to develop probabilistic hazard assessment methods for a wide range of flood hazards and for use in probabilistic risk assessments of critical infrastructures. Other agencies represented included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Bureau of Reclamation. For more information, contact Eric Geist at 650-329-5457.

USGS oceanographer Bruce Jaffe presented information on tsunami hazards in the Pacific region at a Centers for Disease Control workshop on "Reducing the Risk of Environmental Health Disasters in the Pacific." The workshop, Feb. 4-6, in Honolulu, HI brought together 50 invited participants, including health executives, public health officials, and subject-matter experts. The goals were to investigate and report disaster hazards and vulnerabilities facing Pacific islanders, and to identify and prioritize opportunities for disaster risk reduction in Pacific Island countries and territories. For more information, contact Bruce Jaffe at 831-460-7542.

USGS scientists James Hein, Kira Mizell, and Tracey Conrad, with colleague Andrea Koschinsky of Jacobs University Bremen (Germany), just published "Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: comparison with land-based resources" in the June 2013 issue of Ore Geology Reviews. Ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts and nodules on the ocean floor are enriched in rare and critical metals and rare-earth elements, many of which are essential for high-tech, green-tech, emerging-tech, and energy applications. The authors compare the grades and tonnages of nodules and crusts in two areas of the Pacific Ocean with global terrestrial reserves and resources. They also discuss differences between terrestrial and marine impacts and mine characteristics. Deep-ocean mineral deposits will not replace land-based mining but will offer an additional source of raw materials to meet increasing demands. (James Hein, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-460-7419)

Please join us at our Santa Cruz, CA Science Center for
monthly seminars given by local scientists and researchers.

January 2013

Pacific Northwest Seagrasses and Climate Change
PCMSC geochemist Renee Takesue was one of the organizers of the workshop “The Future of Pacific Northwest Seagrasses in a Changing Climate”, held January 23-25, 2013, in Friday Harbor, Washington. The goal of the workshop—cosponsored by USGS, Washington Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Washington Sea Grant—was to determine impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest seagrasses and implications for seagrass research and restoration. Seagrasses provide critical habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates and serve as indicators of nearshore ecosystem health. Washington State had set a target of increasing seagrass habitat in Puget Sound by 20% by the year 2020. The workshop was attended by scientists and resource managers from universities, the Northwest Indian College, and state and federal agencies. (Renee Takesue, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-460-7594)

Pacific Northwest Seagrasses and Climate Change
USGS geochemist Renee Takesue, of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, is one of the organizers of the workshop “The Future of Pacific Northwest Seagrasses in a Changing Climate”, to be held January 23-25, 2013, in Friday Harbor, Washington. The goal of the workshop—cosponsored by USGS, Washington Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Washington Sea Grant—is to determine impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest seagrasses and implications for seagrass research and restoration. Seagrasses provide critical habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates and serve as indicators of nearshore ecosystem health. Washington State had set a target of increasing seagrass habitat in Puget Sound by 20% by the year 2020. The workshop will be attended by scientists and resource managers from universities, the Northwest Indian College, and state and federal agencies. (Renee Takesue, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-460-7594)

Tsunami Source Working Group—Assessing Tsunami Hazards
Twelve members of the Tsunami Source Working Group gathered for the group's monthly meeting on January 8, 2013, at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC) in Santa Cruz, CA. The meeting, open to all, was also videostreamed to a conference room in Menlo Park, CA. Bruce Richmond and Bruce Jaffe (PCMSC) presented information on California paleo-tsunami field studies, Guy Gelfenbaum (PCMSC) described Alaska paleo-tsunami field studies, Amy Draut (PCMSC) discussed subduction-zone and accretion processes, and group leader Walter Mooney (Earthquake Hazards) led a discussion on directions for future investigation and the use of tsunami-source information to assess tsunami hazards to U.S. coasts. (Guy Gelfenbaum, Santa Cruz, CA, 831-460-7417)

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Welcomes Andy O'Neill ... read more

Olivia Cheriton Joins USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center ... read more

PCMSC News

Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center

PCMSC News

with highlights from our newsletter Sound Waves

February 2013

January 2013