Heidi Koontz
Biography
Heidi Koontz is the media team lead for the Southwest and Midwest regions, USGS Central States Office of Communications. She began working for the USGS as a student while pursuing and receiving a B.S. in journalism from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Since 1993, career highlights include managing the International media room for the 1997 Denver Summit of the Eight; coordination of USGS media response for the Taiwan (1999), Sumatra (2004), Haiti (2010) and Nepal (2015) earthquakes; and multiple proactive flood, hurricane, wildfire, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and earthquake news events.
Science and Products
Now Trending…Earthquakes
The earth isn’t the only thing shaking after an earthquake.
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in Indiana
A total of $160,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Hoosier State
Earth MRI Funds Critical Minerals Projects in New Mexico
A total of $133,000 will fund new research and preserve important data across the Land of Enchantment
USGS and Partners Tracking and Removing Burmese Pythons in Southern Florida
Washington – Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced they have teamed up to radio-track Burmese pythons in Big Cypress National Preserve, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge and other areas of Southwest Florida.
June 23, 2020 Oaxaca, Mexico Earthquake
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck offshore Oaxaca, Mexico, on June 23, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. ET. Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 16 miles (26 km).
USGS Brown Treesnake Research Continues at Guam National Wildlife Refuge
On May 14, Director Reilly signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The MOA provides for continuity of operations for the USFWS and the USGS with construction of new office and lab facilities on the Guam National Wildlife Refuge in conjunction with DOD’s construction of a Marine Corps firing range.
Learning From Home with USGS
The U.S. Geological Survey Youth and Education in Science (YES) Team has revamped their web presence to better assist with online and home learning.
Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake Felt in Central Idaho
On March 31, 2020, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck near Boise, ID, in the Challis National Forest. Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).
M5.0 Earthquake Hits West Texas, New Mexico Border
On March 26, 2020, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck West Texas near the New Mexico border. Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 5.3 miles (8.5 kilometers).
M5.7 Earthquake Felt near Salt Lake City, UT
Updated Forecast Shows 1% Chance of Aftershock Above 5.7
New Geoelectric Hazard Map Shows Potential Vulnerability to High-Voltage Power Grid for Two-Thirds of the US
The U.S. Geological Survey released a new report on geoelectric hazards for two-thirds of the contiguous U.S., spanning from the northeast to the west coast of the Nation.
Flights Above Parts of South Carolina to Map Geology
New Phase of USGS Low-level Airplane Surveys Begins in March