Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

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The Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC) is at the leading edge of scientific research addressing critical societal issues and providing unbiased data and information to decision makers and the public. Our research center is built around five broad science themes: Paleoclimate & Paleoecology, Landscape Science, Geologic Mapping, Hazards, and Special Geologic Studies. 

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Story on Mid-Atlantic Stream/Sediment Science

Story on Mid-Atlantic Stream/Sediment Science

FBGC's ecologist Greg Noe's work is highlighted in this great article discussing legacy erosion and sedimentation in Mid-Atlantic watersheds.

View Story

Climate Change Impacts on Mangrove Forests

Climate Change Impacts on Mangrove Forests

FBGC scientists Miriam Jones and Lynn Wingard were recently interviewed by NPR regarding climate change and mangrove forests. 

Listen to Interview

Biography of Florence Bascom

Biography of Florence Bascom

The video in the link below is a brief but informative introduction to the life and work of Florence Bascom.

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News

Date published: October 16, 2020

Memorial to Jack B. Epstein(1935-2020)

Recently, the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, USGS lost Jack Epstein, a colleague, mentor, and friend. Here is a fitting tribute and memorial to Jack and his nearly 60 years with USGS.

Date published: September 29, 2020

National Preparedness Month 2020: Landslides and Sinkholes

Natural hazards have the potential to impact a majority of Americans every year. USGS science provides part of the foundation for emergency preparedness whenever and wherever disaster strikes.

Date published: September 15, 2020

Floodplain Ecosystem Service Mapper Released

The Floodplain Ecosystem Service Mapper is a web application that displays field site data and lidar-derived floodplain and stream channel geomorphic metrics in the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.

Publications

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Year Published: 2020

Environmental data associated with sites infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS) before October 2011 in North America

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an emerging infectious disease of hibernating bats caused by a fungus previously known as Geomyces destructans and reclassified as Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The disease was first documented in 2006 in New York, has since spread across much of eastern North America, and as of January 2012, had caused the death of at...

Swezey, Christopher S.; Garrity, Christopher P.
Swezey, C.S., and Garrity, C.P., 2020, Environmental data associated with sites infected with white-nose syndrome (WNS) before October 2011 in North America: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1117, 67 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201117.

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Year Published: 2020

Historically unprecedented Northern Gulf of Mexico hurricane activity from 650 to 1250 CE

Hurricane Michael (2018) was the first Category 5 storm on record to make landfall on the Florida panhandle since at least 1851 CE (Common Era), and it resulted in the loss of 59 lives and $25 billion in damages across the southeastern U.S. This event placed a spotlight on recent intense (exceeding Category 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane...

Rodysill, Jessica R. ; Donnelly, Jeffrey P.; Sullivan, Richard; Lane, Philip D.; Toomey, Michael; Woodruff, Jonathan D.; Hawkes, Andrea D.; MacDonald, Dana; d’Entremont, Nicole; McKeon, Kelly; Wallace, Elizabeth; van Hengstum, Peter J.

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Year Published: 2020

Investigation of suitable habitat for the endangered plant Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias (harperella) using remote sensing and field analysis—Documentation of methods and results

Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias (harperella) is an endangered plant species found in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as in other locations throughout the southeastern United States. The narrow range of habitat characteristics for areas in which harperella has been found makes locating potential occurrence sites difficult and...

DeWitt, Jessica D.; O'Pry, Kelsey L.; Chirico, Peter G.; Young, John A.
DeWitt, J.D., O’Pry, K.L., Chirico, P.G., and Young, J.A., 2020, Investigation of suitable habitat for the endangered plant Ptilimnium nodosum (Rose) Mathias (harperella) using remote sensing and field analysis—Documentation of methods and results: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1088, 59 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201088.