History

By Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

In mid-1990's, USGS organization transitions from scientific branches to a multi-disciplinary team approach. In late-1990’s the Western Earth Surfcial Processes Team and the Western Mineral Resources Team combine to form the Western Mineral and Environmental Resources Team. In mid-2000’s the USGS reorganizes and the Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center is established.

In 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey is established to study geology and mineral resources, especially in the western US. Over time how USGS scientists conduct their work in these areas evolves, as does the organization itself. Until the mid-1990’s the USGS is organized in branches, which group similarly trained scientists together in their work. Following a government-wide reduction in workforce in 1996, the USGS adopts an approach utilizing teams, broadening the scientific knowledge base of these groupings. This diversifies USGS scientific staff, allowing for a more holistic look at geologic issues relevant to society. The USGS transitions from paper to digital during this time and the advent of the World Wide Web connects our research to a broader audience than ever before. In the late 1990’s two of these geographically focused teams (the Western Earth Surfcial Processes Team and the Western Mineral Resources Team) combine to form the Western Mineral and Environmental Resources Team. In the mid 2000’s the USGS reorganizes, combining various teams into Science Centers, and the current Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center is established. With staff located across the western US, and expertise in geologic mapping/databases, energy/mineral resource potential, geologic hazard, geophysical, landscape and climate investigations, we are poised to address many natural resource and environmental issues that arise, especially those occurring on Public lands.