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Alaska Science Center

The mission of the Alaska Science Center (ASC) is to provide objective and timely data, information, and research findings about the earth and its flora and fauna to Federal, State, and local resource managers and the public to support sound decisions regarding natural resources, natural hazards, and ecosystems in Alaska and circumpolar regions. We have offices in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks.

News

September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month

Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska

Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska

USGS Scientist and National Weather Service and University of Alaska Southeast colleagues receive Alaska State Legislature Recognition for Response to Juneau’s annual Suicide Basin Outburst Floods

USGS Scientist and National Weather Service and University of Alaska Southeast colleagues receive Alaska State Legislature Recognition for Response to Juneau’s annual Suicide Basin Outburst Floods

Publications

Extensive glacier loss in the conterminous United States Extensive glacier loss in the conterminous United States

Glaciers populate the mountain ranges of the western conterminous United States and despite their importance to alpine hydrology, their area and volume change have never been comprehensively evaluated. Since the mid-Twentieth Century about one-quarter of the glaciers have disappeared and the overall area and volume are reduced by one-third. The pattern of glacier shrinkage suggests most...
Authors
Andrew G. Fountain, Bryce Glenn, Christopher McNeil, Brian Menounos

Improving predictions of insect harassment for barren-ground caribou in the Arctic Improving predictions of insect harassment for barren-ground caribou in the Arctic

Many populations of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus) have declined or are declining, which is concerning given their ecological role in Arctic ecosystems and their societal role in northern communities. Insect harassment is an important driver of the behavior, energetics, and demographic rates of caribou, and yet, due to challenges in predicting harassment, there is limited...
Authors
William H. Hein, Murray M. Humphries, Heather E. Johnson, Gabrielle L. Coulombe, Michael J. Suitor

Evidence for exposure to and infection with H5 clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses among polar bears inhabiting Alaska Evidence for exposure to and infection with H5 clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses among polar bears inhabiting Alaska

No abstract available.
Authors
Andrew M. Ramey, Lindsey S. Mangipane, Todd C. Atwood, Raphaela Stimmelmayr, David S. Rotstein, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Kristin S. Simac, Sarah M Coburn, Mia Kim Torchetti, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson

Science

Wolverine Glacier

Wolverine Glacier is located in Alaska’s Kenai Mountains, along the western flank of Prince William Sound. Glacier observations began in 1966 and continue through present as the western most USGS Benchmark Glacier.
Wolverine Glacier

Wolverine Glacier

Wolverine Glacier is located in Alaska’s Kenai Mountains, along the western flank of Prince William Sound. Glacier observations began in 1966 and continue through present as the western most USGS Benchmark Glacier.
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Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier is located in southeast Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953 and continue through present, serving as a central site between glaciers in the contiguous USA and those in mainland Alaska.
Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier is located in southeast Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953 and continue through present, serving as a central site between glaciers in the contiguous USA and those in mainland Alaska.
Learn More

Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in...
Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey

Alaska provides breeding habitat for more than 140 regularly occurring species of landbirds, half of which breed predominantly north of the U.S.–Canada border. The road-based North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides some data on population trends in Alaska, but most northern species are inadequately monitored by that continental program because of a paucity of roads. Boreal Partners in...
Learn More

Multimedia

Two people wearing orange life jackets facing away from the camera.
Biologists conducting marine bird and mammal surveys in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Biologists conducting marine bird and mammal surveys in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
A person standing behind a pale orange river. A person standing behind a pale orange river.
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Igning River, Alaska
Faint orange creek running through green brush. Faint orange creek running through green brush.
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Anatok Creek, Alaska
Bathymetric map of Ozette Lake in Washington State Bathymetric map of Ozette Lake in Washington State
Ozette Lake Paleoseismology (AD)
pale orange river flowing into a clear blue river. pale orange river flowing into a clear blue river.
Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color Changes
Person in a blue jacket working at a weather station in the snow with mountains in the background
Installing a camera at the Mt. Foraker weather station in Denali National Park
Installing a camera at the Mt. Foraker weather station in Denali National Park
Person in blue jacket at a weather station on snow with the sunshine, mountains, and a red helicopter in the background
Camera installation at the Mt. Foraker weather station in Denali National Park
Camera installation at the Mt. Foraker weather station in Denali National Park
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