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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

EcoNews - Vol. 7 | Issue 3

EcoNews - Vol. 7 | Issue 3

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

Publications

Assessment of Undiscovered Conventional Gas Resources in the Northern Alaska Province, 2026 Assessment of Undiscovered Conventional Gas Resources in the Northern Alaska Province, 2026

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean conventional resources of 96 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Northern Alaska Province.
Authors
William H. Craddock, Jared T. Gooley, Katherine J. Whidden, John W. Counts, Christopher D. Connors, David W. Houseknecht, Rebecca A. Smith, Jade Harper, William A. Rouse, Richard O. Lease, Samuel J. Heller, Tracey J. Mercier, Christopher J. Schenk

Extensive glacier loss in the coterminous United States Extensive glacier loss in the coterminous 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

Detecting polar bears on land using satellite imagery and deep learning Detecting polar bears on land using satellite imagery and deep learning

Summer land use is increasing for polar bears in the Beaufort Sea, which may lead to increases in human-bear interactions. Remote methods may enable noninvasive approaches to monitor polar bear abundance and distribution on land. We examined the potential of using very high-resolution optical satellite imagery to detect polar bears on land from images collected at three sites on the...
Authors
Anthony M. Pagano, Ryan H. Wilson, Anthony S. Fischbach, Todd C. Atwood

Science

Exploring Alaska Through Our Science

The USGS conducts scientific research for the Department of the Interior (DOI). The Alaska Science Center (ASC) provides objective and timely data, information, and research findings to Federal, State, and local resource managers and the public but has no regulatory authority. Our science helps support sound decisions regarding natural resources, natural hazards, and ecosystems in Alaska and...
Exploring Alaska Through Our Science

Exploring Alaska Through Our Science

The USGS conducts scientific research for the Department of the Interior (DOI). The Alaska Science Center (ASC) provides objective and timely data, information, and research findings to Federal, State, and local resource managers and the public but has no regulatory authority. Our science helps support sound decisions regarding natural resources, natural hazards, and ecosystems in Alaska and...
Learn More

Tracking Data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis)

Available here are tracking data of long-tailed duck, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of northern and mid latitudes. These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.
Tracking Data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis)

Tracking Data for Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis)

Available here are tracking data of long-tailed duck, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of northern and mid latitudes. These data were collected to determine range-wide migratory routes, migratory timing, and stopover habitats of this species.
Learn More

Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)

Available here are tracking data for the Black Brant, a goose species that breeds in coastal areas of Alaska, northwestern Canada, and northeastern Russia and winters along coastal areas of North America from western Alaska to Mexico.
Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)

Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)

Available here are tracking data for the Black Brant, a goose species that breeds in coastal areas of Alaska, northwestern Canada, and northeastern Russia and winters along coastal areas of North America from western Alaska to Mexico.
Learn More

Multimedia

Panoramic image of Barry Arm
Panorama view of Barry Arm Landslide
Panorama view of Barry Arm Landslide
View of Barry Glacier from the water.
Barry Glacier: A view from the ocean
Barry Glacier: A view from the ocean
A silver boat in the water at Barry Arm Glacier.
Charter vessel near Barry Arm Landslide
Charter vessel near Barry Arm Landslide
A person crouching over an orange drone.
UAV being prepared for landslides research
UAV being prepared for landslides research
A woman in a winter coat looks at an orange drone.
Researcher preparing UAV before flight
Researcher preparing UAV before flight
An orange drone sitting on rocks.
UAV ready for launch near Barry Arm Landslide
UAV ready for launch near Barry Arm Landslide
A woman in a winter coat looks at an orange drone.
Researcher inspects UAV before flight
Researcher inspects UAV before flight
An orange drone on a rock in front of an old landslide.
UAV near Barry Arm Landslide
UAV near Barry Arm Landslide
Imagery of Barry Glacier collected by the drone.
Imagery of Barry Arm Landslide
Imagery of Barry Arm Landslide
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