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Scientists explore how Elodea, an invasive aquatic plant species, effects juvenile salmon growth

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Decline in Yukon River Chinook Salmon

Study confirms poor marine nutrition and freshwater heat stress affects population levels

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The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) version 4 is live

NPPSD is powerful tool that includes observations of nearly 21 million birds of 252 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022)

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Q&A with Scientists: Improving Surveys of Geese in Alaska with Aerial Imagery

Thousands of geese gather at Izembek Lagoon in Alaska every fall in preparation for migration

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USGS Contributes to the 2022 Arctic Report Card

See chapters on Seabird Die-offs in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and Arctic Geese of North America

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USGS Scientists Using High Resolution SAR Satellite Imagery to Study Pacific Walruses

The sub-meter resolution of current SAR instruments offers new directions for walrus research

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First Detailed Map of the Entire Queen Charlotte-Fairweather Fault System

One of the world’s most seismically active strike-slip faults

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Alaska Science Center

The mission of the Alaska Science Center 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. 

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In the Spotlight

Resting sea otter in Homer harbor in Alaska

Brown Bear-Sea Otter interactions at Katmai National Park: USGS Alaska Science Center researchers worked with colleagues at the National Park Service and Washington State University on a study that documents brown bear predation on sea otters and harbor seals at Katmai National Park. 

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Current Water Conditions

Alaska view on the National Water Dashboard

Explore real-time Alaska streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our new interactive map application.

Current Conditions

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News

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Why are Arctic Rivers Turning Orange?

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How Elodea Effects Juvenile Salmon Growth

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USGS aids storm response to Extratropical Typhoon Merbok in Alaska

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Publications

Exploring effects of vessels on walrus behaviors using telemetry, automatic identification system data and matching

Arctic marine mammals have had little exposure to vessel traffic and potential associated disturbance, but sea ice loss has increased accessibility of Arctic waters to vessels. Vessel disturbance could influence marine mammal population dynamics by altering behavioral activity budgets that affect energy balance, which in turn can affect birth and death rates. As an initial step in studying these l
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Ecosystems, Alaska Science Center

Insights into the metamorphic history and origin of flake graphite mineralization at the Graphite Creek graphite deposit, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA

Graphite Creek is an unusual flake graphite deposit located on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA. We present field observations, uranium-lead (U–Pb) monazite and titanite geochronology, carbon (C) and sulfur (S) stable isotope geochemistry, and graphite Raman spectroscopy data from this deposit that support a new model of flake graphite ore genesis in high-grade metamorphic environments. The Graph
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Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

National map of focus areas for potential critical mineral resources in the United States

Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) launched the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) to modernize the surface and subsurface geologic mapping of the United States, with a focus on identifying areas that may have the potential to contain critical mineral resources. EarthMRI can inform strategies to ensure secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supplies for the United St
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Mineral Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Science

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A small bird with distinctive orange-brown feathers around its neck and blue feathers on head, sitting on a small shrub

Bird Species Checklists from USGS Alaska Science Center Field Camps

Scientists from the USGS Alaska Science Center regularly work in remote field camps, often for days or weeks at a time. Though not the primary research focus of these camps, many researchers maintain daily checklists of all bird species encountered during field work. These checklists can provide documentation of the presence, distribution, timing of arrival and departure, and breeding chronology...
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Alaska Science Center
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Bird Species Checklists from USGS Alaska Science Center Field Camps

Scientists from the USGS Alaska Science Center regularly work in remote field camps, often for days or weeks at a time. Though not the primary research focus of these camps, many researchers maintain daily checklists of all bird species encountered during field work. These checklists can provide documentation of the presence, distribution, timing of arrival and departure, and breeding chronology...
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NPPSD illustration

North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The NPPSD includes more than 489,000 transect segments and includes observations of nearly 21 million birds of 252 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022).
By
Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
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North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The NPPSD includes more than 489,000 transect segments and includes observations of nearly 21 million birds of 252 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022).
Learn More
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Pacific brant feeding on eelgrass beds in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska

Q&A: Improving Aerial Surveys of Geese in Alaska with Aerial Imagery

Thousands of geese gather at Izembek Lagoon in southwestern Alaska every fall where they “stage”, meaning that they rest and eat in preparation for migration to lower latitudes. Izembek Lagoon is especially important for Pacific brant geese, as the entire Pacific Flyway population is thought to use the lagoon in fall. This provides an opportunity to efficiently survey the population to track...
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Alaska Science Center
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Q&A: Improving Aerial Surveys of Geese in Alaska with Aerial Imagery

Thousands of geese gather at Izembek Lagoon in southwestern Alaska every fall where they “stage”, meaning that they rest and eat in preparation for migration to lower latitudes. Izembek Lagoon is especially important for Pacific brant geese, as the entire Pacific Flyway population is thought to use the lagoon in fall. This provides an opportunity to efficiently survey the population to track...
Learn More
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