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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

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

An image taken along Western Branch in Maryland

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

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Climate Change Impacts on Mangrove Forests

The shore along the edges of an island playa in Florida

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

Listen to Interview

A Brief Biography of Florence Bascom

Photograph 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

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Memorial to Jack B. Epstein (1935-2020)

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National Preparedness Month 2020: Landslides and Sinkholes

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Floodplain Ecosystem Service Mapper Released

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Publications

Implementation plan of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program strategy—Great Lakes (Central Lowland and Superior Upland Physiographic Provinces)

IntroductionThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) has published a strategic plan entitled “Renewing the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program as the Nation’s Authoritative Source for Modern Geologic Knowledge”. This plan provides the following vision, mission, and goals for the program for the years 2020–30:Vision: create an integrated, thr
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Regression of the Tethys Sea (central Asia) during middle to late Eocene: Evidence from calcareous nannofossils of western Tarim Basin, NW China

Calcareous nannofossil assemblages from middle to upper Eocene sediments of the western Tarim Basin indicate two important episodes of marine incursion into the basin. The first episode represents a period of shallowing upward in the Wulagen Formation, which is dated as Zone CNE13 (Lutetian) by the co-occurrence of Discoaster bifax, Chiasmolithus solitus, and common Reticulofenestra umbilicus. The
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center

Evolution and taxonomy of the Paleogene calcareous nannofossil genus Hornibrookina

The genus Hornibrookina consists of enigmatic calcareous nannofossils that first appeared shortly after the K-Pg mass extinction. Due to their relative paucity in most published sections, specimens of this genus have not been previously studied in detail and their paleobiogeographic preferences and evolutionary history have been poorly understood. Biostratigraphic and morphometric analyses of Horn
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
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Science

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Sediment Sources graphic

New Review of Sediment Science Informs Choices of Management Actions in the Chesapeake

Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is pursuing restoration efforts to improve habitats and associated water quality for fisheries, both in the watershed and estuary. Excess sediment decreases light in tidal waters for submerged aquatic vegetation, harms oysters, carries contaminants, and impairs stream health throughout the watershed. The CBP is implementing management actions and policies...
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Core Science Systems, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
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New Review of Sediment Science Informs Choices of Management Actions in the Chesapeake

Issue: The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is pursuing restoration efforts to improve habitats and associated water quality for fisheries, both in the watershed and estuary. Excess sediment decreases light in tidal waters for submerged aquatic vegetation, harms oysters, carries contaminants, and impairs stream health throughout the watershed. The CBP is implementing management actions and policies...
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Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Task 4 Image

Task 4-Synthesis of Michigan, Illinois, and Appalachian Basin Stratigraphy

The objective of Task 4 is to develop an improved understanding of the lithostratigraphic framework of the Michigan, Illinois, and Appalachian Basins, with specific emphasis on how the lithologic characteristics of strata that accumulate in a sedimentary basin have been controlled by variations in tectonics, sea level, and climate. The resulting improved understanding of stratigraphy will aid...
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
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Task 4-Synthesis of Michigan, Illinois, and Appalachian Basin Stratigraphy

The objective of Task 4 is to develop an improved understanding of the lithostratigraphic framework of the Michigan, Illinois, and Appalachian Basins, with specific emphasis on how the lithologic characteristics of strata that accumulate in a sedimentary basin have been controlled by variations in tectonics, sea level, and climate. The resulting improved understanding of stratigraphy will aid...
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Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Task 3

Task 3-Coastal Transect Mapping and Landform Change

The area encompassed by Task 3 includes various coastal regions of the Great Lakes, with initial focus on several sites with coastal erosion hazards along the east margin of Lake Michigan.The objectives of Task 3 are listed as follows:1) Improve automatic procedures of extracting cliff tops and toes;2) Conduct sensitivity assessment of the automatic procedure of extracting cliff tops and toes to...
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Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
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Task 3-Coastal Transect Mapping and Landform Change

The area encompassed by Task 3 includes various coastal regions of the Great Lakes, with initial focus on several sites with coastal erosion hazards along the east margin of Lake Michigan.The objectives of Task 3 are listed as follows:1) Improve automatic procedures of extracting cliff tops and toes;2) Conduct sensitivity assessment of the automatic procedure of extracting cliff tops and toes to...
Learn More
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