Study confirms fossil footprints at White Sands National Park date to the Last Glacial Maximum
National Uncrewed Systems Office
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
The Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC) delivers critical science that supports Administrative and Departmental priorities. Through geologic mapping and Earth system research, GECSC provides essential data on the nation’s geologic resources, landscape dynamics, and surface processes—informing resource development, hazard mitigation, and land-use planning.
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Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1
Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1
USGS Unveils New National Geologic Map
USGS Unveils New National Geologic Map
The Next Fueling Discovery Webinar Takes Place May 29
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Publications
Humans experienced abrupt environmental changes at White Sands during the Last Glacial Maximum Humans experienced abrupt environmental changes at White Sands during the Last Glacial Maximum
Expanded excavations at White Sands National Park have unearthed 20 stratigraphic horizons containing in situ human footprints, megafaunal trackways, and linear features created by travois. Advances in radiocarbon dating of conifer pollen, combined with ages of aquatic seeds, refines the chronology of the footprint-bearing sequence to between 23.5 and 21.7 thousand years ago (ka)...
Cultural pollen delivery is not needed to account for consistent, trace abundances of Zea mays pollen in the sediments of Santa Fe Lake Cultural pollen delivery is not needed to account for consistent, trace abundances of Zea mays pollen in the sediments of Santa Fe Lake
Roos (2026) proposes an intriguing cultural mechanism to account for the rare (