USGS Leads Research Expedition to Deep-sea Escanaba Trough
USGS Leads Research Expedition to Deep-sea Escanaba Trough
BOEM, NOAA, and others join the USGS on a three-week journey to study this hydrothermal seafloor system
BOEM, NOAA, and others join the USGS on a three-week journey to study this hydrothermal seafloor system
Deep Dive: Hydrothermal Systems in Escanaba Trough
Deep Dive: Hydrothermal Systems in Escanaba Trough
Learn about the deep-sea region being studied by the USGS and collaborators
Learn about the deep-sea region being studied by the USGS and collaborators
Deep Dive: Marine Geology in Escanaba Trough
Deep Dive: Marine Geology in Escanaba Trough
Learn about the segment of the seafloor spreading center where the USGS and partners are leading submersible dives
Learn about the segment of the seafloor spreading center where the USGS and partners are leading submersible dives
USGS Drifter Found on a Scotland Beach
USGS Drifter Found on a Scotland Beach
. . . nearly 40 years after its release in the Arctic Ocean!
. . . nearly 40 years after its release in the Arctic Ocean!
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing
California Deepwater Investigations and Groundtruthing
BOEM, USGS, and State of CA consider the implications and potential impacts of wind energy development miles offshore of Morro Bay
BOEM, USGS, and State of CA consider the implications and potential impacts of wind energy development miles offshore of Morro Bay
Finding Evidence of Ancient Waves on Mars
Finding Evidence of Ancient Waves on Mars
Scientists found evidence that ripples seen on lakebed deposits in Gale Crater were likely caused by waves at the lake surface
Scientists found evidence that ripples seen on lakebed deposits in Gale Crater were likely caused by waves at the lake surface
Climate Science Champions
Climate Science Champions
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists featured in video series
USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center scientists featured in video series
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
We conduct multidisciplinary scientific research in the coastal and offshore areas of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and other US Pacific Islands; and in other waterways of the United States.
Publications
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) geoform, substrate, and biotic component geographic information system (GIS) products were developed for the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. EEZ) of south-central California in the region of Santa Lucia Bank motivated by interest in development of offshore wind-energy capacity and infrastructure. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Ancient winds, waves, and atmosphere in Gale Crater, Mars, inferred from sedimentary structures and wave modeling
Wave modeling and analysis of sedimentary structures were used to evaluate whether four examples of symmetrical, reversing, or straight-crested bedforms in Gale crater sandstones are preserved wave ripples; deposition by waves would demonstrate that the lake was not covered by ice at that time. Wave modeling indicates that regardless of atmospheric density, winds that exceeded the threshold of aeo
Fire (plus) flood (equals) beach: Coastal response to an exceptional river sediment discharge event
Wildfire and post-fire rainfall have resounding effects on hillslope processes and sediment yields of mountainous landscapes. Yet, it remains unclear how fire–flood sequences influence downstream coastal littoral systems. It is timely to examine terrestrial–coastal connections because climate change is increasing the frequency, size, and intensity of wildfires, altering precipitation rates, and ac
Science
Coastal watershed and estuary restoration in the Monterey Bay area
Objectives: Support further work by the USGS and collaborating federal, state, and local agencies and academic partners in analyzing the effectiveness of restoration work in coastal watersheds and estuaries in the Monterey Bay area. The USGS will play a supporting role in field efforts led by NOAA and California State University - Monterey Bay to measure physical and ecological changes in the...
Using Video Imagery to Study Coastal Change: Santa Cruz Beaches
Two video cameras atop the Dream Inn hotel in Santa Cruz, California, overlook the coast in northern Monterey Bay. One camera looks eastward over Santa Cruz Main Beach and boardwalk, while the other looks southward over Cowells Beach.
Marine Geomorphology, Evolution, and Habitats
Seafloor resource managers and modelers need seafloor maps that can be combined in GIS, modeling, and statistical analysis environments and related successfully to biologic and oceanographic data. The Marine Geomorphology, Evolution, and Habitats Project encompasses mapping activities and the development of new mapping systems and methodologies. The emphasis is on the role of geologic processes in...