"Science for a Changing World" is a short film (eight minutes) describing a brief history of the USGS and the significance of USGS work and mission in today's world and its value in the past.
What does the USGS (United States Geological Survey) do?
The USGS (United States Geological Survey) is a science bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. The USGS provides science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods; the water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources we rely on; the health of our ecosystems and environment; and the impacts of climate and land-use change. Our scientists develop new methods and tools to enable timely, relevant, and useful information about the Earth and its processes.
Related Content
Does the USGS have science libraries?
The USGS has the largest earth science library in the world . The Libraries Program includes central libraries in Reston, Virginia and Denver, Colorado along with small, topic-specific libraries in science centers scattered around the country. For assistance with library resources, send an email to library@usgs.gov or call 703-648-4301. Holdings and services at science center libraries tend to...
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices , but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Where are USGS offices located?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has offices in every state . Our headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. For assistance finding or contacting a specific USGS office, contact USGS Science Information Services by phone, email, or Web chat .
How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, call 1-888-392-8545. You can also use this website to send us a message or to initiate a live Web chat with a USGS Science Information Specialist. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Can the USGS do a survey or study of my private property?
No. The USGS Organic Act (43 U.S. Code § 31) prohibits the USGS from making surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. On rare occasion, however, the USGS might request access to private property as part of a larger study. If you need to engage a professional land surveyor, hydrologist, geologist, or geotechnical engineer, the following organizations should be able to identify...
Science for a Changing World
"Science for a Changing World" is a short film (eight minutes) describing a brief history of the USGS and the significance of USGS work and mission in today's world and its value in the past.
USGS Headquarters
Nestled away in Reston, VA on 105 acres of land, the USGS headquarters was dedicated on July 12, 1974. The building houses over 2000 employees and offers guided and self-guided indoor and outdoor tours to the public.
Nestled away in Reston, VA on 105 acres of land, the USGS headquarters was dedicated on July 12, 1974. The building houses over 2000 employees and offers guided and self-guided indoor and outdoor tours to the public.
PubTalk 4/2004 — Science, Society, and the Survey
50 Years of the USGS in Menlo Park
By David G. Howell, Geologist
Hear about some of the scientific highlights from 1954 to 2004 --
50 Years of the USGS in Menlo Park
By David G. Howell, Geologist
Hear about some of the scientific highlights from 1954 to 2004 --
Related Content
- FAQ
Does the USGS have science libraries?
The USGS has the largest earth science library in the world . The Libraries Program includes central libraries in Reston, Virginia and Denver, Colorado along with small, topic-specific libraries in science centers scattered around the country. For assistance with library resources, send an email to library@usgs.gov or call 703-648-4301. Holdings and services at science center libraries tend to...
Does the USGS offer field trips or classes?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) does not have a formal program for providing field trips or classes. USGS employees will sometimes lead field trips or teach classes that are organized by outside organizations, but those are not advertised by the USGS. The USGS has published numerous field-trip guides to geologic areas. Use our online Publications Warehouse to search for "field trip" or...
Can I visit a USGS office?
Very few USGS offices are set up to accommodate visitors. Before stopping by a USGS office, you should check their website or call ahead to make sure that visitors are welcome. There are USGS offices in each state. Members of the public are welcome to use libraries that are located at some USGS offices , but materials can only be checked out through Interlibrary Loan. Please note that most of our...
Where are USGS offices located?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has offices in every state . Our headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia. For assistance finding or contacting a specific USGS office, contact USGS Science Information Services by phone, email, or Web chat .
How do I contact the USGS?
For general science inquiries, call 1-888-392-8545. You can also use this website to send us a message or to initiate a live Web chat with a USGS Science Information Specialist. For questions on the distribution of federal park passes, maps, books and other science products, or the status of existing orders, call 1-888-275-8747 or visit the USGS Store website. Most of our employees are listed in...
Do you have internships, summer positions, or volunteer positions for teachers or students?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not have any positions specifically targeted to teachers, but motivated teachers can sometimes find volunteer positions by contacting a local USGS office directly, or by looking through the Volunteer.gov website. Student internships are designed for college-level students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS website has a section for Students & recent graduates...
Can the USGS do a survey or study of my private property?
No. The USGS Organic Act (43 U.S. Code § 31) prohibits the USGS from making surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. On rare occasion, however, the USGS might request access to private property as part of a larger study. If you need to engage a professional land surveyor, hydrologist, geologist, or geotechnical engineer, the following organizations should be able to identify...
- Multimedia
Science for a Changing World
"Science for a Changing World" is a short film (eight minutes) describing a brief history of the USGS and the significance of USGS work and mission in today's world and its value in the past.
"Science for a Changing World" is a short film (eight minutes) describing a brief history of the USGS and the significance of USGS work and mission in today's world and its value in the past.
USGS HeadquartersNestled away in Reston, VA on 105 acres of land, the USGS headquarters was dedicated on July 12, 1974. The building houses over 2000 employees and offers guided and self-guided indoor and outdoor tours to the public.
Nestled away in Reston, VA on 105 acres of land, the USGS headquarters was dedicated on July 12, 1974. The building houses over 2000 employees and offers guided and self-guided indoor and outdoor tours to the public.
PubTalk 4/2004 — Science, Society, and the Survey50 Years of the USGS in Menlo Park
By David G. Howell, Geologist
Hear about some of the scientific highlights from 1954 to 2004 --
50 Years of the USGS in Menlo Park
By David G. Howell, Geologist
Hear about some of the scientific highlights from 1954 to 2004 --
- Publications