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National Geospatial Program

Your Source for Topographic Information

The National Map

Data Science: Converting Data into Actionable Knowledge

Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)

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Online Catalog

Core Science Systems Mission Area

USGS CSS serves as the primary national civilian mapping agency, including topographic and geologic mapping for Federal and State requirements, national geospatial coordination, satellite operations and remote sensing. Our products and data are necessary to understand, monitor, and detect changes that affect the Nation’s natural and agricultural resources, the economy, public safety, and security.

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National Geospatial Program

Climbing Mount McKinley

The National Geospatial Program is the Federal civilian mapping agency and provides the digital geospatial foundation for the Nation. It engages partners and communities of use to collaboratively produce consistent and accurate topographic map data.

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Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program

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The Science Synthesis Analysis, and Research (SSAR) Program provides analysis and synthesis of scientific data and information, interdisciplinary research to improve understanding of Earth system changes, and preservation of scientific data and samples and library collections.

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News

Landsat Product Supports Water Management Worldwide

Landsat Product Supports Water Management Worldwide

USGS Cooperative National Geologic Map Now Covers 50 States, U.S. Territories

USGS Cooperative National Geologic Map Now Covers 50 States, U.S. Territories

USGS and Nebraska Release First-Ever Statewide Map of Surface Geology

USGS and Nebraska Release First-Ever Statewide Map of Surface Geology

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Publications

Linking scale-specific sinuosity to hydrogeomorphic domains in Alaska watersheds Linking scale-specific sinuosity to hydrogeomorphic domains in Alaska watersheds

River meander patterns arise from geomorphological processes influenced by climate, geology, terrain, and hydrology. These processes produce a wide spectrum of sinuous channel and meander forms, and understanding them is essential for land management practices, such as natural channel restoration (Dominguez et al., 2018), flood and erosion control, bank stabilization (U.S. Department of...
Authors
Larry Stanislawski, Pierofranco Costabile, Barry J. Kronenfeld, Margherita Lombardo
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS)

Evaluating the reliability of U.S. Geological Survey Three Dimensional Elevation Program lidar-derived building heights using multi-source comparison Evaluating the reliability of U.S. Geological Survey Three Dimensional Elevation Program lidar-derived building heights using multi-source comparison

No abstract available.
Authors
Jung-Kuan Liu, Ethan J. Shavers, Samantha T. Arundel, Rongjun Qin
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS)

Ecological Benthic Units (EBUs): A new characterization of the global seafloor for ocean spatial planning and management Ecological Benthic Units (EBUs): A new characterization of the global seafloor for ocean spatial planning and management

Effective management of deep-sea ecosystems and the high seas is hindered by the absence of a globally consistent framework for characterizing benthic habitats. Here we present the first global ecological classification of the seafloor, comprising 250 unique ecological benthic units (EBUs), distributed on the seafloor as nearly 700,000 EBU polygon occurrences, generated by intersecting a...
Authors
Peter Harris, Dawn Wright, Kevin Butler, Keith VanGraafeiland, Mark Costello, Kerry Howell, Gustav Kagesten, Vanessa Lucier, Miles Macmillan-Lawler, Roger Sayre
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area
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Science

a picture of the 2026-2030 Landsat Science Team

Landsat Science Team

Led by USGS and NASA Landsat Project Scientists, Landsat Science Teams consist of USGS and NASA scientists and engineers, external scientists, engineers, and application specialists, representing industry and university research initiatives. The Science Teams are tasked with providing scientific and technical evaluations to the USGS and NASA to ensure the continued success of the Landsat program.
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Landsat Missions
Landsat Science Team

Landsat Science Team

Led by USGS and NASA Landsat Project Scientists, Landsat Science Teams consist of USGS and NASA scientists and engineers, external scientists, engineers, and application specialists, representing industry and university research initiatives. The Science Teams are tasked with providing scientific and technical evaluations to the USGS and NASA to ensure the continued success of the Landsat program.
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Collage of software mapper tools.

2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) is proud to host the 2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting June 23-25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our...
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS), 3D Elevation Program, 3D Hydrography Program, 3D National Topography Model, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) is proud to host the 2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting June 23-25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our...
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las moras

Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

The Las Moras Wash, within the Santa Margarita Ranch, Altar Valley, AZ, exhibits channel incision, gully expansion, head‑cut migration, vegetation loss, and reduced hydrologic connectivity between upper watershed and floodplains.
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Western Geographic Science Center
Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

The Las Moras Wash, within the Santa Margarita Ranch, Altar Valley, AZ, exhibits channel incision, gully expansion, head‑cut migration, vegetation loss, and reduced hydrologic connectivity between upper watershed and floodplains.
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