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Peter L. Pearsall

Peter is a Science Communications Specialist for the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center.

I am a naturalist, writer, photographer/videographer, and public-relations professional with almost a decade of experience working with federal governmental agencies on issues of land use, conservation, and science.

Science and Products

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An ad for an upcoming seminar with the title at top, image in middle, and speaker name and information at bottom.

Science Seminar Series

Welcome to the Pacific Coastal Marine Science Center (PCMSC) Seminar Series! Our seminars are on the first and third Tuesday of every month, usually from 10:00 – 11:00 am Pacific Time (1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern) via Microsoft Teams. Please check each seminar announcement closely, as times may change. In addition, we also co-host a special “Coastal Change Hazards” seminar on the second Tuesday every...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Science Seminar Series

Welcome to the Pacific Coastal Marine Science Center (PCMSC) Seminar Series! Our seminars are on the first and third Tuesday of every month, usually from 10:00 – 11:00 am Pacific Time (1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern) via Microsoft Teams. Please check each seminar announcement closely, as times may change. In addition, we also co-host a special “Coastal Change Hazards” seminar on the second Tuesday every...
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 55
collage of a rocky coastline fading to waves at sunset, then a sandy beach
link
Coastal Carousel Collage
Cover image for Climate Science Champions series link
Climate Science Champions: Introduction (AD)
Cover image for Climate Science Champions series link
Climate Science Champions: Introduction
Aerial photo shows researchers operating survey jet skis along a sandy coastline link
Jet Ski Bathymetric Surveying
Aerial photo shows researchers operating survey jet skis along a sandy coastline link
Jet Ski Bathymetric Surveying (AD)
Image shows Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) lifted by a crane during a test deployment link
Free Ascent Tripod Test on the Santa Cruz Wharf (AD)
Image shows Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) lifted by a crane during a test deployment link
Free Ascent Tripod Test on the Santa Cruz Wharf
Aerial image shows rocky shoreline along Central California coast link
Tracking Coastal Change with Photogrammetry (AD)
Aerial image shows rocky shoreline along Central California coast link
Tracking Coastal Change with Photogrammetry
Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel link
Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (AD)
Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel link
Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone
A pale lavender deep-sea octopus found at Escanaba Trough link
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Biological Communities (AD)
A pale lavender deep-sea octopus found at Escanaba Trough link
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Biological Communities
Aerial image of storm waves along a Florida coastline link
Reducción de los riesgos de inundación mediante la restauración de los arrecifes de coral
Aerial image of storm waves along a Florida coastline link
Reducción de los riesgos de inundación mediante la restauración de los arrecifes de coral (con audiodescripción)
An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs link
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure (AD)
An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs link
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure
Scuba divers underwater on sea floor working with equipment. link
Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration
Scuba divers underwater on sea floor working with equipment. link
Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration (AD)
Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI link
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI link
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (AD)

Pacific coastal and marine science of the U.S. Geological Survey in Santa Cruz, California

IntroductionThe Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center is one of three U.S. Geological Survey science centers that serve the mission of the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, the primary Federal marine geology and physical science research program focused on the Nation’s coastal and marine landscape. Our portfolio of coastal and marine projects in the Pacific Ocean provides the s
Authors
Peter Pearsall
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

USGS Science in the American Territories

The United States is more than just the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Five permanently inhabited territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are overseen by the U.S. and are home to more than 4 million people, many of whom are American citizens.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Deciphering Nature's Seismograph: How Sediments Record Past Earthquakes and Inform Future Hazard Assessments

People have been recording seismic activity for centuries. To assemble a detailed earthquake history of an area and understand how faults may behave in the future, however, scientists need to go further back in time—from several hundred to many thousands of years ago.

By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 47
link

What We Do: Coastal and Marine Science at USGS Santa Cruz

A new booklet provides an overview of the coastal and marine research conducted by the USGS in Santa Cruz, California. 

Read Article
link

Shifting Practices of Dam Management and Dam Removal in a Changing World

The era of large dam construction, which peaked in the U.S. six decades ago, is now giving way to an evolved paradigm. Climate change, population...

Read Article
link

USGS-Led Study Reassesses Earthquake Hazard Potential for Central California’s Hosgri Fault

Assessing earthquake hazards demands a comprehensive understanding of active faults, including their location, length, connectivity, slip rate, and...

Read Article
link

Methane Seep Distribution in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

Beneath the seafloor lie vast stores of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—produced by the degradation of organic material, either by the earth’s heat or...

Read Article
link

Using Climate Models for Global Storm Surge Projections

In new research, an international team of scientists including USGS oceanographers utilized advanced global hydrodynamic and climate models to project...

Read Article
link

Hawaiian Drowned Reefs Expedition: Coral Cores Provide Glimpse into Climate Past and Future

In the face of mounting concerns over climate change and human-induced disruptions, the fate of coral reefs hangs in the balance. Seeking to unravel...

Read Article
link

Seafloor Mapping, Machine Learning Uncover Historical Ocean Dumping Grounds

In the 20th century, the disposal of industrial and hazardous waste in the deep ocean near coastlines was a widespread global practice, leaving a...

Read Article
link

New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

Large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest—low-lying and already flood-prone—face a future marked by increasingly frequent and intense flooding as...

Read Article
link

Elwha River: New Study Examines Effects of Dam Removals on Coastal Ecosystems

In new research, a team of scientists characterize the response of the coastal environment to a massive input of sediment following the removal of two...

Read Article
link

September is National Preparedness Month

Natural hazards are unavoidable. But with proper preparedness, their impact can be reduced. The USGS and its partners work to prepare, monitor, assess...

Read Article
link

New Geonarrative Explores Elwha River Restoration, Ten Years On

From 2011-2014, a team of federal, state, tribal, academic, and community partners worked to remove two large dams on the Elwha River in Washington...

Read Article
link

Hurricane Ian’s Scientific Silver Lining

Hurricane Ian took a tragic toll on lives, property, and coastal environments in southwest Florida and the South Atlantic coast of the U.S. Scientists...

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Science
    link
    An ad for an upcoming seminar with the title at top, image in middle, and speaker name and information at bottom.

    Science Seminar Series

    Welcome to the Pacific Coastal Marine Science Center (PCMSC) Seminar Series! Our seminars are on the first and third Tuesday of every month, usually from 10:00 – 11:00 am Pacific Time (1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern) via Microsoft Teams. Please check each seminar announcement closely, as times may change. In addition, we also co-host a special “Coastal Change Hazards” seminar on the second Tuesday every...
    By
    Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    link

    Science Seminar Series

    Welcome to the Pacific Coastal Marine Science Center (PCMSC) Seminar Series! Our seminars are on the first and third Tuesday of every month, usually from 10:00 – 11:00 am Pacific Time (1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern) via Microsoft Teams. Please check each seminar announcement closely, as times may change. In addition, we also co-host a special “Coastal Change Hazards” seminar on the second Tuesday every...
    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    Filter Total Items: 55
    collage of a rocky coastline fading to waves at sunset, then a sandy beach
    link
    Coastal Carousel Collage
    Cover image for Climate Science Champions series link
    Climate Science Champions: Introduction (AD)
    Cover image for Climate Science Champions series link
    Climate Science Champions: Introduction
    Aerial photo shows researchers operating survey jet skis along a sandy coastline link
    Jet Ski Bathymetric Surveying
    Aerial photo shows researchers operating survey jet skis along a sandy coastline link
    Jet Ski Bathymetric Surveying (AD)
    Image shows Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) lifted by a crane during a test deployment link
    Free Ascent Tripod Test on the Santa Cruz Wharf (AD)
    Image shows Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) lifted by a crane during a test deployment link
    Free Ascent Tripod Test on the Santa Cruz Wharf
    Aerial image shows rocky shoreline along Central California coast link
    Tracking Coastal Change with Photogrammetry (AD)
    Aerial image shows rocky shoreline along Central California coast link
    Tracking Coastal Change with Photogrammetry
    Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel link
    Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (AD)
    Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel link
    Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone
    A pale lavender deep-sea octopus found at Escanaba Trough link
    Escanaba Trough Expedition: Biological Communities (AD)
    A pale lavender deep-sea octopus found at Escanaba Trough link
    Escanaba Trough Expedition: Biological Communities
    Aerial image of storm waves along a Florida coastline link
    Reducción de los riesgos de inundación mediante la restauración de los arrecifes de coral
    Aerial image of storm waves along a Florida coastline link
    Reducción de los riesgos de inundación mediante la restauración de los arrecifes de coral (con audiodescripción)
    An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs link
    Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure (AD)
    An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs link
    Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure
    Scuba divers underwater on sea floor working with equipment. link
    Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration
    Scuba divers underwater on sea floor working with equipment. link
    Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration (AD)
    Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI link
    EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
    Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI link
    EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (AD)
  • Publications

    Pacific coastal and marine science of the U.S. Geological Survey in Santa Cruz, California

    IntroductionThe Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center is one of three U.S. Geological Survey science centers that serve the mission of the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, the primary Federal marine geology and physical science research program focused on the Nation’s coastal and marine landscape. Our portfolio of coastal and marine projects in the Pacific Ocean provides the s
    Authors
    Peter Pearsall
    By
    Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
  • Web Tools

    USGS Science in the American Territories

    The United States is more than just the fifty states and the District of Columbia. Five permanently inhabited territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are overseen by the U.S. and are home to more than 4 million people, many of whom are American citizens.

    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

    Deciphering Nature's Seismograph: How Sediments Record Past Earthquakes and Inform Future Hazard Assessments

    People have been recording seismic activity for centuries. To assemble a detailed earthquake history of an area and understand how faults may behave in the future, however, scientists need to go further back in time—from several hundred to many thousands of years ago.

    By
    Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
  • News
    Filter Total Items: 47
    link

    What We Do: Coastal and Marine Science at USGS Santa Cruz

    A new booklet provides an overview of the coastal and marine research conducted by the USGS in Santa Cruz, California. 

    Read Article
    link

    Shifting Practices of Dam Management and Dam Removal in a Changing World

    The era of large dam construction, which peaked in the U.S. six decades ago, is now giving way to an evolved paradigm. Climate change, population...

    Read Article
    link

    USGS-Led Study Reassesses Earthquake Hazard Potential for Central California’s Hosgri Fault

    Assessing earthquake hazards demands a comprehensive understanding of active faults, including their location, length, connectivity, slip rate, and...

    Read Article
    link

    Methane Seep Distribution in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

    Beneath the seafloor lie vast stores of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—produced by the degradation of organic material, either by the earth’s heat or...

    Read Article
    link

    Using Climate Models for Global Storm Surge Projections

    In new research, an international team of scientists including USGS oceanographers utilized advanced global hydrodynamic and climate models to project...

    Read Article
    link

    Hawaiian Drowned Reefs Expedition: Coral Cores Provide Glimpse into Climate Past and Future

    In the face of mounting concerns over climate change and human-induced disruptions, the fate of coral reefs hangs in the balance. Seeking to unravel...

    Read Article
    link

    Seafloor Mapping, Machine Learning Uncover Historical Ocean Dumping Grounds

    In the 20th century, the disposal of industrial and hazardous waste in the deep ocean near coastlines was a widespread global practice, leaving a...

    Read Article
    link

    New Models Show Restoration Can Benefit Salmon While Reducing Flood Risks to Pacific Northwest River Deltas

    Large river deltas in the Pacific Northwest—low-lying and already flood-prone—face a future marked by increasingly frequent and intense flooding as...

    Read Article
    link

    Elwha River: New Study Examines Effects of Dam Removals on Coastal Ecosystems

    In new research, a team of scientists characterize the response of the coastal environment to a massive input of sediment following the removal of two...

    Read Article
    link

    September is National Preparedness Month

    Natural hazards are unavoidable. But with proper preparedness, their impact can be reduced. The USGS and its partners work to prepare, monitor, assess...

    Read Article
    link

    New Geonarrative Explores Elwha River Restoration, Ten Years On

    From 2011-2014, a team of federal, state, tribal, academic, and community partners worked to remove two large dams on the Elwha River in Washington...

    Read Article
    link

    Hurricane Ian’s Scientific Silver Lining

    Hurricane Ian took a tragic toll on lives, property, and coastal environments in southwest Florida and the South Atlantic coast of the U.S. Scientists...

    Read Article