Mission Areas
Natural Hazards
Every year in the United States, natural hazards threaten lives and livelihoods and result in billions of dollars in damage. We work with many partners to monitor, assess, and conduct targeted research on a wide range of natural hazards so that policymakers and the public have the understanding they need to enhance preparedness, response, and resilience.
Reducing Risk
USGS scientists develop new products to make science available to the public, emergency managers, and decision-makers. These efforts increase public safety and reduce risk and economic losses caused by natural hazards.
Learn MoreHazard Research
USGS scientists conduct research to understand earth processes and the natural hazards they can pose to society in order to increase public safety and reduce risk and economic loss.
Explore our ProgramsNews
Volcano Watch — HVO camera network reconfiguration and upgrades coming soon!
Over the past two decades, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has set up a camera network system to monitor visual changes at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. This network was designed for the volcanic activity of the time and captured the two long-lived eruptions of Kīlauea at the summit and East Rift Zone up close.
USGS Scientists Work on Four Tropical Cyclones at Once
Laura and Sally affecting Gulf Coast, waves from Paulette and Teddy to strike Atlantic beaches
To learn more about USGS’s role in providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Sally, visit usgs.gov/sally.
Sally expected to alter Gulf Coast Beaches from Louisiana to Alabama
Editor's Note: This updated story reflects the latest coastal change forecast for September 15, 2020.
To learn more about USGS’s role in providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Sally, visit usgs.gov/sally.
Publications
Exposure of an Early to Middle Noachian valley network in three dimensions on Mars
We document a set of channels in a section of the Martian cratered highlands located between crustal massifs northeast of Hellas Planitia that are visible in cross section and planview >200 m below the surface. The morphometry and spatial distribution of the outcrops provide concrete geological evidence of a dynamic aqueous system in a...
Skinner, James A.; Fortezzo, Corey M.; Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.
Geomagnetism Program research plan, 2020–2024
The Geomagnetism Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitors geomagnetic field variation through operation of a network of observatories across the United States and its territories, and it pursues scientific research needed to estimate and assess geomagnetic and geoelectric hazards. Over the next five years (2020–2024 inclusive) and in...
Love, Jeffrey J.; Kelbert, Anna; Murphy, Benjamin S.; Rigler, E. Joshua; Lewis, Kristen A.
Earthquake information products and tools from the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS)
This Fact Sheet describes post-earthquake products and tools provided by the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) through the U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program. The focus is on products that provide situational awareness immediately after significant earthquakes.
Wald, Lisa A.