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Explore a wide variety of videos that highlight natural hazards, the risks they pose and the science we conduct to better understand and prepare for them.

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An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure

Coral reefs act like submerged breakwaters by breaking waves and dissipating their energy offshore before they flood coastal properties and communities. This is an enormously valuable function: In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria alone caused over \$265 billion in damage across the nation.

Coral reefs act like submerged breakwaters by breaking waves and dissipating their energy offshore before they flood coastal properties and communities. This is an enormously valuable function: In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria alone caused over \$265 billion in damage across the nation.

An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs An underwater photo of divers conducting research on coral reefs
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure (AD)
Curt Storlazzi - Coral Reefs as National, Natural Infrastructure (AD)

Coral reefs act like submerged breakwaters by breaking waves and dissipating their energy offshore before they flood coastal properties and communities. This is an enormously valuable function: In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria alone caused over \$265 billion in damage across the nation.

Coral reefs act like submerged breakwaters by breaking waves and dissipating their energy offshore before they flood coastal properties and communities. This is an enormously valuable function: In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria alone caused over \$265 billion in damage across the nation.

Title card for presentation on geochemical sourcing of land-based contaminants at Olowalu Title card for presentation on geochemical sourcing of land-based contaminants at Olowalu
Informing coral reef conservation and management with geochemical sourcing of land-based sediment and contaminants at Olowalu, a Mission Blue Hope Spot
Informing coral reef conservation and management with geochemical sourcing of land-based sediment and contaminants at Olowalu, a Mission Blue Hope Spot

This talk was presented at the 15th International Coral Reefs Symposium, 03-08 July 2022 (Hybrid event), under Theme 12, Conservation and Management, Session 12E:  How can scientists and managers identify optimum catchment management actions to improve downstream condition for reefs and people?

Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration (AD)

The complex, three-dimensional reefs built by corals over hundreds to thousands of years provide invaluable ecosystem services to society—contributing billions of dollars per year to the global economy through shoreline protection, tourism, and habitat for biodiversity and fisheries.

The complex, three-dimensional reefs built by corals over hundreds to thousands of years provide invaluable ecosystem services to society—contributing billions of dollars per year to the global economy through shoreline protection, tourism, and habitat for biodiversity and fisheries.

Lauren Toth - Coral Restoration

The complex, three-dimensional reefs built by corals over hundreds to thousands of years provide invaluable ecosystem services to society—contributing billions of dollars per year to the global economy through shoreline protection, tourism, and habitat for biodiversity and fisheries.

The complex, three-dimensional reefs built by corals over hundreds to thousands of years provide invaluable ecosystem services to society—contributing billions of dollars per year to the global economy through shoreline protection, tourism, and habitat for biodiversity and fisheries.

Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems

Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS) is an inter-agency federal and nonfederal collaborative research effort aimed at gathering new data of the deep ocean, continental shelf and slope offshore of California, Oregon and Washington.

Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS) is an inter-agency federal and nonfederal collaborative research effort aimed at gathering new data of the deep ocean, continental shelf and slope offshore of California, Oregon and Washington.

Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI Image showing NOAA research vessel with logos of NOAA, BOEM, USGS and MBARI
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (AD)
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (AD)

Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS) is an inter-agency federal and nonfederal collaborative research effort aimed at gathering new data of the deep ocean, continental shelf and slope offshore of California, Oregon and Washington.

Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS) is an inter-agency federal and nonfederal collaborative research effort aimed at gathering new data of the deep ocean, continental shelf and slope offshore of California, Oregon and Washington.

rock sample sitting on table rock sample sitting on table
Shear surface undulations modulate gouge strength and contribute to divergent landslide acceleration
Shear surface undulations modulate gouge strength and contribute to divergent landslide acceleration

Landslides display a broad spectrum of speeds for incompletely known reasons. Sliding occurs along slickensided undulatory shear surfaces within boundary shear gouge comprising clay mineral and non-clay (granular) particle mixtures, similar to tectonic fault gouge.

rafael thumbnail rafael thumbnail
Bon Voyage, Rafael
Bon Voyage, Rafael

Over the last few weeks, Woods Hole scientists have been mapping the seafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term partnership with the State of Massachusetts.

Over the last few weeks, Woods Hole scientists have been mapping the seafloor of Nantucket Sound as part of a long-term partnership with the State of Massachusetts.

Illustration of Earth with a tsunami wave Illustration of Earth with a tsunami wave
Understanding the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Event (AD)
Understanding the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Event (AD)

Between January 14-15, 2022, volcanic eruptions destroyed much of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an uninhabited island in the Tonga archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean. A plume of ash rising 36 miles into the atmosphere blanketed the neighboring Tongan islands.

Between January 14-15, 2022, volcanic eruptions destroyed much of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an uninhabited island in the Tonga archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean. A plume of ash rising 36 miles into the atmosphere blanketed the neighboring Tongan islands.

Illustration of Earth with a tsunami wave Illustration of Earth with a tsunami wave
Understanding the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Event
Understanding the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Event

Between January 14-15, 2022, volcanic eruptions destroyed much of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an uninhabited island in the Tonga archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean. A plume of ash rising 36 miles into the atmosphere blanketed the neighboring Tongan islands.

Between January 14-15, 2022, volcanic eruptions destroyed much of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an uninhabited island in the Tonga archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean. A plume of ash rising 36 miles into the atmosphere blanketed the neighboring Tongan islands.

Two workers guide a pipe Two workers guide a pipe
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Gravity Coring (AD)
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Gravity Coring (AD)

Seafloor features such as sulfide mounds and chimneys are prominent evidence of hydrothermal activity. These features, whether active or dormant, are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak; much of the “plumbing” of hydrothermal systems exists beneath the seafloor surface.

Seafloor features such as sulfide mounds and chimneys are prominent evidence of hydrothermal activity. These features, whether active or dormant, are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak; much of the “plumbing” of hydrothermal systems exists beneath the seafloor surface.

Two workers guide a pipe Two workers guide a pipe
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Gravity Coring
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Gravity Coring

Seafloor features such as sulfide mounds and chimneys are prominent evidence of hydrothermal activity. These features, whether active or dormant, are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak; much of the “plumbing” of hydrothermal systems exists beneath the seafloor surface.

Seafloor features such as sulfide mounds and chimneys are prominent evidence of hydrothermal activity. These features, whether active or dormant, are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak; much of the “plumbing” of hydrothermal systems exists beneath the seafloor surface.

Woman holding jug of water Woman holding jug of water
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 3 (AD)
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 3 (AD)

For scientists aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition, obtaining sediment cores or deep-sea biological and geological samples after a Jason dive is only the beginning.

For scientists aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition, obtaining sediment cores or deep-sea biological and geological samples after a Jason dive is only the beginning.

Instruments Instruments
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 2 (AD)
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 2 (AD)

Critical to scientific operations aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition are the submersible robots Sentry and Jason. Owned and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), these robots allow researchers to observe seafloor features and collect data from depths seldom visited by humans.

Critical to scientific operations aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition are the submersible robots Sentry and Jason. Owned and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), these robots allow researchers to observe seafloor features and collect data from depths seldom visited by humans.

Instruments Instruments
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 2
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 2

Critical to scientific operations aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition is the submersible robots Sentry and Jason. Owned and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), these robots allow researchers to observe seafloor features and collect data from depths seldom visited by humans.

Critical to scientific operations aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition is the submersible robots Sentry and Jason. Owned and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), these robots allow researchers to observe seafloor features and collect data from depths seldom visited by humans.

Woman holding jug of water Woman holding jug of water
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 3
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Part 3

For scientists aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition, obtaining sediment cores or deep-sea biological and geological samples after a Jason dive is only the beginning.

For scientists aboard the Escanaba Trough expedition, obtaining sediment cores or deep-sea biological and geological samples after a Jason dive is only the beginning.

Woman with hard hat and life vest working on a pipe Woman with hard hat and life vest working on a pipe
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Introduction (AD)
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Introduction (AD)

Embarking on a three-week deep-sea research expedition requires a lot of preparation. For this expedition to Escanaba Trough, U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners spend the first few days in port, building their laboratory space aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson.

Embarking on a three-week deep-sea research expedition requires a lot of preparation. For this expedition to Escanaba Trough, U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners spend the first few days in port, building their laboratory space aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson.

Woman with hard hat and life vest working on a pipe Woman with hard hat and life vest working on a pipe
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Introduction
Escanaba Trough Expedition: Introduction

Embarking on a three-week deep-sea research expedition requires a lot of preparation. For this expedition to Escanaba Trough, U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners spend the first few days in port, building their laboratory space aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson.

Embarking on a three-week deep-sea research expedition requires a lot of preparation. For this expedition to Escanaba Trough, U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners spend the first few days in port, building their laboratory space aboard the research vessel Thomas G. Thompson.

Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads  in Utuado, Puerto Rico Aeirial view of landslides blocking roads in Utuado, Puerto Rico
Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico
Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria: Assessment of an extreme event in Puerto Rico

During September 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered >70,000 slope failures throughout the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico (USA). Since then, the USGS has had a multi-faceted team working to understand landslide hazards in Puerto Rico.

person standing next pile of large rocks person standing next pile of large rocks
The building and upkeep of a landslide hazards program: The confluence (collision?) of science, history, politics, and public opinion – A Blue Ridge perspective on a national challenge
The building and upkeep of a landslide hazards program: The confluence (collision?) of science, history, politics, and public opinion – A Blue Ridge perspective on a national challenge

Building and maintaining a landslide hazards program as a state agency presents many opportunities and challenges.

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