Global Seabed Mineral Resources
Providing stakeholders with best available science regarding potential resources and environmental impacts associated with accessing those resources
Providing stakeholders with best available science regarding potential resources and environmental impacts associated with accessing those resources
Major Update to Satellite-Based Datasets Used to Assess Salt Marsh Vulnerability Nationwide
Seafloor Seismographs Rapidly Deployed Following Major Earthquake Offshore Northern California
Coral reef restoration
Cost-benefit study confirms coral reef restoration could be a cost-effective way to save lives and money
Cost-benefit study confirms coral reef restoration could be a cost-effective way to save lives and money
Ocean
USGS science improves our understanding of ocean processes, marine resources and submarine geohazards.
USGS science improves our understanding of ocean processes, marine resources and submarine geohazards.
Coasts
USGS provides critical science that informs risk reduction, protecting people, businesses, infrastructure, and resources along our coastlines, where 40% of our population lives.
USGS provides critical science that informs risk reduction, protecting people, businesses, infrastructure, and resources along our coastlines, where 40% of our population lives.
Meet the Coastal Science Navigator
Learn more about this new product to help you find useful USGS coastal data and tools
Learn more about this new product to help you find useful USGS coastal data and tools
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program
Scientists and staff study coastal and ocean processes, from shorelines to the deep sea, to identify hazards and provide critical information on our nation's resources. This work supports preparedness, emergency response, and the protection of people and resources in coastal and ocean environments.
Sound Waves Newsletter
Sound Waves Newsletter
Coastal and marine news from across the U.S. Geological Survey
News
Ozette Lake: A natural seismograph along the northern Cascadia Subduction Zone (Video)
Ozette Lake: A natural seismograph along the northern Cascadia Subduction Zone (Video)
USGS Geophysicist among Federal Technical Experts at Seafloor Mapping Presentations in the Philippines
USGS Geophysicist among Federal Technical Experts at Seafloor Mapping Presentations in the Philippines
Sound Waves Newsletter: December 2025-January 2026
Sound Waves Newsletter: December 2025-January 2026
Publications
Comparisons of shoreline positions from satellite-derived and traditional field- and remote-sensing techniques Comparisons of shoreline positions from satellite-derived and traditional field- and remote-sensing techniques
Satellite-derived shorelines (SDS) have the potential to help researchers answer critical coastal science questions and support work to predict coastal change by filling in the spatial and temporal gaps present in current field-based and remote-sensing data collection methods. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted comparison analyses of traditionally sourced shorelines and SDS in diverse...
Proceedings of the Deepwater Hydrate Coring Expedition UT-GOM2-2 Proceedings of the Deepwater Hydrate Coring Expedition UT-GOM2-2
This report was the result of a scientific collaboration between the following institutions The University of Texas at Austin (UT), DOE, NETL, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), The Ohio State University, Columbia University, University of New Hampshire, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Tufts University, Colorado...
A simple predictive model for salt marsh internal deterioration under sea-level rise and sediment deficits: Application to Chesapeake Bay A simple predictive model for salt marsh internal deterioration under sea-level rise and sediment deficits: Application to Chesapeake Bay
Salt marshes are dynamic biogeomorphic systems reliant on autochthonous and allochthonous input to maintain their three-dimensional configuration. Sea-level rise, subsidence, and sediment deficits can lead to submergence, open-water expansion, and ultimately loss of the vegetated marsh plain and associated ecosystem services. Widely used management-focused models focus on vegetation...
Science
Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS)
Software for calculating positional boundary change over time The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) version 6 is a standalone application that calculates shoreline or boundary change over time. The GIS of a user’s choice is used to prepare the data for DSAS. Like previous versions, DSAS v.6 enables a user to calculate rate-of-change statistics from multiple historical shoreline positions...
GeoPackage of Seabed Hazards to Offshore Infrastructure
Energy and resource development is increasing along the Nation’s outer continental shelves, where coastal waters meet the deep sea. Offshore infrastructure, such as oil and gas platforms and mining devices, help extract and transport resources from beneath the seafloor to where they’re needed on land. These resources are essential for powering homes and businesses across the country and supporting...
Seafloor Benthic Mapping and Characterization: Enhancing our Understanding of Aleutian Islands’ Hazards, Potential Seabed Minerals and Deep Corals
A USGS-led expedition in the Aleutian Arc off Alaska will provide critical information on energy resources, underwater earthquakes and other hazards, seafloor habitats, and biological resources, including key fisheries, as well as potential seabed minerals.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization