News

he invisible hand of the market might seem a strange player for environmental science, but it’s an emerging force for regulators and land managers. It’s these markets that have inspired USGS scientists Emily Pindilli and Frank Casey to explore how earth science and economics can join forces to achieve meaningful impacts for decision-makers.

Since late 2008, when Landsat earth observation images were made available to all users free of charge, nearly 30 million Landsat scenes have been downloaded through the U.S. Geological Survey portal – and the rate of downloads is still increasing.

A severe solar storm could disrupt the nation’s power grid for months, potentially leading to widespread blackouts. Resulting damage and disruption for such an event could cost more than $1 trillion, with a full recovery time taking months to years, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 26, 2015 at 09:09:32 UTC.

While prolonged drought with widespread impacts on food and water supplies for people is among the oldest stories in human history, ecological drought has only been recently recognized as an important climate stressor for fish and wildlife species.

Ever wonder what it would be like to wander around the Moon? Sky gazers can now journey there without leaving their desk.

Many grassland bird species in the Bakken shale region, including some seriously declining populations, are displaced from their habitats as a result of oil and gas development, according to new U.S. Geological Survey research.

Do you know what to do the moment the ground starts shaking? Drop, Cover, and Hold On! Be prepared and join millions of people participating in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill worldwide on October 15. In total, more than 40 million people from 60 countries are registered to participate throughout the year in 2015.

Land change happens in the course of human civilization. Since prehistoric times, people have indelibly changed the land to advance human goals — by clearing fields and forests, damming rivers, filling in swamps, and building cities.

No time seems more fitting than now – with the epic drought in California and major flooding from a nor’easter and Hurricane Joaquin – to pay tribute to Luna B. Leopold, the first chief hydrologist at the USGS.

Drought has left the West parched and thirsty. Families, businesses, and farmers all need water, as do fish, wildlife, and their habitats.