News

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that killed 6,308 people and injured and displaced thousands of others in Kobe, Japan on Jan. 16, 1995, was certainly the deadliest and most expensive natural disaster anywhere in the world last year, but it was not the largest earthquake of the year, according to scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

Unusually wet winter weather produced some benefits for several thirsty northeastern cities that experienced severe drought during the summer and fall of 1995. City reservoirs that fell to, or very near, all-time lows have recovered to capacity levels according to data compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Air quality conditions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remain potentially hazardous today (Feb. 2, 1996) in the wake of an upwelling of molten lava at Kilauea volcano yesterday.

Snowmelt followed by rains have resulted in record freshwater inflow to the Chesapeake

If the Federal Government shuts down again, I have no idea how I will explain to my employees -- the highly talented and dedicated men and women of the U.S. Geological Survey -- why they are no longer considered essential to the well-being and future of the United States. The problem is, I don’t believe it for a minute myself.

Flooding on major rivers in the northeastern U.S. during the past weekend, particularly in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, produced near-record flows according to measurements by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The good news is that the slow melting of the heavy snowpack in the Northeast could release millions of gallons of water to help replenish streams and ground-water levels that have been running below normal in many areas of the Northeastern U.S.

Web-archive copies of all 1995 National news releases.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey are saying "Where’s the clay?" as they examine new data on the mineral composition of Mars. The amount of clay minerals on the surface of Mars is much lower than expected, and these low values may provide another clue to deciphering the mystery concerning life on Mars.

Flow of the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., was more than twice the average flow for November, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Flood waters are peaking and beginning to recede in the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington, area according to streamflow specialists of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a science agency of the Department of the Interior.