News
National News Releases
Browse through a comprehensive list of all national USGS news items.
USGS Estimates Oil and Gas in Texas’ Eagle Ford Group
The Eagle Ford Group of Texas contains estimated means of 8.5 billion barrels of oil, 66 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 1.9 billion barrels of natural gas liquids, according to a new assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey. This estimate consists of undiscovered, technically recoverable resources in continuous accumulations.
Water Use Across the United States Declines to Levels Not Seen Since 1970
Reductions in water use first observed in 2010 continue, show ongoing effort towards “efficient use of critical water resources.”
New Approach May Detect Chronic Wasting Disease Earlier, at Less Cost
A new statistical approach to disease surveillance may improve scientists’ and managers’ ability to detect chronic wasting disease earlier in white-tailed deer by targeting higher-risk animals. This approach can also provide financial and personnel savings for agencies that are required to monitor for wildlife diseases, including the National Park Service, or NPS.
Average-sized Dead Zone Forecasted for the Gulf of Mexico
NOAA's annual prediction based on USGS data
Better Together: How Ecosystem Services and Adaptive Decision-Making Can Improve Land Management
An ecosystem services approach combined with adaptive decision-making can aid land and resource managers in administering their regions for the benefit of communities and stakeholders, according to a recent report by the U.S. Geological Survey and Resources for the Future
Keeping Current with Map Services Made Easier
The National Map provides a new Simple Notification Service and has new URLs for some of its thematic cartographic map services.
Interior Releases 2018’s Final List of 35 Minerals Deemed Critical to U.S. National Security and the Economy
The Department of the Interior today published a list of 35 mineral commodities considered critical to the economic and national security of the United States. This list will be the initial focus of a multi-agency strategy due in August this year to implement President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order to break America's dependence on foreign minerals
Kilauea volcanic activity and ash eruptions intensify
With ash eruptions occurring from Kilauea’s summit this week, there is a threat of an even larger steam-driven violent explosion. Such an eruption could happen suddenly and send volcanic ash 20,000 feet into the air, threatening communities for miles.
Dr. Jim Reilly Takes the Helm at the U.S. Geological Survey
Geoscientist/Astronaut/Explorer Will Lead Interior Agency
News Media briefing for latest update at Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano
Representatives of the news media are invited to join a telephone briefing for the latest updates on Kīlauea's volcanic activity and its impacts.
Many Low-Lying Atoll Islands Will Be Uninhabitable by Mid-21st Century
Sea-level rise and wave-driven flooding will negatively impact freshwater resources on many low-lying atoll islands in such a way that many could be uninhabitable in just a few decades.
Invasive Cuban Treefrogs Leap Out of Florida, Establish First Known Population in Louisiana
A population of exotic invasive Cuban treefrogs has been discovered in New Orleans, more than 430 miles (700 kilometers) from the nearest known population in Florida, making this the first known breeding population in the mainland United States outside that state, reports a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Scroll down to hear and download calls of Cuban treefrogs and two native treefrogs.