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Browse more than 65,000 articles authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS and refine search by topic, location, year, and advanced search.

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Mapping aquifer salinity gradients and effects of oil field produced water disposal using geophysical logs: Elk Hills, Buena Vista and Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California Mapping aquifer salinity gradients and effects of oil field produced water disposal using geophysical logs: Elk Hills, Buena Vista and Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California

The effects of oil and gas production on adjacent groundwater quality are becoming a concern in many areas of the United States. As a result, it has become increasingly important to identify which aquifers require monitoring and protection. In this study, we map the extent of groundwater with less than 10,000 mg/L TDS both laterally and vertically near the Elk Hills, Buena Vista and...
Authors
Janice M. Gillespie, Michael J. Stephens, Will Chang, John G. Warden

Large surface-rupture gaps and low surface fault slip of the 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo earthquake along a low-activity strike-slip fault, Tibetan Plateau Large surface-rupture gaps and low surface fault slip of the 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo earthquake along a low-activity strike-slip fault, Tibetan Plateau

Based on field investigations, interpretations of high-resolution UAV images, and analyses of available InSAR data, we mapped the fault geometry and surface ruptures of the 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo earthquake that occurred on a low-activity strike-slip fault within the Tibetan Plateau. The results indicate that (a) the earthquake activated a fault that is ∼161 km long and has complicated...
Authors
Zhaode Yuan, Tao Li, Peng Su, Haoyue Sun, Guanghao Ha, Peng Guo, Guihua Chen, Jessica A. Thompson Jobe

Using near-term forecasts and uncertainty partitioning to inform prediction of oligotrophic lake cyanobacterial density Using near-term forecasts and uncertainty partitioning to inform prediction of oligotrophic lake cyanobacterial density

Near-term ecological forecasts provide resource managers advance notice of changes in ecosystem services, such as fisheries stocks, timber yields, or water quality. Importantly, ecological forecasts can identify where there is uncertainty in the forecasting system, which is necessary to improve forecast skill and guide interpretation of forecast results. Uncertainty partitioning...
Authors
Mary Lofton, Jennifer A. Brentrup, Whitney S. Beck, Jacob Aaron Zwart, Ruchi Bhattacharya, Ludmila S Brighenti, Sarah H. Burnett, Ian M. McCullough, Bethel Steele, Cayelan C. Carey, Kathryn L Cottingham, Michael Dietze, Holly A. Ewing, Kathleen C. Weathers, Shannon L. LaDeau

The wildland-urban interface in the United States based on 125 million building locations The wildland-urban interface in the United States based on 125 million building locations

The wildland-urban interface (WUI) is the focus of many important land management issues, such as wildfire, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and human-wildlife conflicts. Wildfire is an especially critical issue, because housing growth in the WUI increases wildfire ignitions and the number of homes at risk. Identifying the WUI is important for assessing and mitigating impacts of
Authors
Amanda R. Carlson, David P. Helmers, Todd Hawbaker, Miranda H. Mockrin, Volker C. Radeloff

Eyes on the herd: Quantifying ungulate density from satellite, unmanned aerial systems, and GPScollar data Eyes on the herd: Quantifying ungulate density from satellite, unmanned aerial systems, and GPScollar data

Novel approaches to quantifying density and distributions could help biologists adaptively manage wildlife populations, particularly if methods are accurate, consistent, cost-effective, rapid, and sensitive to change. Such approaches may also improve research on interactions between density and processes of interest, such as disease transmission across multiple populations. We assess how...
Authors
Tabitha A. Graves, Michael Yarnall, Aaron N. Johnston, Todd M. Preston, Geneva W. Chong, Eric K Cole, William Michael Janousek, Paul C. Cross

Population genetics of three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana Population genetics of three at-risk tiger beetles Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. d. media, and Ellipsoptera puritana

Many tiger beetles (Family Cicindelidae) are critically imperiled due to their dependence on small patches of suitable habitat that are frequently threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. In the eastern United States, conservation of three tiger beetles - Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis, H. dorsalis media, and Ellipsoptera puritana - has been inhibited by the absence of...
Authors
David C. Kazyak, Aaron Aunins, Shannon L. White, Michael S. Eackles, C. Barry Knisley

Arsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States Arsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States

Background50 μg/L is associated with adverse birth outcomes, with inconclusive evidence for concentrations ≤50 μg/L. In a collaborative effort by public health experts, hydrologists, and geologists, we used published machine learning model estimates to characterize arsenic concentrations in private wells—federally unregulated for drinking water contaminants—and evaluated associations...
Authors
Catherine Bulka, Molly Scannell Bryan, Melissa A. Lombard, Scott Bartell, Daniel K. Jones, Paul M. Bradley, Veronica Vieira, Debra Silverman, Michael J. Focazio, Patricia Toccalino, Johnni Daniel, Lorraine C. Backer, Joseph D. Ayotte, Matthew O. Gribble, Maria Argos

Population dynamics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Henrys Lake, Idaho Population dynamics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Henrys Lake, Idaho

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (YCT) Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri is a species with significant ecological and recreational value. In many YCT fisheries, managers are tasked with balancing angler expectations and fish conservation. Henrys Lake supports a popular trophy trout fishery, but the increase of nonnative Utah Chub Gila atraria has caused concern for YCT. We summarized long-term...
Authors
Darcy K. McCarrick, Jeffrey Dillon, Brett High, Michael C. Quist

Fingerprinting historical tributary contributions to floodplain sediment using bulk geochemistry Fingerprinting historical tributary contributions to floodplain sediment using bulk geochemistry

Sediment deposition on floodplains is essential for the development and maintenance of riparian ecosystems. Upstream erosion is known to influence downstream floodplain construction, but linking these disparate processes is challenging, especially over large spatial and temporal scales. Sediment fingerprinting is thus a robust tool to establish process linkages between downstream...
Authors
John T. Kemper, Sara L. Rathburn, Jonathan M. Friedman, John M. Nelson, Erich R. Mueller, Kirk R Vincent

Spatial social value distributions for multiple user groups in a coastal national park Spatial social value distributions for multiple user groups in a coastal national park

Managing public lands to maximize societal benefits requires spatially explicit understanding of societal valuation, and public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) are increasingly used in coastal settings to accomplish this task. Social Values for Ecosystem Services (SolVES), a PPGIS tool that systematizes the mapping and modeling of social values and cultural ecosystem...
Authors
Zachary H. Ancona, Kenneth J. Bagstad, Lena Le, Darius J. Semmens, Benson C. Sherrouse, Grant Murray, Philip S. Cook, Eva DiDonato

Murky waters: Divergent ways scientists, practitioners, and landowners evaluate beaver mimicry Murky waters: Divergent ways scientists, practitioners, and landowners evaluate beaver mimicry

Beaver mimicry is a fast-growing conservation technique to restore streams and manage water that is gaining popularity within the natural resource management community because of a wide variety of claimed socio-environmental benefits. Despite a growing number of projects, many questions and concerns about beaver mimicry remain. This study draws on qualitative data from 49 interviews with
Authors
Tori Pfaeffle, Megan A. Moore, Amanda E. Cravens, Jamie McEvoy, Aparna Bamzai-Dodson
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