Conference Papers

(Re)insurance companies rely on earthquake risk models to estimate the frequency and severity of their potential financial losses. To protect themselves, they sometimes use parametric risk transfer solutions, which are derivative-form agreements that provide compensation as a function of routine measurable earthquake characteristics. These mechanisms typically remain in force for one to...

We report on advancements in both hazard and consequence modeling that form the core of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) strategy to improve rapid earthquake shaking and loss estimates. Whereas our primary goal is to improve our operational capabilities of the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, the science, software, and datasets behind these systems continue to advance uses...

Attribute rules and dictionary symbology are functionality available in ArcGIS Pro that can dramatically streamline the compilation of geologic maps in GeMS - the Geologic Map Schema that is the standard delivery schema mandated for projects funded by the Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. Testing of the functionality produced attribute rules and a symbol dictionary that support two...

On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria triggered widespread debris flows in Puerto Rico. We used field observations and pre- and post-Maria lidar to study the volumetric growth of long-travelled (>400 m) debris flows in four basins. We found overall growth rates that ranged from 0.7 to 30.4 m3 per meter of channel length. We partitioned the rates into two growth mechanisms, aggregation...

To facilitate discovery and development of blind geothermal systems in the Great Basin region, as well as assessment of known systems with surface hot springs, a play fairway approach was developed to evaluate and integrate multiple geologic and geophysical parameters for permeability and heat. Phase 1 of the project produced a geothermal potential map of 96,000 km2 of Nevada. This...

An investigation was conducted to determine optimal locations within the continental United States for insitu measurements to validate the U.S. Landsat Analysis Ready Data (ARD) Surface Reflectance product. Site assessment involved analysis of aerosol optical depth, precipitable water vapor, land cover, cloud cover, and elevation models. Nineteen sites were selected for further month-by...

Group Ten Metals is exploring for base and precious metals within the Stillwater Complex, a 2.7 Ga layered mafic/ultramafic intrusion, host to the world-class Sibanye platinum group element (PGE) mines. Group Ten controls approximately 25 kilometers of strike length of prospective mafic and ultramafic rocks in the western portion of the Complex. The property includes multiple target...

The 800-mile Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) passes through extremely remote regions, where there is a high potential for seismic activity. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the TAPS operator, has been on the forefront of seismic engineering and situational awareness, and continues to enhance its capabilities. TAPS has used earthquake monitoring since the pipeline was constructed in...

The Algerian Geological Survey Agency – U.S. Geological Survey (ASGA-USGS) mineral resource assessment project in the Eglab region, Algeria, comprises the eastern part of the Reguibat Shield bounded by the Tindouf, Reggane, and Taoudeni basins to the north, east, and south, respectively. The use of mobile GIS applications on handheld tablets facilitated team coordination and ease of...

The Triassic Shublik Formation in northern Alaska is one of the major source rocks in North America, having generated much of the petroleum in Prudhoe Bay and associated fields. The middle Shublik Formation, the focus of this study, is a highly phosphatic, organic-rich carbonate mudstone interval. Apatite cements can occur as phosphatic peloids, steinkerns, elongate or angular nodules...

The level to which data are aggregated can impact analytical and predictive modeling results. In this short paper we discuss some of our findings regarding the impacts of data aggregation on estimating change points in the production profiles of horizontal hydraulically fractured Bakken oil wells. Change points occur when production transitions from one flow regime to another. Change...

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Great Lakes Science Center conducted integrated acoustic and mid-water trawl surveys of Lake Huron annually from 2004-2018. The 2018 survey was conducted during September and included transects in Lake Huron’s main basin, Georgian Bay, and North Channel. Mean lake-wide pelagic fish density was 1532 fish/ha and mean pelagic fish biomass was...