Publications
Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
Mission Area Publications
Mission Area Publications
We are focused on some of the most significant issues society faces, and our science is making a substantial contribution to the well-being of the Nation and the world. Learn more about the major topics our research covers and the programs focused on those topics.
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Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins
Sex-related differences in vital rates that drive population change reflect the basic life history of a species. However, for visually monomorphic bird species, determining the effect of sex on demographics can be a challenge. In this study, we investigated the effect of sex on apparent survival, recruitment, and breeding propensity in the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), a...
Authors
Virginia Morandini, Katie M. Dugger, Annie Schmidt, Arvind Varsani, Amelie Lescroel, Grant Ballard, Phil O'B. Lyver, Kerry Barton, David G. Ainley
The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Florida's economy The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Florida's economy
Introduction Florida has the longest coastline of any State in the contiguous United States, and its coastal resources are one of the main drivers of its economic growth. High-quality elevation data are beneficial for use in emergency management, especially for hurricane response, recovery, and mitigation, as well as for coastal zone management, flood risk management, infrastructure...
Authors
Xan Fredericks, Chris Cretini
Conceptual risk framework—Havasupai perspective Conceptual risk framework—Havasupai perspective
The conceptual risk framework, previously developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, for uranium mining was updated to include indigenous knowledge components informed by the Havasupai Tribe perspective. This General Information Product was designed to show the contaminant risk framework from the Havasupai perspective.
Authors
Carletta Tilousi, Jo Ellen Hinck
Contaminant exposure framework—Havasupai perspective Contaminant exposure framework—Havasupai perspective
The conceptual risk framework, previously developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, for uranium mining was updated to include indigenous knowledge components informed by the Havasupai Tribe perspective. This General Information Product was designed to show the contaminant exposure framework from the Havasupai perspective.
Authors
Carletta Tilousi, Jo Ellen Hinck
Are threatened seabird colonies of the Pacific Ocean genetically vulnerable? The case of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, as a model species Are threatened seabird colonies of the Pacific Ocean genetically vulnerable? The case of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, as a model species
Oceanic seabirds have suffered population declines and extirpations due to human disturbance and still face multiple threats. Here, we assessed the potential genetic vulnerability of the red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, a seabird species threatened by human disturbance and listed as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN. Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) we evaluated the...
Authors
Andrea I. Varela, Katherina Brokordt, Juliana A. Vianna, Maria Jose Frugone, Stefanie M.H. Ismar-Rebitz, Chris P. Gaskin, Nicholas Carlile, Terence O’Dwyer, Josh Adams, Eric A. Vanderwerf, Guillermo Luna-Jorquera
Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen Paleoproterozoic reworking of Archean crust and extreme back-arc metamorphism in the enigmatic southern Trans-Hudson orogen
The crustal evolution of the southernmost ∼2000–1800 Ma Trans-Hudson orogen (THO) is enigmatic due to burial by Phanerozoic sediments. We provide new insights through petrochronologic analysis of a paragneiss drill core sample. Detrital zircon age peaks at 2625, 2340, and 1880 Ma and Hf isotopes suggest Paleoproterozoic arc development proximal to Archean source(s). Phase equilibria...
Authors
Ian William Hillenbrand, Amy K. Gilmer, Michael L. Williams, Amanda Kate Souders, Michael J. Jercinovic, Heather A. Lowers, Jorge A. Vazquez
Monitoring polar ice change in the twilight zone Monitoring polar ice change in the twilight zone
Landsat’s new extended data collection program is mapping Arctic and Antarctic regions year-round, even in polar twilight.
Authors
Theodore A. Scambos, Christopher Shuman, Mark Fahnestock, Tasha Snow, Christopher J. Crawford
Defining the hafnium isotopic signature of the Appalachian orogen through analysis of detrital zircons from modern fluvial sediments Defining the hafnium isotopic signature of the Appalachian orogen through analysis of detrital zircons from modern fluvial sediments
Fluvial sediments are the product of erosion, weathering, and transport of bedrock within a well-defined catchment area, and their constituent grains may therefore record valuable information about the lithological and geochemical properties of geologic units within the upstream drainage. Analysis of U-Pb ages and Lu/Hf isotopic values in detrital zircon grains from major rivers in the...
Authors
John W. Counts, William H. Craddock, Jared T. Gooley
Exposure to and biomarker responses from legacy and emerging contaminants along three drainages in the Milwaukee Estuary, Wisconsin, USA Exposure to and biomarker responses from legacy and emerging contaminants along three drainages in the Milwaukee Estuary, Wisconsin, USA
Legacy contaminants and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) were assessed in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) tissue and diet samples from three drainages in the Milwaukee estuary, Wisconsin, USA, to understand exposures and possible biomarker responses. Two remote Wisconsin lakes were assessed for comparative purposes. Bioaccumulative classes of contaminants, such as...
Authors
Christine M. Custer, Thomas W. Custer, Paul M. Dummer, Sandra L. Schultz, Natalie Karouna-Renier, Chi Yen Tseng, Cole W. Matson
Novel approach for ranking DEMs: Copernicus DEM improves one arc second open global topography Novel approach for ranking DEMs: Copernicus DEM improves one arc second open global topography
We present a practical approach to intercompare a range of candidate digital elevation models (DEMs) based on predefined criteria and a statistically sound ranking approach. The presented approach integrates the randomized complete block design (RCBD) into a novel framework for DEM comparison. The method presented provides a flexible, statistically sound, and customizable tool for...
Authors
Conrad Bielski, Carlos Lopez-Vazquez, Carlos H. Grohmann, Peter L. Guth, Laurence Hawker, Dean B. Gesch, Sebastiano Trevisani, Virginia Herrera-Cruz, Serge Riazanoff, Axel Corseaux, Hannes I. Reuter, Peter Strobl
Climate and landform interact to control the source and transport of nitrate in Pacific Northwest rivers Climate and landform interact to control the source and transport of nitrate in Pacific Northwest rivers
The hydrological effects of climate change are documented in many regions; however, climate-driven impacts to the source and transport of river nutrients remain poorly understood. Understanding the factors controlling nutrient dynamics across river systems is critical to preserve ecosystem function yet challenging given the complexity of landscape and climate interactions. Here, we...
Authors
Elizabeth J. Elmstrom, Gordon W. Holtgrieve, Mark David Scheuerell, Andrew J. Schauer, Karrin Leazer
GRACE and GRACE Follow-On gravity observations of intermediate-depth earthquakes contrasted with those of shallow events GRACE and GRACE Follow-On gravity observations of intermediate-depth earthquakes contrasted with those of shallow events
Earthquakes involve mass redistribution within the solid Earth and the ocean, and as a result, perturb the Earth's gravitational field. For most of the shallow ( 8.0, the GRACE satellite gravity measurements suggest considerable volumetric disturbance of rocks. At a spatial scale of hundreds of km, the effect of volumetric change exceeds gravity change by vertical deformation; for...
Authors
Shin-Chan Han, Jeanne Sauber, Taco Broerse, Frederick Pollitz, Emile Okal, Taehwan Jeon, Ki-Weon Seo, Richard Stanaway