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.
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Mission Area Publications
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a-positive: A robust estimator of the earthquake rate in incomplete or saturated catalogs a-positive: A robust estimator of the earthquake rate in incomplete or saturated catalogs
Detection thresholds in earthquake catalogs frequently change in time due to station coverage improvements and network saturation effects during active periods such as mainshock-aftershock cascades. This presents a challenge to seismicity-rate estimation; there is a tradeoff between using as low a minimum magnitude as possible to maximize data while not undercounting the rate due to...
Authors
Nicholas van der Elst, Morgan T. Page
Structured decision making remains underused in ecological restoration despite opportunities Structured decision making remains underused in ecological restoration despite opportunities
Ecological restoration is considered an essential activity as we attempt to repair anthropogenic degradation. Yet, resources are limited and it is important that efforts focus on activities that are effective and yield successful restoration. Structured decision making (SDM) is an organized framework that is designed to incorporate differing values across stakeholders and evaluate...
Authors
Morgan L. Piczak, Jessica A. Robichaud, Peter Morrison, Andrew M. Rous, Ingeborg M. Mulder, Cassandra J. Hill, Tanya S. Prystay, Hanna Rosner-Katz, Kelly Filer Robinson, Joseph R. Bennett, Steven J. Cooke
Summary of the history and research of the U.S. Geological Survey gas hydrate properties laboratory in Menlo Park, California, active from 1993 to 2022 Summary of the history and research of the U.S. Geological Survey gas hydrate properties laboratory in Menlo Park, California, active from 1993 to 2022
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Clathrate Hydrate Properties Project, active from 1993 to 2022 in Menlo Park, California, stemmed from an earlier project on the properties of planetary ices supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program. We took a material science approach in both projects, emphasizing chemical purity...
Authors
Laura A. Stern, Stephen H. Kirby
Priority research needs to inform amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene Priority research needs to inform amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene
The problem of global amphibian declines has prompted extensive research over the last three decades. Initially, the focus was on identifying and characterizing the extent of the problem, but more recently efforts have shifted to evidence-based research designed to identify best solutions and to improve conservation outcomes. Despite extensive accumulation of knowledge on amphibian...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Staci M. Amburgey, Brian Gratwicke, Victor Acosta Chaves, Anat M. Belasen, David Bickford, Carsten Bruhl, Natalie E. Calatayud, Nick Clemann, Simon Clulow, Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Jeff Dawson, David A. De Angelis, C. Kenneth Dodd, Annette Evans, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Mattia Falaschi, Sergio Gonzalez-Mollinedo, David M. Green, Roseanna Gamlen-Greene, Richard A. Griffiths, Brian J. Halstead, Craig Hassapakis, Geoffrey Heard, Catharina Karlsson, Tom Kirschey, Blake Klocke, Tiffany A. Kosch, Sophia Kusterko Novaes, Luke Linhoff, John C. Maerz, Brittany A. Mosher, Katherine M. O'Donnell, Leticia M. Ochoa-Ochoa, Deanna H. Olson, Kristiina Ovaska, J. Dale Roberts, Aimee J. Silla, Tariq Stark, Jeanne Tarrant, R. Upton, Judit Voros, Erin L. Muths
Polar bear's range dynamics and survival in the Holocene Polar bear's range dynamics and survival in the Holocene
Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the apex predator of the Arctic, largely dependent on sea-ice. The expected disappearance of the ice cover of the Arctic seas by the mid 21st century is predicted to cause a dramatic decrease in the global range and population size of the species. To place this scenario against the backdrop of past distribution changes and their causes, we use a fossil...
Authors
Heikki Seppa, Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Beth Elaine Caissie, Marc Macias Fauria
Local topography and streambed hydraulic conductivity influence riparian groundwater age and groundwater-surface water connection Local topography and streambed hydraulic conductivity influence riparian groundwater age and groundwater-surface water connection
The western U.S. is experiencing increasing rain to snow ratios due to climate change, and scientists are uncertain how changing recharge patterns will affect future groundwater-surface water connection. We examined how watershed topography and streambed hydraulic conductivity impact groundwater age and stream discharge at eight sites along a headwater stream within the Manitou...
Authors
Sara R. Warix, Alexis Navarre-Sitchler, Andrew H. Manning, Kamini Singha
Testosterone identifies hatchling sex for Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) Testosterone identifies hatchling sex for Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)
The threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination, and individuals appear externally sexually monomorphic until sexual maturity. A non-surgical sex identification method that is suitable for a single in situ encounter with hatchlings is essential for minimizing handling of wild animals. We tested (1) whether plasma testosterone...
Authors
M. A. Walden, Kevin J. Loope, Elizabeth Ann Hunter, Stephen J. Divers, Jessica R. Comolli, Todd Esque, Kevin T. Shoemaker
Development of a volcanic risk management system at Mount St. Helens—1980 to present Development of a volcanic risk management system at Mount St. Helens—1980 to present
Here, we review volcanic risk management at Mount St. Helens from the perspective of the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) experience over the four decades since its 18 May 1980 climactic eruption. Prior to 1980, volcano monitoring, multidisciplinary eruption forecasting, and interagency coordination for eruption response were new to the Cascade Range. A Mount St. Helens volcano hazards...
Authors
Heather M. Wright, Carolyn L. Mastin, John S. Pallister, Christopher G. Newhall, Michael A. Clynne, John W. Ewert
Characterization of peak streamflows and flooding in select areas of Pennsylvania from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, September 1–2, 2021 Characterization of peak streamflows and flooding in select areas of Pennsylvania from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, September 1–2, 2021
Pennsylvania experienced heavy rainfall on September 1 and 2, 2021, as the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept over parts of the State. Much of eastern and south-central Pennsylvania received 5 to 10 inches of rain, and most of the rainfall fell within little more than 6 hours. Southeastern Pennsylvania experienced widespread, substantial flooding, and the city of Philadelphia and...
Authors
Marla H. Stuckey, Matthew D. Conlon, Mitchell R. Weaver
Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding Dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration capture of environmental DNA for freshwater mussel (Unionidae) species detection with metabarcoding
Insufficient water sample volumes can be a limiting factor for detecting species with environmental DNA (eDNA) from aquatic habitats. We compared detections of freshwater mussel (Unionidae) communities using large water sample volumes and dead-end hollow fiber ultrafiltration (D-HFUF or DEUF) with traditional eDNA filtration methods that use relatively small water sample volumes. Unionid...
Authors
Anna M. McKee, Katy E. Klymus, Yer Lor, Marissa Kaminski, Tariq Tajjioui, Nathan Johnson, Matthew Carroll, Christopher Goodson, Stephen Frank Spear
Leveraging multimission satellite data for spatiotemporally coherent cyanoHAB monitoring Leveraging multimission satellite data for spatiotemporally coherent cyanoHAB monitoring
Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) present a critical public health challenge for aquatic resource and public health managers. Satellite remote sensing is well-positioned to aid in the identification and mapping of cyanoHABs and their dynamics, giving freshwater resource managers a tool for both rapid and long-term protection of public health. Monitoring cyanoHABs in lakes...
Authors
Kate Colleen Fickas, Ryan O’Shea, Nima Pahlevan, Brandon Smith, Sarah Bartlett, Jennifer L. Wolny
To remediate or not? Source identification in an acid mine drainage stream, Warden Gulch, Colorado To remediate or not? Source identification in an acid mine drainage stream, Warden Gulch, Colorado
A synoptic water quality study was implemented in Warden Gulch, a headwater stream affected by metals that are contributed by both natural and mining-impacted sources. Warden Gulch is a tributary to Peru Creek (Colorado, USA), where emplacement of a mine tunnel bulkhead and other remedial actions have improved water quality upstream of Warden Gulch. The goal of this study was to identify
Authors
Matthew M. Jones, Robert L. Runkel, Diane M. McKnight