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.
Filter Total Items: 175645
Subsampling large-scale digital elevation models to expedite geospatial analyses in coastal regions Subsampling large-scale digital elevation models to expedite geospatial analyses in coastal regions
Large-area, high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) created from light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or multibeam echosounder data sets are commonly used in many scientific disciplines. These DEMs can span thousands of square kilometers, typically with a spatial resolution of 1 m or finer, and can be difficult to process and analyze without specialized computers and software...
Authors
Kelly Ann Murphy, David G. Zawada, Kimberly K. Yates
Achieving sub-nanoTesla precision in multirotor UAV aeromagnetic surveys Achieving sub-nanoTesla precision in multirotor UAV aeromagnetic surveys
An uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) multirotor aeromagnetic system using a 5-m sling load for a magnetic sensor system is described and characterized. Four magnetic surveys with identical flight lines were completed, at two nominal altitudes of 25 and 40 m. The surveys were used to assess the repeatability of data collected with the described UAV aeromagnetic system, and comparison with a...
Authors
Geoffrey Phelps, Robert E. Bracken, John Spritzer, David S. White
Whole-ecosystem experiment illustrates short timescale hydrodynamic, light, and nutrient control of primary production in a terminal slough Whole-ecosystem experiment illustrates short timescale hydrodynamic, light, and nutrient control of primary production in a terminal slough
Estuaries are among the most productive of aquatic ecosystems. Yet the collective understanding of patterns and drivers of primary production in estuaries is incomplete, in part due to complex hydrodynamics and multiple controlling factors that vary at a range of temporal and spatial scales. A whole-ecosystem experiment was conducted in a deep, pelagically dominated terminal channel of...
Authors
Luke C. Loken, Steven Sadro, Leah Lenoch, Paul Stumpner, Randy A Dahlgren, Jon R. Burau, Erwin E Van Nieuwenhuyse
Revised earthquake recurrence intervals in California, USA: New paleoseismic sites and application of event likelihoods Revised earthquake recurrence intervals in California, USA: New paleoseismic sites and application of event likelihoods
Recurrence intervals for ground rupturing earthquakes are critical data for assessing seismic hazard. Recurrence intervals are presented here for 38 paleoseismic sites in California. Eleven of these include new or updated data; the remainder use data previously included in the Unified California Earthquake Rupture Forecast Version 3 (UCERF3). The methods and results are consistent with...
Authors
Devin McPhillips
Data synthesis for environmental management: A case study of Chesapeake Bay Data synthesis for environmental management: A case study of Chesapeake Bay
Synthesizing large, complex data sets to inform resource managers towards effective environmental stewardship is a universal challenge. In Chesapeake Bay, a well-studied and intensively monitored estuary in North America, the challenge of synthesizing data on water quality and land use as factors related to a key habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation, was tackled by a team of scientists...
Authors
Robert J. Orth, William C. Dennison, David J. Wilcox, Richard A. Batiuk, Brooke J. Landry, Cassie Gurbisz, Jennifer L. Keisman, Michael P. Hannam, Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Rebecca R. Murphy, Kenneth A. Moore, Christopher J. Patrick, Jeremy Testa, Donald E. Weller, Melissa Merritt, Paige Hobaugh
Hydrologic conditions in Kansas, water year 2021 Hydrologic conditions in Kansas, water year 2021
The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a network of hydrologic monitoring stations across Kansas in cooperation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies. During water year 2021, this network included 230 real-time surface water data collection sites, referred to as “streamgages.” A water year is the 12-month period from October 1 through September 30 and is designated by the...
Authors
Kyle A. Puls
Streamflow—Water year 2021 Streamflow—Water year 2021
The maps and graphs in this summary describe national streamflow conditions for water year 2021 (a water year is the period from October 1 to September 30 and is designated by the year in which it ends; for example, water year 2021 was from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021) in the context of streamflow ranks relative to the 92-year period of water years 1930–2021. Annual runoff in...
Authors
Xiaodong Jian, David M. Wolock, Harry F. Lins, Ronald J. Henderson, Steven J. Brady
Glacial geology and hydrogeology of valley-fill aquifers in the Oneonta area, Otsego and Delaware Counties, New York Glacial geology and hydrogeology of valley-fill aquifers in the Oneonta area, Otsego and Delaware Counties, New York
The glacial geology and hydrogeology of valley-fill aquifers and their surrounding uplands are described within a 112-square-mile area in southern Otsego and northwestern Delaware Counties, New York, centered around the City of Oneonta. The major valleys include those of the Susquehanna River, Otego Creek, Charlotte Creek, and Schenevus Creek. A variety of data were analyzed to provide a...
Authors
Paul M. Heisig, P. Jay Fleisher
Quantifying modeling uncertainty in simplified beam models for building response prediction Quantifying modeling uncertainty in simplified beam models for building response prediction
The use of simple models for response prediction of building structures is preferred in earthquake engineering for risk evaluations at regional scales, as they make computational studies more feasible. The primary impediment in their gainful use presently is the lack of viable methods for quantifying (and reducing upon) the modeling errors/uncertainties they bear. This study presents a...
Authors
S. Farid Ghahari, Khachik Sargsyan, Mehmet Celebi, Ertugrul Taciroglu
The Water Recycling Revolution: Tapping into the future The Water Recycling Revolution: Tapping into the future
The Water Recycling Revolution discusses issues affecting acceptance of water reuse for public supply. The book is useful to water resource, regulatory, and public health professionals interested in the history of successful and unsuccessful attempts to conserve, recycle, and reuse treated municipal wastewater as a public resource. The book is timely given the extended drought conditions
Authors
John A. Izbicki
High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution High-resolution marine seismic imaging of the Seattle fault zone: Near surface insights into fault zone geometry, Quaternary deformation, and long-term evolution
The Seattle fault zone (SFZ) is a north‐directed thrust fault system that underlies the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Evidence of past land level changes, landslides, liquefaction, and a local tsunami indicate that this 70‐km‐long fault system can host up to M 7–7.5 earthquakes. Both the geometry and earthquake recurrence of the SFZ are debated and surveys of the shallow subsurface...
Authors
G.L Moore, Emily Roland, Scott E.K. Bennett, Janet Watt, Jared W. Kluesner, Daniel S. Brothers, Emma K Myers
A decade of monitoring micropollutants in urban wet-weather flows: What did we learn? A decade of monitoring micropollutants in urban wet-weather flows: What did we learn?
Urban wet-weather discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSO) and stormwater outlets (SWO) are a potential pathway for micropollutants (trace contaminants) to surface waters, posing a threat to the environment and possible water reuse applications. Despite large efforts to monitor micropollutants in the last decade, the gained information is still limited and scattered. In a metastudy...
Authors
Lena Mutzner, Viviane Furrer, Helene Castebrunet, Ulrich Dittmer, Stephan Fuchs, Wolfgang Gernjak, Marie-Christine Gromaire, Andreas Matzinger, Peter Steen Mikkelsen, William R. Selbig, Luca Vezzaro