Videos

To conduct the science needed to understand coastal and marine geohazards, support habitat and resource management, and monitor how these environments change over time, the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program relies on engineering, mechanical, and electronics expertise for field operations along the coast, in the nearshore environment, and in the d

To conduct the science needed to understand coastal and marine geohazards, support habitat and resource management, and monitor how these environments change over time, the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program relies on engineering, mechanical, and electronics expertise for field operations along the coast, in the nearshore environment, and in the d

The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).

The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).

Most of the world’s beaches have regular cycles of erosion and recovery, but new USGS research is showing that these cycles may be considerably different from common perceptions. 

Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.

It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.

Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.

It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.

Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.

It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.

USGS scientists collect core samples from estuaries, lakes, coasts, and marine environments to study a range of physical and chemical properties preserved in sediment or coral over time. They process and analyze these core samples at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s Sediment Core Lab. 

USGS scientists collect core samples from estuaries, lakes, coasts, and marine environments to study a range of physical and chemical properties preserved in sediment or coral over time. They process and analyze these core samples at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center’s Sediment Core Lab. 

Join USGS Research Geologist and lifelong surfer Jon Warrick at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Santa Cruz as he discusses how coastal and ocean geoscience contributes to a better understanding of how waves form and behave as they approach the shore—critical information with a broad range of applications, not least of which is surfing!

Join USGS Research Geologist and lifelong surfer Jon Warrick at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Santa Cruz as he discusses how coastal and ocean geoscience contribute to a better understanding of how waves form and behave as they approach the shore—critical information with a broad range of applications, not least of which is surfing!

The Coastal Science Navigator is intended to help users discover USGS Coastal Change Hazards information, products, and tools relevant to their scientific or decision-making needs.

The USGS uses a variety of survey tools—including personal watercraft (jet skis) equipped with GPS and sonar—to measure how sandy coastlines change over time. Sandy coastlines are a valuable resource that protect human-made structures from waves, serve as habitat for important species, and provide a variety of recreational opportunities.

The USGS uses a variety of survey tools—including personal watercraft (jet skis) equipped with GPS and sonar—to measure how sandy coastlines change over time. Sandy coastlines are a valuable resource that protect human-made structures from waves, serve as habitat for important species, and provide a variety of recreational opportunities.

Staff from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility engineered a Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) for deployment in deep-sea environments along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Staff from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility engineered a Free Ascent Tripod (FAT) for deployment in deep-sea environments along the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Monitoring coastal changes is important for the millions of people that live along coasts in the United States, particularly as climate change hastens coastal erosion by raising sea levels and fueling powerful storms.

Monitoring coastal changes is important for the millions of people that live along coasts in the United States, particularly as climate change hastens coastal erosion by raising sea levels and fueling powerful storms.

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers deliver half the amount of sediment they did 50 years ago to San Francisco Bay. Just as sea-level rise is accelerating, the demand for sediment is growing.

The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers deliver half the amount of sediment they did 50 years ago to San Francisco Bay. Just as sea-level rise is accelerating, the demand for sediment is growing.