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Publications

USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.

Filter Total Items: 3082

Holocene slip rate and revised characteristic earthquake parameters for the western segment of the Castle Mountain fault, Alaska Holocene slip rate and revised characteristic earthquake parameters for the western segment of the Castle Mountain fault, Alaska

The western segment of the Castle Mountain fault poses a significant seismic hazard to the most populated region of south-central Alaska. We identify a previously unrecognized margin of a postglacial outwash channel that is offset right laterally 36 ± 4 m across the western segment of the Castle Mountain fault. This offset occurred after glaciers withdrew from the lowland 11,300–15,380...
Authors
Julie B. Willis, Peter J. Haeussler, Ronald L. Bruhn, Grant C. Willis

Hydrology and Flood Profiles of Duck Creek and Jordan Creek Downstream from Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska Hydrology and Flood Profiles of Duck Creek and Jordan Creek Downstream from Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska

Hydrologic and hydraulic updates for Duck Creek and the lower part of Jordan Creek in Juneau, Alaska, included computation of new estimates of peak streamflow magnitudes and new water-surface profiles for the 10-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year floods. Computations for the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year recurrence interval flood magnitudes for both streams used data from U.S...
Authors
Janet H. Curran

Oceanography of Glacier Bay, Alaska: Implications for biological patterns in a glacial fjord estuary Oceanography of Glacier Bay, Alaska: Implications for biological patterns in a glacial fjord estuary

Alaska, U.S.A, is one of the few remaining locations in the world that has fjords that contain temperate idewater glaciers. Studying such estuarine systems provides vital information on how deglaciation affects oceanographic onditions of fjords and surrounding coastal waters. The oceanographic system of Glacier Bay, Alaska, is of particular interest ue to the rapid deglaciation of the...
Authors
L.L. Etherington, P.N. Hooge, Elizabeth Ross Hooge, D.F. Hill

Optimizing nest survival and female survival: Consequences of nest site selection for Canada Geese Optimizing nest survival and female survival: Consequences of nest site selection for Canada Geese

We examined the relationship between attributes of nest sites used by Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in the Copper River Delta, Alaska, and patterns in nest and female survival. We aimed to determine whether nest site attributes related to nest and female survival differed and whether nest site attributes related to nest survival changed within and among years. Nest site attributes...
Authors
David A. Miller, J.B. Grand, T.F. Fondell, R. Michael Anthony

Genetic characterization of Common Eiders breeding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Genetic characterization of Common Eiders breeding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

We assessed population genetic subdivision among four colonies of Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) breeding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), Alaska, using microsatellite genotypes and DNA sequences with differing modes of inheritance. Significant, albeit low, levels of genetic differentiation were observed between mainland populations and Kigigak Island for nuclear intron...
Authors
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Sandra L. Talbot, Kevin G. McCracken

Movements and foraging effort of Steller's Eiders and Harlequin Ducks wintering near Dutch Harbor, Alaska Movements and foraging effort of Steller's Eiders and Harlequin Ducks wintering near Dutch Harbor, Alaska

We studied the movements and foraging effort of radio-marked Steller's Eiders (Polysticta stelleri) and Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) to evaluate habitat quality in an area impacted by industrial activity near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Foraging effort was relatively low, with Steller's Eiders foraging only 2.7 ± 0.6 (SE) hours per day and Harlequin Ducks 4.1 ± 0.5 hours per day...
Authors
John A. Reed, Paul L. Flint

Marine mammal populations Marine mammal populations

No abstract available.
Authors
Alan M. Springer, Sara J. Iverson, James L. Bodkin

USGS national surveys and analysis projects: Preliminary compilation of integrated geological datasets for the United States: A section in Digital mapping techniques '06 - Workshop proceedings USGS national surveys and analysis projects: Preliminary compilation of integrated geological datasets for the United States: A section in Digital mapping techniques '06 - Workshop proceedings

The growth in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has highlighted the need for regional and national digital geologic maps attributed with age and rock type information. Such spatial data can be conveniently used to generate derivative maps for purposes that include mineral-resource assessment, metallogenic studies, tectonic studies, human health and environmental research...
Authors
Suzanne W. Nicholson, Douglas B. Stoeser, Frederic H. Wilson, Connie L. Dicken, Stephen Ludington

Geologic map of the Siksikpuk River area, Chandler Lake quadrangle, Alaska Geologic map of the Siksikpuk River area, Chandler Lake quadrangle, Alaska

No abstract available.
Authors
P.R. Peapples, W. K. Wallace, Marwan A. Wartes, R.F. Swenson, C. G. Mull, Julie A. Dumoulin, E. E. Harris, E.S. Finzel, R.R. Reifenstuhl, A.M. Loveland

Revisiting evolutionary dead ends in sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka) life history Revisiting evolutionary dead ends in sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka) life history

This study challenges recent hypotheses about sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) colonization based on life history and broadens the pathways that investigators should consider when studying sockeye colonization of novel habitats. Most sockeye populations exhibit lake-type life histories. Riverine populations are thought to be more likely to stray from their natal stream to spawn and...
Authors
S.A. Pavey, T.R. Hamon, J.L. Nielsen

Genetic investigation of natural hybridization between rainbow and coastal cutthroat trout in the copper River Delta, Alaska Genetic investigation of natural hybridization between rainbow and coastal cutthroat trout in the copper River Delta, Alaska

Molecular genetic methods were used to quantify natural hybridization between rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss or steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout) and coastal cutthroat trout O. clarkii clarkii collected in the Copper River delta, Southeast Alaska. Eleven locations were sampled to determine the extent of hybridization and the distribution of hybrids. Four diagnostic nuclear...
Authors
I. Williams, G.H. Reeves, S.L. Graziano, J.L. Nielsen

Inventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves Inventory of montane-nesting birds in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves

As part of the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program, biologists from the U. S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center conducted an inventory of birds in montane regions of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves during 2004–2006. We used a stratified random survey design to allocate samples by ecological subsection. To survey for birds, we conducted...
Authors
Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
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