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: 3097
Volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 1995 Volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 1995
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity (SVA) at 6 volcanic centers in 1995: Mount Martin (Katmai Group), Mount Veniaminof, Shishaldin, Makushin, Kliuchef/Korovin, and Kanaga. In addition to responding to eruptive activity at Alaska volcanoes, AVO also disseminated information for the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team...
Authors
Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal
Variation in egg size of the northern pintail Variation in egg size of the northern pintail
Egg size is an important determinant of reproductive investment by birds. For many species, total investment in a clutch is limited by the size of stored reserves (Ankney and MacInnes 1978, Esler and Grand 1994a). Egg size determines the unit by which these stored reserves are partitioned. Individual females in most species of waterfowl show a high repeatability for egg size, implying...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand
Monitoring the status of wild sea otter populations: field studies and techniques Monitoring the status of wild sea otter populations: field studies and techniques
No abstract available.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey
Black brant from Alaska staging and wintering in Japan Black brant from Alaska staging and wintering in Japan
Black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) nest in colonies in arctic Canada, Alaska, and Russia (Derksen and Ward 1993, Sedinger et al. 1993). Virtually the entire population stages in fall at Izembek Lagoon near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula (Bellrose 1976) before southward migration (Dau 1992) to winter habitats in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Baja California...
Authors
Dirk V. Derksen, K.S. Bollinger, David H. Ward, J.S. Sedinger, Y. Miyabayashi
Explanation of fields used in the Alaska Resource Data File of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in Alaska Explanation of fields used in the Alaska Resource Data File of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in Alaska
Descriptions of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in the Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF) are published for individual U.S. Geological Survey 1:250,000 scale quadrangles in Alaska (see accompanying map) and are available for downloading from USGS World Wide Web site: http://www-rnrs-ak.wr.usgs.gov/ardf. These descriptions are divided into a number of fields which describe...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey
Den use by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in a subarctic region of western Alaska Den use by arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in a subarctic region of western Alaska
Distribution, abundance, and use of arctic fox dens located in coastal tundra communities of the Yukon–Kuskokwim delta were determined in studies from 1985 to 1990. Dens were denser and less complex than those described in studies conducted above the Arctic Circle. Eighty-three dens of varying complexity were found in the 52-km2 study area. Nineteen dens were used by arctic foxes for...
Authors
R. Michael Anthony
Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA Breeding populations of northern pintails have similar mitochondrial DNA
Northern pintails (Anas acuta) are highly nomadic, which may result in high levels of gene flow among nesting areas. To assess the extent of genetic differentiation among nesting areas, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in northern pintail females from three regions: Alaska, California, and midcontinent prairies and parklands. Abundant mtDNA variation was evident (20...
Authors
M. A. Cronin, J.B. Grand, Daniel Esler, D.V. Derksen, K.T. Scribner
Population delineation of polar bears using satellite collar data Population delineation of polar bears using satellite collar data
To produce reliable estimates of the size or vital rates of a given population, it is important that the boundaries of the population under study are clearly defined. This is particularly critical for large, migratory animals where levels of sustainable harvest are based on these estimates, and where small errors may have serious long-term consequences for the population. Once...
Authors
R. Bethke, Mitchell K. Taylor, Steven C. Amstrup, Francois Messier
Nesting success of Northern Pintails on the coastal Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Nesting success of Northern Pintails on the coastal Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
We studied nesting chronology and success of Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) on the coastal Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska during the summers of 1991-1993. We found a total of 795 nests during three annual searches of a 27.4 km2 area. Minimum nest density averaged 9.67 nests per km2. Nesting success varied among years and ranged from 43.12% in 1991 to 10.74% in 1993 (average 23.95%). Most...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand
Survival of northern pintail ducklings on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Survival of northern pintail ducklings on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
We studied survival rates of Northern Pintail (Anas acuta; hereafter pintail) broods and ducklings along the lower Kashunuk River on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Survival rates were determined for 770 ducklings in 111 broods. Brood sizes at hatch were smaller in 1993 versus 1991 and 1992. Duckling survival rates were lower than those reported in previous studies and differed among...
Authors
J. Barry Grand, Paul L. Flint
Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 1994 Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 1994
During 1994, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, or false alarms at nine volcanic centers-- Mount Sanford, Iliamna, the Katmai group, Kupreanof, Mount Veniaminof, Shishaldin, Makushin, Mount Cleveland and Kanaga (table 1). Of these volcanoes, AVO has a real time, continuously recording seismic network only at Iliamna, which is located in the...
Authors
Christina A. Neal, Michael P. Doukas, Robert G. McGimsey
Arctic nesting geese: Alaskan populations Arctic nesting geese: Alaskan populations
North American populations of most goose species have remained stable or have increased in recent decades (USFWS and Canadian Wildlife Service 1986). Some populations, however, have declined or historically have had small numbers of individuals, and thus are of special concern. Individual populations of geese should be maintained to ensure that they provide aesthetic, recreational, and...
Authors
Jerry W. Hupp, Robert A. Stehn, Craig R. Ely, Dirk V. Derksen