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
The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and resource maps of the Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles, Alaska The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and resource maps of the Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles, Alaska
The Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles (1:250,000) are a part of the Alaska Peninsula in southwestern Alaska. This circular, in conjunction with a companion folio of MF-series maps, two I-series geologic maps, and three bulletins, represents the results of integrated field and laboratory studies on the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, paleontology...
Authors
Robert L. Detterman, J. E. Case, S. E. Church, J. G. Frisken, Frederic H. Wilson, M. E. Yount
Incubation rhythm in the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis: Annual variation and sex roles Incubation rhythm in the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis: Annual variation and sex roles
I monitored the incubation schedules of Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis in an Alaskan colony by observing nests where the male and female were of different colour phases. Complete shifts of up to 16 days were recorded; the average shift in mid-incubation was 4–6 days. Mean shift length was inversely correlated with hatching success in 5 years, suggesting that Fulmars adjusted their foraging...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch
Breeding seasons of oceanic birds in a subarctic colony Breeding seasons of oceanic birds in a subarctic colony
We studied the breeding seasons of marine birds on the Semidi Islands, western Gulf of Alaska, from 1976 to 1983. Distributions of laying or hatching observed in 11 species during 1–7 years are presented; less detailed information is available on the breeding schedules of three species. The combined laying period of 14 species lasted 3 months from mid-April to mid-July; the first eggs of...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch, Martha A. Hatch
Seasonal movements of adult female polar bears in the Bering and Chukchi seas Seasonal movements of adult female polar bears in the Bering and Chukchi seas
Ten adult female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were fitted with satellite telemetry collars during March 1986 in the Kotzebue Sound area of the Chukchi Sea. During March-April 1987, 2 of these bears were refitted with satellite telemetry collars and an additional 10 adult females were collared in the northern Bering and eastern Chukchi seas. Data for 1,560 point locations recorded...
Authors
Gerald W. Garner, Steven T. Knick, David C. Douglas
Distribution, age, and sex composition of sea otter carcasses recovered during the response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill Distribution, age, and sex composition of sea otter carcasses recovered during the response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill
Nearly 900 sea otter (Enhydra lutris) carcasses were recovered in or adjacent to coastal areas affected by the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill. The time of carcass recovery and the condition of carcasses indicate that most oil spill-induced mortality occurred early in the response period. In fact, by 19 May about 70% of the carcasses had been found. The majority of the carcasses (56%) were...
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Calvin J. Lensink
Postrelease monitoring of radio-instrumented sea otters in Prince William Sound Postrelease monitoring of radio-instrumented sea otters in Prince William Sound
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) that were captured in western Prince William Sound (PWS) or the Gulf of Alaska, treated, and held in captivity at the temporary rehabilitation centers established in response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill were instrumented with radio transmitters, released into eastern PWS, and monitored by radiotelemetry. We undertook the present study to gain information...
Authors
C. Monnett, L.M. Rotterman, C. Stack, Daniel H. Monson
The importance of subarctic intertidal habitats to shorebirds: A study of the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska The importance of subarctic intertidal habitats to shorebirds: A study of the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
A 6-year study of shorebird use of intertidal habitats of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta revealed this area to be one of the premiere sites for shorebirds throughout the Holarctic and worthy of designation as a Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. The study area, which covered 10% (300 km2) of the delta's intertidal flats, regularly hosted 17...
Authors
Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Individual variation in behavior and breeding success of Northern Fulmars Individual variation in behavior and breeding success of Northern Fulmars
In a sample of breeding Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) observed in 4-5 years, up to 43% of the variability in 13 attributes of breeding behavior was consistent among individuals or pairs. Sample means for most attributes were correlated in a predictable way with annual levels of breeding success. Except for laying dates, there was little evidence that individual differences in...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch
Shorebirds and herring roe in Prince William Sound, Alaska Shorebirds and herring roe in Prince William Sound, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
David W. Norton, Stanley E. Senner, Robert E. Gill, Philip D. Martin, J.M. Wright, Allan K. Fukuyama
Components of breeding productivity in a marine bird community: key factors and concordance Components of breeding productivity in a marine bird community: key factors and concordance
We estimated components of annual breeding productivity for eight species of marine birds on the Semidi Islands in the western Gulf of Alaska. Mortality of eggs and young, caused primarily by avian predators, accounted for most of the annual variation in productivity. Failure to produce eggs, clutch size variation, and the hatchability of eggs were generally less important. The stage of...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch, Martha A. Hatch
Monitoring St. Lawrence Island and Cape Thompson seabird populations Monitoring St. Lawrence Island and Cape Thompson seabird populations
About 1.8 million seabirds of 12 species breed on St. Lawrence Island (Figure 1) - one of the largest aggregations of breeding seabirds in the subarctic Pacific. Colonies of least and crested auklets alone, totaling 1.5 million birds, contain a substantial proportion (perhaps 20%) of these species’ world populations. Large seabird colonies occur also at Cape Thompson (Figure 2), where...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch, John F. Piatt, Brian S. Fadely, Bay D. Roberts
Computer-aided procedure for counting waterfowl on aerial photographs Computer-aided procedure for counting waterfowl on aerial photographs
Examination of 46 Canada goose goslings yielded 14 species of parasites, including five Protozoa, four Nematoda, two Cestoda, and three Trematoda. Evidence indicates that goslings acquired most of these infections during their first week of life. Some parasites, Prosthogonimus sp., occurred only in younger birds. Others, Leucocytozoon simondi, were evident only during the initial course...
Authors
D. Bajzak, John F. Piatt