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: 3110
Site 765: Sediment Lithostratigraphy Site 765: Sediment Lithostratigraphy
A 935-m-thick succession of Quaternary through Lower Cretaceous sediments was recovered at Site 765 (Fig. 10). A single core of Quaternary sediment was obtained from Hole 765A; drilling terminated and a new hole was drilled in an attempt to establish the mud line. Quaternary through middle Miocene sediments were cored in Hole 765B down to a depth of 395.6 mbsf. Middle Miocene through...
Authors
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
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
Nest-site selection by Emperor Geese and Cackling Canada Geese Nest-site selection by Emperor Geese and Cackling Canada Geese
Differences were found in habitat structure between nest sites of Emperor Geese (Chen canagicus) and Cackling Canada Geese (Branta canadensis minima) during a 5-year study (1982-1986) at Kokechik Bay, Alaska. Emperor Geese tended to select sites that afforded concealment from avian predators before incubation began. Cackling Canada Geese tended to select sites that enhanced avoidance of...
Authors
Margaret R. Petersen
Is the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) a hibernator? Continued studies on opioids and hibernation Is the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) a hibernator? Continued studies on opioids and hibernation
Polar bear behavior and biochemistry suggest they may have the ability to hibernate year-round, even though this species is not considered to be a true hibernator. This observation, plus the discovery of a hibernation-induced trigger (HIT) in the blood of black bears, prompted the examination of polar bear blood collected thoughout the year for evidence ofr HIT, and to determine if it...
Authors
David S. Bruce, Nancy K. Darling, Katheleen J. Seeland, Peter R. Oeltgen, Sita P. Nilekani, Steven C. Amstrup
Time allocation by northern fulmars during the breeding season Time allocation by northern fulmars during the breeding season
Averaged over the whole breeding cycle (pre-laying through mid-chick stage), breeding fulmars spent about 39% of their time at the breeding site and 61% of their time at sea. Annual means of site occupancy before egg-laying were positively correlated with breeding success, suggesting that time allocation was a sensitive indicator of food availability in different years. Nonbreeding site...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch
Effects of neck bands on the behavior of wintering greater white-fronted geese Effects of neck bands on the behavior of wintering greater white-fronted geese
Activity budgets of adult Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) with and without neck bands during the non-breeding season revealed that geese with neck bands spent more time preening than geese without neck bands while at foraging sites, but not while at roosting sites. Neck-banded and control geese spent equal time in other important activities (alert, feeding...
Authors
Craig R. Ely
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
Isolation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from a leech (Piscicola salmositica) and a copepod (Salmincola sp.), ectoparasites of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka Isolation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from a leech (Piscicola salmositica) and a copepod (Salmincola sp.), ectoparasites of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus was isolated from freshwater leeches Piscicola salmositica and copepods Salmincola sp. removed from the gills of spawning sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka. This is the first report of the isolation of IHN virus from an animal other than salmonid fishes. High levels of IHN virus were also found in leeches taken from the bottom gravel of the...
Authors
Daniel M. Mulcahy, D. Klaybor, W.N. Batts
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
Reconnaissance geology and exploration geochemistry of King Cove, Alaska Peninsula Reconnaissance geology and exploration geochemistry of King Cove, Alaska Peninsula
No abstract available.
Authors
Gregory D. DuBois, Frederic H. Wilson, R. L. Detterman, R.T. Hopkins
Performance and utility of satellite telemetry during field studies of free-ranging polar bears in Alaska Performance and utility of satellite telemetry during field studies of free-ranging polar bears in Alaska
Satellite telemetry technology has been used during field studies of polar bears in Alaska since 1985. A total of 109 Platform Transmitter Terminals (PTT) have been deployed on free-ranging female polar bears that seasonally inhabit waters adjacent to the Alaskan coast. The PTTs transmitted locational and sensor data to TIROS-N polar-orbiting satellites during a duty cycle of 12 hours on...
Authors
Gerald W. Garner, Steven C. Amstrup, David C. Douglas, Craig L. Gardner