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Alaska Region

USGS in Alaska conducts science for decision-making in five major areas: natural hazards; energy & minerals; water quality, streamflow & ice; wildlife, fish & habitat; and geospatial mapping. The Alaska Regional Office provides management and strategic coordination among the Alaska Science Center, the Volcano Science Center, & other partners operating in AK.

News

Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska

Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska

USGS Scientist and National Weather Service and University of Alaska Southeast colleagues receive Alaska State Legislature Recognition for Response to Juneau’s annual Suicide Basin Outburst Floods

USGS Scientist and National Weather Service and University of Alaska Southeast colleagues receive Alaska State Legislature Recognition for Response to Juneau’s annual Suicide Basin Outburst Floods

New Nationwide Tool Helps Answer: Do We Have Enough Water?

New Nationwide Tool Helps Answer: Do We Have Enough Water?

Publications

Potential warming-induced changes in stream water sources between proglacial and non-glacial streams, south-central Alaska Potential warming-induced changes in stream water sources between proglacial and non-glacial streams, south-central Alaska

Snow and ice-melt are essential for global water resources. Rising air temperatures are causing vegetation encroachment and shrubification of previously snow- and ice-covered landscapes, and precipitation regimes are changing. Collectively, these changes will likely affect the hydrology of mountain environments, although the exact ways in which the hydrology will change are poorly...
Authors
Hannah Kristen Richardson, Anna Bergstrom, Joshua C. Koch, Zanden Arthur Frederick, James B. Shanley, Emily H. Baker

Integrating detrital magnetite geochemistry and (U-Th)/He chronometry as a sediment provenance tool in geologic and metallogenic terranes Integrating detrital magnetite geochemistry and (U-Th)/He chronometry as a sediment provenance tool in geologic and metallogenic terranes

Magnetite is ubiquitous in porphyry Cu systems and in sediment sourcing both barren and mineralized regions, with potential as an indicator mineral in concealed and coarsely-mapped terranes. We develop and test a workflow for integrated geochemistry and (U–Th)/He (He) dating for inferring detrital magnetite (DMt) provenance in these settings. The ca. 70 Ma Taurus porphyry Cu–Mo(–Au)...
Authors
Robert Gregory McDermott, Douglas C. Kreiner, James V. Jones, Sean P. Regan, James R. Metcalf, Rebecca M. Flowers

Testing the efficacy of industrial mitigation measures for caribou in the Arctic Testing the efficacy of industrial mitigation measures for caribou in the Arctic

1. Mitigation measures are commonly employed to reduce the negative effects of industrial development on wildlife but are not often evaluated for their efficacy. For example, oil fields in the Arctic typically incorporate design features intended to increase permeability for migratory, barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus), even though there is limited empirical evidence of the...
Authors
Heather E. Johnson, John P. Severson

Science

Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier is located in southeast Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953 and continue through present, serving as a central site between glaciers in the contiguous USA and those in mainland Alaska.
Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier

Lemon Creek Glacier is located in southeast Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953 and continue through present, serving as a central site between glaciers in the contiguous USA and those in mainland Alaska.
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Terrestrial Mammal Research

Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
Terrestrial Mammal Research

Terrestrial Mammal Research

Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
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Ecosystems on the Edge: Landscape and Fire Ecology of Forests, Deserts, and Tundra

Climate changes and interacting disturbances such as wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, and erosion and flooding can perturb and reorganize ecosystems.
Ecosystems on the Edge: Landscape and Fire Ecology of Forests, Deserts, and Tundra

Ecosystems on the Edge: Landscape and Fire Ecology of Forests, Deserts, and Tundra

Climate changes and interacting disturbances such as wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, and erosion and flooding can perturb and reorganize ecosystems.
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