Core Science Systems
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U.S. Geological Survey core science systems strategy: characterizing, synthesizing, and understanding the critical zone through a modular science framework
Core Science Systems is a new mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that resulted from the 2007 Science Strategy, "Facing Tomorrow's Challenges: U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017." This report describes the Core Science Systems vision and outlines a strategy to facilitate integrated characterization and understanding of...
Bristol, R. Sky; Euliss, Ned H.; Booth, Nathaniel L.; Burkardt, Nina; Diffendorfer, Jay E.; Gesch, Dean B.; McCallum, Brian E.; Miller, David M.; Morman, Suzette A.; Poore, Barbara S.; Signell, Richard P.; Viger, Roland J.
Integrating stations from the North America Gravity Database into a local GPS-based land gravity survey
The ability to augment local gravity surveys with additional gravity stations from easily accessible national databases can greatly increase the areal coverage and spatial resolution of a survey. It is, however, necessary to integrate such data seamlessly with the local survey. One challenge to overcome in integrating data from national databases...
Shoberg, Thomas G.; Stoddard, Paul R. US Topo–A new national map series, 2012 update
The U.S. Geological Survey's Larry Moore provides an update on the US Topo effort, the Survey’s general purpose, digital, quadrangle map series. He outlines the successes thus far and the obstacles still ahead in 2013.
Moore, Laurence R. Spatial Relation Predicates in Topographic Feature Semantics
Topographic data are designed and widely used for base maps of diverse applications, yet the power of these information sources largely relies on the interpretive skills of map readers and relational database expert users once the data are in map or geographic information system (GIS) form. Advances in geospatial semantic technology offer data...
Varanka, Dalia E.; Caro, Holly K. Rejuvenating Pre-GPS era geophysical surveys using The National Map
Old geophysical surveys [pre–Global Positioning System (GPS)] stand as valuable, largely untapped sources of scientific data. If data from these surveys were in a format that had reasonable accuracy, availability, and ease of access, they could be more widely used. In this paper, a pre-GPS survey is integrated into a modern geographic database, in...
Finn, Michael P.; Shoberg, Thomas G.; Stoddard, Paul
Lidar base specification
In late 2009, a $14.3 million allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for new light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data acquisition prompted the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) to develop a common minimum specification for all lidar data acquired for The National Map. Released as a...
Heidemann, Hans Karl
Digital Mapping Techniques '10-Workshop Proceedings, Sacramento, California, May 16-19, 2010
The Digital Mapping Techniques '10 (DMT'10) workshop was attended by 110 technical experts from 40 agencies, universities, and private companies, including representatives from 19 State geological surveys (see Appendix A). This workshop, hosted by the California Geological Survey, May 16-19, 2010, in Sacramento, California, was similar in nature...
Soller, David R.; Soller, David R.
Introduction to geospatial semantics and technology workshop handbook
The workshop is a tutorial on introductory geospatial semantics with hands-on exercises using standard Web browsers. The workshop is divided into two sections, general semantics on the Web and specific examples of geospatial semantics using data from The National Map of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Open Ontology Repository. The general...
Varanka, Dalia E.
Core Science Systems--Mission overview
The Core Science Systems Mission Area delivers nationally focused Earth systems and information science that provides fundamental research and data that underpins all Mission Areas of the USGS, the USGS Science Strategy, and Presidential, Secretarial, and societal priorities. —Kevin T. Gallagher, Associate Director, Core Science Systems The...
Gallagher, Kevin T.
User's guide for mapIMG 3--Map image re-projection software package
Version 0.0 (1995), Dan Steinwand, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center (EDC)--Version 0.0 was a command line version for UNIX that required four arguments: the input metadata, the output metadata, the input data file, and the output destination path. Version 1.0 (2003), Stephen Posch and Michael P....
Finn, Michael P.; Mattli, David M. The use of U.S. Geological Survey digital geospatial data products for science research
The development of geographic information system (GIS) transformed the practice of geographic science research. The availability of low-cost, reliable data by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supported the advance of GIS in the early stages of the transition to digital technology. To estimate the extent of the scientific use of USGS digital...
Varanka, Dalia E.; Deering, Carol; Caro, Holly Remote sensing of soil moisture using airborne hyperspectral data
Landscape assessment of soil moisture is critical to understanding the hydrological cycle at the regional scale and in broad-scale studies of biophysical processes affected by global climate changes in temperature and precipitation. Traditional efforts to measure soil moisture have been principally restricted to in situ measurements, so...
Finn, Michael P.; Lewis, Mark (David); Bosch, David D.; Giraldo, Mario; Yamamoto, Kristina H.; Sullivan, Dana G.; Kincaid, Russell; Luna, Ronaldo; Allam, Gopala Krishna; Kvien, Craig; Williams, Michael S.
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Kansas
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Kansas
Bismarck, ND DEM
Bismarck, ND DEM- inverted blue color ramp.
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Texas
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Texas- QL2 data. Turbines were spinning as data was being collected.
3D rendering Great Sand Dunes
3D rendering of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, from 3DEP DEMs
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Washington
Lidar point cloud of wind turbines in Washington- QL 2 data
Lidar point cloud- Pittsburgh, PA
Lidar point cloud- Pittsburgh, PA
Lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty
Lidar point cloud of the Statue of Liberty
Lidar point cloud of Rio Grande River
Lidar point cloud of Rio Grande River- El Paso, TX
3D view of Zion National Park DEM
3D view of Zion National Park DEM
3D view of Zion National Park DEM
3D view of Zion National Park DEM
Lidar point cloud of St Louis, MO
Lidar point cloud of St Louis, MO
3D rendering outside Boulder, CO
3D rendering outside Boulder, CO. Overlay of 3DEP DEM and ortho imagery
USGS represented at the International Cartographic Conference
Recently, representatives from the USGS National Geospatial Program and National Geospatial Technical Operations Center participated in the 2017 International Cartographic Conference in Washington, DC.
Mapping Volunteers in the Spotlight
As the USGS continues to celebrate “Mapping Month”, we again promote noteworthy contributors to The National Map Corps “crowdsourcing” project.
USGS Topo Base Map Updates
An updated “USGS Topo Base Map” service named “USGS Topo” includes some new design changes and refreshed data content.
Volunteering for Science
The National Map Corps recognizes major volunteers to national mapping efforts
Finding Yourself Outdoors
Updated USGS digital topographic maps feature more trails and other recreation points of interest
Mapping Month
Everything happens at a place, the place matters, and the USGS has the science of place.
Mapping Challenge: Illinois Post Offices
The National Map Corps is requesting volunteer assistance to verify Post Office information in Illinois
As Hurricane Season Opens, USGS Is Ready
Scientists work in the field before, during and after landfall to improve forecasting and recovery.
President Proposes $922 Million FY18 Budget for USGS
Budget Focuses on Core USGS Science and Efficiency
Introducing the NHDPlus High Resolution: A new framework for water-related information
Great strides made toward a national hydrography framework with release of the initial USGS NHDPlus High Resolution datasets.
Mineral Discovery Could Mean Billions for Michigan
For more than two decades, researchers, geologists, and investors had no idea they were standing above tremendous wealth. Thousands of feet deep beneath the surface of western Michigan, a potential multibillion-dollar potash deposit was discovered. Potash—a mineral salt containing high levels of potassium—is an ingredient in fertilizer essential for growing crops.
Online Training on Using The National Map Products and Services
More than two dozen short videos on mastering USGS geospatial tools now available
Social Media
Locations
U.S. Geological Survey Headquarters
National Geospatial Technical Operations Center - Rolla, MO
