David Phillips
Science and Products
Disappearing Beaches: Modeling Shoreline Change in Southern California
Using a newly-developed computer model called “CoSMoS-COAST” (Coastal Storm Modeling System – Coastal One-line Assimilated Simulation Tool) scientists predict that with limited human intervention, 31 to 67 percent of Southern California beaches may become completely eroded (up to existing coastal infrastructure or sea-cliffs) by the year 2100 under scenarios of sea-level rise of one to two meters.
Brown Bears, Sea Otters, and Seals, Oh My! —Unexpected interactions on the Katmai Coast
News reporters are invited to attend an illustrated public lecture to learn how U.S. Geological Survey scientists are conducting research on brown bears and other mammals on the coast of Katmai National Park. The presentation will highlight observations from video collars deployed on brown bears, and delve into some of the implications for wildlife population health and species adaptability.
Enormous Caribbean Waves Before 1492
Geologists have discovered evidence that unusual seas detached living corals from a Caribbean reef and scattered them far inland, as boulders, during the last centuries before Columbus arrived. The new findings will reinforce precautions against coastal hazards, Caribbean tsunami specialists said.
Preparing for Tsunami Hazards on Washington’s Pacific Coast
Hours before Japan was struck by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and the ensuing catastrophic tsunami, John Schelling spoke at a public meeting in the coastal community of Oceans Shores, Washington, about preparing for tsunami hazards. The few dozen people attending the meeting went home that evening and watched in horror as the events in Japan unfolded.
Stormy weather: How the USGS goes to work monitoring its effects
Atmospheric rivers are a global weather phenomenon that can bring large amounts of rain or snow to the U.S. West Coast each year. These rivers of wet air form over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaiʻi and pick up large amounts of moisture from the tropics and on their way to the West Coast. This moisture is carried in narrow bands across the Pacific Ocean to California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Severe West Coast Erosion During 2015-16 El Niño
In a study released today, U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their colleagues document how the 2015-16 winter featured one of the most powerful El Niño climate events of the last 145 years.
Gelfenbaum Selected as New Director of USGS Pacific Marine Studies
The U.S. Geological Survey is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Guy Gelfenbaum as the new director of their Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California Gelfenbaum succeeds Dr. Robert Rosenbauer who held the position for the past six years. Rosenbauer is retiring to a Scientist Emeritus position.
Media Advisory: Mapping Beach Changes Caused by Recent Storms
On January 13, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey will be working on the beach in Santa Cruz at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Using a sonar-equipped boat and personal watercraft, they will be surveying the beach and the nearby ocean bottom to compile a three-dimensional map of how the beach changed during storms that struck this week.
SF Bay-Delta Conference: Science for Solutions
Successfully resolving California’s long-standing water supply and ecosystem restoration conflicts in the Delta requires developing sound policy solutions based on data derived from the best available science.
Media Advisory: SF Bay-Delta Conference - Science for Solutions
Scientists, engineers and resource managers meet in Sacramento to explore the theme of “Science for Solutions: Linking Data and Decisions” at the 9th Biennial Bay-Delta Science Conference.
Imagery Reveals More Landslides in Western Columbia Gorge
New mapping in the western portion of the Columbia Gorge in Skamania County, Washington, shows previously unrecognized landslides beneath dense forest cover.
New Maps from Old Photos: Measuring Coastal Erosion
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and their coauthors from the California Coastal Records Project have found a way to use historical aerial photographs not just to see evidence of coastal erosion, but to accurately measure how much has occurred over time.