Heather Dewar
Biography
Heather Dewar is a former national environment correspondent for Knight Ridder News Service, and former environment reporter for The Miami Herald and The Baltimore Sun. She is the author of "When the Seas Rise," published by University Press of Florida in April 2016. She joined the USGS in January 2016 after serving as social media manager for the US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System, and media relations director for the University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. She has a B.A. in English literature from Harvard College and an M.A. in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, and was a James L. Knight Fellow at Stanford University. She is a native Floridian.
Science and Products
Scientists Map Tectonic Structure Below the Seafloor of Puerto Rico
The USGS is working to identify and map faults in southern Puerto Rico, to estimate the location and magnitude of potential earthquakes.
USGS Scientists Find Seafloor Faults Near Puerto Rico Quakes’ Epicenters
Most residents of southern Puerto Rico were startled by the sequence of earthquakes that began Dec. 28, 2019 and included a magnitude 6.4 quake on Jan. 7, 2020. Aftershocks are expected to continue for years, including some relatively strong ones, like a May 2 magnitude 5.4 temblor.
New USGS map can help Puerto Rico deal with risk of landslides after hurricanes
A new U.S. Geological Survey map of Puerto Rico shows the relative risks of landslides due to the kind of intense rainfall brought on by hurricanes. It identifies 20% of the island as at high risk, 9% at very high risk, and 1% at extremely high risk of landslides under those conditions.
As Aftershocks Continue in Puerto Rico, USGS Supports Quake Recovery
A sequence of earthquakes in southwest Puerto Rico continues to affect people living there, with the largest recent aftershock a magnitude 5.2 on Jan. 15. U.S. Geological Survey scientists on the island and the mainland are providing up-to-date scientific information to help the Commonwealth government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency make decisions that protect the public.
Dorian Will Likely Cause Some Erosion to Va., Md. Beaches
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
USGS Scientists Document Hurricane Dorian’s Impacts
Editor’s Note: This story was revised Sept. 10, 2019 to include the later phases of USGS’ response to Hurricane Dorian.
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
USGS deploying about 150 storm-tide sensors in the Carolinas
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
Dorian Likely to Cause Significant Beach Erosion from Fla. to N.C.
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
Editor’s note: This story was update September 4 at 2 p.m. with new forecast numbers from the USGS Coastal Change Hazard forecast. For the latest information, visit the USGS Coastal Change Hazards portal.
USGS deploying 175 storm-tide sensors in Fla., Ga.
Editor’s Note: This news release was originally published Aug. 29 and was updated Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 to reflect changes in the number and locations of sensor deployments as Hurricane Dorian’s forecast track changed.
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
USGS deploying 175 storm-tide sensors in Fla., Ga.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published Aug. 29 and was updated Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 to reflect changes in the number and locations of sensor deployments as Hurricane Dorian's forecast track changed.
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, visit the USGS Hurricane Dorian page at www.usgs.gov/dorian.
Rising Sea Levels Could Accelerate Florida Bay Mangrove Loss
USGS scientists look to the past to learn about the future of Florida mangroves
Piping Plovers Benefited from Hurricane Sandy
Storms and undeveloped coastlines can create and maintain habitat for this species, which is threatened along the Atlantic coast.