Rex Sanders (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Rising Seas and Storms Could Seriously Damage California’s Coast within 30 Years
In less than 30 years the combination of sea-level rise plus an extreme storm along California’s coast could flood more than 150,000 residents and impact over $30 billion in property value. By 2100, up to 600,000 people and $150 billion in property could be at risk from coastal flooding.
Recent Coastal and Marine Fieldwork - December 2018-January 2019
Recently USGS scientists visited 10 coastal and offshore locations, studying tsunami and hurricane deposits in Hawai‘i, monitoring Cape Cod estuary health, testing technology in Tampa Bay, and much more. Here’s a quick overview of some fieldwork by our researchers.
Added Funding Aids Recovery from 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires
In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused roughly $265 billion in damage and killed more than 3,000 people in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The same year, California wildfires killed 47 people, burned over a million acres of land, and destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 buildings.
News Briefs - December 2018-January 2019
Coastal and marine news highlights from across the USGS
Moving Mountains: Elwha River Still Changing Five Years After World’s Largest Dam-Removal Project
Starting in 2011, the National Park Service removed two obsolete dams, the world’s largest dam-removal project to date. Over the next five years, water carrying newly freed rocks, sand, silt, and old tree trunks reshaped more than 13 miles of river and built a larger delta into the Pacific Ocean.
A Tale of Two Tsunamis—Why Weren’t They Bigger? Mexico 2017 and Alaska 2018
Why do some earthquakes trigger large tsunamis, and others don’t? Learn how earthquakes produce tsunamis, how scientists predict tsunami size and arrival times, and the differences in two recent small tsunamis.
Pacific Missile Tracking Site Could Be Unusable in 20 Years Due to Climate Change
Living and working on the Pacific islands hosting a key missile tracking site soon could be almost impossible due to the impacts of climate change.
Open House Welcomes Enthusiastic Visitors to Santa Cruz Office
Scientists at the USGS offices in Santa Cruz, California participated in the Open House on Saturday, December 9, 2017, excited to share their science with the community.
Scientists Inspiring Students
Several USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center women scientists assembled a panel to discuss their exciting and fulfilling careers at Pacific Elementary School, with the goal of inspiring younger girls to stay engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math, and to pursue these professions.
Bob Rosenbauer Retires as Science Center Director
On January 7, 2017, Robert (Bob) Rosenbauer retired from the USGS after more than 42 years of public service.
New Director of Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
On January 9, 2017, Guy Gelfenbaum took over as director of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz and Menlo Park, California. Gelfenbaum replaced Robert (Bob) Rosenbauer, who led the center for more than six years until his retirement.
New Director of Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Rob Thieler is the new director of the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in Massachusetts.