Unified Interior Regions
Arizona
The Southwest Region includes California, Nevada, and Arizona. The Regional Office, headquartered in Sacramento, provides Center oversight and support, facilitates internal and external collaborations, and works to further USGS strategic science directions.
States L2 Landing Page Tabs
Meteor Crater Drill Cores
While inventorying the drill cuttings from Meteor Crater, we identified 31 boxes of drill core from the crater. Unfortunately, there was little or no documentation for these cores and we initially did not know the drill hole locations or any of the ancillary details. With the assistance of Dr. David Kring, we eventually determined the origin of all of the drill cores. We found...
Meteor Crater Sample Collection
Meteor Crater is a 180 m deep, 1.2 km diameter bowl-shaped impact crater in Northern Arizona, and has long been a terrestrial analog site for planetary exploration. During the 1960’s, Eugene Shoemaker trained NASA astronauts at the crater to prepare for the Apollo missions to the Moon. The Meteor Crater Sample Collection consists of geologic samples from the Meteor Crater...
Lunar Calibration ROLO (Robotic Lunar Observatory)
The USGS lunar calibration program provides radiometric calibration and sensor stability monitoring for space-based remote sensing instruments using the Moon as a reference source. This is a unique on-orbit calibration technique for solar reflectance wavelengths that requires no special flight hardware, only that the instrument must view the Moon. The unmatched stability of the lunar...
MRCTR GIS Lab
The USGS Astrogeology Mapping, Remote-sensing, Cartography, Technology, and Research (MRCTR, pronounced "Mercator") GIS Lab provides web-based resources aimed at the planetary research community. The lab supports Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graphical, statistical, and spatial tools for analyses of planetary data, including the distribution of planetary GIS tutorials,...
RPIF Online Exhibits
The NASA/USGS RPIF is dedicated to providing online exhibits of archived materials. The RPIF houses a large collection of historical artifacts in relation to space exploration, map-making, and planetary geology.
PDS Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node at USGS
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center is host to the lead science component of the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node (IMG) of the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS). A partner facility at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) provides engineering support and technical management for the IMG. The IMG is a PDS science discipline node that manages an archive of more than 1500 TB...
USGS/NASA Planetary Photogrammetry Guest Facility
-- ON HOLD -- Training Opportunity -- ON HOLD --
Photogrammetric Processing of Planetary Stereo Imagery using ISIS and SOCET GXP® TBD
Please note that we no longer have any scheduled SOCET SET® trainings at this time. We are currently transitioning to BAE's latest photogrammtry suite called SOCET...
RPIF Pioneers of Astrogeology
Some of the pioneers in planetary geologic research include Eugene Shoemaker, Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, Don Wilhelms, Raymond Batson, David Roddy, Gordon Swann and Baerbel Lucchitta. Click on the images below to learn about each person and their contributions to Astrogeology.
Gordan Alfred Swann
Gordon Alfred Swann was born in Palisade, CO, September 21, 1931. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956, he received a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1962 as one of the pioneers in a study of the Precambrian geology of the Front Range of Colorado. His career in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) began in Denver in 1963 working on a Defense Department...
Dave Roddy
Dave Roddy was a world-renowned scientist at the forefront of investigators studying impact and explosion craters. His field mapping of Flynn Creek was the first mapping detailed enough to demonstrate the impact origin of an ancient structure in North America. David was an authority on the Meteor Crater impact structure, east of Flagstaff. Dave's work has assisted in the...
Raymond Milner Batson
Ray Batson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on 8 July 1931. His lifelong passion for flying surfaced early. In high school he worked at Stapleton Airfield in Denver refueling planes in order to pay for flying lessons, and obtained his private pilot’s license. After a year of study at Regis College, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served a two-year tour of duty as...
Don Wilhelms
With his geologic mapping of the Moon, Don Wilhelms set the methods and standards for planetary mapping. He is author of Geologic History of the Moon (1987, USGS Professional Paper 1348) and To a Rocky Moon, A Geologist's History of Lunar Exploration (1993, University of Arizona Press), as well as many other science publications and planetary geologic maps. Don helped train...
Selected chemical characteristics and acute toxicity of urban stormwater, streamflow, and bed material, Maricopa County, Arizona
The chemistry and toxicity of urban stormwater, streamflow, and bed material in the Phoenix, Arizona, area were characterized to determine if urban stormwater could degrade the quality of streams. Toxic phases of stormwater (oil and grease, suspended solids, dissolved metals, and dissolved organics) were identified to aid water-quality managers...
Lopes, Thomas J.; Fossum, Kenneth D.
Statistical summary of selected physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics, and estimates of constituent loads in urban stormwater, Maricopa County, Arizona
Stormwater and streamflow in the Phoenix, Arizona, area were monitored to determine the physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics of storm- water from areas having different land uses; to describe the characteristics of streamflow in a river that receives urban stormwater; and to estimate constituent loads in stormwater from unmonitored...
Lopes, T.J.; Fossum, K.D.; Phillips, J.V.; Monical, J.E.
Monitoring Channel Sand Storage in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Jansen, Samuel M.D.; Graf, Julia B.; Marlow, Jonathan E.; Fisk, Gregory G.
Water-level fluctuations, water temperatures, and tilts in sandbars -6.5R, 43.1L, and 172.3L, Grand Canyon, Arizona, 1990-93
Rill erosion, slumping, and fissuring develop on seepage faces of many sandbars along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon at low river stage. Three sandbars were instrumented with sensors for continual monitoring of stage, pore pressure, ground-water temperature, and tilt to determine the relation between ground-water flow and sandbar...
Carpenter, Michael C.; Crosswhite, Jason A.; Carruth, R.L.
Measurements of aquifer-storage change and specific yield using gravity surveys
Pinal Creek is an intermittent stream that drains a 200-square-mile alluvial basin in central Arizona. Large changes in water levels and aquifer storage occur in an alluvial aquifer near the stream in response to periodic recharge and ground-water withdrawals. Outflow components of the ground-water budget and hydraulic properties of the alluvium...
Pool, D.R.; Eychaner, J.H. Measured and predicted velocity and longitudinal dispersion at steady and unsteady flow, Colorado River, Glen Canyon Dam to lake mead
The effect of unsteadiness or dam releases on velocity and longitudinal dispersion of flow was evaluated by injecting a fluorescent dye into the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam and sampling for dye concentration at selected sites downstream. In Glen Canyon, average flow velocity through the study reach increased directly with discharge, but...
Graf, J.B.
Cross-sectional area of the shallow alluvial aquifer at selected sites along the upper Santa Cruz River, Arizona
No abstract available.
Carruth, Rob
Accounting for Consumptive Use of Lower Colorado River Water in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah
In the Colorado River valley between the east end of Lake Mead and the international boundary with Mexico (see figure), the river is the principal source of water for agricultural, domestic, municipal, industrial, hydroelectric-power generation, and recreational purposes. Water is stored in surface reservoirs and in the river aquifer---permeable...
Owen-Joyce, Sandra J.; Wilson, Richard P. Summary of ground-water conditions in Arizona, 1987-90
Annual ground-water withdrawals in Arizona were 2.9, 3.3, 3.6, and 3.4 million acre-feet for calendar years 1987. 1988, 1989, and 1990. The average annual ground-water withdrawal for Arizona from 1980-89 was 3.7 million acre-feet, which was the lowest average annual withdrawal for any decade since the 1940' s. Since 1947, annual ground-water...
Anning, D.W.; Duet, N.R.
Method to identify wells that yield water that will be replaced by Colorado River water in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah
Accounting for the use of Colorado River water is required by the U.S. Supreme Court decree, 1964, Arizona v. California. Water pumped from wells on the flood plain and from certain wells on alluvial slopes outside the flood plain is presumed to be river water and is accounted for as Colorado River water. A method was developed to identify wells...
Wilson, Richard P.; Owen-Joyce, Sandra J.
Determining the source of water pumped from wells along the lower Colorado River
Wilson, Richard P.; Owen-Joyce, Sandra J.
Results of ground-water, surface-water, and water-quality monitoring, Black Mesa area, northeastern Arizona, 1991-92
Littin, G. R.
Collaborative Discussion
The USGS RAMPS program hosts workshops where land managers from federal, state, and local agencies, practitioners, and NGO's can come together to discuss challenges and develop creative solutions. Here,
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Dry, cracked soil (RAMPS)
Rangelands of the desert Southwest can be in a degraded condition and lacking perennial vegetation, which can lead to exposed soil and erosion. RAMPS is working to mitigate degradation by increasing
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Digital Elevation Model Created by an Unmanned Aerial System
This digital elevation model was created using structure from motion software mounted to an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to analyze bridge scour. Studies using UAS have included stream temperature analyses, bird and mammal surveys, coastal change mapping, sandbar habitat surveys, fluvial erosion rates, microclimate mapping, air quality analysis, plant stress assessment,
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Unmanned Aerial System
This small unmanned aerial system with digital camera has been used to create digital elevation models to answer questions about erosion, bridge scour, and other hydraulics analyses.
Unmanned Aerial System in Flight
Small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) collecting digital photos to create digital elevation models. UAS are an increasingly important tool for monitoring, assessing, and conducting targeted scientific research for the nation.
USGS Astrogeology Geologic Map GIS Template
Review of all elements included in the GIS template provided to NASA-funded mappers producing USGS SIM-series planetary geologic maps.
Tour of the Planetary Geologic Mapping Python Toolbox
A tour of the Planetary Geologic Mapping Python toolbox, a suite of GIS tools from the Astrogeology Science Center.
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild
The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment. For example, the plants in this photo have grown up in the shade of one another, and survived due to protection from the hot sun. The
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Introduction to GIS Data for ArcMap 10.1 and Higher
An introduction to GIS data using ArcMap 10.1 and higher; intended for planetary geologic mappers.
The Sonoran desert has grasslands, too.
The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion. The USGS RAMPS program conducts collaborative
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Advances in Streamgaging | Reach-Scale Monitoring Experiment (1 of 2)
In this first installment of a two part series, The Arizona Water Science Center has developed new stream gaging methods that would measure flood flows remotely. However, they have to verify the accuracy of these techniques, so they designed an experiment in partnership with the USDA Southwest Watershed Research Center at the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed that
Historic Context of the Continuous Slope Area Method
The Arizona Water Science Center details the history and development of the Continuous Slope-Area Method. Learn about the people and events that began these new advances in the field of stream gaging.
Music Artist: Glenn Jones, “Bergen County Farewell”. CC License. Music provided by www.FreeMusicArchive.com
With the release of new US Topo maps for Illinois and South Dakota, the USGS has completed the second, three-year cycle of revising and updating electronic US Topo quadrangles. This means that since late 2009, the USGS has published nearly every map in the conterminous U.S., twice.
On average, streams in the Niobrara-Mowry Play of eastern Wyoming, Fayetteville Play of Arkansas, and Barnett Play of Texas ranked most vulnerable to unconventional oil and gas development, but for different reasons, according to recent U.S. Geological Survey coauthored research.
US Geological Survey scientists are presenting on numerous topics related to climate change, drought and resource management at the 13th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau & Southwest Region. Below are some of the newest science topics that the USGS will present.
A new analysis of the largest known deposit of carbonate minerals on Mars helps limit the range of possible answers about how and why Mars changed from a world with watery environments billions of years ago to the arid Red Planet of today.
Although the Grand Canyon segment of the Colorado River features one of the most remote ecosystems in the United States, it is not immune to exposure from toxic chemicals such as mercury according to newly published research in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Water availability in the middle San Pedro watershed in southeast Arizona is strongly dependent on climate and water use, according to a new water resource assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
MENLO PARK, Calif.— Smartphones and other personal electronic devices could, in regions where they are in widespread use, function as early warning systems for large earthquakes according to newly reported research.
MENLO PARK, California — Los teléfonos móviles y otros dispositivos electrónicos personales podrían ayudar en las regiones donde se encuentran en uso generalizado, y pueden funcionar como sistemas de alerta para terremotos mayor según la nueva investigación científica recien publicada.
Golden eagles in the Mojave Desert travel farther, to different areas, and at different times of the year than previously understood, according to research by the U.S. Geological Survey and partners from other federal agencies, academia and the private sector.
While the earth contains enough potash to meet the increased global demand for crop production and U.S. supplies are likely secure, some regions lack potash deposits needed for optimal food crop yields. According to a recent USGS global assessment of potash resources, the costs of importing potash long distances can limit its use and imports are subject to supply disruptions.
A new U.S. Geological Survey study shows how plants’ vulnerability to drought varies across the landscape; factors such as plant structure and soil type where the plant is growing can either make them more vulnerable or protect them from declines.
Newly released US Topo maps for Arizona now feature mountain bike trails, segments of the Arizona National Scenic Trail and Public Land Survey System data. Several of the 1,880 new US Topo quadrangles for the state now display these selected new features along with other improved data layers.
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Locations
Astrogeology Science Center
Phone: 928-556-7000
Fax: 928-556-7014
Southwest Biological Science Center - Flagstaff, AZ, Headquarters
Phone: 928-556-7094
Fax: 928-556-7092
Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
Western Geographic Science Center - Tucson Project Office
Western Geographic Science Center - Flagstaff Project Office
Arizona Water Science Center, Tucson Office
Phone: (520) 670-6671
Fax: (520) 670-5592
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)
yvowebteam@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-993-8906
Southwest Biological Science Center - Tucson, AZ, Research Station
Phone: (520) 670-6671
Fax: (520) 670-5592
Arizona Water Science Center, Flagstaff Office
Phone: (928) 556-7136
Fax: (928) 556-7112
Arizona Water Science Center, Yuma Office
Phone: (928) 343-8100
Arizona Water Science Center, Glendale Office
Phone: 623-773-6200
Fax: 623-773-6480