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
NASA Planetary Cartography Planning
This page provides information on the history of planetary cartography research and program planning for NASA. This has been a community-based effort driven by the need to develop and maintain a cartographic capability in support of NASA missions of space exploration. To comment or add to this page please contact Brent Archinal (barchinal@...
Planetary Spatial Infrastructure LPSC 2016
Planetary Spatial Infrastructure: At the Intersection Of GIScience and Planetary Science
Wednesday March 23rd 2016, 1:30 PM Waterway Ballroom 4
Chairs:
- Samuel Lawrence
- Daniella DellaGiustina
LPSC 2013 Town Hall on Planetary Mapping and Cartography
What is planetary mapping? When do you need to do planetary mapping? How is planetary mapping accomplished? Why is planetary mapping important to you? Planetary mapping is literally foundational to planetary science and exploration. This town hall meeting is intended to present to the general planetary community the need to take planetary and lunar data and turn it into useful...
NASA/USGS Planetary Geologic Mapping Program
The Astrogeology Team at USGS provides coordination of NASA's planetary geologic mapping program. Geologic mapping investigations of any imaged planetary body (except Earth) are proposed to NASA's Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program on an annual basis (generally due sometime between late April and early June) and then...
ISPRS
ISPRS is an international NGO devoted to the development of international cooperations for the advancement of knowlege, research, development and education in the Protogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences (P&RS&SIS), their integration and application, to contribute to the well bieng of hunanity and sustainability of the environment.
IAU - WGCCRE
The IAU Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements (WGCCRE) has been given the responsibility by the International Astronomical Union to define the rotational elements of the planets, satellites, asteroids, and comets of the solar system on a systematic basis and to relate their cartographic coordinates rigorously to the rotational elements.
In...
Mars Ice Consortium
The Mars Ice Consortium is a joint project between the USGS Astrogeology Research Program (Flagstaff, AZ) and the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facilty (Tempe, AZ) to bring together a single resource for the exploration of martian ices. Much of this research is done at the USGS Flagstaff Science Center.
Planetary Data Workshop
Planetary Data: Workshops for Users and Software Developers
The Annex of the PDS Cartography & Imaging Sciences Node
The Annex of the PDS Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node (aka “Imaging” or IMG) is a data repository designed to support the public delivery of NASA-funded geospatial data products derived from PDS image data. Examples of geospatial, derived products supported include global mosaics and thematic maps of...
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...
Sand deposition in the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon from flooding of the Little Colorado River
Methods for computing the volume of sand deposited in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park by floods in major tributaries and for determining redistribution of that sand by main-channel flows are required for successful management of sand-dependent riparian resources. We have derived flow, sediment transport, and bed evolution models...
Wiele, S.M.; Graf, J.B.; Smith, J.D.
Chemistry and toxicity of urban sediments, Maricopa County, Arizona, data and summary statistics
Ingersoll, T.L.; Parker, J.T.; Fossum, K.D.
Results of ground-water, surface-water, and water-chemistry monitoring, Black Mesa area, northeastern Arizona, 1994
The Black Mesa monitoring program is designed to document long-term effects of ground-water pumping from the N aquifer by industrial and municipal users. The N aquifer is the major source of water in the 5,400-square-mile Black Mesa area, and the ground water occurs under confined and unconfined conditions. Monitoring activities include continuous...
Littin, G.R.; Monroe, S.A.
Sand-storage changes in the Colorado River downstream from the Paria and Little Colorado Rivers, June 1992 to February 1994
Graf, J.B.; Marlow, J.E.; Fisk, G.G.; Jansen, S.M.
Results of ground-water, surface-water, and water-quality monitoring, Black Mesa area, northeastern Arizona, 1992-93
No abstract available.
Littin, G.R.; Monroe, S.A.
Hydrogeology and deformation of sandbars in response to fluctuations in flow of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Rill erosion, slumping, and fissuring develop on seepage faces of many sandbars along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. These processes, observed at low river stage, are a response to residual head gradients in the sandbars caused by the river-stage fluctuation. Three sandbars were instrumented with sensors for continual monitoring of pore...
Carpenter, M.C.; Carruth, R.L.; Fink, J.B.; Boling, J.K.; Cluer, B.L.
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.
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
Setting up experimental restoration plots.
Field crew install a Restoration Field Trial Network garden in the rangelands of Northern Arizona. Each garden in the network is examining seedlings and seeds in conjunction with restoration treatments to better
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A Record of Change: Science and Elder Observations on the Navajo N.
A Record of Change—Science and Elder Observations on the Navajo Nation is a 25-minute documentary about collaborative studies using conventional physical sciences, combined with tribal elder observations to show that local knowledge and conventional science partnerships can effectively document ecosystem change and determine the resulting challenges to livelihoods.
Seeding experiment to improve restoration outcomes in the Southwest.
USGS ecologists Molly McCormick (left) and Katie Laushman (right) conducting a seeding experiment that is a part of RAMPS, a new USGS-led initiative to improve restoration outcomes in the Southwest.
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Bare Ground = Blowing Dust
Across the desert Southwest, ground void of plant material is prone to soil erosoin and dust storms. In this fallowed agricultural field, we see that a spring breeze can carry away fertile top soil and create air quality concerns. USGS RAMPS defines causes of environmental hazards created by degraded land, and creates collaborative solutions to reduce these types of risks
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First-of-its-kind survey shows that algal toxins are found nationwide
Laura Norman was asked to provide a presentation at the Hassayampa River Study meeting. Stakeholders in the 3,700 km² watershed are interested in the benefits of hydrologic modeling to assess if stormwater management practices would impact stormflows, sedimentation, and groundwater recharge.
Mountains on Io, Jupiter’s volcanic moon, are formed by a unique geologic mechanism not found elsewhere in the solar system, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The first topographic map of Mercury was released today by the U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona State University, Carnegie Institute of Washington, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and NASA.
Alternative Flows Might Mitigate Negative Impacts
A newly published, three-volume “Remote Sensing Handbook” is a comprehensive coverage of all remote sensing topics written by over 300 leading global experts.
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.
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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, Tempe Office
Phone: (480) 736-1093
Fax: (480) 736-1356
Arizona Water Science Center, Yuma Office
Phone: (928) 782-6024
Fax: (928) 782-0268