Unified Interior Regions

Decision makers need a toolbox full of ideas to understand the large-scale impacts of their choices—to secure water for cities and wildlife, to adapt to climate change, to meet the nation's energy needs and to better conserve biodiversity.

More than one-third of the nation’s population uses drinking water from public water systems that rely on groundwater pumped from public wells. The U.S. Geological Survey has collected data nationwide on water-quality in public wells.

In the United States, 1 in 4 people live with the risk of earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are designing innovative tools to better detect earthquakes and share critical information. The involvement of citizens is key, as decisions made before and immediately after an earthquake can save lives and protect property.

Science requires perspective and objectivity. The U.S. Geological Survey provides both with data from the Landsat series of satellites. Multispectral imagery from Landsat – unique among the world’s observation satellites in its coverage, versatility, and continuity – fuels advanced research about the state of the Earth. Since 2008, when the images were made available free of...

U.S. Geological Survey conservation geneticists will showcase their science at the Department of the Interior on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (South Interior Building, South Interior Auditorium, 1951 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.)

The rain last week did little to alleviate the dry conditions affecting parts of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Hydrologic conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region remain abnormally dry, and streamflows continue to decline, according to scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (see national map figure below).

U.S. Geological Survey Deputy Director Robert Doyle has been selected as a Distinguished recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, a prestigious award that commends outstanding leadership and long-term accomplishments.

Invasive cheatgrass is altering historical fire regimes throughout the western United States, exposing native ecosystems not adapted to fire to more frequent and intense fire events. Invasive aquatic species including invertebrates, fish, and the fish disease VHS continue to colonize the Great Lakes at an alarming rate. 

Scientific research indicates that warmer temperatures may create substantial water supply shortages in the Colorado River. This would greatly impact the more than 25 million people who rely on this source for water and power.

U.S. coastal communities, environments, and economies are especially vulnerable to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts. At the same time, they face continuing challenges from population growth, coastal erosion and storms, and habitat loss.

U.S. coastal communities, environments, and economies are especially vulnerable to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts. At the same time, they face continuing challenges from population growth, coastal erosion and storms, and habitat loss.