Unified Interior Regions
Region 11: Alaska
Alaska Science Center
4210 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-7000
Volcano Science Center
4230 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-7497
Climate Adaptation Science Center
4230 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: 907-301-7830
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USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.
Search USGS publications for Alaska
Arctic Science for Decision Maker
2019 USGS Alaska Annual Science ReportAutumn staging of cackling Canada geese on the Alaska Peninsula
Cackling Canada Geese Branta canadensis minima undergo a long (2,800 km) migration between their autumn staging areas on the Alaska Peninsula and wintering areas in Oregon and California. Adults and young lost an average of 543 g during this migratory flight. Weight gains between fledging and autumn migration are essential for the successful...
Sedinger, James S.; Bollinger, Karen S.Common Murre (Uria aalge) attendance patterns at Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland
Attendance patterns of common murres (Uria aalge) at Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland, were observed during hatching to post-fledging periods of 1980 to 1984. Six study plots on breeding ledges (ca. 450 birds total) and a "club" on the water were monitored for seasonal fluctuations in numbers attending. Attendance on ledges was similar between years...
Piatt, John F.; McLagan, Ruth L.Copulation and mate guarding in the Northern Fulmar
I studied the timing and frequency of copulation in mated pairs and the occurrence of extra-pair copulation (EPC) among Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) for 2 yr. Copulation peaked 24 days before laying, a few days before females departed on a prelaying exodus of about 3 weeks. I estimated that females were inseminated at least 34 times each...
Hatch, Scott A.Cumulative impacts of oil fields on northern Alaskan landscapes
Proposed further developments on Alaska's Arctic Coastal Plain raise questions about cumulative effects on arctic tundra ecosystems of development of multiple large oil fields. Maps of historical changes to the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field show indirect impacts can lag behind planned developments by many years and the total area eventually disturbed can...
Walker, D.A.; Webber, P.J.; Binnian, Emily F.; Everett, K.R.; Lederer, N.D.; Nordstrand, E.A.; Walker, M.D.Dehydration of seabird prey during transport to the colony: Effects on wet weight energy densities
We present evidence to indicate that dehydration of prey transported by seabirds from capture sites at sea to chicks at colonies inflates estimates of wet weight energy densities. These findings and a comparison of wet and dry weight energy densities reported in the literature emphasize the importance of (i) accurate measurement of the fresh...
Montevecchi, W.A.; Piatt, John F.Development and evaluation of a system for tracking wildlife by satellite
No abstract available.
Rose, Mary; Fancy, S.G.; Pank, L.F.; Douglas, David C.; Curby, Catherine H.; Garner, Gerald W.; Amstrup, Steven C.; Regelin, Wayne L.Did the 1982-1983 El Niño-Southern Oscillation Affect Seabirds in Alaska?
The causes and effects of the oceanographic and atmospheric phenomena known as El Nino and the Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have been studied intensively in recent years (Cane 1983, Rasmusson and Wallace 1983, Barber and Chave 1983, Cane and Zebiak 1985). ENSOs occur at semiregular intervals of 3-4 years, and the stronger events have important...
Hatch, Scott A.Feeding ecology of Alcidae in the eastern North Pacific Ocean
No abstract available.
Croxall, J.P.; Vermeer, K.; Sealy, S.G.; Sanger, G.A.Incidental catch of marine birds and mammals in fishing nets off Newfoundland, Canada
Summer surveys of the incidental catch of marine birds and mammals in fishing nets around the east coast of Newfoundland indicated that over 100 000 animals were killed in nets during a 4-year period (1981–1984). Composition of catches depended on foraging behaviour, regional abundance, and the degree of foraging aggregation of different species....
Piatt, John F.; Nettleship, David N.Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks of the Baird Mountains quadrangle, western Brooks Range, Alaska
Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks in the Baird Mountains quadrangle form a relatively thin, chiefly shallow-water succession that has been thrust-faulted and metamorphosed to blueschist and greenschist facies. Although this succession was thought to be mostly Devonian until recently, a large part of it is in fact pre-Silurian in age.Middle and Upper...
Tailleur, Irvin L.; Weimer, Paul; Dumoulin, Julie A.; Harris, Anita G.Mortalities of kelp-forest fishes associated with large oceanic waves off central California, 1982-1983
Observations of three incidents of the mass mortality of nearshore fishes are reported; each corresponded to periods of high-amplitude, long-period swells during the 1982-1983 El Niño event along the coast of central California. Members of the nearshore kelp forest fish assemblage, primarily of the genus Sebastes, accounted for 96% of the...
Bodkin, James L.; VanBlaricom, Glenn R.; Jameson, Ronald J.Resurrection Peninsula and Knight Island ophiolites and recent faulting on Montague Island, southern Alaska
The Resurrection Peninsula forms the east side of Resurrection Bay (Fig. 1). The city of Seward is located at the head of the bay and can be reached from Anchorage by highway (127 mi;204 km). Relief ranges from 1,434 ft (437 m) at the southern end of the peninsula to more than 4,800 ft (1,463 m) 17 mi (28 km) to the north. All rock units composing...
Nelson, Steven W.; Miller, Marti L.; Dumoulin, Julie A.Stay up-to-date with what is happening in the Alaska Region by checking out our different social media accounts. You can also contact Alaska Regional Office staff or Center Directors for more information.