Information about USGS Region 7 Offices and Science Centers
This page has links to webpages describing missions, activities, and publications of the USGS Offices and Science Centers of the Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin.
USGS Offices and Science Centers in Region 7
Region 7 - Upper Colorado Basin Regional Office
The Region 7 Upper Colorado Basin Regional Office oversees the operations of 14 Science Centers and 13 Field Offices in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Central Energy Resources Science Center
The USGS Central Energy Resources Science Center addresses national and global energy geoscience issues and conducts interdisciplinary research on energy systems.
The USGS Colorado Water Science Center conducts water-resources activities in Colorado in formal partnerships with many other organizations. Center activities include extensive data-collection efforts and studies of various types. Results are documented in reports and as information served on the internet. Center staff operate statewide data-collection networks for streamflow, water quality, and groundwater levels.
Faced with the complexities and growing urgency of natural resource issues, land and resource managers need information that is accurate, current, and usable. The USGS Fort Collins Science Center in Colorado fulfills this need by providing sound scientific data and technical assistance to Department of the Interior bureaus and other natural resource agencies.
Geologic Hazards Science Center
Staff of the USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center (GHSC) conduct a wide range of research related to seismicity, landslides, and geomagnetism. The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) is housed in the GHSC. The Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory is also administered from the GHSC.
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Staff of the USGS Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center conduct research in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to in support of the USGS mission to address the Nation’s important earth science issues, with an emphasis on mineral resources.
Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Researchers of the USGS Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center conduct multi-purpose geologic mapping and topical scientific studies to address issues concerning geologic, climatic, ecosystem, and land surface changes; human interactions with the environment; and physical, chemical, and biological characterization of the Earth's surface and upper crust.
New Mexico Water Science Center
The USGS New Mexico Water Science Center provides relevant, state-of-the-science water information to New Mexico and the Nation; addressing and informing questions framed by public policy, partner needs, and agency science priorities by applying the rigorous standards that characterize USGS science.
The USGS TRIGA® Reactor (GSTR) is a low–enriched uranium–fueled, pool–type reactor. The mission of the TRIGA® is to support USGS science by providing information on geologic, plant, and animal specimens to advance methods and techniques unique to nuclear reactors.
The Utah Water Science Center provides real-time discharge at more than 150 gages statewide, monitors groundwater levels across a statewide network annually, and engages in a side range of hydrologic science studies and modeling projects.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a consortium of nine state and federal agencies that provide timely monitoring and hazard assessment of volcanic, hydrothermal, and earthquake activity in the Yellowstone Plateau region. The USGS part of the YVO is also responsible for monitoring and reporting on volcanic activity in the intermountain west U.S. states.
Other USGS Offices in Region 7
Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory
The mission of the Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory (ASL) is to support the operation and maintenance of seismic networks. As part of this mission, the ASL is responsible for the USGS-portion of the Global Seismographic Network (GSN) and the ANSS backbone network.
The Core Research Center (CRC) was established in 1974 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to preserve valuable rock cores for use by scientists and educators from government, industry, and academia. The cylindrical sections of rock are permanently stored and available for examination and testing at the core storage and research facility in Denver, Colorado.
The USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory provides critical analytical and characterization support for a wide variety of internal USGS projects and external collaborators. In addition, the lab continually works to develop new methods or improve existing methods to analyze a variety of sample matrices.
Jackson, Wyoming, Field Research Station of the Columbia Environmental Research Center
CERC’s priority is to continue the important work of the Department of the Interior and the USGS, while also maintaining the health and safety of our employees and community. Based on guidance from the White House, the CDC, and state and local authorities, we are shifting our operations to a virtual mode and have minimal staffing within our offices.
National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
The U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) provides leadership and world-class technical expertise in the acquisition and management of trusted geospatial data, services, and map products for the Nation. NGTOC supports The National Map as part of the National Geospatial Program (NGP).
North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
The North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (NC CASC) is a partnership between the US Geological Survey, the University of Colorado Boulder and five consortium partners. The NC CASC fosters innovative and applied research in support of tribal, federal, state, and local natural resource management and decision-making. The NA CASC is one of eight regional climate centers in the national CASC network created to help meet the changing needs of land and resource managers across the country. It serves Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska.
The National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility (NSF-ICF) is a facility for storing, curating, and studying meteoric ice cores recovered from the glaciated regions of the world. It provides scientists with the capability to conduct examinations and measurements on ice cores, and it preserves the integrity of these ice cores in a long-term repository for current and future investigations. Ice cores are recovered and studied for a variety of scientific investigations, most of which focus on the reconstruction of past climate states of the Earth. By investigating past climate fluctuations, scientists hope to be able to understand the mechanisms by which climate change is accomplished, and in so doing, they hope to develop predictive capabilities for future climate change. NSF-ICF is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs and operated by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) emphasizes a science data lifecycle approach to Earth systems data and information. We strive to accelerate research and decision making through data science, information delivery, advanced computing, and biodiversity analytics.
Southwest Biological Science Center Field Station, Moab, Utah
The Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) conducts quality, objective research on the lands and aquatic systems of the Southwest. This research can assist those who manage, conserve, and rehabilitate the arid regions of the nation.
The USGS Denver Library collection covers all earth science topics, domestic and foreign with emphasis on mineralogy; petrology; geochemistry; oil, gas and coal; seismology; volcanology; and coastal and marine geology. Along with USGS publishing output, the library holds materials from state and foreign geological surveys, the former U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program. Special collections include Geologic Division field records materials and historical photographs taken during USGS fieldwork.
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center - Cheyenne Office
The Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center uses state-of-the-art techniques for hydrologic data collection and interpretation. The Center's scientists have a wide range of expertise in all areas of water science, including: water quality, groundwater, surface water, water use, geospatial analysis, and evaluating aquatic ecosystems.