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• Flood of April 2007 and Flood-Frequency Estimates at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in Western Connecticut

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The study area in western Connecticut-primarily Fairfield and Litchfield Counties--includes 28 active streamflow-gaging stations for reporting peak stages and peak discharges (fig. 1 and table 1). The data collected and analyzed from this storm enhance the scientific understanding of flood characteristics and are critical for reducing deaths, injuries, and property damages from floods. Current estimates of the magnitude and frequency of floods provide key information for updating Flood Insurance Studies, mitigating losses associated with future floods, and designing bridges and culverts. This report includes information on rainfall that led to the flooding, peak stages and peak discharges for the April 2007 flood for rivers with active streamflow-gaging stations, and updated flood-frequency estimates for streamflow-gaging stations in western Connecticut. Also included in this report is a comparison of flood-frequency estimates using (1) reported data through water year 2007 (ending September 30, 2007) to (2) flood-frequency estimates in community Flood Insurance Studies prepared for communities by FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]. The changes in flood stages at the stations attributed to changes in the recurrence interval values are described."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Ahearn, Elizabeth A.

  2009
• Hurricane Sandy Science Plan - Impacts to Coastal Ecosystems, Habitats, and Fish and Wildlife

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  "Hurricane Sandy devastated some of the most heavily populated eastern coastal areas of the Nation. With a storm surge peaking at more than 19 feet, the powerful landscape-altering destruction of Hurricane Sandy is a stark reminder of why the Nation must become more resilient to coastal hazards. In response to this natural disaster, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) received a total of $41.2 million in supplemental appropriations from the Department of the Interior (DOI) to support response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. These funds support a science plan (Buxton and others, 2013) that will provide critical scientific information necessary to inform management decisions for recovery of coastal communities, and aid in preparation for future natural hazards. This science plan is designed to coordinate continuing USGS activities with stakeholders and other agencies to improve data collection and analysis that will guide recovery and restoration efforts. [...] This fact sheet focuses on impacts to coastal ecosystems, habitats, and fish and wildlife."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2013-10
• Characteristics of Hawaiian Volcanoes

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  "The 10 chapters that make up this volume treat in detail various aspects of Hawaiian volcanism, from the evolution of the volcanoes that make up the island chain to the dynamics of effusive and explosive eruptions. This book is not intended to supersede 'Volcanism in Hawaii'--the magnificent 62-chapter dual-volume USGS Professional Paper 1350, which was produced in conjunction with HVO's 75th anniversary in 1987. Instead, 'Characteristics of Hawaiian Volcanoes' provides new perspectives on important aspects of basaltic volcanism by synthesizing past studies with insights from recent data and modeling, with the ultimate goal of developing new models of basaltic volcanism in Hawai'i and elsewhere. Our hope is that these contributions will update the foundation of understanding for Hawaiian volcanism, serving as a starting point for researchers as well as providing ideas and stimuli for new avenues of scientific investigation."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2014
• October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  This United States Geological Survey webpage provides resources and information relating to the historic 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. The page includes links to summaries and historical accounts, ground shaking animations, shake maps, photos and professional papers.

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Role of Snowpack, Rainfall, and Reservoirs in Buffering California Against Drought Effects

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  "California's vast reservoir system, fed by annual snow-and rainfall, plays an important part in providing water to the State's human and wildlife population. There are almost 1,300 reservoirs throughout the State, but only approximately 200 of them are considered storage reservoirs, and many of the larger ones are critical components of the Federal Central Valley Project and California State Water Project. Storage reservoirs, such as the ones shown in figure 1, capture winter precipitation for use in California's dry summer months. In addition to engineered reservoir storage, California also depends on water 'stored' in the statewide snowpack, which slowly melts during the course of the summer, to augment the State's water supply."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2016-08-29
• Workplace Violence Handbook: A Guide for Responding to Violence or Threats in the USGS

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  "The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is committed to ensuring adequate safety for the security of its employees. While the USGS is proud of its safe workplaces, we are concerned about the reality of violence in society and its potential occurrence in our workplaces. In recent years, we have all become more aware of violence and threatening behavior in American workplaces. Violence in the workplace can have devastating effects on the productivity of organizations and on the quality of life of employees. We must take all reasonable steps to protect ourselves and others in the workplace from violent incidents that may result in injury or harm and also to protect Government and personal property. By working together, we can ensure that the USGS establishes and maintains a work environment that is safe and healthy for all. This handbook provides you with guidance for responding appropriately to violence, threats, reports of threats, or questions that arise in these situations. At the end of the handbook are appendices that provide guidance on dealing with violent situations, a list of resources for additional information, and a sample emergency contact information sheet."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  1999-11
• Potential Postwildfire Debris-Flow Hazards: A Prewildfire Evaluation for the Jemez Mountains, North-Central New Mexico, Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5101

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  "Wildfire can substantially increase the probability of debris flows, a potentially hazardous and destructive form of mass wasting, in landscapes that have otherwise been stable throughout recent history. Although the exact location, extent, and severity of wildfire or subsequent rainfall intensity and duration cannot be known, probabilities of fire and debris flow occurrence for given locations can be estimated with geospatial analysis and modeling. The purpose of this report is to provide information on which watersheds might constitute the most serious potential debris-flow hazards in the event of a large-scale wildfire and subsequent rainfall in the Jemez Mountains. Potential probabilities and estimated volumes of postwildfire debris flows in both the unburned and previously burned areas of the Jemez Mountains and surrounding areas were estimated using empirical debris-flow models developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in combination with fire behavior and burn probability models developed by the U.S. Forest Service."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Tillery, Anne C. (Anne Celeste); Haas, Jessica R.

  2016
• Dam Failure Analysis for the Lago El Guineo Dam, Orocovis, Puerto Rico: Scientific Investigations Report 2016-5070

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  "The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, completed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to assess the potential hazard to human life and property associated with the hypothetical failure of the Lago El Guineo Dam. The Lago El Guineo Dam is within the headwaters of the Río Grande de Manatí and impounds a drainage area of about 4.25 square kilometers"

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Gómez-Fragoso, Julieta; Torres-Sierra, Heriberto

  2016
• Earthquake Forewarning in the Cascadia Region

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  "This report, prepared for the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC), is intended as a step toward improving communications about earthquake hazards between information providers and users who coordinate emergency-response activities in the Cascadia region of the Pacific Northwest. NEPEC charged a subcommittee of scientists with writing this report about forewarnings of increased probabilities of a damaging earthquake. We begin by clarifying some terminology; a 'prediction' refers to a deterministic statement that a particular future earthquake will or will not occur. In contrast to the 0- or 100-percent likelihood of a deterministic prediction, a 'forecast' describes the probability of an earthquake occurring, which may range from >0 to

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Gomberg, Joan S., 1957-; Atwater, Brian F.; Beeler, Nicholas . . .

  2015
• U.S. Geological Survey's Wildland Fire Science Program [postcard]

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  This is a postcard advertisement for the U.S. Geological Survey's Wildland Fire Science Program: "The U.S. Geological Survey's Wildland Fire Science Program produces information to identify the causes of wildfires, understand the impacts and benefits of both wildfires and prescribed fires, and help prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events. USGS fire scientists provide information and develop tools that are widely used by stakeholders to make decisions before, during, and after wildfires in desert, grassland, tundra, wetland, and forest ecosystems across the United States."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Roundtable on a National Framework for Natural Hazard Risk Reduction and Management: Developing a Research Agenda, Summary Report

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  "This report summarizes discussion at the Roundtable on a National Framework for Risk Reduction and Management held on November 15, 2006, at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. The Roundtable was co-sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Association of American Geographers (AAG), and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Comments made by speakers not affiliated with the USGS do not necessarily reflect the positions of the USGS. The purpose of the day-long Roundtable was to bring together academic, business, and government leaders to advance a research agenda on improving decision-making to reduce and manage the risks of natural hazards. The Roundtable addressed predicted behavior and incentives at both the national and the local levels and sought to develop a research agenda to achieve the following broad goals: advancing the use of scientific information to reduce societal vulnerability and risk from hazards; and identifying how spatial data can most effectively enable and empower decision-making at the local, state, and national levels."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Kempthorne, Dirk, 1951-; Meyers, Mark D.

  2007
• Analysis of Flood-Magnitude and Flood-Frequency Data for Streamflow-Gaging Stations in the Delaware and North Branch Susquehanna River Basins in Pennsylvania

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  "The Delaware and North Branch Susquehanna River Basins in Pennsylvania experienced severe flooding as a result of intense rainfall during June 2006. […] In response to this flooding, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Pennsylvania Water Science Center began a study to analyze flood-magnitude and flood-frequency data for streamflow-gaging stations (stations) on tributaries within the Delaware and North Branch Susquehanna River Basins in Pennsylvania. This study updates and compares flood frequencies deter-mined from annual maximum series (AMS) data from continuous-record stations to flood discharges obtained from previously published Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) to determine whether there were any major differences in the flood-discharge data. The study also computes flood frequencies using partial-duration series (PDS) data to determine how the use of this PDS data may affect the flood frequencies compared to those deter-mined using the AMS data. The potential effects of regulation and urbanization also were included in the study. […] This report presents the results of (1) a comparison of updated AMS-derived flood-frequency discharges and flood discharges from previously published FIS, (2) a comparison of flood-frequency discharges computed using updated AMS and PDS peak-flow data, and (3) an analysis of the potential effects of regulation and urbanization on updated AMS-derived flood frequencies in the Delaware and North Branch Susquehanna River Basins. A flood-frequency analysis with recurrence intervals of 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 years (Q2, Q5, Q10, Q50, Q100, and Q500, respectively) was performed for 41 stations in the Delaware and North Branch Susquehanna River Basins in Pennsylvania (fig. 1) (appendix 1). Thirty-six of the 41 stations had 30 or more years of continuous record; the other 5 stations had 25 or more years of record."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Roland, Mark A.

  2007-10
• 2004 Volcanic Activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

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  "The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is responsible for monitoring the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian arc (fig. 1). As of December 31, 2004, 27 of these volcanoes are instrumented with seismometers to track earthquake activity, and AVO seismolo¬gists have defined a background level of activity for each of these volcanoes (fig. 2; table 1). AVO's routine monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, occasional observational overflights, and compilation of pilot reports and observations of local residents and mariners. Additionally, AVO receives real-time deformation information from permanent Global Positioning System (GPS) stations at four Alaskan volcanoes (Okmok, Augustine, Akutan, and Mount Spurr). 2004 began quietly in Alaska, continuing a trend of little volcanic unrest that has persist¬ed for several years. On January 9, AVO announced the beginning of formal seismic monitoring of Okmok Volcano following an extended period of calibration and improvement of the seismic network installed initially in 2002-2003. Gareloi and Tanaga volcanoes in the western Aleutians were added to the list of seismically monitored volcanoes in early June following determination of background seismicity. During the remainder of the year, AVO responded to volcanic unrest at three volcanoes in Alaska--Mount Spurr, Veniaminof, and Shishaldin (figs. 1, 2; table 2). As part of a formal agreement between AVO and several scientific institutes in Petropav¬lovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, AVO is responsible for disseminating information on behalf of the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT; Kirianov and others, 2002)."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  McGimsey, Robert G.; Neal, Christina, 1959-; Dixon, James P. (James Patrick), 1962-

  2005
• 2005 Volcanic Activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

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  "The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 16 volcanoes in Alaska during 2005, including the high profile precursory activity associated with the 2005--06 eruption of Augustine Volcano. AVO continues to participate in distributing information about eruptive activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and in the Kurile Islands of the Russian Far East, in conjunction with the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and the Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT), respectively. In 2005, AVO helped broadcast alerts about activity at 8 Russian volcanoes. The most serious hazard posed from volcanic eruptions in Alaska, Kamchatka, or the Kurile Islands is the placement of ash into the atmosphere at altitudes traversed by jet aircraft along the North Pacific and Russian Trans East air routes. AVO, KVERT, and SVERT work collaboratively with the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to provide timely warnings of volcanic eruptions and the production and movement of ash clouds."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  McGimsey, Robert G.; Neal, Christina, 1959-; Dixon, James P. (James Patrick), 1962-

  2008
• National Earthquake Information Center [website]

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  "The mission of the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) is to determine rapidly the location and size of all destructive earthquakes worldwide and to immediately disseminate this information to concerned national and international agencies, scientists, and the general public. The NEIC/WDC [World Data Center] for Seismology compiles and maintains an extensive, global seismic database on earthquake parameters and their effects that serves as a solid foundation for basic and applied earth science research."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• WaterWatch [website]

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  "WaterWatch is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis. WaterWatch provides streamgage-based maps that show the location of more than 3,000 long-term (30 years or more) USGS streamgages; use colors to represent streamflow conditions compared to historical streamflow; feature a point-and-click interface allowing users to retrieve graphs of stream stage (water elevation) and flow; and highlight locations where extreme hydrologic events, such as floods and droughts, are occurring. The streamgage-based maps show streamflow conditions for real-time, average daily, and 7-day average streamflow. The real-time streamflow maps highlight flood and high flow conditions. The 7-day average streamflow maps highlight below-normal and drought conditions. WaterWatch also provides hydrologic unit code (HUC) maps. HUC-based maps are derived from the streamgage-based maps and illustrate streamflow conditions in hydrologic regions. These maps show average streamflow conditions for 1-, 7-, 14-, and 28-day periods, and for monthly average streamflow; highlight regions of low flow or hydrologic drought; and provide historical runoff and streamflow conditions beginning in 1901. WaterWatch summarizes streamflow conditions in a region (state or hydrologic unit) in terms of the long-term typical condition at streamgages in the region. Summary tables are provided along with time-series plots that depict variations through time. WaterWatch also includes tables of current streamflow information and locations of flooding."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Disease Maps [website]

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  This website contains dynamic Disease Maps for the United States for the following infectious diseases: West Nile Virus (WNV), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), La Crosse Encephalitis (LAC), Powassan Virus (POW), Dengue Fever (locally acquired) (DEN-loc), Dengue Fever (imported) (DEN-imp), Chikungunya (locally acquired) (CHIK-loc), and Chikungunya (imported) (CHIK-imp).

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Flooding in the United States Midwest, 2008

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "During 2008, record precipitation amounts, coupled with already saturated soils, resulted in flooding along many rivers in the United States Midwest. Separate flooding events occurred in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and September of 2008. The June floods were by far the most severe and widespread with substantial (and in places record) flooding and damage occurring in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Indiana had the most recurrent flooding during 2008, with peak-of-record streamflows occurring during January, February, March, June, and September. During 2008, peak-of-record streamflows were recorded at more than 147 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages. The annual exceedance probability of the peak streamflows at 26 streamgages was less than 0.2 percent and between 0.2 and 1 percent at 67 streamgages. Trends in flood magnitudes were computed for USGS Midwest streamgages that had no regulation. No Midwest-wide systematic trends upward or down¬ward were evident, although clusters of consistent trends (both upward and downward) were detected in parts of the Midwest."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Holmes, Robert R., 1965-; Koenig, Todd A.; Karstensen, Krista A.

  2010
• Effects of Glen Canyon Dam Operations on Early Life Stages of Rainbow Trout in the Colorado River

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Lees Ferry reach of the Colorado River a 16-mile segment from Glen Canyon Dam to the confluence with the Paria River - supports an important recreational rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fishery. In Grand Canyon, nonnative rainbow trout prey on and compete for habitat and food with native fish, such as the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha). Experimental flow fluctuations from the dam during winter and spring 2003-5 dewatered and killed a high proportion of rainbow trout eggs in gravel spawning bars, but this mortality had no measurable effect on the abundance of juvenile fish. Flow fluctuations during summer months reduced growth of juvenile trout relative to steadier flows. A high-flow experiment in March 2008 increased both trout survival rates for early life stages and fish abundance. These findings demonstrate that Glen Canyon Dam operations directly affect the trout population in the Lees Ferry reach and could be used to regulate nonnative fish abundance to limit potential negative effects of trout on native fish in Grand Canyon."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2011
• Arsenic in Soils and Sediments Adjacent to Birch Swamp Brook in the Vicinity of Texas Road (Downstream from the Imperial Oil Company Superfund Site), Monmouth County, New Jersey

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  "Concentrations of arsenic that exceed the proposed New Jersey State Cleanup Criterion for residential soils of 20 parts per million (20 mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram)) have been measured in soil samples from two residential and farm properties (referred to as the 'Texas Road site') that abut Birch Swamp Brook immediately south of Texas Road and downstream from the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Concentrations of arsenic that exceed the proposed cleanup criterion also have been measured in sediments along the banks and point bars of Birch Swamp Brook and in the organic soils through which the brook runs. The brook drains areas of contamination about 0.5 miles upstream that are associated with the Superfund site, where arsenical pesticide production (1917-45) and waste-oil processing (1950-69) took place. Prior to the current study, the Imperial Oil Company Superfund site was the only known major upstream source of contaminants, which include arsenic, petroleum, and polychlorinated biphenyls, but past use of arsenical pesticides had been shown to contribute substantial amounts of arsenic to the soils in the area."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Barringer, Julia L.; Barringer, Thomas H.; Lacombe, Pierre J.

  2001
• Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources in Jurassic and Cretaceous Strata of the Gulf Coast, 2010

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This fact sheet prepared by the United States Geological Survey provides estimates of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico. "The USGS [United States Geological Survey] assessment of undiscovered conventional oil and gas resulted in estimated means of 19,429 billion cubic feet of gas (BCFG), 700 million barrels of oil (MMBO), and 766 million barrels of natural gas liquids (MMBNGL) in the AUs [Assessment Units] that were assessed. For undiscovered continuous oil and gas resources, the estimated means are 127,922 billion cubic feet of gas (BCFG), 1,732 million barrels of oil (MMBO), and 2,195 million barrels of natural gas liquids (MMBNGL) in the AUs that were assessed."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  2011-03
• 2010 Petroleum Resource Assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA): GIS Play Maps

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  "This report provides digital geographic information systems (GIS) files of maps for each of the 24 plays considered in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2010 updated petroleum resource assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) (Houseknecht and others, 2010). These are the sample plays evaluated in a previous USGS assessment of the NPRA (Bird and Houseknecht, 2002a), maps of which were released in pdf format (Bird and Houseknecht, 2002b). The 2010 updated assessment of the NPRA evaluated each of the previously used 24 plays based on new geologic data available from exploration activities and scientific research. Quantitative assessments were revised for 11 plays, and no revisions were made for 9 plays. Estimates of the volume of technically recoverable, undiscovered oil, and nonassociated gas resources in these 20 plays are reported elsewhere (Houseknecht and others, 2010). Four plays quantitatively assessed in 2002 were eliminated from quantitative assessment for reasons explained by Houseknecht and others (2010). The NPRA assessment study area includes Federal and native onshore land and adjacent State offshore areas. A map showing the areal extent of each play was prepared by USGS geologists as a preliminary step in the assessment process. Boundaries were drawn on the basis of a variety of information, including seismic reflection data, results of exploration drilling, and regional patterns of rock properties. Play boundary polygons were captured by digitizing the play maps prepared by USGS geologists."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Houseknecht, D.W.; Garrity, C.P.; Bird, K.J.

  2011
• Distribution of Trace Metals at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Hopewell Furnace, located approximately 50 miles north¬west of Philadelphia, was a cold-blast, charcoal iron furnace that operated for 113 years (1771 to 1883). The purpose of this study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, was to determine the distribution of trace metals released to the environment from an historical iron smelter at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (NHS). Hopewell Furnace used iron ore from local mines that contained abundant magnetite and accessory sulfide minerals enriched in arsenic, cobalt, copper, and other metals. Ore, slag, cast iron furnace products, soil, groundwater, stream base flow, streambed sediment, and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled for this study. Soil samples analyzed in the laboratory had concentrations of trace metals low enough to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection standards for non-residential use. Groundwater samples from the supply well met U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water regulations. Concentrations of metals in surface-water base flow at the five stream sampling sites were below continuous concentration criteria for protection of aquatic organisms. Concentrations of metals in sediment at the five stream sites were below probable effects level guidelines for protection of aquatic organisms except for copper at site HF-3."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Sloto, Ronald A.; Reif, Andrew G.

  2011
• Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, 2006-2015

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "To provide Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and its surrounding communities with a modern, comprehensive system for volcano and earthquake monitoring, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) has developed a monitoring plan for the period 2006--2015. Such a plan is needed so that YVO can provide timely information during seismic, volcanic, and hydrothermal crises and can anticipate hazardous events before they occur. The monitoring network will also provide high-quality data for scientific study and interpretation of one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world. Among the needs of the observatory are to upgrade its seismograph network to modern standards and to add five new seismograph stations in areas of the park that currently lack adequate station density. In cooperation with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its Plate Boundary Observatory Program (PBO), YVO seeks to install five borehole strainmeters and two tilt-meters to measure crustal movements. The boreholes would be located in developed areas close to existing infrastructure and away from sensitive geothermal features. In conjunction with the park's geothermal monitoring program, installation of new stream gages, and gas-measuring instruments will allow YVO to compare geophysical phenomena, such as earthquakes and ground motions, to hydrothermal events, such as anomalous water and gas discharge. In addition, YVO seeks to characterize the behavior of geyser basins, both to detect any precursors to hydrothermal explosions and to monitor earthquakes related to fluid movements that are difficult to detect with the current monitoring system. Finally, a monitoring network consists not solely of instruments, but requires also a secure system for real-time transmission of data. The current telemetry system is vulnerable to failures that could jeopardize data transmission out of Yellowstone. Future advances in monitoring technologies must be accompanied by improvements in the infrastructure for data transmission. Overall, our strategy is to (1) maximize our ability to provide rapid assessments of changing conditions to ensure public safety, (2) minimize environmental and visual impact, and (3) install instrumentation in developed areas."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

  2006
• National Map [website]

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  "As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. It has many uses ranging from recreation to scientific analysis to emergency response. The National Map is easily accessible for display on the Web, as products and services, and as downloadable data. The geographic information available from The National Map includes orthoimagery (aerial photographs), elevation, geographic names, hydrography, boundaries, transportation, structures, and land cover. Other types of geographic information can be added within the viewer or brought in with The National Map data into a Geographic Information System to create specific types of maps or map views. The National Map is a significant contribution to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and currently is being transformed to better serve the geospatial community by providing high quality, integrated geospatial data and improved products and services including new generation digital topographic maps. In addition to being an important contribution to the NSDI, The National Map is foundational to implementation of the Department of the Interior (DOI) Geospatial Modernization Blueprint and meeting the DOI mission to protect America's treasures for future generations, provide access to our nation's natural and cultural heritage, offer recreation opportunities, honor our trust responsibilities, conduct scientific research, provide wise stewardship of energy and mineral resources, foster sound use of land and water resources, and conserve and protect fish and wildlife. The National Map also underpins the USGS Science Strategy which is based on a systems approach to help address multi-faceted issues, provide better understanding of earth processes and evaluate broad causes and consequences of the use and management of natural resources."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)
• Flood of September 2008 in Northwestern Indiana

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "During September 12-15, 2008, rainfall ranging from 2 to more than 11 inches fell on northwestern Indiana. The rainfall resulted in extensive flooding on many streams within the Lake Michigan and Kankakee River Basins during September 12-18, causing two deaths, evacuation of hundreds of residents, and millions of dollars of damage to residences, businesses, and infrastructure. In all, six counties in northwestern Indiana were declared Federal disaster areas. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages at four locations recorded new record peak streamflows as a result of the heavy rainfall. Peak-gage-height data, peak-streamflow data, annual exceedance probabilities, and recurrence intervals are tabulated in this report for 10 USGS streamgages in northwestern Indiana. Recurrence intervals of flood-peak streamflows were estimated to be greater than 100 years at six streamgages. Because flooding was particularly severe in the communities of Munster, Dyer, Hammond, Highland, Gary, Lake Station, Hobart, Schererville, Merrillville, Michiana Shores, and Portage, high-water-mark data collected after the flood were tabulated for those communities. Flood peak inundation maps and water-surface profiles for selected streams were made in a geographic information system by combining high-water-mark data with the highest resolution digital-elevation-model data available."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Fowler, Kathleen K.; Kim, Moon H. (Moon Ho); Menke, Chad D.

  2010
• New National Flood Inundation Mapping Science Initiative

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This presentation, from the 4th Annual HAZUS Conference on August 23-25, 2010, provides information on flood inundation mapping science.

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Guertal, William R.

  2010-08-25
• Somerset County Flood Information System

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  "The timely warning of a flood is crucial to the protection of lives and property. One has only to recall the flood of August 2, 1973, in Somerset County, New Jersey, in which six lives were lost and major property damage occurred, to realize how unexpected and costly, especially in terms of human life, a flood can be. Accurate forecasts and warnings cannot be made, however, without detailed information about precipitation and streamflow in the drainage basin. Recognizing the need for detailed hydrologic information for Somerset County, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Somerset County, installed the Somerset County Flood Information System (SCFIS) in 1990. The availability of data provided by this system will improve the flood forecasting ability of the National Weather Service (NWS), and has assisted Somerset County and municipal agencies in planning and execution of flood-preparation and emergency evacuation procedures in the county. This fact sheet describes the Somerset County Flood Information System and identifies its benefits."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  1998
• 100-Year Flood

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  "Rivers across the Nation seem to be rising to record flood levels almost every year. In Washington, more than one 100-year flood has happened on a few rivers in just the past several years. How can 100-year floods happen so often? The term '100-year flood' is misleading because it leads people to believe that it happens only once every 100 years. The truth is that an uncommonly big flood can happen any year. The term '100-year flood' is really a statistical designation, and there is a 1-in-100 chance that a flood this size will happen during any year. Perhaps a better term would be the '1-in-100 chance flood.' The actual number of years between floods of any given size varies a lot. Big floods happen irregularly because the climate naturally varies over many years. We sometimes get big floods in successive or nearly successive years with several very wet years in a row."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  1996
• January 1996 Floods Deliver Large Loads of Nutrients and Sediment to the Chesapeake Bay

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  "The Blizzard of 1996 struck the Mid-Atlantic region in January, depositing a record amount of snowfall. Within two weeks of the paralyzing blizzard, warm and extremely humid air entered the region, followed by a major rainstorm. The combination of warm, humid air and heavy rainfall melted the snow at an unprecedented rate. In just over one day, two to five inches of water from snowmelt combined with two to five inches of rainfall, resulting in widespread major flooding throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including the Chesapeake Bay watershed (Figure 1). The January 1996 storm caused severe flooding on many Chesapeake Bay tributaries. As a result of the flooding, large amounts of nutrients and sediment entered the Bay. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitored the amount of streamflow, nutrients, and sediment that entered the Chesapeake Bay as a result of the flood. This information is used to evaluate the effect of hydrologic events of this magnitude on the Bay's health and living resources."

  Geological Survey (U.S.)

  Zynjuk, Linda D.; Majedi, Brenda Feit

  1996