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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

USGS1984

Ice volumes on Cascade volcanoes: Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Three Sisters, and Mount Shasta

During the eruptions of Mount St. Helens the occurrence of floods and mudflows made apparent the need for predictive water-hazard analysis of other Cascade volcanoes. A basic requirement for such analysis is information about the volumes and distributions of snow and ice on other volcanoes. A radar unit contained in a backpack was used to make point measurements of ice thickness on major glaciers of Mount Rainier, Washington; Mount Hood, Oregon; the Three Sisters, Oregon; and Mount Shasta, California. The measurements were corrected for slope and were used to develop subglacial contour maps from which glacier volumes were measured. These values were used to develop estimation methods for finding volumes of unmeasured glaciers. These methods require a knowledge of glacier slope, altitude and area, and an estimation of basal shear stress, with each derived using topographic maps updated by aerial photographs. The estimation methods were found to be accurate within + 20 percent on measured glaciers, and to be within + 25 percent when applied to unmeasured glaciers on the Cascade volcanoes. The estimation methods may be applicable to other temperate glaciers in similar climatic settings. Areas and volumes of snow and ice are as follows: Mount Rainier 991 million ft 2 , 156 billion ft 3 ; Mount Hood 145 million ft 2 , 12 billion ft 3 ; Three Sisters 89 million ft 2 , 6 billion ft 3 ; and Mount Shasta 74 million ft 2 , 5 billion ft 3 . The distribution of ice and firn patches within 58 glacierized basins on volcanoes are mapped and listed by altitude and by watershed to facilitate water hazard-analysis.

California, Oregon, Washington↗

USGS2016

Radiocarbon dates for lava flows from northeast rift zone of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hilo 7 1/2 minute quadrangle, Island of Hawaii

Twenty-eight 14 C analyses are reported for carbonized roots and other plant material collected from beneath 15 prehistoric lava flows erupted from the northeast rift zone (NERZ) of Mauna Loa Volcano (ML) utilizing the recovery techniques of Lockwood and Lipman (1980). Most samples were collected from the Hilo 7 1/2’ quadrangle during field work for a geologic map of that quadrangle (Buchanan-Banks, unpub data); a few sample sites are located in adjacent quadrangles: Piihonua to the west and Mountain View to the south. Altitudes are given in English units as well as metric to facilitate locating sites on USGS topographic maps.

Radiocarbon↗

USGS1999

An evaluation of sand and gravel resources in and near the Prescott National Forest in the Verde Valley, Arizona, with a section on evaluation of sand and gravel resources using selected engineering variables

This study was based on available published literature. Although no field investigation was conducted in the Prescott National Forest to the west of the Verde River, a field investigation was conducted in the summer of 1994 by this author on the Coconino National Forest, to the east of the Verde River, where units of surficial materials of the same age and similar character are found (Cox, 1995). The intent of this evaluation of sand and gravel resources in the Prescott National Forest and adjacent areas in the Verde Valley, is to provide the land managers of the U.S. Forest Service with a map that delineates sand- and gravel-bearing geologic units. The map distinguishes (1) sand-and gravel-bearing units that are limited to channels from those that are not, (2) sand-and gravel-bearing units that are thin (generally less than 40 feet thick which is one contour interval on the topographic maps) from those that are locally thick (generally 40 feet or more), (3) sand- and gravel-bearing units that are poorly sorted from those that are well-sorted4, (4) sand- and gravel-bearing units that have little or no soil development from those that have greater degrees of soil development and lithification, (5) and sand- and gravel-bearing units that support riparian vegetation from those that do not. These distinctive characteristics are related to the geologic age or depositional setting of the rock materials and can be distinguished where areas are mapped in detail.

Arizona↗

USGS2012

Creation of digital contours that approach the characteristics of cartographic contours

The capability to easily create digital contours using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software has existed for decades. Out-of-the-box raw contours are suitable for many scientific applications without pre- or post-processing; however, cartographic applications typically require additional improvements. For example, raw contours generally require smoothing before placement on a map. Cartographic contours must also conform to certain spatial/logical rules; for example, contours may not cross waterbodies. The objective was to create contours that match as closely as possible the cartographic contours produced by manual methods on the 1:24,000-scale, 7.5-minute Topographic Map series. This report outlines the basic approach, describes a variety of problems that were encountered, and discusses solutions. Many of the challenges described herein were the result of imperfect input raster elevation data and the requirement to have the contours integrated with hydrographic features from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD).

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1984

Index for reports released through the Department of Energy, DOE National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program, and Atomic Energy Commission

The U.S. Government's National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) Program commenced in 1974 and was last comprehensively reported on in An Assessment Report on Uranium in the United States of America , GJO-111(80), dated October 1980. During the seven years of the NURE Program, an unprecedented quantity of geoscience information was gathered throughout the conterminous United States and Alaska. The resulting data bases in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry are substantial and can be applied to the search for many mineral resource commodities other than uranium. This paper describes briefly what data are available, where the data are located, and how they can be obtained by the public. These data fall into seven major categories: Geologic Quadrangle Maps, Radiometric Data from Aerial Surveys, Magnetic Data from Aerial Surveys, Geochemical Data from Waters and Sediments, Radiometric Data from Borehole Logging, Mineralogic Data from Rock Sample Analysis, Evaluation Data for Resource Estimates. Nearly all the NURE data were acquired, are organized, and can be accessed by National Topographic Map Series (NTMS) 1:250,000-scale quadrangle. Figures 1 and 2 show the distribution of these quadrangles throughout the lower 48 states and Alaska, respectively. Listed below are the 20 repositories scattered across the country where the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has placed most of the information on open-file.

Report↗

USGS1996

Methods for estimating low-flow characteristics of ungaged streams in selected areas, northern Florida

Methods for estimating low-flow frequency characteristics at ungaged sites were developed for two areas in northern Florida. In the Yellow, Blackwater, Escambia, and Perdido River Basins study area (northwestern Florida), regional regression equations were developed for estimating the 7- and 30-day, 2- and 10-year low-flow characteristic (Q7,2, Q7,10, Q30,2, and Q30,10) by determining values of basin characteristics from digital Geographical Information System (GIS) coverages or hardcopy maps. A GIS, ARC-INFO, was used to quantify basin characteristics that were used in regression equations. Sources of digital data used in this analysis are elevation data, from a digital elevation model, stream length and location data from a digital hydrography coverage, and watershed boundaries digitized from topographic maps. The most accurate regression equations employed a basin characteristic that was based on a simple conceptual model of one- dimensional ground-water flow using Darcy's law. Slightly less accurate equations were obtained using drainage area as the only explanatory variable. The standard error of prediction for the Darcy and drainage area equations of Q7,2 was 65 and 74 percent, respectively; Q7,10, 58 and 62 percent, respectively; Q30,2, 51 and, 54 percent, respectively; and Q30,10, 44 and 51 percent, respectively. In the Santa Fe River Basin study area (northeastern Florida), a flow-routing method was used to estimate low-flow characteristics at ungaged sites from low stream- flow analyses based on records at gaged sites. The use of the flow-routing method is suggested for areas where regression analysis proves unsuccessful, where low-flow characteristics have been defined at a significant number of sites, and where information about the basin characteristics has been thoroughly researched. Low-flow frequency characteristics determined at 40 sites and measurements made during five synoptic runs in 1989-91 were used to develop a flow-routing method. Low-flow frequency characteristics and drainage areas were used to define river profiles for major streams within the Santa Fe River Basin. These river profiles serve as indicators of changes in a stream's low-flow characteristics with respect to change in drainage area. Unit low flows were also determined for each site where low-flow characteristics were determined. Areas of zero flow were defined for Q7,2 and Q7,10 conditions based on measurements made during synoptic runs and from low-flow frequency analyses. The flow-routing method uses the drainage areas to interpolate low-flow values between or near gaged sites on the same stream. Low-flow values are transferred from a gaged site, either upstream or downstream, to the ungaged site. A step-by-step process for flow routing must be made when tributary or other inflow enter a stream. The strength of the flow-routing method is that the values at gaged sites reflect the overall basin characteristics in the vicinity of the gaged sites. However, the accuracy of low-flow estimates may be less in areas of decreasing and increasing flow if sufficient data are not available to assess changing hydraulic and hydrologic conditions.

Florida↗

USGS1978

Nuclear power reactor sites in the southeastern United States

This report describes nuclear power reactor sites in the southeastern United States. The map indicates the location of all sites as of July 1976 in the conterminous United States, and a later published report will include all sites. The project is one of several in the National Environmental Overview Program of the U.S. Geological Survey which will identify and summarize geologic, hydrologic, and topographic topics associated with future energy, mineral resource, and land use development in the United States. The increasing use of atomic energy creates a need for the dissemination of information about nuclear reactors. Because power plant safety is related, in part, to the geology and seismology of the plant area and surroundings, this study is focused primarily on that relationship. Information about the geology and seismology is summarized from reports prepared by consultants to utility companies and submitted by the companies to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (formerly the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) in support of the application for a construction permit. Coordinates for site locations were established by the author from descriptive information in the reports. The U.S. Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps were used in confirming the geographic location of the sites. The coordinates may in some cases represent the planned location rather than the exact actual location.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2010

Effects of groundwater levels and headwater wetlands on streamflow in the Charlie Creek basin, Peace River watershed, west-central Florida

The Charlie Creek basin was studied from April 2004 to December 2005 to better understand how groundwater levels in the underlying aquifers and storage and overflow of water from headwater wetlands preserve the streamflows exiting this least-developed tributary basin of the Peace River watershed. The hydrogeologic framework, physical characteristics, and streamflow were described and quantified for five subbasins of the 330-square mile Charlie Creek basin, allowing the contribution of its headwaters area and tributary subbasins to be separately quantified. A MIKE SHE model simulation of the integrated surface-water and groundwater flow processes in the basin was used to simulate daily streamflow observed over 21 months in 2004 and 2005 at five streamflow stations, and to quantify the monthly and annual water budgets for the five subbasins including the changing amount of water stored in wetlands. Groundwater heads were mapped in Zone 2 of the intermediate aquifer system and in the Upper Floridan aquifer, and were used to interpret the location of artesian head conditions in the Charlie Creek basin and its relation to streamflow. Artesian conditions in the intermediate aquifer system induce upward groundwater flow into the surficial aquifer and help sustain base flow which supplies about two-thirds of the streamflow from the Charlie Creek basin. Seepage measurements confirmed seepage inflow to Charlie Creek during the study period. The upper half of the basin, comprised largely of the Upper Charlie Creek subbasin, has lower runoff potential than the lower basin, more storage of runoff in wetlands, and periodically generates no streamflow. Artesian head conditions in the intermediate aquifer system were widespread in the upper half of the Charlie Creek basin, preventing downward leakage from expansive areas of wetlands and enabling them to act as headwaters to Charlie Creek once their storage requirements were met. Currently, the dynamic balance between wetland storage, rainfall-runoff processes, and groundwater-level differences in the upper basin allow it to generate approximately half of the streamflow from the Charlie Creek basin. Therefore, future development in the upper basin that would alter the hydraulic connectivity of wetlands during high flow conditions or expand recharging groundwater conditions could substantially affect streamflow in Charlie Creek. LIDAR (Light detection and ranging) based topographic maps and integrated modeling results were used to quantify the water stored in wetlands and other topographic depressions, and to describe the network of shallow stream channels connecting wetlands to Charlie Creek and its tributaries over distances of several thousand feet. Peak flows at all but one streamflow station were underpredicted in MIKE SHE simulations, possibly because the hydraulics of surface channels connecting wetlands to stream channels were not explicitly simulated in the model. Explicitly simulating the smaller channels connecting wetlands and stream channels should improve the ability of future watershed models to simulate peak flows in streams with headwater wetlands. The runoff potential was greater in the lower half of the Charlie Creek basin than in the upper half, and the streambed of Charlie Creek had greater potential to both directly gain streamflow from groundwater and lose streamflow to groundwater. Charlie Creek is more incised into the surficial aquifer in the lower basin than in the upper basin, and the streambed intersects the top of the intermediate aquifer system at two known locations. Groundwater levels in the intermediate aquifer system varied widely in the lower half of the basin from artesian conditions inducing upward flow toward the surficial aquifer and streams, to recharging conditions allowing downward flow and stream leakage. Recharge areas were greatest in May 2004 when rainfall was at a seasonal low and irrigation pumping was at a seasonal high. Recharge conditions

Scientific Investigations Report↗

USGS1988

Drainage areas in the Vermillion River basin in eastern South Dakota

Above-normal precipitation in the northern portion of the Vermillion River basin from 1982 through 1987 caused substantial rises in lake levels in the Lake Thompson chain of lakes, resulting in discharge from Lake Thompson to the East Fork Vermillion River. Prior to 1986, the Lake Thompson chain of lakes was thought to be a noncontributing portion of the Vermillion River basin. To better understand surface drainage, the map delineates all named stream basins, and all unnamed basins larger than approximately 10 sq mi within the Vermillion River basin in South Dakota and lists by stream name the area of each basin. Stream drainage basins were delineated by visual interpretation of contour information of U.S. Geological Survey 7 1/2 minute topographic maps. Two tables list areas of drainage basins and reaches, as well as drainage areas above gaging stations. (USGS)

Open-File Report↗

USGS2007

Optical data processing and projected applications of the ERTS-1 imagery covering the 1973 Mississippi River Valley floods

Flooding along the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries was detected by the multispectral scanner (MSS) on the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) on at least three orbits during the spring of 1973. The ERTS data provided the first opportunity for mapping the regional extent of flooding at the time of the imagery. Special optical data processing techniques were used to produce a variety of multispectral color composites enhancing flood-plain details. One of these, a 2-color composite of near infrared bands 6 and 7, was enlarged and registered to 1:250,000-scale topographic maps and used as the basis for preparation of flood image maps. Two specially filtered 3-color composites of MSS bands 5, 6, and 7 and 4, 5, and 7 were prepared to aid in the interpretation of the data. The extent of the flooding was vividly depicted on a single image by 2-color temporal composites produced on the additive-color viewer using band 7 flood data superimposed on pre-flood band 7 images. On May 24, when the floodwaters at St. Louis receded to bankfull stage, imagery was again obtained by ERTS. Analysis of temporal data composites of the pre-flood and post-flood band 7 images indicate that changes in surface reflectance characteristics caused by the flooding can be delineated, thus making it possible to map the overall area flooded without the necessity of a real-time system to track and image the peak flood waves. Regional planning and disaster relief agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, Office of Emergency Preparedness, Soil Conservation Service, interstate river basin commissions and state agencies, as well as private lending and insurance institutions, have indicated strong potential applications for ERTS image-maps of flood-prone areas.

Mississippi River↗

USGS2003

Main-channel slopes of selected streams in Iowa for estimation of flood-frequency discharges

This report describes a statewide study conducted to develop main-channel slope (MCS) curves for 138 selected streams in Iowa with drainage areas greater than 100 square miles. MCS values determined from the curves can be used in regression equations for estimating floodfrequency discharges. Multivariable regression equations previously developed for two of the three hydrologic regions defined for Iowa require the measurement of MCS. Main-channel slope is a difficult measurement to obtain for large streams using 1:24,000-scale topographic maps. The curves developed in this report provide a simplified method for determining MCS values for sites located along large streams in Iowa within hydrologic Regions 2 and 3. The curves were developed using MCS values quantified for 2,058 selected sites along 138 selected streams in Iowa. A geographic information system (GIS) technique and 1:24,000-scale topographic data were used to quantify MCS values for the stream sites. The sites were selected at about 5-mile intervals along the streams. River miles were quantified for each stream site using a GIS program. Data points for river-mile and MCS values were plotted and a best-fit curve was developed for each stream. An adjustment was applied to all 138 curves to compensate for differences in MCS values between manual measurements and GIS quantifications. The multivariable equations for Regions 2 and 3 were developed using manual measurements of MCS. A comparison of manual measurements and GIS quantifications of MCS indicates that manual measurements typically produce greater values of MCS compared to GIS quantifications. Median differences between manual measurements and GIS quantifications of MCS are 14.8 and 17.7 percent for Regions 2 and 3, respectively. Comparisons of percentage differences between flood-frequency discharges calculated using MCS values of manual measurements and GIS quantifications indicate that use of GIS values of MCS for Region 3 substantially underestimate flood discharges. Mean and median percentage differences for 2- to 500-year recurrence- interval flood discharges ranged from 5.0 to 5.3 and 4.3 to 4.5 percent, respectively, for Region 2 and ranged from 18.3 to 27.1 and 12.3 to 17.3 percent for Region 3. The MCS curves developed from GIS quantifications were adjusted by 14.8 percent for streams located in Region 2 and by 17.7 percent for streams located in Region 3. Comparisons of percentage differences between flood discharges calculated using MCS values of manual measurements and adjusted-GIS quantifications for Regions 2 and 3 indicate that the flood-discharge estimates are comparable. For Region 2, mean percentage differences for 2- to 500-year recurrence- interval flood discharges ranged between 0.6 and 0.8 percent and median differences were 0.0 percent. For Region 3, mean and median differences ranged between 5.4 to 8.4 and 0.0 to 0.3 percent, respectively. A list of selected stream sites presented with each curve provides information about the sites including river miles, drainage areas, the location of U.S. Geological Survey streamflowgaging stations, and the location of streams crossing hydrologic region boundaries or the Des Moines Lobe landform region boundary. Two examples are presented for determining river-mile and MCS values, and two techniques are presented for computing flood-frequency discharges.

Iowa↗

USGS2009

The National Map - Elevation

The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS. The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories. The NED is derived from diverse source data sets that are processed to a specification with a consistent resolution, coordinate system, elevation units, and horizontal and vertical datums. The NED is the logical result of the maturation of the long-standing USGS elevation program, which for many years concentrated on production of topographic map quadrangle-based digital elevation models. The NED serves as the elevation layer of The National Map, and provides basic elevation information for earth science studies and mapping applications in the United States. The NED is a multi-resolution dataset that is updated bimonthly to integrate newly available, improved elevation source data. NED data are available nationally at grid spacings of 1 arc-second (approximately 30 meters) for the conterminous United States, and at 1/3 and 1/9 arc-seconds (approximately 10 and 3 meters, respectively) for parts of the United States. Most of the NED for Alaska is available at 2-arc-second (about 60 meters) grid spacing, where only lower resolution source data exist. Part of Alaska is available at the 1/3-arc-second resolution, and plans are in development for a significant upgrade in elevation data coverage of the State over the next 5 years. Specifications for the NED include the following: *Coordinate system: Geographic (decimal degrees of latitude and longitude), *Horizontal datum: North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), *Vertical datum: North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) over the conterminous United States and varies in other areas, and *Elevation units: Decimal meters.

Fact Sheet↗

USGS2007

Possible refugia in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska during the late Wisconsin glaciation

The interpretation of the extent of late Wisconsin glaciation in southeastern Alaska has varied between geologists and biologists. Maps and reports of the region prepared by geologists commonly indicated that late Wisconsin ice extended as a large uniform front west to the edge of the continental shelf. However, the distribution of plants and animals in the region has led many biologists to suggest that there may have been ice-free areas that served as refugia during the late Wisconsin. Based on analyses of aerial photographs, topographic maps, and bathymetric charts, in conjunction with a review of previous literature and reconnaissance fieldwork throughout the region, this study presents data supporting a limited ice extent in the Alexander Archipelago during the late Wisconsin and identifies possible ice-free areas that may have served as refugia. These areas include (1) the Fairweather Ground, (2) the Herbert Graves Island area, (3) the western coast of southern Baranof Island and adjacent continental shelf, (4) Coronation Island and the adjacent continental shelf, (5) the Warren Island area, (6) the continental shelf from west of Heceta Island to Forrester Island in the south, (7) parts of the west coast of southern Dall Island, and (8) lowland areas in southern Prince of Wales Island. The identification of these possible refugia has bearing on the recolonization of the Alexander Archipelago, as they could have served as centers of biotic dispersal upon regional deglaciation and as stepping stones for early humans with a maritime tradition entering the western hemisphere from Asia. ?? 2007 NRC Canada.

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences↗

USGS1977

Geologic map of the Arabia Quadrangle of Mars

The Arabia quadrangle is located in the northern hemisphere of Mars; it extends 30 ˚ N. from the equator and 45˚ E. from the prime meridian. It is within the area of unmantled terrain defined by Soberblom and others (1973) and the planet-encircling band of old cratered deposits shown on the preliminary geologic map o f Mars ( Carr and others, 1973). Crater density in the Arabia quadrangle is similar to the heavily cratered regions located south of the equator owing to inclination of the great circle division between heavily and less cratered Martian terrains ( Soberblom and others (1974). Non e of the large prominent telescopically defined Martian surface markings dominate the Arabia quadrangle, although the northern tip of Meridiani Sinus projects slightly into the extreme southwest corner. The topographic map of Mars (U. S. Geol. Survey, 1976) indicates that elevations in the Araba quadrangle rise toward the northeast. The entire region lacks high relief.

IMAP↗

USGS2005

Using hydrogeomorphic criteria to classify wetlands on Mt. Desert Island, Maine – Approach, classification system, and examples

A wetland classification system was designed for Mt. Desert Island, Maine, to help categorize the large number of wetlands (over 1,200 mapped units) as an aid to understanding their hydrologic functions. The classification system, developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the National Park Service, uses a modified hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach, and assigns categories based on position in the landscape, soils and surficial geologic setting, and source of water. A dichotomous key was developed to determine a preliminary HGM classification of wetlands on the island. This key is designed for use with USGS topographic maps and 1:24,000 geographic information system (GIS) coverages as an aid to the classification, but may also be used with field data. Hydrologic data collected from a wetland monitoring study were used to determine whether the preliminary classification of individual wetlands using the HGM approach yielded classes that were consistent with actual hydroperiod data. Preliminary HGM classifications of the 20 wetlands in the monitoring study were consistent with the field hydroperiod data. The modified HGM classification approach appears robust, although the method apparently works somewhat better with undisturbed wetlands than with disturbed wetlands. This wetland classification system could be applied to other hydrogeologically similar areas of northern New England.

Maine↗

USGS1999

Geologic map of Ophir and central Candor Chasmata (MTM -05072) of Mars

The geologic map of Ophir and central Candor Chasmata is one of a series of 1:500,000 scale maps prepared for areas on Mars that are of particular scientific interest and may serve as potential future landing sites. This map is also part of a set that includes east Candor Chasma, west Candor Chasma, and Melas Chasma. The geologic interpretations are based dominantly on medium- and high-resolution Viking images, many of them stereoscopic, and supplemented by lower resolution apoapsis and other color images. A strip of very high resolution stereoscopic images (~20 m/pixel) crosses the central part of the quadrangle from northwest to southeast and served to clarify detailed relations not obvious on other images. A topographic map with contour intervals of 200 m was also used, as were multidirectional oblique images derived from merged image mosaics and topography (see fig. 1) (Bertolini and McEwen, 1990). Geologic relations and interpretations are based on the entire central Valles Marineris map set. The map area is included in the Valles Marineris map of Witbeck and others (1991), but units were defined independently. Age assignments, however, were integrated with those by Witbeck and others and Scott and Tanaka (1986).

IMAP↗

USGS2007

Plan curvature and landslide probability in regions dominated by earth flows and earth slides

Damaging landslides in the Appalachian Plateau and scattered regions within the Midcontinent of North America highlight the need for landslide-hazard mapping and a better understanding of the geomorphic development of landslide terrains. The Plateau and Midcontinent have the necessary ingredients for landslides including sufficient relief, steep slope gradients, Pennsylvanian and Permian cyclothems that weather into fine-grained soils containing considerable clay, and adequate precipitation. One commonly used parameter in landslide-hazard analysis that is in need of further investigation is plan curvature. Plan curvature is the curvature of the hillside in a horizontal plane or the curvature of the contours on a topographic map. Hillsides can be subdivided into regions of concave outward plan curvature called hollows, convex outward plan curvature called noses, and straight contours called planar regions. Statistical analysis of plan-curvature and landslide datasets indicate that hillsides with planar plan curvature have the highest probability for landslides in regions dominated by earth flows and earth slides in clayey soils (CH and CL). The probability of landslides decreases as the hillsides become more concave or convex. Hollows have a slightly higher probability for landslides than noses. In hollows landslide material converges into the narrow region at the base of the slope. The convergence combined with the cohesive nature of fine-grained soils creates a buttressing effect that slows soil movement and increases the stability of the hillside within the hollow. Statistical approaches that attempt to determine landslide hazard need to account for the complex relationship between plan curvature, type of landslide, and landslide susceptibility. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Engineering Geology↗

USGS1996

Origins and philosophy of building a temporal database to examine human transformation processes

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the University of Maryland Baltimore County, is using historical maps and satellite images to map human-induced land transformations for the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. This work builds on an earlier effort that documented the historical urban development for the San Francisco Bay area. That effort used a geographic information system to compile a database that provided a visual and historical perspective of the urban growth experienced in the Bay area between 1850 and 1990. Historical overviews of urban development can be used to provide insights into the future. The Bay area work was inspired by the desire to draw upon the USGS's rich 100-year topographic map, and 20-year Landsat satellite data archives. A methodology was developed to combine the information from a variety of sources into an integrated, multi-scale, and multi-resolution dataset. Temporal urban mapping is used to examine past landscapes by incorporating historic maps, census statistics, and commerce records to generate a progressive geo-referenced representation of the past changes in the region. Contemporary analysis focuses on the use of remotely sensed data, existing digital land use data, digital census information, and a variety of Earth science infrastructure data, such as Digital Line Graphs, Digital Elevation Models, and key ancillary demographic information. The resulting database of temporal urban demographic changes provides an ideal source of test data and information for both urban geographers and global change research scientists.

San Francisco Bay↗