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Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

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At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources

Geologic and seismic investigations, relocation of Route 3, grade separation at Route 62, southeast ramp in Bedford, Mass.

The relocation of Route 3 in Bedford, Mass. requires extensive cuts for a grade separation at Route 62. This report contains only the results of the geologic and seismic studies that were made for the purpose of obtaining information that would aid in the construction of the inner and outer loops of the southeast ramp. The studies represent part of a cooperative program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works and the United States Geological Survey. The work was performed in July 1953. The site is located in the Wilmington and Lexington 7-1/2-minute quadrangle maps of the United States Geological Survey. Mr. M. E. Chandler and Mr. W. L. Carney, Massachusetts Department of Public works' Engineers, performed all pertinent survey work required for this project, and prepared the essential plans and profiles. Mr. Chandler also operated the seismic equipment and assisted in the preparation of the seismic velocity data.

Massachusetts↗

Synergy between geology and geophysics in graphite mineral resource assessment

Graphite is designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. Government due to its essential role in modern technology and its vulnerability to supply chain disruption. To evaluate domestic graphite resources, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted two airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys as part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) over prospective areas in the southern Appalachians of Alabama and the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. These surveys aimed to refine areas of interest by revealing subsurface electrical resistivity patterns indicative of graphite-bearing rocks. The results of the AEM surveys were integrated with existing geological knowledge and supplemented by field observations to assess the likelihood of undiscovered resources in these regions. This multidisciplinary approach combined geophysical techniques with traditional geological methods, enhancing the understanding of graphite potential in areas that may have been previously overlooked. The findings from this initiative are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to secure a reliable domestic supply of graphite, thereby reducing import reliance and supporting national interests in mineral resource management.

Conference Paper↗

Development of flood-inundation maps for the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 6.3-mile reach of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, Minnesota, were developed through a multi-agency effort by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in collaboration with the National Weather Service. The inundation maps, which can be accessed through the U.S. Geological Survey Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/ and the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service site at http://water.weather.gov/ahps/inundation.php , depict estimates of the areal extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage at the Mississippi River at Saint Paul (05331000). The National Weather Service forecasted peak-stage information at the streamgage may be used in conjunction with the maps developed in this study to show predicted areas of flood inundation. In this study, flood profiles were computed for the Mississippi River by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The hydraulic model was calibrated using the most recent stage-discharge relation at the Robert Street location (rating curve number 38.0) of the Mississippi River at Saint Paul (streamgage 05331000), as well as an approximate water-surface elevation-discharge relation at the Mississippi River at South Saint Paul (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers streamgage SSPM5). The model also was verified against observed high-water marks from the recent 2011 flood event and the water-surface profile from existing flood insurance studies. The hydraulic model was then used to determine 25 water-surface profiles for flood stages at 1-foot intervals ranging from approximately bankfull stage to greater than the highest recorded stage at streamgage 05331000. The simulated water-surface profiles were then combined with a geographic information system digital elevation model, derived from high-resolution topography data, to delineate potential areas flooded and to determine the water depths within the inundated areas for each stage at streamgage 05331000. The availability of these maps along with information regarding current stage at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage and forecasted stages from the National Weather Service provides enhanced flood warning and visualization of the potential effects of a forecasted flood for the city of Saint Paul and its residents. The maps also can aid in emergency management planning and response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts.

Minnesota↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1990

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps 1 that were published during 1990, and (2) articles by Geological Survey personnel in non-Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1990; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961", "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970", and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1993

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1993, and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1993; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961", '"Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970", and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1994

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1994 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1994; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961,""Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1996

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1996 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1996; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961," "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1997

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1997 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1997; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961,'' "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1998

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1998 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1998; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961," "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1999

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 1998 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 1998; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961," "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 2000

This catalog is a list of (1) books and maps that were published during 2000 and (2) articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books that came to our attention in 2000; it supplements the permanent catalogs "Publications of the Geological Survey, 1879-1961," "Publications ofthe Geological Survey, 1962-1970," and "Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971 through 1981."

Publications of the US Geological Survey↗

The National Map product and services directory

As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP), 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 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 to create specific types of maps. Of major importance, The National Map currently is being transformed to better serve the geospatial community. The USGS National Geospatial Program Office (NGPO) was established to provide leadership for placing geographic knowledge at the fingertips of the Nation. The office supports The National Map , Geospatial One-Stop (GOS), National Atlas of the United States ® , and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). This integrated portfolio of geospatial information and data supports the essential components of delivering the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and capitalizing on the power of place.

Fact Sheet↗

A software tool for rapid flood inundation mapping

The GIS Flood Tool (GFT) was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance to provide a means for production of reconnaissance-level flood inundation mapping for data-sparse and resource-limited areas of the world. The GFT has also attracted interest as a tool for rapid assessment flood inundation mapping for the Flood Inundation Mapping Program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The GFT can fill an important gap for communities that lack flood inundation mapping by providing a first-estimate of inundation zones, pending availability of resources to complete an engineering study. The tool can also help identify priority areas for application of scarce flood inundation mapping resources. The technical basis of the GFT is an application of the Manning equation for steady flow in an open channel, operating on specially processed digital elevation data. The GFT is implemented as a software extension in ArcGIS. Output maps from the GFT were validated at 11 sites with inundation maps produced previously by the Flood Inundation Mapping Program using standard one-dimensional hydraulic modeling techniques. In 80 percent of the cases, the GFT inundation patterns matched 75 percent or more of the one-dimensional hydraulic model inundation patterns. Lower rates of pattern agreement were seen at sites with low relief and subtle surface water divides. Although the GFT is simple to use, it should be applied with the oversight or review of a qualified hydraulic engineer who understands the simplifying assumptions of the approach.

Open-File Report↗

Colony mapping: A new technique for monitoring crevice-nesting seabirds

Monitoring populations of auklets and other crevice-nesting seabirds remains problematic, although numerous methods have been attempted since the mid-1960s. Anecdotal evidence suggests several large auklet colonies have recently decreased in both abundance and extent, concurrently with vegetation encroachment and succession. Quantifying changes in the geographical extent of auklet colonies may be a useful alternative to monitoring population size directly. We propose a standardized method for colony mapping using a randomized systematic grid survey with two components: a simple presence/absence survey and an auklet evidence density survey. A quantitative auklet evidence density index was derived from the frequency of droppings and feathers. This new method was used to map the colony on St. George Island in the southeastern Bering Sea and results were compared to previous colony mapping efforts. Auklet presence was detected in 62 of 201 grid cells (each grid cell = 2500 m2) by sampling a randomly placed 16 m2 plot in each cell; estimated colony area = 155 000 m2. The auklet evidence density index varied by two orders of magnitude across the colony and was strongly correlated with means of replicated counts of birds socializing on the colony surface. Quantitatively mapping all large auklet colonies is logistically feasible using this method and would provide an important baseline for monitoring colony status. Regularly monitoring select colonies using this method may be the best means of detecting changes in distribution and population size of crevice-nesting seabirds. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society 2006.

Condor↗

Vegetation map for the Seboeis Unit of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, located in the forests of central Maine, is a newly (2016) established unit for the National Park Service. To better understand the condition of lands within the monument and inform management planning, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument resource managers wanted better information of the vegetation present within the monument. To meet this need, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center worked with ecologists at the Maine Natural Areas Program to catalog and map the vegetation of the Seboeis Unit of the monument. This report details this process, provides results of the survey and mapping efforts, presents results in the form of a vegetation map for the Seboeis Unit, and provides vegetation descriptions and a dichotomous key for the entire Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Maine↗

Fault trace mapping and surface-fault-rupture special study zone delineation of the Wasatch Fault Zone, Utah and Idaho

The Wasatch fault zone (WFZ) is a 220-mile-long (350-km) fault zone divided into 10 structural segments extending from southeastern Idaho to central Utah. The central five segments of the WFZ underlie the densely populated Wasatch Front region, where the majority of Utah’s population and economy are proximal to the fault zone. The West Valley fault zone (WVFZ) is an antithetic structure related to the WFZ and runs through the Salt Lake Valley. Communities on or adjacent to the WFZ are at risk of earthquake damage, due to their proximity to the fault zones. During 2016–2018, the Utah Geological Survey and a U.S. Geological Survey collaborator performed updated fault mapping of 39 7.5' quadrangles along the WFZ using recently acquired high-resolution topographic data derived from airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data. Previous geologic mapping, paleoseismic investigations, historical aerial photography, and field investigations were also used to identify and map surface fault traces and infer fault locations. Special study zones were delineated around fault traces to facilitate understanding of the surface-rupturing hazard and associated risk. Defining these special study zones encourages the creation and implementation of municipal and county geologic-hazard ordinances dealing with hazardous faults. We identified potential paleoseismic investigation sites where fault scarps appear relatively pristine, are located in geologically favorable settings, and where additional earthquake timing data would be beneficial to the continued earthquake research of the WFZ. The fault geometries, attributes, and special study zones were published in the online Utah Geologic Hazards Portal simultaneously with this Report of Investigation (RI). This report contains supplementary material describing the data and methods used to perform the mapping and in locating potential paleoseismic investigation sites in the study area. This work is critical to raise awareness of earthquake hazards in areas of Utah experiencing rapid growth.

Idaho, Utah↗

Bedform movement recorded by sequential single-beam surveys in tidal rivers

A portable system for bedform-mapping was evaluated in the delta of the lower Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, California, from 1998 to 2000. Bedform profiles were surveyed with a two-person crew using an array of four single-beam transducers on boats about 6 m in length. Methods for processing the bedform profiles into maps with geographic coordinates were developed for spreadsheet programs and surface-contouring software. Straight reaches were surveyed every few days or weeks to determine locations of sand deposition, net transport directions, flow thresholds for bedform regimes, and bedform-transport rates. In one channel of unidirectional flow, the portable system was used to record changes in bedform regime through minor fluctuations of low discharge, and through high discharges near channel capacity. In another channel with reversing flows from tides, the portable system recorded directions of net bedload-transport that would be undetectable by standard bedload sampling alone.

Journal of Hydrology↗