The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is an organization of scientists who study the landscape, natural resources, and natural hazards of the United States. Various details regarding its publications and research are available on its website. Geological maps are among its most well-liked goods. Additionally, they have significant resources, including a website, geologic maps, and FundingFunding. These tools aid in trip preparation for a location or area. Listed below are some of the USGS’s most popular products.
Geologic maps
A geologic map is a diagram that illustrates the physical features of a particular place. For example, a geologic map of the Pahrump quadrangle in Lander County, Nevada, will help assess the area’s geology. Another example is a geologic map of the Laughlin area in Clark County, Nevada. This geologic map contains 43 color pages and is about natural hazards. Another geologic map is NBMG 99-13, which outlines the geology of the Yucca Mountain concept-controlled area in Nye County, Nevada. Those maps are beneficial for planning projects as well as land management.
Another excellent example of a USGS map is a Nevada mining district. This map shows the potential of the Sugarloaf Roadless Area for minerals. In Nevada, the Nevada Minerals Management Group has published an inventory of mineral resources in the state. The depth and position of each well shown are on the map. Additionally, it shows the presence of several minerals, such as gold and silver. This geology map has undergone multiple updates by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Other USGS geologic maps include the following: Professional Papers: USGS Professional Paper 458-A, which details the geology of the Southern Snake Range and the Diamond Peak Area in Nevada. This publication contains 78 pages and eight color plates. USGS Professional Paper 423-D, on the other hand, describes the geology of the Bishop District in California and includes two oversized color plates. These maps can identify and classify rock formations in the area.
USGS Professional Papers: Many geologic maps and reports on different topics exist. GJBX-15 (77) and GJBX-163 (80) contain geological information, the National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program, and GJBX-168 and 1034, a compilation project of Nevada abandoned mines database, including 15 color plates, and USGS Professional Papers, NP-97-1 County Digital Geologic Maps.
Research
The USGS is one of the Nation’s most significant science agencies. It provides science on natural resources conditions and monitors the complex interactions between the Earth’s environment and human civilization. In addition to reporting findings from scientific investigations, the Agency publishes reports, scientific journal articles, and conference contributions. USGS research also produces maps and databases on a variety of electronic media. Its growing expertise in information management on the Internet and the arrangement and release of data on magnetic media is an example of this research.
The USGS organization supports a systems approach to studying Earth. There are seven mission areas that the organization focuses on. Each mission area organized is around a set of broad domains. The following sections detail USGS activities in these domains. These chapters also include brief descriptions of USGS core activities.
Further, they describe USGS’s international work. In addition to domestic activities, the USGS conducts research on global issues. Additionally, international collaboration has a vital role in scientific discovery and development.
The USGS has an extensive database of information on the environmental impacts of mining and supplies scientific information necessary to develop plans for cleaning up abandoned mine lands. For example, scientists have developed a model to identify the priorities for cleanup efforts in Montana. They will be putting parts of these databases on the World Wide Web by 1998. In addition to scientific and environmental research, USGS scientists provide technical information on the nature of the resources in a given area.
USGS supports various departmental financial forums, such as the Finance Officers Partnership. FBMS has been implemented, and several USGS researchers are involved in this process. The USGS’ B.R.M. program has released guidance on reducing acceptable carryover limits to seven percent by the end of FY2005. Additionally, the program has met its objectives to increase within-year obligations and improve the use of funds. A high proportion of cyclical dollars distributed was through improved guidance and collaboration on the allocation day.
USGS is a federally funded organization that employs more than 8,000 people. With seven regional offices and mission regions, it is set up as a matrix. Some topics include core scientific systems, ecosystems, energy and minerals, and environmental health. Seven regional offices and different mission areas make up its matrix-like structure. Ecosystems, fundamental scientific principles, energy and minerals, and environmental health are a few topics. A director leads each zone. The USGS deputy director is accountable to each director. Ultimately, USGS is committed to providing quality resources that help the public benefit.
Activities
The USGS conducts many scientific activities that have significant national policy implications. The Agency is partnered with several stakeholders and contributes scientific knowledge essential for decisions regarding water resources and the placement of emergency response resources. USGS projects are conducted both on a small and large scale, and the scientific findings of these efforts are used to develop policies that benefit the country. The USGS provides broad-scale information and analysis to decision-makers at all levels of government.
USGS science webpages provide fun information and 3D pictures and include interesting facts about terrestrial remote sensing. There are interactive games and a website dedicated to water and the environment for kids. The USGS also provides a wealth of educational resources and links to its scientists. Children will find information on the various available programs and resources and can participate in science. Some sites are also a good resource for parents who wish to educate their children about science and environmental issues.
The USGS’s mission is to assess the Nation’s mineral resources and their impacts. This mandate is reaffirmed by the Constitution, 30 U.S.C. 1601 et seq., which requires the Agency to study the geology of the national domain. The USGS is also responsible for assessing mineral resources in the National Park Service. The USGS also researches production, consumption, and environmental effects.
The Organic Act of the USGS authorizes other program areas, such as the study of geologic structure and mineral resources. The act also allows USGS to study different products of national importance, such as water and ecosystems, as well as the effects of natural hazards and climate change. In short, the USGS’ mission is broad and evolving. If Congress continues to give USGS the authority to expand its mission, the USGS will likely face opposition.
The USGS conducts many scientific studies and activities, which have garnered congressional interest and debate. Some of these projects include the National Streamflow Information Program, which deploys streamgages all over the country. Another program, the Landsat Program, collects remotely sensed data from satellites and distributes it to stakeholders. A third program, the Natural Hazards Program, evaluates natural hazards and contributes to their mitigation. This list needs to be more comprehensive but should be considered a sample of the USGS’s recent achievements.
Funding
USGS funding has been under threat due to budget cuts. Congress cut more than $1 billion from USGS funding during the omnibus spending plan in FY2017. However, in FY2018, the USGS would still receive $922 million in funding. The cut would affect the fiscal year that begins on October 1.
The USGS is responsible for many essential things, including scientific programs and water resources. The USGS is an invaluable agency for assessing the effects of climate change and improving public safety. In addition to its work on water resources and wildfires, the USGS is responsible for managing public lands and supporting public safety through science. To learn more about the USGS, visit usgs.gov. The USGS is one of the oldest agencies in the world, and it has a long history of helping people make sound decisions on environmental issues.
USGS water-resources funding would increase a modest amount from $221.3 million to $222.9 million, including a $16.8 million increase for its water availability and use science program. The National Water Quality Assessment Program would receive $96.1 million more, while the USGS groundwater and stream flow information program would gain $73.5 million (up from $69.7 million).
International organizations are important USGS partners. The D.O.D. frequently requests USGS expertise and reimburses the Agency for the work performed. Recent projects with the D.O.D. include water well assessment, economic stability assessments, and mineral development. The USGS also collaborates with other federal science agencies. However, international collaboration is challenging to negotiate and execute. It is also rare for agencies to enter direct contracts with international organizations. It is the main reason USGS funding for international projects is so low.
The USGS is expanding its programs to provide decision-support tools to help natural resource managers make science-based climate adaptation decisions. The USGS is also developing tools and models to predict the impact of climate change on ecosystems. It also plans to build a climate information portal to bring together all the relevant information about climate change. The United States must support research in these areas, but the budget is insufficient.