January 29, 2010

Coral Reefs, the 6th Extinction, and You

• Five major episodes of biological extinction have occurred on Earth during geologic time -- what caused these extinctions and why are they relevant today?
• Scientists are concerned that life on Earth may be facing a 6th major extinction, severely limiting the biodiversity of animals and plants -- why is this important to us?
• Coral reefs, one of the most diverse and important ecosystems on the planet, are thriving in many places but are threatened in many others -- a harbinger of things to come?
• If there is indeed a growing wave of extinction, what can you as an Êindividual do to help shape the future?

Flyer: jan10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

February 25, 2010

ARkSTORM

A Scenario of a Massive West Coast Storm

• Scientists are preparing ARkStorm for emergency planning and disaster preparedness
• A series of "Atmospheric River" events slams into the West Coast with hurricane force overal several weeks
• Weather models show expected hazards such as floods, landslides, and erosion impacting life and property
• Storms of this magnitude are projected to become more frequent and intense as a result of changing climate conditions

Flyer: feb10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

March 25, 2010

Changing Times-- A Changing Planet!

Using phenology to take the pulse of our planet

• Citizens, scientists and natural resources managers are teaming-up to track biological events and cycles responding to changing climate
• Phenology is providing new insights into seasonal changes in response to global cliamte conditions
• Scientists need phenology data to better understand the delicate interaction between plants and animals, climate change, and future environmental health/li>
• Learn about the new animal monitoring system and how to participate in exciting USA-NPN activities

Flyer: mar10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

April 29, 2010

Large, Destructive Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile
Lessons Learned for the San Francisco Bay Area

• Why was the January 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti the 4th deadliest in history?
• What have scientists discovered from seismology, satellite observations, and field investigations?
• The Chilean magnitude 8.8 earthquake is the 5th largest ever recorded, generating a deadly tsunami-- what have we learned from this mega-earthquake?
• Is the Bay Area prepared for the next large earthquake?

Flyer: april10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

May 27, 2010

The Heat is On: Desert Tortoises & Survival
A New USGS documentary video exploring the world of the mojave desert tortoise

• The Mojave Desert tortoise, an important indicator of desert ecosystem health, is being threatened by habitat loss, predators, wildfire, and disease
• Population numbers have severely declined during the last 40 years, raising survival concerns and driving recent recovery efforts
• Can scientists meet the challenge of providing the information required to reverse trends impacting the habitat and wellbeing of the tortoise, and threatening extinction?
• The Heat Is On - Desert Tortoise & Survival, USGS General Product 98, Produced & Directed by Stephen M. Wessells

Flyer: may10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

June 24, 2010

Monterey Canyon - Superhighway to the Deep-Sea

USGS-MBARI Cooperative Oceanographic Research

• Monterey Bay provides a diverse 4,000 meter-deep "laboratory" for both biologists and geologists
• Ocean studies are providing critical information on climate change, ecosystems, and environmental hazards
• New discoveries reveal how sediment travels to the deep ocean - the triggers, quantity, and timing of events
• Underwater vehicles assist in seafloor mapping and exploration

Flyer: june10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

July 29, 2010

Looking Down On Our Planet
New satellite imagery reveals a changing global surface

• Nearly 40 years of USGS satellite imagery shows dramatic changes earth's surface features
• Changing patterns of land use are seen in urban growth, clear cutting of amazon forests, and surface mining
• Landsat imagery monitors potential natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding and records the environmental impact of human disasters such as the Chernobyl incident and Deepwater Horizon oil spill
• Future satellite programs will provide scientists, planners, and managers with valuable information about our environment

Flyer: july10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

August 26, 2010

Invasives and Wildfires in the West
New Crossroads in Science, Policy, and Management

• Exponential spread of non-native grasses is a pressing environmental issue in American Deserts
• Invasive grasses increased fuel continuity and large wildfires in desert scrub that previously experienced little or no fire
• Impacts include threats to biodiversity, conservation efforts, life and property, and local and regional economies
• Successful mitigation will need unparalleled collaboration among scientists, managers, policy makers and general public

Flyer: aug10flyer.pdf (Acrobat PDF)

September 30, 2010

The Great Missoula Floods & Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
- a journey through the landscape of Earth's greatest floods

• Glacial Lake Missoula released scores of cataclysmic floods, sculpting the bizarre landscape of Washington's Channeled Scabland
• New video depicts the enormous 3-day flood releasing 500 cubic miles of water
• Floodwaters poured as deep as 1100 feet down Columbia Valley, carrying enormous boulders and icebergs
• Collaborative efforts have spawned the new Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the Pacific Northwest

October 28, 2010

Dam Removal in the Pacific Northwest
- a new tool for river restoration

• Dams provide water supply, power generation and flood control, but they have finite life spans and can disrupt river and coastal ecosystems.
• Removal of two large dams on the Elwha River of Washington in 2011 will be the largest dam removal project ever.
• Will removing the dams aid the recovery of the once flourishing salon runs on the river?
• Dam removal will release 10's of millions of cubic meters of sediment, which may help restore river spawning and reduce coastal erosion.

November 18, 2010

Silicon, Software, and Science
Monitoring the Earth's Landscape with Low-Cost High-Tech

• The USGS is one of the world's largest providers of remote sensing data, employing the best tools and techniques to expand our knowledge of the Earth.
• Working with low-cost field and aerial imaging technologies, together with emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, wireless sensor networks, and light detection and ranging systems, USGS scientists are developing new methods to provide earth scientists, land managers, and land-use planners with better information about our environment.
• The USGS is developing and testing new systems, sensors, and methodologies, while fostering critical domestic and global partnerships to fully utilize the rapidly evolving science and technology of remote sensing.

December 9, 2010

Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions in Alaska
-- the contrasting stories of two recent spectacular eruptions

• Alaskan volcanoes erupt frequently and violently. However each eruption is preceded by a unique set of geophysical precursors.
• Eruptions of Redoubt and Kasatochi volcanoes highlight the challenges of doing real-time science in remote environments
• Volcanic hazards and the impacts of eruptions vary widely, but all eruptions provide scientists with real-time, providing grounds for USGS research
• Successful response to reuptions requires an understanding of Earth physics and close cooperation between government agencies