Research and Development Investments

Stewardship Investments: Research and Development

Research and development investments at USGS are a core part of fulfilling our mission and are integral to the work performed in all of our internal operating disciplines (Biology, Geography, Geology, and Water). The scope of our research and development activities spans basic, applied, and developmental research, and produces direct outputs and outcomes associated with each activity that are a valuable part of the scientific research performed throughout the Nation.

Total research and development investments were $859 million during fiscal year 2003.

BASIC RESEARCH

Basic research activities are systemic studies to gain knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward processes or products in mind. The table below provides a summary of our basic research and development investments over the past five years and descriptions of each program and selected outcomes and/or accomplishments in these areas for fiscal year (FY) 2003.

Listing of basic research activities - please contact Carla Burzyk of the Office of Accounting and Financial Management at cburzyk@usgs.gov for full information

Geography

Program Description

Geographic Analysis and Monitoring Program (GAM) scientists conduct geographic assessments of land surface change to improve our understanding of the rates, causes, and consequences of natural and human-induced processes that shape and change the Nation's landscape over time. Studies are conducted within a geographic context and at a range of spatial and temporal scales so that investigations provide comprehensive information needed to understand the environmental, resource, and economic consequences of landscape change.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

Understanding the Geography and Pathways of West Nile Virus . In an effort to better understand the geographic distribution and pathways of West Nile virus (WNV), over 140 species of bird carcasses (about 15,000 specimens) are being examined. As of June 2003, results from 5,500 birds have indicated that 1% to 2% of them contain flaviavirus antibodies. Nearly 23,000 mosquitoes have been tested and geographic information such as location, ambient air temperature, humidity, land cover, and rainfall is being geocoded and entered into a geographic information system for analysis during 2003 and 2004. An analysis of 2001 and 2002 WNV surveillance data shows that counties that report WNV-infected dead birds early in the transmission season are more likely to report subsequent WNV disease cases in humans than are counties that do not report early WNV-infected dead birds.

Better Ways to Measure Escherichia coli (E. coli) Bacteria Outbreaks in Southern Lake Michigan . Investigation of the temporal and spatial variability of E. coli bacteria in southern Lake Michigan has shown that variability may reduce the reliability of typical single-sample monitoring and beach closure programs to provide timely or adequate information for public health decision making. Methods of interpolating and mapping bacteria indicator densities across space and time have been developed and are being applied in animations for use in communicating information about the problem and in developing predictive models at beach- and regional-scales.

Geology

Program Description

The Mineral Resources Program provides scientific information, objective resources assessments, and unbiased research results on mineral potential, production, consumption, and environmental effects. The program supports DOI's strategic goal to manage or influence resource use to enhance public benefit, promote responsible use, and ensure optimal-value of non-energy minerals by ensuring that data is available for managers to make informed decisions about use of resources.

Volcano Hazards -- Exploration and Discovery in Yellowstone Lake: Discoveries from multi-beam sonar mapping and seismic reflection surveys of the northern, central, and West Thumb basins of Yellowstone Lake provide new insight into the extent of volcanism and active hydrothermal processes occurring in a large lake environment above a large magma chamber. Yellowstone Lake has an irregular bottom covered with dozens of features directly related to hydrothermal, tectonic, volcanic, and sedimentary processes. Many previously unknown features have been identified; faults, fissures, domal structures, explosion craters, and sublacustrine landslides constitute potentially significant geologic hazards. Hazards range from potential seismic activity along the western edge of the lake, to hydrothermal explosions, landsliding associated with explosion and seismic events, and sudden collapse of the lake floor. Any of these events could result in a sudden shift in lake level, generating large waves that could cause catastrophic local flooding. Toxic elements derived from hydrothermal processes also may significantly affect the Yellowstone ecosystem. This research supports the program goal of understanding the influence of mineral deposits, mineralizing processes, and mineral-resource development on environmental integrity, ecosystems, public health, and geologic hazards. Information resulting from this work will be used by Federal agencies, the general public, and academia for understanding potential hazards in Yellowstone National Park.

Map showing volcanic activity and features in Yellowstone Park. Please contact Robert Christiansen at rchris@usgs.gov for more information

Program Description

The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program is the primary source of multiple-purpose geologic maps that depict the distribution of the Nation's sediment and rocks and the resources they provide. The program supports DOI's advancing knowledge through scientific leadership and informing decisions through the application of science.

Significant Outcome/Accomplishment

Geology of the Stagall Mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle, Shannon and Carter Counties, South-Central Missouri: This geologic map was a product of the Ozarks Mapping Project funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. This map is one of several maps completed for the Ozarks area, all of which will be used to: (1) produce a ground water movement framework that helps determine the effects of lead mining on the local aquifers, (2) provide information for land use decisions by the National Park Service within the Ozarks National Scenic Riverway that goes through the Stagall Mountain area, and (3) provide GIS data from the map to the Missouri Department of Conservation, which uses the GIS data and adds their data to create maps used to identify environmentally sensitive areas and to determine where to conduct controlled burning.

1:24,000 scale quadrangles in being mapped in the study area

APPLIED RESEARCH

Applied research activities are systemic studies to gain knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met. The table below provides a summary of our applied research and development investments over the past five years with descriptions of each program and selected outcomes and/or accomplishments in these areas for fiscal year 2003.

Listing of applied research activities - please contact Carla Burzyk of the Office of Accounting and Financial Management at cburzyk@usgs.gov for full information

Biology

Program Description

Biological Information Management and Delivery: The USGS develops and applies innovative information technologies and practices to the management of biological data, information and knowledge resulting from worldwide research to increase the value of our researchers and other customer groups. This program addresses all facets of the biological information life-cycle including collection, organization, description, discovery, retrieval, analysis and application, dissemination, and disposition. Program objectives are advanced through establishing partnerships with other government and non-government organizations; developing standards and methodologies for biological data collection and documentation; developing information products targeted to specific user populations; and introducing technical applications for analyzing and integrating biological data and information.

Significant Outcome/Accomplishment

National Biological Information Infrastructure -- Through the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII), the USGS is applying information science to the efficient retrieval of museum collection data. The Distributed Generic Information Retrieval (DiGIR) protocol was developed through the combined efforts of several universities using funding provided by the National Science Foundation. The purpose of DiGIR is to define a protocol for retrieving structured data from multiple databases simultaneously using open protocols and standards and leveraging existing and emerging technologies. The NBII worked to apply DiGIR to data maintained by multiple museums regarding their collections. This enables users to execute a single search on the Web via the NBII site (www.nbii.gov) to retrieve museum holdings information from numerous museums.

Geology

Program Description

Geologic Hazard Assessments programs provide the Earth science data and information, analyses, and research needed to reduce the loss of life, property, and economic impact of geohazards. The programs conduct hazards assessments, monitoring activities, notification and outreach, and research on the causes and effects of geohazards. These programs support DOI's Serving Communities strategic goal of protecting lives, resources, and property by making information available to communities to use in developing hazard mitigation, preparedness, and avoidance plans. The information is used by DOI and other Federal agencies, states, local governments and the private sector to make informed decisions pertaining to geologic hazard loss reduction or mitigation.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

New Alaskan Earthquake ShakeMap: USGS scientists, in cooperation with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, released a new map product for the state of Alaska showing the intensity of ground shaking resulting from the magnitude 7.9 earthquake in central Alaska that occurred on Nov. 3, 2002. This map is the first "ShakeMap" produced for the state of Alaska, and is consid-ered to be a prototype for future maps generated within minutes of significant earth-quakes to direct emergency officials to areas that have experienced the greatest amount of ground shaking. Working with partners like the University of Alaska, USGS is implementing an Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) that provides the dense instrumentation needed for measuring earth-quake intensity in vulnerable urban areas and the data needed to produce ShakeMaps. Emergency response personnel will use the ShakeMap information product to target post-earthquake response efforts; land use planners will use the information to develop safer building practices in earthquake-prone regions.

Map showing the Denali fault earthquake of November 2002

Map showing the Denali fault earthquake of November 2002

Rupture in South-Central Alaska -- The Denali Fault Earthquake of Nov 2002: During the 10 days following the Denali Fault earthquake, geologists from the USGS and Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, as well as several universities, mapped and measured the earthquake rupture on the ground by using aircraft. They identified the previously unknown Susitna Glacier Fault in the area where the quake began and showed that the rest of the rupture exactly followed an older rupture that geologists had documented in the 1970's. They also located major landslides caused by the quake. The pattern of landsliding may help to better estimate levels of shaking along the length of the fault, especially because of the sparsity of seismic instruments in this rugged mountainous region. Because the Denali Fault earthquake occurred on a "strike-slip" fault, like the San Andreas Fault, it offers a realistic example of effects likely to accompany the next major earthquake in California. By studying earthquakes like the Denali Fault earthquake, scientists and engineers gain the knowledge necessary to reduce the vulnerability of buildings and other structures to damage in these inevitable and terrifying events. USGS studies of the Denali Fault earthquake are part of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program's ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property from the future quakes that are certain to strike in Alaska, California, and elsewhere in the United States.

New Seismic Hazard Maps: Seventy-five million Americans in 39 States live in cities with moderate to high risk from earthquakes. National maps of earthquake shaking hazards (last revised in 1996) provide information that is essential to creating and updating the seismic design provisions of building codes used in the United States. Buildings, bridges, highways, and utilities built to meet modern seismic design provisions are better able to withstand earthquakes, not only saving lives but also enabling critical activities to continue with less disruption. USGS scientists have been working with col-leagues for the past 3 years to revise and update these national seismic hazard maps, based on the latest knowledge of earthquakes, active faults, and ground-shaking charac-teristics. Other Web site updates include the ground-shaking levels for 150,000 sites, custom hazard mapping for a user-selected region, and the ability to identify the most hazardous earth-quake scenarios for a user-selected location. The National Hazard Maps are essential input into National and International building codes and are used by architects and engineers to design and construct earthquake-resistant structures.

Anatahan Volcano

USGS Provides Volcano Assistance to Northern Mariana Islands: USGS scientists responded to an eruption of Anatahan Volcano, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The CNMI is U.S. territory, falling under DOI's Office of Insular Affairs. This eruption, the first at Anatahan in historic times, began suddenly on May 11, 2003. Since then, there has been nearly continuous low-level explosive activity, which has occasionally sent clouds of volcanic ash into commercial air routes and temporarily closed airports on Saipan (80 miles north of Anatahan). USGS scientists are helping personnel of the CNMI's Emergency Management Office to assess volcano hazards from the volcano, install improved seismic monitoring equipment, evaluate seismic data from the continuing eruption, and appraise future volcano-monitoring needs for the Commonwealth. This response effort supports the program's goal of hazards assessments, monitoring, and communication. The information will be used by the government of the CNMI who will use the information for volcanic hazard response and mitigation.

New Debris Flow Map Shows Impacts on Colorado: The USGS released a new map showing the effects of debris flows on major Colorado highways. The map identifies 480 debris flows triggered by a July 1999 thunderstorm in the continental divide area of Colorado. Several of these flows closed major highways. The map provides a foundation for understanding the potential debris-flow effects of high-altitude thunderstorms within Colorado and indicates the types of debris-flow processes and triggering mechanisms that occur in alpine areas in support of the Landslide Hazards Program goal to reduce losses from landslide hazards and communicate the results of research. This information indicates that July and August (the monsoon season in Colorado) are the months in which debris flows are most likely to occur in Colorado. A guidebook, USGS Open-file report 02-398 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/ofr-02-398/), is available as a supplement to this new debris-flow publication (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr-03-050/). Federal, State, and local Departments of Transportations and other government agencies will use this information for response to landslides and planning for new roads. Information on the maps will have relevance for land-use planning and development issues in Colorado.

USGS Seismology at the South Pole: A thousand feet beneath the surface of a 10,000-foot thick ice cap, five miles from the South Pole, seismometers are now recording the quietest vi-brations on the Earth. Here, it is possible to record much smaller Antarctic-region earthquakes than ever before, leading to new insights into the evolution of the Antarctic Plate. The ultra low noise makes this station particularly valuable, as the most sensitive southern hemi-sphere seismic station to contribute data to the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The deep-hole installation required development of a heated, insulated seismometer package that can withstand both the low temperature (minus 57 degrees Centigrade) and high pressure (about 500 psi) at that depth. This newest station in the Global Seismographic Net-work (GSN) is located at the new South Pole Remote Earth Science Observatory (SPRESO), a partnership between the IRIS consortium of universities and the USGS, funded by the National Science Foundation. The data from this key GSN station are used both to locate and characterize earthquakes in Antarctica and the southern hemisphere and to monitor for underground nuclear explosions, worldwide. Data goes to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, to the International Data Center for the CTBT, and to the IRIS Data for use by scientific researchers.

Program Description

Geologic Resource Assessments programs assess the availability and quality of the Nation's mineral and energy resources, including the economic and environmental effects of resource extraction and use. These programs support DOI to enhance public benefit, promote responsible use, and ensure optimal-value by ensuring that data is available for managers to make informed decisions about use of resources.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

The National Coal Assessment, a multi-year effort by the USGS, included studies of Federally owned coal in seven areas (called "priority assessment units") in the Colorado Plateau Region. The goal of the assessment was to identify and characterize major coal resources that will supply the Nation's energy needs during the first quarter of the 21st century, and, likely, well beyond. The Federally owned coal deposits of the Colorado Plateau Region play an important role in supplying energy to our Nation. About 360 billion short tons of Federal coal exist in the seven Colorado Plateau assessment units studied for the National Coal Assessment. As United States coal resources continue to be examined for potential development, there is sustained interest in Federal coal in the Colorado Plateau Region. Knowing where the Federal coal is located, how much Federal coal exists, and its geologic setting helps land managers, planners, and mineral developers to make informed land-use decisions.

Map showing the seven priority assessment units of the Colorado Plateau region

Program Description

The Coastal and Marine Geology Program provides geologic information critical to the management of the Nation's coastal and marine environments. The program supports DOI through scientific leadership and informed decisions through the applications of science, which is aimed at expanding the scientific knowledge base and enhancing the quality and objectivity of DOI science.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

Crustal Structure of the Coastal and Marine San Francisco Bay Region: USGS Professional Paper 1658 was completed. This volume includes 7 chapters resulting from a 5-year project aimed at unearthing the basic science of the submerged San Andreas strike-slip fault system with its many interacting strands. Primary goals were to discover how the San Andreas and Hayward faults are connected, to locate previously unknown faults and to learn how the complex faults function and interact. The information presented comes from experiments of a scope and scale unlikely to be conducted by the USGS in the foreseeable future. The results provide a fundamental structural framework for a major part of a complex strike-slip fault system that poses a persistent hazard to a large population center. The San Francisco Bay region is home to about 6.8 million people, ranking fifth among population centers in the United States. Most of these people live on the coastal lands along San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento River delta, and the Pacific Coast. The region straddles the tectonic boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates and is crossed by several strands of the San Andreas Fault system. These faults, which are stressed by about 4 cm of relative plate motion each year, pose an obvious seismic hazard. Many of these major faults in the region lie submerged beneath San Francisco and Monterey Bay, providing an opportunity to study fault-zone structure by using marine subsurface-imaging techniques that are easier and cheaper than equivalent studies on land.

Geography

Program Description

The National Atlas of the United States provides a comprehensive, map-like view into the enormous wealth of data collected by the Federal Government. The new National Atlas: delivers authoritative views of scientific, societal, and historical information; provides easy-to-use tools to display, manipulate, and query National Atlas data so that customers can produce their own relevant information; makes this information more accessible to individual Americans; provides a showcase for the geospatial data collected by Federal agencies; includes links to current and real-time events and to other Federal producers of geospatial information; and furnishes a national framework of well-maintained and documented base cartographic data for use by citizens and other agencies.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

Need a map of your Congressional District? The National Atlas recently created an application for making Congressional District maps. The USGS provided the Congress with printable maps for each of the 108th Congressional Districts. These maps are now available for citizens to use, too. Each map illustrates the District boundary and includes roads, streams, and cities for easy reference. The maps are provided in a choice of two formats for citizens to view and print. (See http://nationalatlas.gov/whatsnew.html)

Map of Congressional District 8 in Virginia

Map of Congressional District 8 in Virginia

The Lake Tahoe Decision Support System -- In response to the need of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) to understand complex scientific issues involved in its policy decisions, the USGS is developing a decision support system for the Lake Tahoe Basin. The first stage in this DSS was delivery of the Tahoe Constrained Optimization Model (TCOM) to TRPA. This model generates alternative scenarios of development in a single watershed, along with measures of the impact of that development and its spatial characteristics. It allows TRPA to explore the trade-offs implicit in different economic and environmental land management objectives and the different geographic patterns that might result from them.

Water

Program Description

Since its inception in 1879, the USGS has been involved in issues related to water availability, water quality, and flood hazards. This work is conducted by more than 4,000 hydrologists, technicians, and support staff located in offices in every State. USGS efforts include: (1) collection, management, and dissemination of hydrologic data; (2) analysis of hydrologic systems through modeling or statistical methods; and (3) research and development leading to new methods and new understanding. The following is a basic summary of the USGS Water Resources Investigations programs that are classified primarily as applied research:

The Ground-Water Resources Program evaluates ground water in the Nation's major aquifer systems, assesses the interactions of ground water with surface water, and evaluates the various factors that govern the response of aquifer systems to pumping, droughts, and other stresses.

The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program provides nationally consistent data and information on the quality of the Nation's most important water resources, identifying status and trends, determining cause and effect, and eventually providing forecasting or prediction. The program is now in its second decade of investigation. NAWQA plans for the second decade (recently reviewed by the National Research Council) to focus on water-quality trends over time and on environmental conditions that influence contaminant distribution.

The Toxic Substances Hydrology Program provides scientific information and tools that explain the occurrence, behavior, and effects of toxic substances in the Nation's surface water and ground water. Data and information from the program support sound decision making by resource managers, regulators, industry, and the public, to improve characterization and management of contaminated sites, to protect human and environmental health, and to reduce potential future contamination problems.

Photograph of USGS scientists collecting ground water samples from the pond bottom at Johns Pond, Cape Cod, Massachussets

As part of the toxic substances hydrology program, USGS scientists collect ground water samples from the pond bottom at Johns Pond, Cape Cod, Massachussets, with a drive-point sampling well to confirm data obtained with diffusion samplers.

The Hydrologic Research and Development Program focuses on long-term investigations that integrate hydrologic, geologic, chemical, climatic, and biological information related to water-resources issues. This program provides the core research capability of the USGS water programs and supports many of the Bureau's foremost water research scientists.

The mission of the Cooperative Water Program is to provide reliable, impartial, and timely information needed to understand the Nation's water resources through a program of shared efforts and funding with State, Tribal, and local partners to enable decisionmakers to wisely manage the Nation's water resources. This program is a 50:50 matching program in which State, Tribal, and local government agencies provide at least half the funds and the USGS performs most of the work. About 40 percent of the Cooperative Water Program comprises focused water resources investigations, with the goal of seeking solutions to water-resources issues of national concern.

The USGS administers grants for 54 State Water Resources Research Institutes designated by the Water Resources Research Act. The program supports academic research to aid in the resolution of State and regional water problems and related land problems, promotes technology transfer, and provides for the training of scientists and engineers.

Significant Outcomes/Accomplishments

USGS and Senator Domenici Release New Mexico Water Study: The USGS completed a 6-year study of the Middle Rio Grande basin and held a joint press conference with Senator Pete Domenici in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to announce the study findings. Initiated in the mid-1990s at the request of Senator Domenici, the study led to a number of scientific findings on the ground-water system underlying the greater Albuquerque and Central New Mexico area.

State and local officials, including Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, participated in the event. By increasing the understanding of the water resources of the Middle Rio Grande Basin, water-resource managers and planners will have additional tools to make sound, scientifically based decisions on the future of water in the basin.

Map of the Middle Rio Grande and Espanola Basins in New Mexico

USGS Reports Streamflow Increased Sharply in 1970s: Streamflow in the United States increased sharply around 1970 according to a recent USGS study, and has remained at the higher level during the past 30 years. The results show increases in low to moderate streamflow, and less significant increases in high streamflow. This conclusion is based on an analysis of streamflow records from 400 USGS streamgages from 1941 to 1999. The study, entitled "A step increase in streamflow in the conterminous United States," by USGS scientists Gregory McCabe and David Wolock, was published in the Dec. 24, 2002, issue of Geophysical Research Letters. The abrupt rise in streamflow occurred mostly in the eastern United States and coincided with an increase in precipitation. An abrupt rise in streamflow, rather than a gradual increase, is important because an abrupt change signals a climate system shift that likely will remain relatively constant until a new shift occurs. Abrupt shifts in climate are common and are often related to changes in ocean temperatures and circulation patterns; such changes in climate frequently persist for decades at a time. The study results suggest that decision makers exploring future plans for water management or flood mitigation need to consider that future streamflow conditions may be different from past conditions. The robust water and flood planning demands an understanding of climate variation and the resulting wide range of potential future streamflow conditions.

USGS scientists collecting water samples for predicting bacteria levels

USGS Research Gives Health Officials a Tool for Predicting Water Safety: USGS scientists have found a quick method to predict bacteria levels at four lake beaches in Ohio. Using the USGS model, results can be provided within two hours so public health officials and others have access to timely information on current water-quality conditions. A computer model takes into account current weather and environmental conditions to forecast E. coli bacteria concentrations, which indicate the possible presence of disease-causing organisms. Previous methods take at least 18 hours to determine these concentrations. Information about USGS beach-monitoring research is available at http://oh.water.usgs.gov/beaches/.

New USGS Publication on Rock Creek: The USGS recently released findings of a water study conducted in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Scientists found pesticides in the surface water and metals, organics and pesticides in sediments, which exceeded criteria for the protection of aquatic life. In cooperation with the National Park Service, the USGS studied water quality and sediment quality in Rock Creek over a 2-year period. See the report at: http://md.water.usgs.gov/publications/wrir-02-4067/.

Photograph of Calvert Bridge spanning Rock Creek park in Washingtion, DC

View of the Calvert Bridge, spanning across Rock Creek Park
Photograph courtesy of the DC SHPO

Typical posting of a beach water-quality advisory for high bacteria levels

The Ecology of Arsenic: The May 9, 2003 issue of Science features a paper by USGS scientist Ron Oremland. The article reviews the basic processes through which a wide diversity of microbes gain energy by oxidizing, or reducing, arsenic in the natural environment. These microbial processes have a significant role in mobilizing arsenic and in regulating its appearance in drinking water throughout the world.

DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH

Developmental research activities represent systemic use of the knowledge or understanding necessary for determining the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met. The table below provides a summary of our developmental research and development investments over the past five years and descriptions of each program and selected outcomes and/or accomplishments in these areas for fiscal year 2003.

Listing of developmental research activities - please contact Carla Burzyk of the Office of Accounting and Financial Management at cburzyk@usgs.gov for full information

Biology

Program Description

The Wildlife: Terrestrial & Endangered Resources Program conducts research on migratory birds, mammals, amphibians, and their habitats. Results complement and support the conservation and management efforts of Federal and State wildlife agencies, non-governmental organizations and international treaties.

Significant Output/Accomplishment

USGS Response to Emerging Wildlife Diseases -- Public concern related to wildlife diseases has reached an all-time high with the rapid spread of West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease (CWD). The USGS participated in the Task Force for Chronic Wasting Disease and the Implementation Team. These groups were assigned to develop actions, funding, and timelines for measures to initiate a national plan to assist States, Tribes, and Federal agencies with CWD. The National Plan for CWD was completed in late June and the Implementation Plan followed in mid-September. The USGS also directly assisted the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in establishing the capacity to test white-tailed deer tissues for CWD by forming a partnership with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, purchasing equipment, and developing testing capabilities. The USGS also provided direct input into the investigation of CWD in Wisconsin by developing predictive models of disease occurrence and distribution.

Geology

Program Description

The Volcano Hazards program's mission is to enhance public safety and reduce losses from volcanic events through effective forecasts and warnings of volcanic hazards, thereby preventing volcano hazards from becoming volcano disasters. This mission supports DOI's strategic goal of protecting lives, resources, and property by making information available to communities to use in developing hazard mitigation, preparedness, and avoidance plans.

USGS installs seismographs to track seismic energy release.

Significant Output/Accomplishment

USGS Develops State of the Art, Web-based Data Analysis and Visualization Software: Modern volcano observatories collect data using a wide variety of instruments. Visualizing these disparate data on a common time base is critical to interpreting and reacting to geophysical changes. With this in mind, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) created VALVE, the Volcano Analysis and Visualization Environment. VALVE integrates a wide range of both continuous and discontinuous data sources into a common interface that allows scientists to interactively select and visualize these data on a common time base and, if appropriate, in three dimensions. This system aids more traditional in-depth analysis by providing a common front-end to retrieving raw data. VALVE is easily extensible, modular, portable, and remarkably cost efficient. Development of VALVE supports the program's hazard monitoring goal. Scientists and data analysts will use VALVE for faster and more complete assessment of monitoring data.

Geography

Program Description

Land Remote Sensing (LRS) is the Nation's portal to the largest archive of remotely sensed land data in the world. Working with NASA, NOAA, commercial satellite companies, State and local governments, and international programs, the LRS Program collects, maintains, and distributes millions of images acquired from satellite and aircraft sensors. From such images scientists and land managers, both public and private, derive information about natural resources, hazards, and long-term changes to the landscape. Through advancements in data archive and processing technology and through the operation and maintenance of satellites, the LRS Program provides continuous access to worldwide land images that can be used in mankind's effort to sustain the ever-changing Earth.

Landsat image of the Black Hills in South Dakota

Black Hills, South Dakota Acquired on: Dec 23, 2002

Airborne remotely sensed data image captured of San Francisco, California.

Significant Output/Accomplishment

Global Science Community Has Access to More Improved and Reliable Landsat 5 Images: The USGS has successfully re-engineered the Landsat 5 archiving process to ingest bumper mode data and upgraded the National Land Archive Production Systems (NLAPS) to produce products from these data. The NLAPS was also modified to implement a new radiometric processing algorithm based on the results of a cooperative research activity with engineers at South Dakota State University. The USGS has also implemented changes to streamline current operational procedures, schedules, and computer software for archiving new Landsat 5 data acquisitions and making these data available for customer ordering within 24 hours. All these enhancements have resulted in the global science community having access to a more improved and reliable Landsat 5 product.

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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