Well installation, single-well testing, and particle-size analysis for selected sites in and near the Lost Creek Designated Ground Water Basin, north-central Colorado, 2003-2004
Jennifer A. Beck, Suzanne S. Paschke, L. Rick Arnold
2011, Open-File Report 2011-1024
This report describes results from a groundwater data-collection program completed in 2003-2004 by the U.S. Geological Survey in support of the South Platte Decision Support System and in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Two monitoring wells were installed adjacent to existing water-table monitoring wells. These wells were installed...
A refined characterization of the alluvial geology of yucca flat and its effect on bulk hydraulic conductivity
G. A. Phelps, K. J. Halford
2011, Open-File Report 2010-1307
In Yucca Flat, on the Nevada National Security Site in southern Nevada, the migration of radionuclides from tests located in the alluvial deposits into the Paleozoic carbonate aquifer involves passage through a thick, heterogeneous section of late Tertiary and Quaternary alluvial sediments. An understanding of the lateral and vertical changes...
Multiple technologies applied to characterization of the porosity and permeability of the Biscayne aquifer, Florida
K.J. Cunningham, M.C. Sukop
2011, Open-File Report 2011-1037
Research is needed to determine how seepage-control actions planned by the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) will affect recharge, groundwater flow, and discharge within the dual-porosity karstic Biscayne aquifer where it extends eastward from the Everglades to Biscayne Bay. A key issue is whether the plan can be accomplished without...
Investigating the complex interface where bedrock transforms to regolith
S. L. Brantley, Heather L. Buss, M. Lebedeva, R. C. Fletcher, I. Ma
2011, Applied Geochemistry (26) S12-S15
The interface where bedrock transforms to regolith is not planar but rather has a roughness that varies with the scale of observation. The complexity of this surface is manifested in both element-depth and fragment size-depth distributions and may sometimes be related to the longitudinal profiles of watershed streams. The fractal...
The delicate balance between soil production and erosion, and its role on landscape evolution
A. Dosseto, Heather L. Buss, P. O. Suresh
2011, Applied Geochemistry (26) S24-S27
The diversity in landscapes at the Earth’s surface is the result, amongst other things, of the balance (or imbalance) between soil production and erosion. While erosion rates are well constrained, it is only recently that we have been able to quantify rates of soil production. Uranium-series isotopes have been useful...
Vadose zone controls on weathering intensity and depth: Observations from grussic saprolites
B. W. Goodfellow, G.E. Hilley, Marjorie S. Schulz
2011, Applied Geochemistry (26) S36-S39
An investigation of vadose zone weathering processes has been undertaken on grussic saprolites developed on Californian granitoids. Preliminary results indicate strong climatic control, through infiltration, on the depth and intensity of weathering. At sites with higher infiltration, the vadose zone is comprehensively altered to grussic saprolite and saprock. Conversely, lower...
Volcanology curricula development aided by online educational resource
Michael P. Poland, Katrien J. van der Hoeven Kraft, Rachel Teasdale
2011, Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union (92) 101-101
Volcanic activity is an excellent hook for engaging college and university students in geoscience classes. An increasing number of Internet-accessible real-time and near–real time volcano monitoring data are now available and constitute an important resource for geoscience education; however, relatively few data sets are comprehensive, and many lack background information...
Arsenic and uranium in water from private wells completed in bedrock of east-central Massachusetts: Concentrations, correlations with bedrock units, and estimated probability maps
John A. Colman
2011, Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5013
No abstract available....
U.S. Geological Survey Fundamental Science Practices
Fundamental Science Practices Advisory Committee
2011, Circular 1367
The USGS has a long and proud tradition of objective, unbiased science in service to the Nation. A reputation for impartiality and excellence is one of our most important assets. To help preserve this vital asset, in 2004 the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of the USGS was charged by the...
Using multilevel models to quantify heterogeneity in resource selection
Tyler Wagner, Duane R. Diefenbach, Sonja Christensen, Andrew S. Norton
2011, Journal of Wildlife Management (75) 1788-1796
Models of resource selection are being used increasingly to predict or model the effects of management actions rather than simply quantifying habitat selection. Multilevel, or hierarchical, models are an increasingly popular method to analyze animal resource selection because they impose a relatively weak stochastic constraint to model heterogeneity in habitat...
In-stream water-quality estimation: Case studies in real-time stream and lake monitoring in the central USA
Victoria G. Christensen, Andrew C. Ziegler, Jennifer L. Graham, Rachel A. Esralew
2011, Conference Paper
Five U.S. Geological Survey case studies in real-time stream and lake monitoring are presented. The emphases of the case studies are in-stream biological characteristics, fecal coliform bacteria, atrazine, phosphorus, and taste-and-odor compounds....
Potential effects of groundwater pumping on water levels, phreatophytes, and spring discharges in Spring and Snake Valleys, White Pine County, Nevada, and adjacent areas in Nevada and Utah
Keith J. Halford, Russell W. Plume
2011, Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5032
Assessing hydrologic effects of developing groundwater supplies in Snake Valley required numerical, groundwater-flow models to estimate the timing and magnitude of capture from streams, springs, wetlands, and phreatophytes. Estimating general water-table decline also required groundwater simulation. The hydraulic conductivity of basin fill and transmissivity of basement-rock distributions in Spring and...
The USA National Phenology Network; taking the pulse of our planet
Jake F. Weltzin
2011, Fact Sheet 2011-3023
People have tracked phenology for centuries and for the most practical reasons: it helped them know when to hunt and fish, when to plant and harvest crops, and when to navigate waterways. Now phenology is being used as a tool to assess climate change and its effects on both natural...
Geophysical investigation of Red Devil mine using direct-current resistivity and electromagnetic induction, Red Devil, Alaska, August 2010
Bethany L. Burton, Lyndsay B. Ball
2011, Open-File Report 2011-1035
Red Devil Mine, located in southwestern Alaska near the Village of Red Devil, was the state's largest producer of mercury and operated from 1933 to 1971. Throughout the lifespan of the mine, various generations of mills and retort buildings existed on both sides of Red Devil Creek, and the tailings...
Using terrestrial light detection and ranging (lidar) technology for land-surface analysis in the Southwest
Christopher E. Soulard, Rian Bogle
2011, Fact Sheet 2011-3017
Emerging technologies provide scientists with methods to measure Earth processes in new ways. One of these technologies--ultra-high-resolution, ground-based light detection and ranging (lidar)--is being used by USGS Western Geographic Science Center scientists to characterize the role of wind and fire processes in shaping desert landscapes of the Southwest United States....
Potentiometric surface in the Central Oklahoma (Garber-Wellington) aquifer, Oklahoma, 2009
Shana L. Mashburn, Jessica Magers
2011, Scientific Investigations Map 3147
A study of the hydrogeology of the Central Oklahoma aquifer was started in 2008 to provide the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) hydrogeologic data and a groundwater flow model that can be used as a tool to help manage the aquifer. The 1973 Oklahoma water law requires the OWRB to...
Geologic assessment of undiscovered hydrocarbon resources of the Western Oregon and Washington Province
U.S. Geologic Survey Western Oregon and Washington Province Team, Michael E. Brownfield, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Timothy R. Klett, Richard M. Pollastro, Christopher J. Schenk, P. A. Le, GIS Spatial Data Team
2011, Data Series 69-X
The purpose of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Oil and Gas Assessment is to develop geology-based hypotheses regarding the potential for additions to oil and gas reserves in priority areas of the United States, focusing on the distribution, quantity, and availability of oil and natural gas resources. The USGS...
Geologic map of Medicine Lake volcano, northern California
Julie M. Donnelly-Nolan
2011, Scientific Investigations Map 2927
Medicine Lake volcano forms a broad, seemingly nondescript highland, as viewed from any angle on the ground. Seen from an airplane, however, treeless lava flows are scattered across the surface of this potentially active volcanic edifice. Lavas of Medicine Lake volcano, which range in composition from basalt through rhyolite, cover...
Drilling a deep geologic test well at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Arthur P. Schultz, Ellen Seefelt
2011, Fact Sheet 2011-3032
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), is drilling a deep geologic test well at Hilton Head Island, S.C. The test well is scheduled to run between mid-March and early May 2011. When completed, the well will be about 1,000...
Ocean acidification postcards
Heather A. Schreppel, Matthew J. Cimitile
2011, General Information Product 122
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting research on ocean acidification in polar, temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions including the Arctic, West Florida Shelf, and the Caribbean. Project activities include field assessment, experimental laboratory studies, and evaluation of existing data. The USGS is participating in international and interagency working groups...
Lidar postcards
Heather A. Schreppel, Matthew J. Cimitile
2011, General Information Product 124
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program develops and uses specialized technology to build high-resolution topographic and habitat maps. High-resolution maps of topography, bathymetry, and habitat describe important features affected by coastal-management decisions. The mapped information serves as a baseline for evaluating resources and tracking the effectiveness...
Science supporting Gulf of Mexico oil-spill response, mitigation, and restoration activities-Assessment, monitoring, mapping, and coordination
Jack Kindinger, Ann B. Tihansky, Matthew Cimitile
2011, General Information Product 123
The St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigates physical processes related to coastal and marine environments and societal implications related to natural hazards, resource sustainability, and environmental change. Immediately after the Deepwater Horizon event, the USGS began responding to data requests, directing response...
Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Jurassic and Cretaceous strata of the Gulf Coast, 2010
Russell F. Dubiel, Peter D. Warwick, Sharon Swanson, Lauri Burke, Laura Biewick, Ronald R. Charpentier, James L. Coleman Jr., Troy A. Cook, Kris Dennen, Colin A. Doolan, Catherine Enomoto, Paul C. Hackley, Alexander W. Karlsen, Timothy R. Klett, Scott A. Kinney, Michael D. Lewan, Matthew D. Merrill, Krystal Pearson, Ofori N. Pearson, Janet K. Pitman, Richard M. Pollastro, Elizabeth L. Rowan, Christopher J. Schenk, Brett Valentine
2011, Fact Sheet 2011-3020
Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 147.4 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas, 2.4 billion barrels of undiscovered oil, and 2.96 billion barrels of undiscovered natural gas liquids in Jurassic and Cretaceous strata in onshore lands and State waters of the Gulf Coast....
Data for giant constrictors - Biological management profiles and an establishment risk assessment for nine large species of pythons, anacondas, and the boa constrictor
C. S. Jarnevich, G.H. Rodda, R.N. Reed
2011, Data Series 579
Giant Constrictors' Climate Space The giant constrictors' climate space data set represents the information needed to recreate the climate space and climate matching analyses in Reed and Rodda (2009). A detailed methodology and results are included in that report. The data include locations for nine species of large constrictors including Python...
Insights on the 2009 South Pacific tsunami in Samoa and Tonga from field surveys and numerical simulations
Hermann M. Fritz, Jose C. Borrero, Costas E. Synolakis, Emile A. Okal, Robert Weiss, Vasily V. Titov, Bruce E. Jaffe, Spyros Foteinis, Patrick J. Lynett, I-Chi Chan, Philip L-F. Liu
2011, Earth-Science Reviews (107) 66-75
An Mw ≈ 8.1 earthquake south of the Samoan Islands on 29 September 2009 generated a tsunami that killed 189 people. From 4 to 11 October, an International Tsunami Survey Team surveyed the seven major islands of the Samoan archipelago. The team measured locally focused runup heights of 17 m at Poloa and inundation...
