Region-wide trends of nesting ospreys in northwestern Mexico: a three-decade perspective
Charles J. Henny, Daniel W. Anderson, Aradit Castellanos Vera, Jean-Luc E. Cartron
2008, Journal of Raptor Research (42) 229-242
We used a double-sampling technique (air plus ground survey) in 2006, with partial double coverage, to estimate the present size of the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nesting population in northwestern Mexico (coastal Baja California, islands in the Gulf of California, and coastal Sonora and Sinaloa). With the exception of Natividad, Cedros,...
Landslides and engineering geology of the Seattle, Washington, area
Rex L. Baum, Jonathan W. Godt, Lynn M. Highland
2008, Book
This volume brings together case studies and summary papers describing the application of state-of-the-art engineering geologic methods to landslide hazard analysis for the Seattle, Washington, area. An introductory chapter provides a thorough description of the Quaternary and bedrock geology of Seattle. Nine additional chapters review the history of landslide mapping...
The Nation's top 25 construction aggregates producers
Jason Christopher Willett
2008, Aggregates Manager (13) 50-56
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) observations of glacial and periglacial morphologies in the circum-Argyre Planitia highlands, Mars
Maria E. Banks, Alfred S. McEwen, Jeffrey S. Kargel, Victor R. Baker, Robert G. Strom, Michael T. Mellon, Virginia C. Gulick, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Jon D. Pelletier, Windy L. Jaeger
2008, Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets (113)
The landscape of the Argyre Planitia and adjoining Charitum and Nereidum Montes in the southern hemisphere of Mars has been heavily modified since formation of the Argyre impact basin. This study examines morphologies in the Argyre region revealed in images acquired by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera...
Framework for Understanding Structural Errors (FUSE): A modular framework to diagnose differences between hydrological models
Martyn P. Clark, Andrew G. Slater, David E. Rupp, Ross A. Woods, Jasper A. Vrugt, Hoshin V. Gupta, Thorsten Wagener, Lauren E. Hay
2008, Water Resources Research (44)
The problems of identifying the most appropriate model structure for a given problem and quantifying the uncertainty in model structure remain outstanding research challenges for the discipline of hydrology. Progress on these problems requires understanding of the nature of differences between models. This paper presents a methodology to diagnose differences...
Water-resources data for the United States: water year 2008
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2008, Water Data Report 2008
Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. These archival products supplement direct access to current and historical water data provided by NWISWeb. Beginning with Water Year 2006, annual water data reports are available as individual electronic Site Data Sheets for...
Challenges in making a seismic hazard map for Alaska and the Aleutians
R. L. Wesson, O.S. Boyd, C.S. Mueller, A.D. Frankel
J.T. Freymueller, editor(s)
2008, Geophysical Monograph Series: Active Tectonics and Seismic Potential of Alaska (179) 385-397
We present a summary of the data and analyses leading to the revision of the time-independent probabilistic seismic hazard maps of Alaska and the Aleutians. These maps represent a revision of existing maps based on newly obtained data, and reflect best current judgments about methodology and approach. They have been...
Development of the U.S. Geological Survey's PAGER system (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response)
D.J. Wald, P.S. Earle, T.I. Allen, K. Jaiswal, K. Porter, M. Hearne
2008, Conference Paper, The 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering: October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China
The Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) System plays a primary alerting role for global earthquake disasters as part of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) response protocol. We provide an overview of the PAGER system, both of its current capabilities and our ongoing research and development. PAGER monitors...
Exploration review
D.R. Wilburn
2008, Mining Engineering (60) 45-57
This summary of international mineral exploration activities for the year 2007 draws upon available information from industry, literature and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) specialists. The summary provides data on exploration budgets by region and mineral commodity, identifies significant mineral discoveries and areas of mineral exploration, discusses government programs affecting the...
Landslide risk in the San Francisco Bay region
J. A. Coe, R. A. Crovelli
2008, Conference Paper, Landslides an d Engineered Slopes, From the Past to the Future, Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Landslides, June 30-July 4, 2008, Xi'an, China
We have used historical records of damaging landslides triggered by rainstorms, and a newly developed Probabilistic Landslide Assessment Cost Estimation System (PLACES), to estimate the numbers and direct costs of future landslides in the San Francisco Bay region. The estimated annual cost of future landslides in the entire region is...
An illustrated landslide handbook for developing nations
Lynn M. Highland, Peter Bobrowsky
2008, Conference Paper, Proceedings of the First World Landslide Forum, November 18 - 21, Tokyo, Japan: Parallel Sessions Volume, International Program on Landslides
As landslides continue to be a hazard that account for large numbers of human and animal casualties, property loss, and infrastructure damage, as well as impacts on the natural environment, it is incumbent on developed nations that resources be allocated to educate affected populations in less developed nations, and provide...
Mineral resource of the month: Graphite
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2008, Earth (53) 29-29
The article presents facts about graphite ideal for industrial applications. Among the characteristics of graphite are its metallic luster, softness, perfect basal cleavage and electrical conductivity. Batteries, brake linings and powdered metals are some of the products that make use of graphite. It attributes the potential applications for graphite in...
Rapid Assessment of earthquake-induced landsliding
J. W. Godt, B. Sener, K.L. Verdin, D.J. Wald, P.S. Earle, E. L. Harp, R.W. Jibson
2008, Conference Paper, Proceedings of the First World Landslide Forum, November 18 - 21, Tokyo, Japan: Parallel Sessions Volume, International Program on Landslides
The Pacific Northwest in the United States including Seattle, Washington, experienced unusually heavy rainfall in the winters of 1995/1996 and 1996/1997, which caused numerous landslides. Following these two winters, the City of Seattle resolved to reduce future landslide losses within its jurisdiction. By coincidence, in 1997 the U.S. Geological Survey...
Petroleum systems of the San Joaquin Basin Province -- geochemical characteristics of gas types: Chapter 10 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
Paul G. Lillis, Augusta Warden, George E. Claypool, Leslie B. Magoon
2008, Professional Paper 1713-10
The San Joaquin Basin Province is a petroliferous basin filled with predominantly Late Cretaceous to Pliocene-aged sediments, with organic-rich marine rocks of Late Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene age providing the source of most of the oil and gas. Previous geochemical studies have focused on the origin of the oil in...
Duck migration and past influenza A (H5N1) outbreak areas
Nicolas Gaidet, Scott H. Newman, Ward Hagemeijer, Tim Dodman, Julien Cappelle, Saliha Hammoumi, Lorenzo De Simone, John Y. Takekawa
2008, Emerging Infectious Diseases (14) 1164-1166
In 2005 and 2006, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 rapidly spread from Asia through Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Waterbirds are considered the natural reservoir of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (1), but their potential role in the spread of HPAI (H5N1), along with legal...
Miocene Total Petroleum System -- Lower Bakersfield Arch Assessment Unit of the San Joaquin Basin Province: Chapter 14 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
Donald L. Gautier, Allegra Hosford Scheirer
2008, Professional Paper 1713-14
The Lower Bakersfield Arch Assessment Unit (AU) of the Miocene Total Petroleum System (San Joaquin Basin Province) is primarily defined by the distribution of hydrocarbons generated from biosiliceous shale of the Monterey Formation and by the distribution of basinal-facies sandstones of the Stevens sand of Eckis (1940; hereafter referred to...
Converting HAZUS capacity curves to seismic hazard-compatible building fragility functions: effect of hysteretic models
Hyeuk Ryu, Nicolas Luco, Jack W. Baker, Erdem Karaca
2008, Conference Paper, The 14th world conference on earthquake engineering: innovation, practice, safety: October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China
A methodology was recently proposed for the development of hazard-compatible building fragility models using parameters of capacity curves and damage state thresholds from HAZUS (Karaca and Luco, 2008). In the methodology, HAZUS curvilinear capacity curves were used to define nonlinear dynamic SDOF models that were subjected to the nonlinear time...
Mineral resource of the month: iron oxide pigments
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2008, Earth (53) 25-25
The article discusses iron oxide pigments, which have been used as colorants since human began painting as they resist color change due to sunlight exposure, have good chemical resistance and are stable under normal ambient conditions. Cyprus, Italy and Spain are among the countries that are known for the production...
[Book Review] Avian influenza
Steven Schwarzbach, Sabir Muzzafar, John Y. Takekawa
2008, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (44) 1056-1058
Review of: Avian Influenza. By David E. Swayne, Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, UK. 2008. 605 pp. ISBN-13 978-0-8138-2047-7/2008. US $149.99 (hardback)....
A four-dimensional petroleum systems model for the San Joaquin Basin Province, California: Chapter 12 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California
Kenneth E. Peters, Leslie B. Magoon, Carolyn Lampe, Allegra Hosford Scheirer, Paul G. Lillis, Donald L. Gautier
2008, Professional Paper 1713-12
A calibrated numerical model depicts the geometry and three-dimensional (3-D) evolution of petroleum systems through time (4-D) in a 249 x 309 km (155 x 192 mi) area covering all of the San Joaquin Basin Province of California. Model input includes 3-D structural and stratigraphic data for key horizons and...
Development of hazard-compatible building fragility and vulnerability models
E. Karaca, N. Luco
2008, Conference Paper, The 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering: October 12-17, 2008, Beijing, China
We present a methodology for transforming the structural and non-structural fragility functions in HAZUS into a format that is compatible with conventional seismic hazard analysis information. The methodology makes use of the building capacity (or pushover) curves and related building parameters provided in HAZUS. Instead of the capacity spectrum method...
Thiamine Deficiency Complex Workshop final report: November 6-7, 2008, Ann Arbor, MI
Dale C. Honeyfield, Donald E. Tillitt, Stephen C. Riley
2008, Report
Fry mortality which was first observed in the late 1960s in Great Lakes salmonines and in Baltic Sea salmon in 1974 has now been linked to thiamine deficiency (historically referred to as Early Mortality Syndrome, or EMS and M74, respectively). Over the past 14 years significant strides have been made...
Future intrusion of oxygenated glacial meltwaters into the Fennoscandian shield: A possibility to consider in performance assessments for nuclear-waste disposal sites?
Pierre Glynn
2008, Book chapter, Review of SKB's safety assessment SR-Can: Contributions in support of SKI's and SSI's review by external consultants
Provost et al. (1998) and Glynn and Voss (1999; also published in Glynn et al., 1999) considered the possibility that during future glaciations, oxygenated glacial meltwaters from two- to three-kilometer thick ice sheets could potentially intrude to the 500 m depth of planned nuclear-waste repositories. This possibility has been of...
Mineral resource of the month: cultured quartz crystal
Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey
2008, Earth (53) 29-29
The article presents information on cultured quartz crystals, a mineral used in mobile phones, computers, clocks and other devices controlled by digital circuits. Cultured quartz, which is synthetically produced in large pressurized vessels known as autoclaves, is useful in electronic circuits for precise filtration, frequency control and timing for consumer...
Mineral resource of the month: arsenic
William E. Brooks
2008, Geotimes (2008)
Arsenic has a long and varied history: Although it was not isolated as an element until the 13th century, it was known to the ancient Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks in compound form in the minerals arsenopyrite, realgar and orpiment. In the 1400s, “Scheele’s Green” was first used as an arsenic...
