Newest Oil and Gas Assessment from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Our newest #oilandgas assessment takes us to the Rocky Mountains! We estimate 528 million barrels of oil & 2 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Niobrara Interval of the Wind River Basin's Cody Shale. These are undiscovered, technically recoverable resources: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20183076

This isn’t our first assessment in the Wind River Basin-we last assessed it in 2005-but this is the first time we’ve released an estimate for the Niobrara Interval of the Cody Shale.

Image shows a map of the Wind River Basin and the assessment units. Credit: USGS #USGS #Science#Energy #Wyoming

LIDAR Leader Award | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

National Geospatial Program Garners Elevation Award: The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) team has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 “LIDAR Leader Award”, presented at the recent International LIDAR Mapping Forum in Denver. The “Outstanding Enterprise Achievement in LIDAR” award recognizes exceptional achievements in the area of service, project management or product development within the realm of geospatial lidar technology. https://go.usa.gov/xnst9

Harmful algal blooms and their toxins can kill wildlife and pose health risks for humans

.Harmful algal blooms and their toxins can kill #wildlife and pose health risks for humans

#Science to the rescue! A new #USGS water-quality monitoring program can aid restoration of the Great Lakes. The goal of the program is to provide scientists and managers with the best available data to help evaluate the health of #GreatLakes ecosystems and improve #water quality for recreation and commercial fishing.

Read all about the new program athttps://go.usa.gov/xnsPf.

Algal bloom photo credit: Jennifer Graham, USGS

#waterquality #GreatLakesRestorationInitiative

V

Northern Elephant Seal | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Northern elephant seals enjoy a diet rich with fish and squid - but these prey also expose the seals to mercury. How does this mercury respond to changes in the animal's body? 

To find out, current USGS wildlife biologist Sarah Peterson started working with USGS lead scientist Josh Ackerman as part of her graduate studies at UC Santa Cruz. Peterson and Ackerman found that the concentration of mercury in the blood of northern elephant seals increased when they lost mass during the two seasons in which they haul out on land and fast. Likewise, the concentration of mercury in the animals' blood decreased when they gained mass while feeding at sea.

The study findings could help wildlife managers effectively monitor the risk posed to wildlife exposed to contaminants in their environment.

Photo Caption: Picture of a male northern elephant seal. Twice a year, these animals haul out on sandy beaches along the California coast for the molting and breeding seasons. Male and female elephant seals do not eat while on land (a stretch of weeks to months). Often, they lose more than a third of their mass before returning to sea, but they make up for it with foraging trips that last between 2.5 to 7 months! Photo credit: Sarah Peterson/USGS.

Collecting a Gas Sample from a Fumarole on the Flank of Akutan Volcano | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

A USGS study of geothermal potential in Akutan, Alaska, shows a volcano in the backyard isn’t always a bad thing: https://go.usa.gov/xnY2k

We're spending the entire month of October focusing on our #energy research! Check back here every day or follow us on Twitter @USGSEnergy to follow along!

Image shows USGS scientist Deborah Bergfeld collecting a gas sample from a fumarole on the flank of Akutan Volcano, Akutan Island, Alaska. Photograph by: Jennifer L. Lewicki , USGS #USGS#Science #Geothermal #Alaska

Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

If you've been following the stories about selenium in Montana and British Columbia's Lake Koocanusa, we've got a new modeling framework that will hopefully enable managers and stakeholders of the lake understand the implications of different levels of selenium, and to explore alternative selenium criteria for waters in the Lake. Check it out!http://go.usa.gov/xngqp

The selenium is likely originating from waste rock due to coal mining in British Columbia. Although selenium is an important dietary element, too much of it can result in toxic effects.

We're spending the entire month of October focusing on our #energy research! Check back here every day or follow us on Twitter @USGSEnergy to follow along!

Image shows Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa. Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers Libby Dam#USGS #Science #Montana #Canada 

Helping with Hurricane Recovery | U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

As thousands of people remain displaced by or are recovering from one of the four hurricanes that have affected the United States the past month, the U.S. Geological Survey is in the field providing science that will help with recovery from these historic hurricanes and with preparing for the next storm.

When a major storm is on the horizon, the USGS uses its water monitoring, coastal change, mapping, and modeling expertise to help emergency managers, coastal planners and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and tropical storms.

Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport, Texas August 25, the USGS has deployed hundreds of staff into the field responding to these back-to-back storms.

To read more about some of the USGS efforts currently ongoing in response to Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-continues-response-four-hurricanes
#hurricaneharvey #hurricaneirma #hurricanejose#hurricanemaria

Study Links Major Floods in North America and Europe to Multi-Decade Ocean Patterns

There are many things that can cause flooding besides Climate Change. Paving previously unpaved land is one example. Other land use changes can also contribute. Straightening of stream channels can cause flooding problems downstream. Climate Change is just one of many possible factors. - JBK



From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Study Links Major Floods in North America and Europe to Multi-Decade Ocean Patterns

The number of major floods in natural rivers across Europe and North America has not increased overall during the past 80 years. A recent studyhttp://bit.ly/2vPh6rS found that major flooding in North America and Europe often varies with North Atlantic Ocean temperature patternshttp://bit.ly/2vPh3w6. Learn more.https://on.doi.gov/2vkXYl7. #usgs #science#climatechange
Understanding the forces that influence major floods can help inform the design of more resilient infrastructure. Image shows a major flood on the St. John River on the border of Maine, United States and New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 2008. This site was part of the study. USGS Public Domain. 

#Storm #Flood 

Today in Earthquake History - On August 5, 1949

From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Today in Earthquake History - On August 5, 1949 an M6.5 earthquake occurred near Baños, Ecuador that completely destroyed the towns of Guano, Patate, Pelileo and Pillaro and killed about 5050 people. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/today/index.php?month=8&day=5

#earthquake #Ecuador




080517

|

3DEP and America's Infrastructure

From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

3DEP and America's Infrastructure: The USGS is seeing a dramatic increase in the use of 3 dimensional geospatial data for infrastructure planning, modeling and construction. Infrastructure and construction management, which encompasses the physical framework of transportation, energy, communications, water supply, and other systems, are critical to the Nation’s prosperity. Industries, governments and other public and private agencies are progressively using 3D light detection and ranging (lidar) elevation data, as part of the national 3D Elevation Program, to improve productivity, safety, and cost-savings for infrastructure projects.https://on.doi.gov/2uJ6EQg

45th anniversary of the launch of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (renamed Landsat 1)

From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Our Landsat image of the day recognizes the 45th anniversary of the launch of the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (renamed Landsat 1) on July 23, 1972. Soon after, the first of millions of Landsat images arrived. The first image in the Landsat archive is this false-color image of Dallas, Texas. See the original post here: https://go.nasa.gov/2tmVXFJ

During our month-long focus on mapping, we'll be posting a daily image from the Image of the Week archive at eros.usgs.gov. Come on over to see more images, or go here to learn more about Landsat: landsat.usgs.gov #USGS #Science#SatelliteImagery #Mapping #Dallas #Texas

#Landsat #Satellite #Imagery




072317