USGS Newsroom

Flow Rate Group Provides Preliminary Best Estimate Of Oil Flowing from BP Oil Well
Released: 5/27/2010 12:15:48 PM
USGS Director Dr. Marcia McNutt today announced that the National Incident Command’s Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG) has developed an independent, preliminary estimate of the amount of oil flowing from BP’s leaking oil well.

Contaminants in Groundwater Used for Public Supply
Released: 5/21/2010 9:00:00 AM
More than 20 percent of untreated water samples from 932 public wells across the nation contained at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Commonly Used Atrazine Herbicide Adversely Affects Fish Reproduction
Released: 5/19/2010 12:08:20 PM
Atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, has been shown to affect reproduction of fish, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study.

Instant Information about Water Conditions: Ask the River to Text You a WaterAlert
Released: 5/17/2010 10:38:02 AM
Now you can receive instant, customized updates about water conditions by subscribing to WaterAlert, a new service from the U.S. Geological Survey. Whether you are watching for floods, interested in recreational activities or concerned about the quality of water in your well, WaterAlert allows you to receive daily or hourly updates about current conditions in rivers, lakes and groundwater when they match conditions of concern to you.

Mount St. Helens 30th Anniversary
Released: 5/14/2010 5:12:20 PM
Vancouver, Wash. — On Sunday, May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m., the bulging north flank of Mount St. Helens slid away in a massive landslide -- the largest in recorded history. Seconds later, the uncorked volcano exploded and blasted rocks northward across forest ridges and valleys, destroying everything in its path within minutes.

Briefing on Contaminants in Groundwater Used for Public Supply
Released: 5/14/2010 11:04:19 AM
More than one-third of the nation’s population uses drinking water from public water systems that rely on groundwater pumped from public wells. The U.S. Geological Survey has collected data nationwide on water-quality in public wells.

Cumberland River Crest Highest in 73 Years
Released: 5/13/2010 8:21:00 AM
Rivers throughout middle Tennessee crested at record high levels last week. They exceeded previous highs at many streamgages by as much as 14 feet, according to preliminary estimates released today by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The highest flood levels were recorded on May 2 and 3, from Nashville west toward Jackson, extending about 40-miles north and south of Interstate 40, and affecting major tributaries to the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.

Congressional Briefing -- Citizen Science and Earthquakes: Reducing the Risk Through the Power of People
Released: 5/12/2010 1:19:54 PM
In the United States, 1 in 4 people live with the risk of earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are designing innovative tools to better detect earthquakes and share critical information.

High Flows in Tennessee Rivers Estimated
Released: 5/6/2010 10:41:44 AM
The May 1-2 storm that brought heavy rains to the southeastern U.S. resulted in record high flows for many rivers in middle Tennessee, according to preliminary estimates released today by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

May Science Picks - Hot News about Cool Science
Released: 5/5/2010
In this edition of Science Picks, learn why it seems like the world is experiencing more earthquakes than normal. Also, see how easy it is to become a citizen scientist, and watch a new USGS movie to learn why the Mojave Desert tortoise is endangered. You’ll also find information about major flooding this spring, dust from Africa that is potentially harming coral in the Caribbean, how scientists are using satellite technology to track wildlife, and much more!

Millions Awarded for Earthquake Monitoring in the United States
Released: 5/3/2010 10:53:30 AM
More than $7 million in cooperative agreements will be awarded for earthquake monitoring by the U.S Geological Survey in 2010. This funding will contribute to the development and operation of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).

Invasive Saltcedar and Russian Olive Trees Consume Similar Amounts of Water as Native Cottonwoods and Willows, Wildlife Effects Mixed
Released: 4/28/2010 5:06:52 PM
Long considered heavy water users and poor wildlife habitat, non-native saltcedar and Russian olive trees that have spread along streams and water bodies in the West may not be as detrimental to wildlife and water availability as believed.

Keeping Track of Grizzly Bears in the Northern Rockies
Released: 4/27/2010 1:59:06 PM
Rural areas with human development can lessen grizzly bear survival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and innovative bear rub tree surveys can successfully monitor grizzly population dynamics in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, suggest two new studies released by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Journal of Wildlife Management.

Video Shows Baja Earthquake Created a Devilish "Mini-Tsunami" for Endangered Devils Hole Pupfish
Released: 4/27/2010 12:49:00 PM
For tiny Devils Hole pupfish, startling video shows it must have felt like a “huge tsunami” when violent water-level oscillations from an earthquake 300 miles away disturbed the small ledge they live on in a single Mojave Desert cavern pool for some 15 minutes.

 

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