Natural Hazards
On October 1, 2010, the USGS is realigning its organizational structure around the themes identified in the USGS Science Strategy. One of these new themes, or mission areas, is "Natural Hazards". This mission area brings together the following existing Bureau programs.
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Natural Hazards
Every year in the United States, natural hazards cost lives and billions of dollars in damage. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides policymakers and the public with a clear understanding of natural hazards and their potential threats to society, and assists with developing smart, cost-effective strategies for achieving preparedness and resilience. See "Natural Hazards—A National Threat" Fact Sheet.
The Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) is part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Earthquakes pose significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 States. The EHP provides information and products for earthquake loss reduction, including hazard and risk assessment, and comprehensive real-time earthquake monitoring.
"Earthquake Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet |
The overall objectives of the Volcano Hazards Program are to advance the scientific understanding of volcanic processes and to lessen the harmful impacts of volcanic activity. The Volcano Hazards Program monitors active and potentially active volcanoes, assesses their hazards, responds to volcanic crises, and conducts research on how volcanoes work. The Program also issues warnings of potential volcanic hazards to responsible emergency-management authorities and to the populace affected.
"Volcano Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet |
The mission of the Landslide Hazards Program (LHP) is to provide information that leads to the reduction of losses from landslides and increase in public safety through improved understanding of landslide hazards and strategies for hazard mitigation. In pursuit of the program mission, the LHP conducts landslide hazard assessments, pursues landslide investigations and forecasts, provides technical assistance to respond to landslide emergencies, and engages in outreach activities.
"Landslide Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet
"Wildfire Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet |
The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a permanent digital network of state-of-the-art seismological and geophysical sensors connected by a telecommunications network. The GSN provides near-uniform, worldwide monitoring of the Earth, with over 150 modern seismic stations distributed globally. The GSN was formed in partnership among the USGS, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS).
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The mission of the Geomagnetism Program is to monitor the Earth’s magnetic field. Using ground-based observatories, the Program provides continuous records of magnetic field variations covering long timescales; disseminates magnetic data to various governmental, academic, and private institutions; and conducts research into the nature of geomagnetic variations for purposes of scientific understanding and hazard mitigation.
"Monitoring the Earth's Magnetic Field" Fact Sheet
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The Coastal and Marine Geology Program conducts research on changes in the coastal and marine environment, whether naturally occurring or human induced. Changes in this environment can endanger our quality of life, threaten property, pose risk to fragile environments, and affect livelihoods. The management challenge faced by all coastal communities is to balance the competing needs of citizens, government, industry, and the environment. Sound marine science is critical for making such management decisions.
"Flood Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet
"Tsunami Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet
"Hurricane Hazards – A National Threat" Fact Sheet |
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey