USGS CoreCast

U.S. Using Less Water Than It Did 35 Years Ago

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:56 UTC

The United States is using less water than during the peak years of 1975 and 1980, according to USGS water use estimates for 2005. Despite a 30 percent population increase during the past 25 years, overall water use has remained fairly stable.

So what else do we know--and not know--about water use in the U.S.? Learn from a USGS scientist and partners, and hear what they're going to talk about at a water use briefing on Capitol Hill.

Wind Energy: A Scare for Bats and Birds

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:37:48 UTC

Several USGS scientists are investigating the problem of fatal bat and bird collisions with wind turbines. USGS scientist and bat specialist Dr. Paul Cryan at the Fort Collins Science Center chats with Juliette Wilson about whether we can have our wind turbines and healthy populations of bats and birds too.

(Video) Streamgages: The Silent Superhero

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:49:12 UTC

Whether you drink water from your tap, use electricity or canoe down your local river, chances are you benefit from USGS streamgage information. So what is a streamgage and what does it do for you? This CoreCast episode gives you the inside scoop on your silent superhero.

(Audio) Streamgages: The Silent Superhero

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:49:12 UTC

Samoa Islands and Sumatra Earthquakes

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:51:05 UTC

Two large earthquakes have hit the Pacific. Harley Benz, Scientist-in-Charge at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, talks about the quakes' damage, their relationship to one another, and what USGS scientists are doing in the aftermath.

Water on the Moon

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:35:12 UTC

Interview with USGS scientist Dr. Roger Clark about his Sept. 24 Science article that suggests water exists on the moon. Imaging spectroscopy led Clark and others to this discovery which opens the possibilities into further moon exploration.

Coal and Human Health

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Wed, 9 Sep 2009 20:07:49 UTC

Did you know that natural resources like coal can have impacts on human health?

USGS Energy Resources Program Coordinator Brenda Pierce discusses an emerging area of study called "medical geology" and the connections between natural resources and human health. We also hear from USGS scientists Bill Orem and Calin Tatu, who are researching links between coal and a kidney disease called "BEN" in the Balkans.

Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:16:54 UTC

Mercury contamination was detected in every fish sampled in 291 streams across the country. About a quarter of these fish were found to contain mercury at levels exceeding the criterion for the protection of people who consume average amounts of fish, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We talked to Lia Chasar, lead ecologist on the USGS study.

The Cold Facts About Melting Glaciers

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Fri, 7 Aug 2009 15:12:42 UTC

Most glaciers in Washington and Alaska are dramatically shrinking in response to a warming climate.

USGS scientist Edward Josberger discusses research from the past 50 years to measure changes in the mass (length and thickness) of three glaciers in Alaska and Washington. These are the longest such records in North America and among the longest in the world.

Bees Are Not Optional

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:17:24 UTC

It's Pollinator Week 2009, and we're talking to USGS scientist Sam Droege about the tremendous importance of native bees and pollinators in general, and how you can lend a hand to these tiny titans.

Like eating fresh fruits and vegetables? Think agriculture is important to our society? Then you'll want to pay attention to this CoreCast.

New Climate Change Forecasts

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:32:24 UTC

Climate change is happening across the entire Nation and is projected to continue in the future with widespread impacts.

USGS Chief Scientist for Global Change Research Virginia Burkett fills us in on a new report that provides the most current climate change projections, outlines potential impacts, and provides recommendations for future actions.

Hazard Roundup--April/May 2009

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 4 Jun 2009 19:29:52 UTC

A roundup of the April and May 2009 hazard-related events around the world, with some newsworthy tidbits.

The Heavens on Earth

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:06:47 UTC

Man-made moon dirt, or regolith, has been created by the USGS to help NASA prepare for upcoming moon explorations. USGS scientist Steve Wilson talks about this "mission critical" project.

Images are available in the Details/Transcript section as well as on the USGS Multimedia Gallery at: http://gallery.usgs.gov/collections/Astrogeology

Magnitude 4.7 in Greater Los Angeles Area

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:08:08 UTC

Late on May 17, 2009, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck in the Greater Los Angeles area.

We spoke with Ken Hudnut, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey to fill us in on the details.

USGS Geophysicist John Power Updates on Mt. Redoubt

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:00:00 UTC

USGS Geophysicist John Power discusses the recent flare up in earthquake activity at Mt. Redoubt and the likelihood of another eruption in the near future.

Sand Dunes on the Loose Due to Climate Change

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 4 May 2009 12:34:29 UTC

Climate change is increasing the mobility of sand dunes in the Southwest, posing threats to roadways, infrastructure, human health, cultural practices of the Navajo Nation, and much more. Vegetation on dunes serves as a stabilizer, but as the climate warms and precipitation decreases, there is less vegetation growth.

USGS scientist Margaret Hiza and intern Leanna Begay discuss their research to understand the dunes' plant diversity and what changes are occurring.

Hazard Roundup--March 2009

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:52:59 UTC

A roundup of the March 2009 hazard-related events around the world, with some newsworthy tidbits.

Magnitude 6.3 Earthquake in Central Italy

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 14:26:14 UTC

Early this morning, April 06, 2009, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near Rome, Italy.

We spoke with Stuart Sipkin, a geophysicist at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center to fill us in on the details.

(Video) USGS Crews Measure Historic Flooding in Fargo, N.D.

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:29:03 UTC

USGS scientists continue to monitor streamflow during the historic flooding taking place in Fargo, N.D. This information provides critical information used to estimate flood dangers and helps protect lives and property.

(Audio) USGS Crews Measure Historic Flooding in Fargo, N.D.

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:29:03 UTC

Contaminants in 20 Percent of U.S. Private Wells

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:27:31 UTC

More than 20 percent of private, domestic wells contain at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern. About 43 million people—or 15 percent of the Nation's population—use drinking water from private wells, which are not regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

USGS scientist Leslie Desimone discusses the new study, the contaminants found, and the implications for society.

Can We Move Carbon from the Atmosphere and into Rocks?

corecast@usgs.gov (U.S. Geological Survey - CoreCast Team) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:10:14 UTC

A new method to assess the Nation's potential for storing carbon dioxide in rocks below the earth's surface could help lessen climate change impacts. The injection and storage of liquid carbon dioxide into subsurface rocks is known as geologic carbon sequestration.

USGS scientist Robert Burruss discusses this new methodology and how it can help mitigate climate change.