USGS Newsroom

Iowa Meteorite Crater Confirmed

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Tue, 5 Mar 2013 9:01:00 EDT

USGS Airborne Surveys Back Up Previous Decorah Research

Recent airborne geophysical surveys near Decorah, Iowa are providing an unprecedented look at a 470- million-year-old meteorite crater concealed beneath bedrock and sediments.

The aerial surveys, a collaboration of the U.S. Geological Survey with the Iowa and Minnesota Geological Surveys, were conducted in the last 60 days to map geologic structures and assess the mineral and water resources of the region.

"Capturing images of an ancient meteorite impact was a huge bonus," said Dr. Paul Bedrosian, a USGS geophysicist in Denver who is leading the effort to model the recently acquired geophysical data. "These findings highlight the range of applications that these geophysical methods can address."

In 2008-09, geologists from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' (Iowa DNR) Iowa Geological and Water Survey hypothesized what has become known as the Decorah Impact Structure. The scientists examined water well drill-cuttings and recognized a unique shale unit preserved only beneath and near the city of Decorah. The extent of the shale, which was deposited after the impact by an ancient seaway, defines a "nice circular basin" of 5.5 km width, according to Robert McKay, a geologist at the Iowa Geological Survey.

Bevan French, a scientist the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, subsequently identified shocked quartz - considered strong evidence of an extra-terrestrial impact - in samples of sub-shale breccia from within the crater.

"The recognition of this buried geological structure was possible because of the collaboration of a local geologist, water well drillers, the USGS STATEMAP program, and the support of the Iowa DNR concerning research on fundamental aspects of Iowa geology," said McKay.

The recent geophysical surveys include an airborne electromagnetic system, which is sensitive to how well rocks conduct electricity, and airborne gravity gradiometry, which measures subtle changes in rock density. The surveys both confirm the earlier work and provide a new view of the Decorah Impact Structure. Models of the electromagnetic data show a crater filled with electrically conductive shale and the underlying breccia, which is rock composed of broken fragments of rock cemented together by a fine-grained matrix.

"The shale is an ideal target and provides the electrical contrast that allows us to clearly image the geometry and internal structure of the crater," Bedrosian said.

More analysis of the data will provide additional detail. These data show the impact as a nearly circular region distinct from the surrounding area to a depth of several hundred meters.

"These data, when coupled with physical property measurements on drill core samples, will form the basis for modeling efforts to constrain the impact geometry and energy of the meteorite," said Dr. Andy Kass, a USGS geophysicist working on the effort.

The Iowa and Minnesota airborne geophysical surveys are targeting an igneous intrusion, known as the Northeast Iowa Igneous Intrusive complex, that may be similar to the Duluth layered igneous complex exposed in the Lake Superior region of northern Minnesota. Known copper, nickel, and platinum group metal resources were deposited during the formation of the Duluth complex. Both of these complexes are associated with a large structural feature known as the Midcontinent Rift, which is exposed in the Lake Superior Region but is covered by younger rocks as it extends to the south through Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.

This geophysical survey is part of a larger USGS effort to evaluate the concealed mineral resource potential of the greater Midcontinent Rift region that formed about 1.1 billion years ago.

New USGS Report Updates Decline of High Plains Aquifer Groundwater Levels

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 7:48:52 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey has released a new report detailing changes of groundwater levels in the High Plains Aquifer. The report presents water-level change data in the aquifer in two separate periods: from 1950–the time prior to significant groundwater irrigation development–to 2011, and 2009 to 2011.

In 2011, the total water stored in the aquifer was about 2.96 billion acre-feet, an overall decline of about 246 million acre-feet (or 8 percent) since pre-development. Change in water in storage from 2009 to 2011 was an overall decline of 2.8 million acre-feet. The overall average water-level decline in the aquifer was 14.2 feet from pre-development to 2011, and 0.1 foot from 2009 to 2011.

The study used water-level measurements from 3,322 wells for pre-development to 2011 and 7,376 wells for 2009 to 2011.

The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer, underlies about 112 million acres (175,000 square miles) in parts of eight states Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. The USGS, at the request of the U.S. Congress, has published reports on water-level changes in the High Plains Aquifer since 1988. Congress requested these reports in response to substantial water-level declines in large areas of the aquifer.

This multi-state, groundwater-level monitoring program has allowed water-level changes in all eight states to be tracked over time and has provided data critical to evaluating different options for groundwater management. This level of coordinated groundwater-level monitoring is unique among major, multi-state regional aquifers in the country.

The report "Water-Level and Storage Changes in the High Plains Aquifer, Predevelopment to 2011 and 2009–11" is available online.

Low Streamflow Conditions Add to Midwest Drought Woes

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:09:42 EDT

Streamflow levels are below normal across much of the Midwest states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Many states are experiencing severe drought, such as Iowa, where flows are less than 25 percent of normal streamflow conditions for the majority of the state.

Drought is the nation's most costly natural disaster, far exceeding earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and floods. Low streamflows contribute to higher than normal water temperatures, which have negatively impacted fish and have caused fish kills in some areas throughout the Midwest.

USGS crews are making extra streamflow and groundwater level measurements in a number of states so that cooperators will have sufficient data to make water management decisions. Areas of low stream flow can be viewed in real time on the USGS WaterWatch website. The map shows how current flows compare to what would be normal for a given time of year based on historical averages. For information specific to your local area, visit one of the USGS Water Science Center drought information websites in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, South Dakota or Wisconsin. To access water quality information, to include local stream temperatures, visit the USGS real-time WaterQualityWatch website.

"Of all of our Nation's natural disasters, drought is in many ways the most insidious, coming on slowly without major headlines or lead stories, and tending to continue to play out long after the life-giving rains have returned in terms of culled herds, unproductive orchards, and impaired ecosystems ripe for invasive species," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "USGS is bringing the best scientific information to bear in these tough times so that water managers will make a little water do a lot of good."

While the USGS WaterWatch website is an adequate real-time gauge for areas experiencing hydrologic drought, stream and river conditions are not the only drought indicator. The national Drought Monitor is the official report detailing drought conditions, and this map paints a fuller picture of drought than just stream flow information. In addition to relying heavily on USGS streamgage data, this map also incorporates soil moisture, agricultural information, satellite data, and precipitation.

Right now, almost 80 percent of the contiguous United States is facing abnormally dry conditions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated that the annual average cost of drought in the United States ranges from $6 to $8 billion, while flooding estimates are in the $2 to $4 billion range. Unlike flooding, drought does not come and go in a single episode. Rather, it often takes a long time for drought to begin to impact an area, and it can fester for months or even years.

Media Advisory: Event Celebrates Contribution of 100-year-old Streamgage to Nebraska

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Mon, 4 Jun 2012 9:01:00 EDT

The Platte River near Duncan streamgage, just upstream from the Platte's confluence with the Loup River, began operating on June 4, 1895. For more than a century of operation, this U.S. Geological Survey streamgage has contributed abundant information about water levels to farmers, decision makers, scientists, planners, and the public by helping assure future water supplies, sound water-resources management, safe infrastructure design, and proper flood zoning.

"The value and utility of the data from long-term streamgages such as this one is difficult to overstate," said Robert Swanson, Director of the USGS Nebraska Water Science Center.

During the 1990s, however, many such long-term streamgages were discontinued due to lack of funding. On average, each year of the decade saw a net loss of about 70 of these vital, often life-saving instruments that are located beside a river and measure water levels.

Who:	Representatives from the Offices of Senator Ben Nelson, Senator Mike Johanns, and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith Robert Swanson, Director, USGS Nebraska Water Science Center
What:	Re-dedication ceremony of USGS Platte River streamgage
Where:	The streamgage on the Platte River bridge, 0.5 mi. south of Duncan on Main/287 Ave. From Lincoln and Omaha.
When:	Tuesday June 5, 2012, 10 a.m.
Note:	Duration about one hour, including a 15-minute re-dedication presentation, streamgage-house tour, and data-collection demonstrations.

More information on Platte River at Duncan, including historical photos:

A Big Day for Science: Citizens Have Contributed One Million Observations to Top Nature Database

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Thu, 3 May 2012 9:00:00 EDT

RESTON, Va. — Thanks to citizen-scientists around the country, the USA National Phenology Network hit a major milestone this week by reaching its one millionth nature observation.

The millionth observation was done by Lucille Tower, a citizen-scientist in Portland, Ore., who entered a record about seeing maple vines flowering. Her data, like all of the entries, came in through USA-NPN’s online observation program, Nature's Notebook, which engages more than 4,000 volunteers across the country to observe and record phenology – the timing of the recurring life events of plants and animals such as when cherry trees or lilacs blossom, when robins build their nests, when salmon swim upstream to spawn or when leaves turn colors in the fall.

Each record not only represents a single data point — the status of a specific life stage of an individual plant or animal on one day – but also benefits both science and society by helping researchers understand how plants and animals are responding to climate change and, in turn, how those responses are affecting people and ecological systems.

"My dream is that through the wonders of modern technology and the National Phenology Network we could turn the more than six billion people on the planet into components of our scientific observing system," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "We could make giant leaps in science education, improve the spatial and temporal coverage of the planet, lower the cost of scientific data collection, and all while making ordinary citizens feel a part of the scientific process."

Jake Weltzin, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist and the executive director of USA-NPN, concurs. "Hitting the one millionth observation is exciting because researchers and decision-makers need more information to understand and respond to our rapidly changing planet. More information means better-informed decisions that ensure the continued vitality of our natural areas that we all depend on and enjoy."

For example, said Weltzin, the data in Nature's Notebook are already being used to benefit society, including the development of more accurate indicators of spring, forecasting the onset of allergy seasons or the chances of western wildfires, managing wildlife and invasive plants, and setting goals for habitat restoration. Ultimately, such information can be used for better managing water resources, wildlife and ecosystem management, and even help farmers and ranchers across the nation.

Changes in phenology are among the most sensitive biological indicators of global change. Across the world, many springtime events are occurring earlier — and fall events happening later — than in the past. These changes are happening quickly for some species and more slowly, or not at all, for others, altering relationships and processes that have been dynamically stable for thousands of years. Some wildlife —like caribou and butterflies — are becoming mismatched from their plant food resources, which are responding differently. Migrations for some birds are changing too, as they can now overwinter instead of moving south for the winter, or as they fly north more quickly to keep pace with an advancing front of spring flowering.

Because of this, said Weltzin, scientists need more and better information about the pace and pattern of nature — locally to nationally — to answer important scientific and societal questions, and to build the tools and models needed to help people understand and adapt to the changes.

"So much of our improved understanding about global environmental changes is driven by varied and valuable sources of information that include networks of citizen-scientists," said John Wingfield, National Science Foundation’s assistant director for biological sciences. "The public at large has played an important role collecting observations and data for a hundred years and more. Knowledge and data gained from their work will continue to have a lasting effect on how we understand regularly recurring biological phenomena for hundreds of plant and animal species and contribute to the policy arena."

Gwen Lundburg in Seattle is one citizen-scientist who has contributed hundreds of entries into Nature’s Notebook. "Just noticing small changes like tiny purple lilac buds suddenly turning green has taught me to look more closely at my plants," Lundburg said. "I see things in my garden I never saw before."

With the help of citizen-scientist volunteers, working in concert with professionals, the USA-NPN, which was established in 2007, collects, stores and freely shares phenological data on more than 800 species of plants and animals. The Nature’s Notebook observing program has been in operation since 2009. The coordinating office of the organization is located at 1955 E. 6^th St., Tucson, Ariz., 85721. For more information, visit the USA National Phenology Network, or contact Jake Weltzin at 520-626-3821 or jweltzin@usgs.gov.

Irrigation Causing Declines in the High Plains Aquifer

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:15:40 EDT

Groundwater withdrawals for crop irrigation have increased to over 16 million acre-feet per year in the High Plains Aquifer, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.

The USGS study shows that recharge, or the amount of water entering the aquifer, is less than the amount of groundwater being withdrawn, causing groundwater losses in this already diminished natural resource. Crop irrigation is the largest use of groundwater in the aquifer, and, over the past 60 years, has caused severe water-level declines of up to 100 feet in some areas. The new USGS findings address concerns about the long-term sustainability of the aquifer.

"The High Plains Aquifer is Nature's nearly perfect water storage system: self-recharging, safe from natural disasters, readily accessed over a broad area, and with copious capacity," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "And yet in less than 100 years we are seriously depleting what took Nature more than 10,000 years to fill."

The High Plains aquifer underlies about 175,000 square miles in parts of eight states – Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming – and is a major source of groundwater irrigation in the region. The High Plains region supplies approximately one-fourth of the nation’s agricultural production.

"Because groundwater losses are greater than recharge, water levels in many parts of the aquifer are currently declining," said Jennifer Stanton, USGS scientist and an author of the report. "Such information can inform groundwater management decisions made by state and local agencies."

The new USGS study also compares previously published data with new methods for estimating recharge and groundwater withdrawals and provides an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of those methods.

This USGS report is part of a larger study to evaluate groundwater availability of the High Plains Aquifer. The study is being conducted through the USGS Groundwater Resources Program to assist state and local groundwater management agencies and to assess the status of groundwater resources from a national perspective.

Click here to access the full report on line.

USGS Announces Mineral Research Grants for 2012

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:54:41 EDT

New research on mineral resources important to our economy, national security, and land-use decisions has been funded by more than $260,000 in grants from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Recipients of the 2012 USGS Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP) grants will study rare earth elements (REE), niobium, and tellurium. The principal investigators and a brief description of each of the successful proposals are provided below.

"Although the US is currently dependent on foreign imports for our supply of rare earths and other critical elements that are essential for the high tech industry, our nation is actually rich in deposits of these valuable minerals," explained USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "The Mineral Research Grants help provide the basic research foundation to better develop our domestic resources and thus become less dependent on foreign imports."

Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Metamorphic Rocks of California
The University of California, Santa Barbara will focus on determining the origin of REE-bearing phosphate minerals in metamorphic rocks of the Music Valley region of California. This research is expected to provide a better understanding of how these phosphate minerals originally formed and provide insight on new geologic environments to target for REE exploration. The work is expected to help formulate better genetic models for REE-bearing mineral deposits and will decrease uncertainty in future assessments for these deposit types. The lead UC Santa Barbara scientist for this research is John Cottle.

The Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential of Igneous Rocks in Southern New Mexico
The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will conduct detailed mapping and geochemical studies in southern New Mexico to evaluate the potential for undiscovered thorium-REE-uranium vein deposits in the Caballo and Burro Mountains. The collection of new field data and laboratory analyses will help to fully assess the REE mineral resource potential of the rocks and associated veins in the region. The principal scientists on this research for the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will be Virginia McLemore and Nelia Dunbar.

A Buried Rare Earth Element (REE ) and Niobium Deposit in Southeast Nebraska
The University of Colorado and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will conduct a collaborative research project to examine the age and origin of the REE resources of the Elk Creek deposit in southeastern Nebraska by investigating previously collected drilling core. The Elk Creek REE deposit is found in a rare carbonate-rich igneous rock known as carbonatite. In addition to REEs, the Elk Creek carbonatite may comprise the largest niobium resource in the United States. Niobium is primarily used as an alloying element in steels and superalloys, such as materials used in high performance aircraft. This research is expected to yield data and information that will advance exploration and assessment models for similar REE deposits. The principal scientists for this research will be Lang Farmer of the University of Colorado and Matt Joeckel and Richard Kettler of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Understanding How Rare Earth Elements (REE) Migrate in the Weathering Environment
The University of Texas at El Paso will investigate the distribution of REE in shales of different climatic zones and characterize the chemical controls on the release and transport of REE during the weathering process. This work is expected to help evaluate the fate and transport of REEs during the weathering of continental shale and advance our understanding of the formation of REE-bearing sediments in oceans and rivers, as potential new REE resources to explore and assess. The principal scientists on this research for the University of Texas at El Paso will be Lixin Jin and Lin Ma.

Understanding Tellurium (Te) as a Critical Mineral Commodity
Iowa State University will conduct detailed laboratory analysis to improve our understanding on the formation of tellurium-bearing minerals, evaluate the effectiveness of current tellurium extraction procedures, and determine the weathering pattern of tellurium-bearing mineral phases, to help assess mineral environmental impact of tellurium resource development. Tellurium is a rare metal most often used in steel alloys, as well as cadmium-telluride solar cells. This research is expected to advance our understanding of tellurium-bearing mineral deposits and provide more robust genetic and mineral environmental models for the assessment of undiscovered tellurium-bearing resources. The principal scientist on this research for Iowa State University is Paul Spry.

The MRERP invited research proposals that will expand its efforts in critical minerals research on commodities that are of increasing importance to economic and national security and may be subject to disruption in supply. Proposals were accepted from academia, State agencies, industry, or other private sector organizations and scientists. For more information about the USGS Mineral Resources External Research Program, visit our website.

Interior Releases First-of-its-Kind Regional Study as Part of National Assessment of Carbon Storage in U.S. Ecosystems

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Mon, 5 Dec 2011 18:39:22 EDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of the Interior today released the first in a series of regional studies measuring the amount of carbon stored in U.S. ecosystems. Published by Interior's U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the study examines the current and projected future carbon storage in the Great Plains region, as part of a nation-wide assessment.

Interior Releases First-of-its-Kind Regional Study as Part of National Assessment of Carbon Storage in U.S. Ecosystems

Landsat Satellites Track Continued Missouri River Flooding

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:45:00 EDT

IMAGE FEATURE

Flooding along the Missouri River continues as shown in Landsat satellite images of the Nebraska and Iowa border. Heavy rains and snowmelt have caused the river to remain above flood stage for an extended period.

A Landsat 5 image of the area from May 5, 2011 shows normal flow. In contrast, a Landsat 7 image taken July 17 depicts flood conditions in the same location.

A national overview map of streamflow provided by USGS WaterWatch graphically portrays the immense geographic extent of flooding in the Missouri River basin.

Landsat is a joint effort of both USGS and NASA. USGS conducts Landsat operations and NASA develops and launches new satellites that meet USGS requirements. In addition to imagery of natural hazard events, Landsat provides valuable data for land use research and advances the Department of the Interior’s important role in land remote sensing under the President’s National Space Policy. Landsat images are unique in that they provide complete global coverage, they are available for free, and they span nearly 40 years of continuous earth observation. No other satellite imagery has that combination of attributes.

Monitoring both floods and droughts, the USGS WaterWatch internet site displays maps, graphs, and tables that describe current and past streamflow conditions for the United States. The real-time streamflow data is generally updated on an hourly basis.

Flood Risk Determines Wetland Restoration Potential Along Missouri River

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:48:44 EDT

High or low flood risks can determine where wetland restoration might occur on the lower Missouri River, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center and the Nature Conservancy’s Missouri River Program.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has projected record flooding through mid-August for the lower Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam, Yankton, S.D.

Areas along the lower Missouri River that have a greater risk of high floods tend to have a larger potential for wetlands restoration whereas those areas with a low potential for wetland restoration have a lower flood risk, the study’s authors noted. Consequently, restoring wetlands in the high-risk areas could lower flood costs and increase the ecological benefits of the river. The study is published in the journal Wetlands Ecology and Management and is available online.

"This study can be used by agencies, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, to help balance protecting the public from flood hazards and restoring wetland ecosystems," said USGS scientist and senior author of the study, Robert Jacobson, Ph.D. "Land managers can also use studies like this to assist them in making informed decisions about their property, farms and livelihood."

The study revealed that wetland restoration potential is not uniform along the river For example, areas just downstream of Gavins Point Dam have a lack of sediment, which has caused the river channel to deepen, leaving the floodplain in that area high and usually dry. These eroded areas have low potential for restoring wetlands and a relatively low flood hazard.

The amount of channel erosion begins to decrease about 60 miles downstream of the dam, resulting in more opportunity to get water to potential floodplain wetlands, and more flood risk. The stretch of the river with the highest wetland restoration potential is between Omaha, Neb. and St. Joseph, Mo. This area is also more susceptible to flooding than the remainder of the lower Missouri River.

More information about the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center is available online.

To learn more about the Nature Conservancy's Missouri River Program, visit their website.

Lichens May Aid in Combating Deadly Chronic Wasting Disease in Wildlife

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:00:50 EDT

MADISON, Wis. – Certain lichens can break down the infectious proteins responsible for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a troubling neurological disease fatal to wild deer and elk and spreading throughout the United States and Canada, according to U.S. Geological Survey research published today in the journal PLoS ONE.

Like other "prion" diseases, CWD is caused by unusual, infectious proteins called prions. One of the best-known of these diseases is "mad cow" disease, a cattle disease that has infected humans. However, there is no evidence that CWD has infected humans. Disease-causing prions, responsible for some incurable neurological diseases of people and other diseases in animals, are notoriously difficult to decontaminate or kill. Prions are not killed by most detergents, cooking, freezing or by autoclaving, a method used to sterilize medical instruments.

"When prions are released into the environment by infected sheep or deer, they can stay infectious for many years, even decades," said Christopher Johnson, Ph.D., a scientist at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center and the lead author of the study. "To help limit the spread of these diseases in animals, we need to be able to remove prions from the environment."

The researchers found that lichens have great potential for safely reducing the number of prions because some lichen species contain a protease enzyme (a naturally produced chemical) capable of significantly breaking down prions in the lab.

"This work is exciting because there are so few agents that degrade prions and even fewer that could be used in the environment without causing harm," said Jim Bennett, Ph.D., a USGS lichenologist and a co-author of the study.

CWD and scrapie in sheep are different than other prion diseases because they can easily spread in sheep or deer by direct animal-to-animal contact or through contact with contaminated inanimate objects like soil. Chronic wasting disease was first diagnosed in the 1960s and has since been detected in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. CWD has been detected in wild elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose in North America.

Lichens, said Johnson, produce unique and unusual organic compounds that aid their survival and can have antibiotic, antiviral and other chemotherapeutic activities. In fact, pharmaceutical companies have been examining the medicinal properties of lichens more closely in recent years.

Lichens - which are often mistaken for moss - are unusual plant-like organisms that are actually a symbioses of fungi, algae and bacteria living together. They usually live on soil, bark, leaves and wood and can live in barren and unwelcoming environments, including the Arctic and in deserts.

Future work will examine the effect of lichens on prions in the environment and determine if lichen consumption can protect animals from acquiring prion diseases.

The study, “Degradation of the disease-associated prion protein by a serine protease from lichens,” was published in PLoS ONE and is freely accessible to the public. The study was authored by USGS scientists Christopher Johnson, James Bennett and Tonie Rocke, as well as authors from Montana State University and the University of Wisconsin.

USGS Science at GSA

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:12:16 EDT

In this USGS media tipsheet (PDF), we've gone through thousands of GSA conference abstracts and selected some of the newest, most exciting USGS science presentations for your convenience. We hope you find it useful.

News media representatives are invited to visit the USGS booth in the GSA Exhibit Hall. Our exhibit highlights climate and land-use change, energy, minerals, and environmental health, water, natural hazards, and more. This is an easy place to connect with scientists and public affairs specialists and grab some USGS publications and information.

Sunday, Oct. 31

9-11 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m., Booth 256

The Volcanoes Exploration Project: Pu`u `O`o —A Web Site and Workshop for Utilizing Near-Real Time Volcano Monitoring Data in Geoscience Education

Mike Poland

The Volcanoes Exploration Project: Pu'u 'O'o (VEPP) website is a geoscience education resource that demonstrates the dynamic nature of volcanoes, promotes excitement about the process of scientific discovery through hands-on learning, and inspires the next generation of Earth scientists. The VEPP site provides access, in near-real time, to geodetic and seismic data from the Kilauea Volcano in Hawai'i, via a time series query tool, and webcam images from Pu`u `O`o crater are archived and available for viewing as a means of examining visual changes in volcanic activity over time. Based out of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, it is a collaborative effort among the USGS, NASA, and the University of Hawai'i, Manoa.

http://www.nagt.org/nagt/vepp/index.html

10:05 a.m., Room 108

Contribution of PAHs from Coal-Tar Pavement Sealcoat to 40 U.S. Lakes Evaluated Using Mass-Balance Receptor Modeling

Peter VanMetre

Coal-tar-based pavement sealant is the largest source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in 40 urban lakes studied by the USGS. PAHs are an environmental health concern because several are probable human carcinogens, they are toxic to fish and other aquatic life, and their concentrations have been increasing in urban lakes in recent decades. Coal-tar-based pavement sealant is the black, shiny substance sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds. USGS scientists evaluated the contribution of PAHs from many different sources to lakes in cities from Anchorage, Alaska, to Orlando, Fla.

4 p.m., Room 104/106

The Relation Between Dissolved Oxygen and Other Chemical Properties in Barton Springs, Central Texas

Barbara Mahler

The endangered Barton Springs salamander and other aquatic species in Barton Springs, Austin, Texas might be under increased stress if spring flow decreases or water temperature increases. The amount of dissolved oxygen in Barton Springs flow varies widely, and during a recent drought dropped to levels that inhibit salamander development and growth. This salamander relies on the dissolved oxygen in water flowing from the springs to breathe, and water temperature and the rate of spring flow control the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.

4:50 p.m., Room 103/105

Fault Veins and their Influence on Mountain Watershed Hydrogeology, the Standard Mine of Elk Basin, Colorado

Jonathan Caine

Geological data are critical in the development of accurate conceptual and predictive computer models used to aid remediation of hazardous abandoned mine sites. Numerous abandoned mines in the western United States are associated with contamination of water resources, and some are Superfund Sites. Detailed mapping of rock units, geologic structures, and hydrothermal alteration mineralogy integrated with ground and borehole geophysics, petrophysics, and aquifer testing provide basic data on geologic heterogeneities that can
control the release and transport of metalliferous contaminants.

Monday, Nov. 1

8 a.m., Room 205

Geochemistry of Geologic Sequestration of CO2—Sources of Major Uncertainties

Yousif Kharaka

Successful sequestration of large volumes of human-caused C02 requires an in depth understanding and accurate predictions of C02-brine-oil-mineral interactions from pore space to basin scales. These geochemical and biogeochemical interactions would determine the long-term storage security, reservoir performance and environmental impacts. In this introduction, recent results and insights obtained from many laboratory and pilot field experiments, natural analogues, EOR and commercial C02 sequestration operations are discussed.

8:20 a.m., Room 110/112

Quantifying Thermally Induced Rock Flexure as a Potential Rock-Fall Trigger

Brian Collins

Among rock fall triggering mechanisms, thermally induced flexure, or bending, is likely the least understood. The mechanism, where solar radiation and temperature changes drives deformation, has yet to be adequately quantified. USGS and NPS scientists are monitoring a near-vertical granitic rock flake in Yosemite National Park and show that temperature-induced deformations are sufficient to cause flexure.

8:20 a.m., Room 111/113

Evidence of Late Holocene Surface Rupturing on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault Zone and the Earthquake Hazard in Haiti

Anthony Crone

According to the combined analysis and modeling of various geoscience datasets, the earthquake hazard to Port-au-Prince, Haiti remains high despite the devastating magnitude 7.0 quake of January 2010 that caused at least 230,000 fatalities. Port-au-Prince is within a few miles of the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone, a major plate-boundary fault much like the San Andrea fault. A future quake on this fault could be located closer to the capital city of Port-au-Prince and have a magnitude larger than the January 12 quake. The 2010 quake did not actually occur on the main fault zone; therefore it did not relieve much, if any, of the accumulated strain on the fault.

9-11 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m., Hall B, Poster Booth 186

Trends in Streamflow, Temperature, and Precipitation on Tribal Lands in the Northern Great Plains

Parker Norton

Tribal members of the Northern Great Plains, with their intimate connection to the land, are substantially influenced by change to their environment. The USGS examines climate change on tribal lands as expressed in historical temperature, precipitation, and streamflow records for selected rivers starting in 1957 on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and Cheyenne River Sioux Reservations in the Great Plains of North and South Dakota.

9:30-11 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m., Poster Hall B

Rejuvinating Pre-GPS Era Geophysical Surveys Using the National Map

Tom Shoberg

The National Map from the USGS can provide a new format for data from old, pre-GPS geophysical surveys. These old surveys stand as valuable, largely untapped sources of scientific data and could be used much more widely if in a format that had reasonable accuracy, availability and ease-of-use, such as The National Map.

11:10 a.m., Room 709/711

African Dust Transport in the Quaternary to the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Origin of Bermuda’s Soils and Paleosoils

Daniel Muhs

African dust has been transported to the western Atlantic Ocean over much of the past several hundred thousand years and may have formed part of the soils of the East Coast of the U.S., according to a discovery by USGS scientists and collaborators. Dust from Africa can travel long distances and is frequently transported to the western Atlantic Ocean during the summer. Soils on the island of Bermuda are derived partly from the volcanic pedestal that the island is built on, but a more important source is African dust, revealed by geochemical fingerprinting techniques. If dust from Africa reaches Bermuda, it is likely that soils on the East Coast of the U.S. are also formed partly from this distant source.

1:45 p.m., Room 708

Spatial and Stratiographic Distribution of Water in Oil Shale of the Green River Formation Using Fischer Assay, Piceance Basin, Northwestern Colorado

Ronald Johnson

Water within Piceance Basin, Colorado oil shale can provide only a fraction of the water needed for an oil shale industry. The distribution of water in oil shale of the Eocene Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado was studied in part to see if water produced during the retorting of oil shale could provide a significant amount of the water needed for an oil shale industry. Recent estimates of water requirements vary from one to 10 barrels of water per barrel of oil produced, depending on the type of retort process used; However, the ratio of water to oil generated with retorting is significantly less than one for most areas of the basin.

2:15 p.m., Room 708

Leaching of Hazardous Substances from Retorted Oil Shale During High Temperature Water Flushing

Justin Birdwell

Leaching of hazardous materials is one of the methods shale oil producers plan to use to restore environmental quality following shale oil production. Most of the vast amounts of oil shale in the American West with the potential to produce shale oil is buried too deep to mine and process at the surface, so several companies are developing methods to cook the oil out of the rock while it’s still in the ground. This will leave some hazardous substances behind that will have to be removed, which can be done partially through the leaching process discussed.

2:20 p.m., Room 207

Development of Assessment Methods in Support of USGS Integrated Science - Wyoming

Landscape Conservation Initiative

Robert McDougal

The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) is a long-term science based effort to assess and enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats at a landscape scale in southwestern Wyoming, while facilitating responsible development through local collaboration and partnerships. Wyoming encompasses some of the highest quality wildlife habitats in the Intermountain West. At the same time, this region is an active source of renewable and non-renewable energy. The WLCI exchanges information, data, and research findings among partners, industry, and stakeholders to improve habitat conditions and long-term viability of species at a landscape scale while complementing existing habitat reclamation and mitigation efforts.

4:05 p.m., Room 102

Mineralogical and Geochemical Influences on the 2010 Nigerian Lead Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Artisanal Gold Ore Processing

Geoff Plumlee

Lead poisoning was determined to cause a pattern of ongoing childhood deaths (160+) and illness (355+ cases) in several villages of Zamfara State, Nigeria in spring 2010. The presumed cause was artisanal gold ore processing. The Center for Disease Control deployed a rapid response team to help the Nigerian government assess the extent of the lead poisoning, characterize the routes and sources of exposure, and recommend measures to mitigate exposures. The team collected an extensive sample suite from several affected villages, including raw and ground ores, soils, waters, and sweep dust sweep samples. The USGS is currently collaborating with CDC to determine mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the solid samples, to aid in exposure assessment. It is recommended that interested journalists attend the preceding talk at 3:45p.m. from CDC colleagues on the medical and health aspects of this problem.

4:35 p.m., Room 102

Mineral Analysis and Geochemical Characterization of Exogenic and Endogenic Particles in Thoracic Tissue

Greg Meeker

A New York City firefighter was diagnosed with a chronic, progressive form of lung disease five years after being exposed to World Trade Center dust on the morning of September 11, 2001. USGS scientists used scanning electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis to image and analyze particles from the firefighter's lung tissue. Results are part of a larger study in collaboration with the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York City Fire Department to identify particulate matter and other anomalies in lung tissue that might be attributable to exposures at the WTC site. The presentation will use data from the WTC study to discuss the stability of minerals in the body.

Tuesday, Nov. 2

8:05 a.m., Room 110/112

A Low-Cost Method to Measure the Timing of Post-Fire Debris Flows and Flash Floods

Robert Leeper

Data on the specific timing of post-fire debris-flows and flash floods is very limited. This lack of information has made it difficult to quantify precisely the hydrologic triggering conditions of these destructive events. USGS scientists have developed an approach for recording the timing of debris flows and floods using relatively inexpensive pressure transducers, which are typically used to monitor groundwater levels and streamflow.

9:30 a.m., Room705/707

The History and Growth of a Recent Dune Field at Grand Falls, Navajo Nation, NE Arizona

Margaret Hiza Redsteer

Current work to document the genesis, growth, and migration of dunes in northeastern Arizona consists of an array of techniques that USGS scientists are applying primarily at a dune field near Grand Falls, north of the Little Colorado River—a field that continues to grow at rates as high as 34 meters per year as dunes migrate downwind. Study techniques include historic georeferenced aerial photos, high precision GPS measurements, ground based LIDAR, meteorological monitoring, Landsat Imagery, field sampling, and the history of drought and flood events in the adjacent Little Colorado River.

10 a.m., Room 110/112

Field Methods for Predicting Soil Mobility

Jonathan McKenna

Certain landslide-prone soils are susceptible to transforming into rapidly moving liquefied flows, and a new field method can help to identify soils susceptible to flowing. Required field measurements include intrinsic hydraulic permeability, soil density, and grain size distribution.

11:05 a.m., Room 110/112

Estimating Potential Post-Wildfire Debris-Flow Characteristics in Mountainous Areas of Colorado, USA

John Elliott

Debris-flow probabilities following the September Fourmile Creek wildfire were estimated by U.S. Geological Survey scientists using models derived from recently burned basins throughout the intermountain Western United States. Model results indicated a potential for substantial debris-flow damage to buildings, roads, bridges, culverts, streams, and reservoirs located both within and immediately downstream from the burned area of Boulder County, Colo. These debris-flow scenarios are useful for conceptualizing potential post-wildfire hazards and for developing mitigation strategies.

11:20 a.m., Room 110/112

Debris-Flow Hazards in El Salvador—A Difficult Problem and Significant Opportunity

Jon Major

Volcanic debris flows in El Salvador occur frequently and pose significant risk to thousands of people. The Salvadoran government faces a significant challenge to provide effective warnings and mitigate hazardous events. USGS scientists assisted Salvadoran scientists with refinement of methods for predicting debris-flow location and timing to help the governmental geological agency enhance its operational capacity to mitigate future disasters.

11:30 a.m., Room 708

USGS Library Training and Outreach: Finding and Using Scientific Literature and Data

Emily Wild

Scientists utilize interdisciplinary information sources from varied science and geographic areas. The USGS Library provides access and training for these sources that are continually developed. These internal training sessions and external outreach activities are presented by USGS librarians to enhance dissemination of information to the USGS scientists, the geoscience community, and other librarians within the Rocky Mountains.

1:40 p.m., Room 110/112

Post-fire debris-flow monitoring in southern California: Observations from in-situ measurements of 28 debris flow events

Jason Kean

Post-fire debris flows occur within minutes of intense rainfall in mountainous areas, according to new USGS data. This information is useful for warning system guidance and for testing predictive models of post-fire debris flow, which is a common hazard after wildfire. Direct measurements of post-fire debris flows in five southern California watersheds burned in 2009 were assessed.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

9:25 a.m., Room 709/711

Recognition of a Regional Ordovician Valmy Formation Thrust Sheet: Implications for Assembly of the Roberts Mountains Allochthon and Exploration for Concealed Carlin-Type Gold Deposits

Christopher Holm-Denoma

A newly recognized regional fault in the central Great Basin provides clues to past tectonic events in the region and helps to identify areas where concealed gold deposits may be in reach of drilling. Detailed field investigations coupled with new fossil identification and remote sensing have helped reveal this fault.

Flood Peaks and Probability in the Midwest Assessed

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:26:09 EDT

New information and data will allow for the assessment of future flood potential in the Midwestern U.S., which can be used to make long-term planning decisions and help residents be better prepared for future floods in the region.

A recent U.S. Geological Survey report documents the flood peak and probability of occurrence at over 100 USGS streamgages that were operational during the Midwest floods of 2008. Such assessments are useful for citizens and officials in addressing flood-control, land-use, and flood insurance regulations.

“2008 was an incredible year for floods for the Midwest,” said Dr. Robert Holmes, USGS scientist and senior author of the report. “This flood probability information is crucial to flood risk assessment efforts.”

Peak-of-record streamflows were recorded at more than 147 USGS streamgages in 2008. Separate flooding events occurred in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and September of that year. Of those, the June floods were the most severe and widespread with the most substantial and, in some places, record flooding and damage occurring in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

“USGS hydrologists and hydrologic technicians work long hours during flood events like this to collect the necessary data to provide the public and other agencies with accurate, reliable streamflow information,” Holmes said. “One of the agencies that make significant use of the USGS data is the National Weather Service (NWS), which uses the data as input to computer models. These models are the basis for NWS flood forecasts at almost 4,000 locations across the United States.”

The report “Flooding in the United States Midwest, 2008” can be found online.

Helicopter to Make Low-level Flights Over Western Nebraska

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:18:46 EDT

Nebraska residents should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying helicopter over western areas of the state in late-June.

Beginning on June 26^th and lasting about two weeks, a helicopter monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will begin collecting and recording geologic measurements over western Nebraska for information about buried sand and gravel aquifers.

The helicopter will fly over a study site north of Sidney in Cheyenne County, a site along the North Platte River near Minatare and Bridgeport in Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties, a site down river of Lake McConaughy in Keith County, and the area of Western Cannel south of Big Springs and Brule in Keith County.

Scientific equipment is towed about 100 feet below the helicopter in a ‘spider web’ array and is designed to map geologic structures beneath the earth. It is controlled by experienced pilots who are specially trained for low-level flying and operated by SkyTem ApS. of Beder, Denmark.

This scientific analysis is designed to study the area’s water resources such as sand and gravel aquifers via an aerial perspective. It is part of an ongoing USGS federal research program to identify physical occurrences such as changes in rock types.

Editor: In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the USGS is announcing this low-level airborne project. Your assistance in publicizing this information is appreciated.

Media Advisory: Innovative Technologies Help Assess Flood Risk, Climate Effects

OC_Web@usgs.gov (Office of Communications and Publishing) — Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EDT

Water resources and climate challenges such as increased potential for natural disasters and stress on water supplies are anticipated this century, and many have already emerged. Media are invited to learn about the innovative U.S. Geological Survey technologies and research being developed to address these challenges at a La Vista, Nebraska conference on Tuesday, May 11.

Streamgages, which monitor floodwater levels, and hydrologic models that predict drying regions and changing snowmelt patterns, generate important information to help understand water-resource challenges. Matt Larsen, USGS Associate Director of Water, will talk about the emerging climate effects on water resources and discuss the role of USGS science in monitoring these resources. Some of the latest technologies employed by the USGS to address water resource issues, including radar and satellite technologies for measuring and transmitting water data, will be available for demonstration and discussion.

WHO:	Matt Larsen, USGS Associate Director of Water
WHAT:	A discussion of the USGS role in addressing water resource challenges, followed by a highly visual opportunity to view new USGS technologies first-hand
WHERE:	La Vista Courtyard Marriott 12560 Westport Parkway La Vista, Nebraska
WHEN:	Tuesday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m.
NOTE:	Larson will be available to speak with media following the presentation