USGS Frequently Asked Questions

Does "stage" tell you how much water is flowing in a stream?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:49:02 EST

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When I import SDTS Digital Line Graphs (DLGs) into ARC/INFO, they are thousands of feet apart. Why?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:03:53 EST

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What is an invasive species and why should the American public be concerned?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:54:43 EST

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How is the State Plane Coordinate system set up? Can GPS provide coordinates in these values? What about Public Land Survey System (PLSS) readouts?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:33:50 EST

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Where can I find information about the quality of the water in a lake or river near me?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:57:39 EST

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What is ground water?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:26:54 EST

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What are seismic hazard maps and how they are used?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:49:53 EST

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How many major Hawaiian Islands are there? What are their principal volcanoes?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:07:07 EST

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How do landslides cause tsunamis?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:33:54 EST

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What do the different colors in a CIR aerial photograph represent?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:27:54 EST

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Why are there no ZIP Codes in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:02:40 EST

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Which bird species are responsible for maintaining the West Nile Virus in the environment?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:26:12 EST

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What is NAPP and NHAP?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:33:26 EST

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Why should people in the eastern US be concerned about earthquakes?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:07:15 EST

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How many giant eruptions have occurred in the Yellowstone National Park region and how large were they?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:14:21 EST

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What would happen if a "supervolcano" eruption occurred again at Yellowstone?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:55:04 EST

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What should I know about wildfires, debris flows, and other types of landslides?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:49:06 EST

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What is an earthquake and what causes them to happen?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:46:13 EST

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There have been many reports of new mammalian species infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) this season, such as goats, reindeer, a wolf, and dogs. Has the virus changed?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 8:44:56 EST

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What is chronic wasting disease (CWD)?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:08:06 EST

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When would I use Forest Service maps?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:52:35 EST

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What are seismograms? How do you read them?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:15:31 EST

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If the ground filters water, is ground water always clean?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:57:10 EST

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Is it dangerous to work on volcanoes and what precautions do scientists take?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:30 EST

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When does the U.S. Geological Survey issue a landslide advisory, and under what conditions?

ask@usgs.gov (Ask USGS) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:09:10 EST

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