USGS
Federal earth scientists
USGS is the abbreviation for the United States Geological Survey, a scientific agency within the U.S.
Department of the Interior that studies the nation's landscape, natural resources, and natural hazards.
The agency produces topographic maps, monitors earthquakes and volcanoes, assesses water resources, and conducts research on ecosystems and climate.
The USGS issued a warning about potential flooding.
Check the USGS website for the latest earthquake data.
Concerning surface feature arrangement
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- topoAbbreviated terrain map
- contourBounding line of shape
- elevationHeight above reference point
benchmark · cartography · scale · terrain · GIS · geospatial · projection · legend
Science of water distribution
- streamflowRiver water's measured movement
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- watershedDrainage area boundary
water quality · flood · drought · river · discharge · water table · runoff · precipitation
Study of ground tremors
- magnitudeSize or scale
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- faultImperfection or blame
- seismicRelating to ground tremors
tectonics · aftershock · foreshock · Richter · hypocenter · liquefaction · P-waves · S-waves
Naturally formed crystalline solid
- rockSolid earthen material
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
plate tectonics · igneous · metamorphic · sedimentary · geologic map · formation · outcrop · paleontology
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
magma · Observatory · Cascades · Yellowstone · Kilauea · Mount St. Helens · pyroclastic · fumarole
Authority over a state
- federalDivided governmental authority
- Interior DepartmentFederal natural resources agency
- surveySystematic data collection
- bureauOffice or furniture chest
earth science · natural hazards · land management · environmental monitoring · official · authoritative
topographic
Concerning surface feature arrangement
- quadrangleFour-sided figure or courtyard
- topoAbbreviated terrain map
- contourBounding line of shape
elevation · benchmark · cartography · scale · terrain · GIS · geospatial · projection · legend · grid
hydrology
Science of water distribution
- streamflowRiver water's measured movement
- groundwaterWater in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
watershed · water quality · flood · drought · river · discharge · water table · runoff · precipitation · reservoir
seismology
Study of ground tremors
seismic · tectonics · aftershock · foreshock · Richter · hypocenter · liquefaction · P-waves · S-waves · seismograph
mineral
Naturally formed crystalline solid
- rockSolid earthen material
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
sediment · plate tectonics · igneous · metamorphic · sedimentary · geologic map · formation · outcrop · paleontology · geomorphology
eruption
Violent sudden release
crater · magma · Observatory · Cascades · Yellowstone · Kilauea · Mount St. Helens · pyroclastic · fumarole · vent
government
Authority over a state
- federalDivided governmental authority
- Interior DepartmentFederal natural resources agency
- surveySystematic data collection
bureau · earth science · natural hazards · land management · environmental monitoring · official · authoritative
- federal agenciesFBI, CIA, EPA, IRS, CDC
- Interior DepartmentBLM, National Park Service, NPS, public lands, federal lands
- Map MakersRand McNally, Bartholomew, Google Maps, MapQuest, OpenStreetMap
- Research Institutionsresearch institute, research university, national lab, learned society, research hospital
- surveyingsurveyor, theodolite, land surveys, survey markers, triangulation
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt