TERRORFIGHT.COM- FIGHTING TERROR ONE WORD AT A TIME!

Terror comes in many forms, for now i will break it down to 4 main divisions, with many sub-divisions;

Natural Terrorism- Things only nature can conjure up to make mankind's life on earth more "interesting", shall we say.
Man-made Terrorism- Man's inhumanity to man and mankind.
"The New World Order"
Multi-Threat- any combination of the above 3 that man has used against ourselves.

Today, instead of involving ourselves right off the bat with "TERRORISTS" we will look at #1 Nature and on that topic we will home in on Hawaii and their "little problem child" that big mountain with a hole in it that this leaking all this nasty hot stuff. Below you will find the feed from the USGS- United States Geological Survey. It was supposed to be a simple cop and paste operation, and most of it worked, some didn't. That's about all I know about HTML coding, so please bear with it. If you happen to know, how to correct it, just drop me a line. Just like no one man is going to fix the world, this one man isn't going to be able to fix this website, so feel free to jump right in and lend a hand!

USGS News: Featured Story https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/feed News Releases related to Featured Story en Kīlauea Volcano Erupts https://www.usgs.gov/news/k-lauea-volcano-erupts UPDATE, 5/20/18, 2:15pm HST LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Moderate-level eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>) Fountaining from <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">Fissure</a> 20 on May 19, 2018, around 3:47 PM, HST. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) Spattering continues from Fissures 6 and 17 with significant lava flows being erupted from Fissures 20. Two of these lava flows from Fissure 20 reached the ocean along the southeast Puna coast overnight; however, a crack opened under the east lava channel early this morning diverting the lava from the channel into underground voids. This may cause changes downslope in the channel system and the ocean entry. <a href="/media/images/k-lauea-volcano-plume-rising-0"></a> Ocean entry photograph from Civil Air Patrol (CAP) overflight taken at about 12:50PM. CAP operates to support the mission of both the USGS HVO and the Hawaii County Civil Defense. Hard to discern here, but there are two entries. The coastal area spanning the entry is about 1 km (0.6 mi) wide with an about 250 m (0.15 mi) Kīpuka separating the two. (Courtesy: Civil Air Patrol) Spattering and <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_flow.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_flow.html" title="Streams of molten rock that erupt relatively non-explosively from a volcano, then move downslope until they stop, cool, and solidify.">lava flow</a> at <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">fissure</a> 20 on May 19, 2018, around 3:45 AM, HST. The audio is the sound of <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" title="General term for magma (molten rock) that has been erupted onto the surface of the Earth and maintains its integrity as a fluid or viscous mass, rather than exploding into fragments. 
">lava</a> fountaining. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> These maps are updated as often as possible but may not reflect the most recent changes. Volcanic gas emissions have tripled as a result of the voluminous eruptions from Fissure 20 so SO2 concentrations are likely elevated to higher levels throughout the area downwind of the vents. Moderate trade winds today means that areas downwind of Kilauea gas emission sources may experience varying levels of vog. For forecast information, please see: <a href="http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/ ">http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/ </a> For other information about vog, please see:<a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. Future outbreaks could occur both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). KILAUEA SUMMIT Over the past day, two explosive eruption of ash have occurred. Several smaller ash emissions have also taken place. Additional explosions possible at any time. <a href="/media/images/k-lauea-volcano-plume-rising"></a> A plume rises from the site of the lava ocean entry, viewed on approach by HVO scientists during an overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on May 20, 2018, around 6:45 AM HST. (Public domain.) Seismic levels, which abruptly decreased after explosive eruptions on Saturday afternoon and Sunday noon, are again slowly increasing. At this time, based on HVO web cameras, a robust plume of gas and steam is billowing out of the Overlook vent and drifting generally southwest. At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles very near the vent. Communities downwind should be prepared for ashfall as long as this activity continues. Resources on volcanic ash hazards and preparedness information: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> OR <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection">http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection</a> Resources on vog: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> National Weather Service ashfall information and advisories: <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/">https://forecast.weather.gov/</a> Seismicity and deformation continue at the Kilauea summit. Deflation is ongoing. Additional earthquakes in the Kilauea summit area are expected as long as the summit continues to deflate. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the Kilauea summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. ">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. </a> <a href="/media/images/k-lauea-volcano-channelized-lava-flow-0"></a> Helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift zone on May 19, 2018, around 8:18 AM, HST. ‘A‘ā lava flows emerging from the elongated fissure 16-20 form channels. The flow direction in this picture is from upper center to the lower left. (Public domain.) MORE INFORMATION Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/</a> Webcam images: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Photos/Video: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Lava Flow Maps: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Definitions of terms used in update: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf</a> Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf</a> Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf</a> Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/</a> Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/">https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/</a> <a href="/media/images/k-lauea-volcano-lava-fountains-fissure-20"></a> Lava fountains from Fissure 20 in Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. Photo taken May 19, 2018, at 7:37 AM, HST. (Public domain.) CONTACT INFORMATION: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. UPDATE, 5/19/18, 9:16am HST Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. Beginning yesterday and continuing overnight, the rate of lava eruption has increased. Fountaining is occurring at Fissure 17, and Fissures 16-20 have merged into a continuous line of spatter and fountaining. Flows from the consolidated Fissure 20 crossed upper Pohoiki road late yesterday afternoon and continued flowing southward. This morning, the wide flow is very active and is advancing at rates up to 300 yds per hour. A second flow from the same fissure complex is also flowing southward between Pohoiki and Opihikao Rds. The lava flow from Fissure 18 continues to advance more slowly. Fissure 17 and its flow are still active but the flow is advancing even more slowly. It is unknown whether the flows will continue to advance, or stop, and new lava flows are likely given the rate of activity seen at the rift zone. For recent maps of activity, see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone; however, the GPS instrument near Pu`u Honua`ula is no longer moving suggesting that the rift zone is no longer inflating in this area. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. Kīlauea Volcano Summit An explosion occurred around midnight last night at Halema'uma'u with the plume extending 10,000 ft a.s.l. Moderate trade winds were blowing to the southwest and noticeable ashfall was reported from downwind locations. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html</a>. Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash">http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash</a>. UPDATE, 5/19/18, 1:33am HST Kīlauea Volcano Summit At 11:58 PM Local time, a short-lived explosion at from Halema'uma'u created an ash cloud that reached up to 10,000 ft asl and was carried southwest by the wind. Possible trace ash fall may have occurred along Highway 11. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occur, please consult the Ash3D model output here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html</a>. Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash">http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash</a>. Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. A fast-moving pahoehoe lava flow that emerged from fissure 20 this afternoon continues to flow southeast. The flow has three main lobes. The easternmost is east of Pohoiki Road and is moving about 230 yards per hour. The westernmost of the lobes is near Malamaki Road and is moving at about 40 yards per hour. These rates may change with time and USGS crews are in the area to monitor flow advance. Other fissures remain weakly active and volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind. Smoke from burning vegetation as lava flows advance is also contributing to poor air quality. For recent maps of activity, see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. UPDATE, 5/18/18, 7:53pm HST <a href="/media/images/k-lauea-lower-east-rift-zone-fissures-and-flows-may-18-1pm-hst"></a> This map shows the eruption fissures and flows at Kilauea's Lower East Rift Zone at 1 p.m. HST, May 18. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015. (Public domain.) Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone Eruption of lava and ground cracking in the area of Leilani Estates subdivision continues. Late this afternoon, a fast-moving pahoehoe lava flow emerged from fissure 20 and traveled southeast where it crossed Pohoiki Road. Estimates from Hawaii County Fire Department aerial video at 6:30 pm indicate advance rate of 300-400 yards per hour; this rate may change with time and USGS crews are in the area to try and monitor flow advance. Other fissures remain weakly active and volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind. Smoke from burning vegetation as lava flows advance is also contributing to poor air quality. For recent maps of activity, see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava are possible in the area. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Count of Hawaii Civil Defense messages and warnings. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. Kīlauea Volcano Summit For much of the day, a steady, white steam plume rose from the Overlook vent within Halema'uma'u. Several minor emissions of ash were observed in web cameras. No significant explosions and no earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the summit area in the past 24 hours. Background seismic levels have been increasing slowly over the course of the day. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ashfall downwind are possible at any time. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. For forecasts of where ash would fall if such an explosion occurs, please consult the Ash3D model output here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html</a>. Information on ash hazards and how to prepare for ashfall maybe found here: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash ">http://www.ivhhn.org/information#ash</a>. UPDATE, 5/18/18, 8:52am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-10.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 18, 2018. (Public domain.) Please see this new section of the HVO web site for information on the ongoing activity at Kilauea Volcano: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/activity_2018.html</a>. LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Moderate-level eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the central and northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. Spattering continues from Fissures 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 with pahoehoe lava flows being erupted from Fissures 17, 18, and 20. HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. These maps are updated as often as possible but may not reflect the most recent changes. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Weak winds today means that other areas of Hawaii Island may experience varying levels of vog. For forecast information, please see: <a href="http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/">http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/</a>. For other information about vog, please see: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. Future outbreaks could occur both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. KILAUEA SUMMIT No explosive eruption of ash have occurred since Thursday morning. Additional explosions possible at any time. Seismic levels, which abruptly decreased after explosive eruptions on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, are slowly increasing. At this time, based on HVO web cameras, a robust plume of gas and steam is billowing out of the Overlook vent and drifting generally southwest. At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles very near the vent. Communities downwind should be prepared for ashfall as long as this activity continues. Resources on volcanic ash hazards and preparedness information: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> OR <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection">http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection</a>. National Weather Service ashfall information and advisories: <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/">https://forecast.weather.gov/</a>. Seismicity and deformation continue at the Kilauea summit. Deflation is ongoing. Additional earthquakes in the Kilauea summit area are expected as long as the summit continues to deflate. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a>. REMARKS USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the Kilauea summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. UPDATE, 5/17/18, 4:54pm HST Kīlauea Volcano Summit After the explosive eruption early this morning seismic levels have been gradually increasing, but as of this report no additional explosions have occurred. No earthquakes greater than magnitude 3.5 have occurred in the past day. Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high. Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone This afternoon, fissure 17 is still actively spattering but the flow is nearly stalled. In addition, fissures 18, 19, and 20 have reactivated and a new fissure (21) has opened between fissures 7 and 3. An area 50-100 yards wide, parallel to and north of the line of fissures between Highway 130 and Lanipuna Gardens, has dropped slightly. This long depression is currently being filled by pahoehoe lava flows from fissures 20 and 21. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. UPDATE, 5/17/18, 10:40am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-9.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 17, 2018. (Public domain) LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Low-level eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. Spattering continues from Fissure 17 but the lava flow erupted from the fissure has not advanced significantly over the past day. HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. These maps are updated as often as possible but may not reflect the most recent changes. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Weak winds today means that other areas of Hawaii Island may experience varying levels of vog. For forecast information, please see: <a href="http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/ ">http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/ </a> For other information about vog, please see: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. Future outbreaks could occur both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. KILAUEA SUMMIT Explosive eruption of ash this morning. Additional explosions possible at any time. Just after 4 am this morning, an explosion or series of explosions from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit produced a volcanic cloud that reached as high as 30,000 ft asl based on NWS radar information. The cloud drifted generally northeast and traces of ash fell with rain in the Volcano Golf Course, Volcano Village, and other areas immediately around the Kilauea summit. At this time, based on HVO web cameras, a robust plume of gas, steam, and some ash is billowing out of the Overlook vent and drifting generally southwest. At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles very near the vent. Communities downwind should be prepared for ashfall as long as this activity continues. Resources on volcanic ash hazards and preparedness information: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> OR <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection">http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection</a>. National Weather Service ashfall information and advisories: <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/">https://forecast.weather.gov/</a>. Seismicity and deformation continue at the Kilauea summit. Deflation is ongoing. Additional earthquakes in the Kilauea summit area are expected as long as the summit continues to deflate. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html REMARKS">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a>. REMARKS USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the Kilauea summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. UPDATE, 5/17/18, 6:33am HST Volcanic Activity Summary: At about 0415 local time this morning, an explosion from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit produced a volcanic cloud that reaches as high as 30,000 ft asl and drifted northeast. Continued emissions from the crater are reaching as high as 12,000 ft asl. At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> Resource on vog: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Current NWS information on ashfall: <a href="http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/watchwarn/">http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/watchwarn/</a> Recent Observations: Volcanic cloud height up to 30,000 ft asl Other volcanic cloud information: Drifting generally northeast Hazard Analysis: The ash cloud is drifting downwind to the northeast. Ashfall has been reported in Volcanoes National Park, and may occur further downwind. Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau. Volcanic gas: Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala. Remarks: Photos of this activity may be found here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html</a> UPDATE, 5/16/18, 8:52am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-8.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 16, 2018. (Public domain.) LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Low-level eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. Lava flows from fissure 17 have advanced little over the past day. Field crew estimates are an advance of only 100 yards. HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a>. These maps are updated as often as possible but may not reflect the most recent changes. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. An interruption in trade winds today means that other areas of Hawaii Island may experience varying levels of vog. For forecast information, please see: <a href="http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/">http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/vmap/hysplit/</a>. For other information about vog, please see: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. Future outbreaks could occur both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages: <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>. KILAUEA SUMMIT Yesterday, ash emissions from the Overlook vent inside Halemaumau varied greatly in intensity with abrupt increases likely associated with large rockfalls deep into the vent. A number of these periods of increased ash emission sent plumes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level, with the cloud drifting downwind and dusting communities from Pahala to Discovery Harbor with ash. Yesterday's ash clouds were visible from many vantage points in east Hawaii. Because of the increase in ash emission and higher altitudes of ash, HVO assigned an aviation color code RED to indicated significant ash emission that is a hazard to aircraft. We are remaining at RED this morning anticipating further ash events which may continue for the foreseeable future. Communities downwind should expect intermittent ashfall. This morning dense ballistic blocks up to 60 cm (2 feet) across were found in the parking lot a few hundred yards from Halemaumau. These reflect the most energetic explosions yet observed and could reflect the onset of steam-driven explosive activity. Further observations are necessary to asses this interpretation. Additional such explosions are expected and could be more powerful. Seismicity and deformation continue at the Kilauea summit. Deflation is ongoing. Several strongly felt earthquakes have occurred over the past day, likely caused by ongoing deflation of the summit area. These are expected to continue. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a>. For information on ash hazards and how to mitigate impacts please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection">http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-protection</a>. REMARKS USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the Kilauea summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a>. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. UPDATE, 5/15/18, 1:23pm HST HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice: Aviation Color Code changed from ORANGE to RED Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010) Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: RED Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Issued: Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 1:23 PM HST Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Notice Number: Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m) Area: Hawaii Volcanic Activity Summary: As of early this morning, eruption of ash from the Overlook vent within Halemaumau crater at Kilauea Volcano's summit has generally increased in intensity. Ash has been rising nearly continuously from the vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. Ashfall and vog (volcanic air pollution) has been reported in Pahala, about 18 miles downwind. NWS radar and pilot reports indicate the top of the ash cloud is as high as 10,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level, but this may be expected to vary depending on the vigor of activity and wind conditions. Ash emission from the Kilauea summit vent will likely be variable with periods of increased and decreased intensity depending on the occurrence of rockfalls into the vent and other changes within the vent. At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> Resource on vog: <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Recent Observations: [Volcanic cloud height] 10,000 - 12,000 feet [Other volcanic cloud information] Drifting generally southwest with tradewinds. Hazard Analysis: [Ash cloud] The ashcloud is drifting downwind primarily to the southwest with the Trade Winds. Wind conditions are expected to change in the next 24 hours and other areas around Kilauea's summit are likely to receive ashfall. [Ashfall] Ashfall has been reported in the community of Pahala, at locations along Highway 11 from Pahala to Volcano, and in the Ka'u Desert section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. [Other hazards] Ballistic projectiles may be produced should steam-driven explosions occur. Impacts will be limited to an area around Halemaumau. [Volcanic gas] Vog or volcanic air pollution produced by volcanic gas has been reported in Pahala. Remarks: Photos of this activity may be found at <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html</a> UPDATE, 5/15/18, 12:28pm HST <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-7.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status update of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 15, 2018. (Public domain.) Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone This morning, eruptive activity remained concentrated at fissure 17, with intermittent lava spattering at fissure 18. Earlier this morning, a new fissure (20) located near fissure 18 produced two small pads of lava. The 'a'ā flow spreading from fissure 17 advanced about 380 m (1,250 ft) since 2:30 p.m. HST yesterday. The advance of the flow has slowed significantly since yesterday afternoon. At 6:45 a.m. the flow was nearly 2.5 km (1.5 mi) in length. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the fissures. Magma continues to be supplied to the lower East Rift Zone as indicated by the continued northwest displacement of a GPS monitoring station. Elevated earthquake activity continues, but earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past couple of days. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense, with geologists onsite to track ongoing and new fissure activity and the advance of lava flows. UPDATE, 5/15/18, 9:41am HST Kīlauea Volcano Summit Ash emission from the Overlook crater within Halemaumau has generally increased this morning compared to previous days. Although varying in intensity, at times the plume contains enough ash to be gray in color. The cloud is rising an estimated 3 to 4,000 feet above the ground, but altitudes are varying with pulses of emission. The ash cloud is drifting generally west and southwest from the Kilauea summit and ashfall is occurring in the Ka'u Desert. Communities downwind are likely to receive ashfall today and should take necessary precautions. The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement regarding ashfall, please see: <a href="http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/">http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/</a>. For information on the hazards of volcanic ash and how to prepare your home or business, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/.</a> Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated with several strongly felt events at HVO today. Most of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a>. UPDATE, 5/14/18, 8:36am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-6.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 14, 2018 by scientist in charge Tina Neal. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Eruption of lava continues from multiple points along the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>) This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter more than 100 feet into the air, and an advancing lava flow from fissure 17 at the northeast end of the fissure system. As of 630am HST, the fissure 17 flow had traveled just under a mile roughly east-southeast parallel to the rift zone. It is turning slightly south and at this time is about one half mile south of Highway 132. Fissure 18 that became active late yesterday (5/13/18) is weakly active. A fissure 19 has been spotted very near fissure 15 as of about 8 am just northeast of Pohoiki Road and north of Hinalo Street at the east end of Lanipuna Gardens. It is producing a sluggish lava flow. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated throughout the area downwind of the vents. Yesterday with the onset of activity at fissure 17, powerful steam jets have occurred intermittently near the west end of the fissure. These jets may be responsible for some of the loud sounds reported by residents and emergency workers. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. Ground deformation continues and seismicity remains elevated in the area. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). KILAUEA SUMMIT Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. Last night several strong earthquakes shook HVO and the surrounding area. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite in the area this morning conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. ">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. </a> UPDATE, 5/13/18, 8:28pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption Eruption of lava continues from the northeast end of the active fissure system. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). As of late May 13th, activity was dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter bombs hundreds of feet into the air, and several advancing lava flow lobes moving generally northeast from fissure 17 at the downrift (northeast) end of the new fissure system. As of about 7 pm, one lobe was 2 yards thick and advancing roughly parallel to Highway 132. The flow front was just over a half mile southeast of the intersection of Highway 132 and Noni Farms Road. Based on overflight images late this afternoon, additional lava from fissure 17 was also moving slowly southeast. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated. For the most recent map showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> HVO field crews are on site tracking the lava flow as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. This eruption is still evolving and additional outbreaks of lava are possible. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Activity can change rapidly. For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> Kīlauea Volcano Summit Deflationary tilt continues. A robust plume of steam and volcanic gas, occasionally mixed with ash, has risen from the Overlook crater within Halemaumau. Over the course of the day, rockfalls from the steep walls enclosing the Overlook crater generated ash clouds mixed with steam and gas intermittently throughout the day. These ash clouds have been relatively low concentration and have risen at most only a few thousand feet above the ground, a few generating very localized ashfall downwind. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible and can occur with no warning. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated with several strongly felt events at HVO today. Most of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ ">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ </a> MORE INFORMATION Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/</a> Webcam images: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Photos/Video: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Lava Flow Maps: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Definitions of terms used in update: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf</a> Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf</a> Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf</a> Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/</a> Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/ ">https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/ </a> CONTACT INFORMATION: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. UPDATE, 5/13/18, 8:25am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-5.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 13, 2018 by scientist in charge Tina Neal. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Eruption of lava continues along Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. A new outbreak early this morning just over a half mile northeast of the end of Hinalo St. and about one half mile south of highway 132 has been confirmed. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports the outbreak is on Halekamahina Loop Road. Aerial observations of this new fissure indicate it is at least several hundreds yards long and producing spatter rising many tens of feet into the air. A slow-moving lava flow is moving away from the vent. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely. Conditions around the erupting fissures can change very quickly. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). KILAUEA SUMMIT Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and occasionally minor amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent and drifting downwind to the southwest. As has been observed over the past several days, occasional rockfalls into the deep vent are expected produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency authorities. HVO geologists are onsite conducting overflights, examining the fissure vent activity for significant changes, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> UPDATE, 5/12/18, 7:07pm HST <a href="/media/images/aerial-view-fissure-16"></a> 5/12/18, 08:27 a.m. HST - An aerial view of fissure 16, located about 1.3 km (0.8 miles) northeast of fissure 15 (top left). The fissure is located 500 m northeast of the Puna Geothermal Venture site (top right). Photograph courtesy of Hawai`i County Fire Department. (Public domain.) Lower East Rift Zone Eruption A new outbreak has been reported at 6:00 pm (5/12/18) just east of fissure 16. Lava from this latest outbreak is actively spattering and degassing but no flow has yet formed. This area was actively steaming earlier in the day. The new fissure (17) is about a half mile northeast from the end of Hinalo Road, very close to fissure 16 that opened about 6:45 am. Activity at fissure 16 produced a lava flow that traveled about 250 yards before stalling about 2:30 pm. HVO field crews are on site and evaluating the new outbreak. Earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide in the area indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely as this eruption continues. The location of future outbreaks could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or, existing fissures can be reactivated. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). For maps showing the locations of activity, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> <a href="/media/images/51218-1257-pm-hst-lava-was-slowly-advancing-fissure-16"></a> 5/12/18, 12:57 p.m. HST - Lava was slowly advancing from fissure 16. (Public domain.) Kīlauea Volcano Summit Deflationary tilt continues. Based on this and field observations of the past two days, the lava lake level continues to drop. Over the course of the day, rockfalls from the steep enclosing crater walls have generated small ash clouds mixed with white condensed water vapor intermittently throughout the day. These ash clouds have been relatively low concentration and have risen only a few thousand feet above the ground, a few generating very localized ashfall downwind. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible and can occur with no warning. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated with several felt events at HVO today. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ ">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/ </a> MORE INFORMATION Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/</a> Webcam images: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Photos/Video: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Lava Flow Maps: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Definitions of terms used in update: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf</a> Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf</a> Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf</a> Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/</a> Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/ ">https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/ </a> CONTACT INFORMATION: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. UPDATE, 5/12/18, 9:10am HST <a href="http://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-4.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 12, 2018 by scientist in charge Tina Neal. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) LOWER EAST RIFT ZONE Minor spattering activity has been reported from a new fissure (16) that has opened about 0645 this morning about 1 mile northeast of fissure 15 at the northeast end of the existing vent system. No significant lava flow from this new fissure has been reported or observed at this time, but conditions could change quickly. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the area remain likely. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). KILAUEA SUMMIT Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady, vigorous plume of steam and variable amounts of ash is rising from the Overlook vent. Occasional rockfalls into the deep vent will produce intermittent pulses of slightly more vigorous ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible if explosive activity commences. This morning's trade winds are carrying the plume and ash to the southwest of the Kilauea summit. Trade wind conditions are expected to continue according to current forecasts. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite in the Leilani Estates area this morning examining the fissure vents and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. UPDATE, 5/11/18, 4:39pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption Volcanic unrest in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. While no lava has been emitted from any of the 15 fissure vents since May 9, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely. The location of future outbreaks is not known with certainty, but could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or resumption of activity at existing fissures. Communities downslope of these fissures could be at risk from lava inundation. Residents in lower Puna should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record deflationary tilt. Based on this and field observations of the past two days, the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls have generated small ash clouds mixed with white condensed water vapor intermittently throughout the day. These ash clouds have been relatively low concentration and have risen only a few thousand feet above the ground generating very localized ashfall. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> UPDATE, 5/11/18, 6:49am HST <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/hvoupdate-3.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 11, 2018 by scientist in charge Tina Neal. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) A pause in active eruption of spatter and lava along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone continued overnight in to 5/11/18. However, earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the general area of Leilani Estates are likely. Overnight, earthquake activity was concentrated on the downrift (east) side of the existing Leilani fissures. High levels of sulfur dioxide continue to be released from the fissure system. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and seismicity remains elevated. This morning, a steady plume of steam is rising from the Overlook vent. It is expected that occasional rockfalls into the deep vent will produce intermittent, low-level ash emissions. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kilauea summit area and downwind. More energetic ash emissions are possible. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> <a href="/media/images/ash-plume-rose-overlook-crater-k-laueas-summit"></a> At 9:06 a.m. HST, 5/11/18, an <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/ash_volcanic.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/ash_volcanic.html" title="Fine fragments (less than 2-4 mm in diameter) of volcanic rock formed by a volcanic explosion or ejection from a volcanic vent.">ash</a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/eruption_column.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/eruption_column.html" title="The ascending, vertical part of the mass of erupting debris and volcanic gas that rises directly above a volcanic vent. Higher in the atmosphere, columns usually spread laterally into plumes or umbrella clouds.">plume</a> rose from the Overlook crater at Kīlauea's summit. Similar to recent plumes, this event was likely caused by a rockfall from the crater's steep walls. The plume's reddish color is most likely from altered rock and ash fragments that fell into the deepening conduit. (Public domain.) USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation at the summit and the lower East Rift Zone 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite in the Leilani Estates area this morning examining the fissure vents and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Please see this link for newly organized information about ash hazards, gas hazards, and the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. <a href="https://vog.ivhhn.org/">https://vog.ivhhn.org/</a> Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. ">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. </a> UPDATE, 5/10/18, 6:51pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption High levels of unrest related to the intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continue. While no lava was noted erupting from any of the 15 fissure vents formed thus far, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely. The location of future outbreaks is not known with certainty, but could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or resumption of activity at existing fissures. Earthquake activity was high in the area today. Continuing ground deformation and located earthquakes were mostly in the area around and northeast of Fissure 15 at Pohoiki Road indicating that the intrusion is migrating further to the northeast. Steaming ground cracks in the vicinity of Highway 130 continue. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and based on this and field observations, the lava lake level continues to drop. Intermittent rockfalls from the steep crater walls have generated small ash clouds throughout the day. More explosive activity generating larger ash clouds remains possible. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. For information on volcanic ash, please see: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> UPDATE, 5/10/18, 8:55am HST <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/video/HVO-Update-2.mp4">Download this video</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory status of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii on May 10, 2018 by scientist in charge Tina Neal. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) An active eruption of spatter and lava along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision remains paused. However, earthquake activity and ground deformation continue and additional outbreaks in the general area of Leilani Estates are expected. High levels of sulfur dioxide continue to be released from the fissure system. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. Aftershocks from Friday's magnitude 6.9 earthquake continue at a declining rare and more are expected. Rockfalls into the Overlook vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater are producing intermittent, low-level ash emissions. Seismicity at Kīlauea's summit remains elevated. More energetic ash emissions are possible. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite in the Leilani Estates area examining the fissure vents and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Lower East Rift Zone Observations Lava emission from fissures was minimal overnight. Strong degassing continues from existing fissures and high levels of sulphur dioxide have been measured downwind. Deformation of the ground in the area continues and seismicity remains elevated. Overnight, earthquake activity was concentrated on the downrift (east) side of the existing Leilani fissures. Summit Observations: Tiltmeters at the summit continue to record a deflationary trend of the past week and the summit lava lake level continues to drop. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Ash emission is expected following larger rockfalls. Depending on wind conditions, dustings of ash may occur in the Kīlauea summit area and downwind. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Elevated earthquake activity in the summit area continues largely as a consequence of ongoing summit deflation. Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: A tiltmeter on the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone continues to record the deflationary pattern that followed collapse of the crater floor on April 30. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls will likely continue to collapse intermittently, producing small ashy plumes. The 61g lava flow is no longer active. Hazard Analysis: Continued eruptive activity (fluctuating and intermittent) in the lower East Rift Zone is likely. New outbreaks or resumption of lava production at existing vents can occur at any time. Areas downslope of erupting fissures are at risk of lava inundation. The general area of Leilani Estates remains at the greatest risk. However, as the eruption progresses, other areas of the lower East Rift Zone may also be at risk. High levels of volcanic gas including sulphur dioxide are being emitted from the fissure vents. In addition, smoke from burning houses and burning asphalt is a health concern and should be avoided. As the lava lake level inside Halemaʻumaʻu continues to drop, rockfalls from the enclosing walls may increase in frequency prompting explosions of spatter from the lake onto the nearby crater rim and lofting plumes of ash. Dustings of ash from these events can occur downwind. Information about volcanic ash hazards and what you can do to protect yourself and your workplace can be found here: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-pamphlets">http://www.ivhhn.org/ash-pamphlets</a> Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. ">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. </a> UPDATE, 5/9/18, 4:55pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Visible activity was again focused on the northeast portion of the fissure area. Fissure 15 broke ground across Poihiki Road, generating a pahoehoe flow about 20 m (66 ft) long. During an overflight of the area about 3 p.m. HST, geologists observed a new steaming area uprift (west) of Highway 130. During a second overflight at 4:30 p.m., the area was still steaming. <a href="/media/images/yellow-street-lines-show-offset-cracks-leilani-street"></a> Yellow street lines show the offset of cracks on Leilani Street, Leilani Estates. (Public domain.) Rates of motion increased late this morning on a GPS station 1.5 km (1 mile) southeast of Nanawale Estates. The direction of motion is consistent with renewed movement of magma in the downrift direction (to the northeast). Rates of seismicity changed little throughout the day; located earthquakes were mostly uprift (west) of Highway 130. Gas emissions remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. <a href="/media/images/hvo-geologist-measures-temperature-nohea-street"></a> HVO geologist measured a temperature of 103 degrees C (218 degree F) at a crack along Nohea Street, Leilani Estates. The asphalt road was describes as "mushy" from the heat. (Public domain.) For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> <a href="/media/images/severe-ground-cracks-associated-fissure-14-leilani-estates"></a> Severe ground cracks associated with <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">fissure</a> 14 in Leilani Estates. (Public domain.) Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and the lava lake level continues to drop. At about 8:32 a.m. HST, a large rockfall from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake triggered an explosion that generated an ash column above the crater; the ash was blown toward the south-southwest. Rockfalls and explosions that produce ash columns are expected to continue. <a href="/media/images/ash-column-rises-overlook-crater-summit-k-lauea-vol"></a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/ash_volcanic.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/ash_volcanic.html" title="Fine fragments (less than 2-4 mm in diameter) of volcanic rock formed by a volcanic explosion or ejection from a volcanic vent.">Ash</a> column rises from the Overlook crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. HVO's interpretation is that the explosion was triggered by a rockfall from the steep walls of Overlook crater. The photograph was taken 5/9/18 at 8:29 a.m. HST from the Jaggar Museum overlook. The explosion was short-lived. Geologists examining the ash deposits on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater found fresh <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" title="General term for magma (molten rock) that has been erupted onto the surface of the Earth and maintains its integrity as a fluid or viscous mass, rather than exploding into fragments. 
">lava</a> fragments hurled from the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" title="Large volume of molten lava, usually basaltic, in a vent, crater, or broad depression, which forms a lake.">lava lake</a>. This explosion was not caused by the interaction of the lava lake with the water table. When the ash cleared from the crater about an hour after the explosion, geologists were able to observe the lava lake surface, which is still above the water table. (Public domain.) A 3D model of the Overlook crater was created from thermal images collected during an early afternoon helicopter overflight on May 8. Based on the 3D model, the lake level was about 295 m (970 feet) below the floor of Halema'uma'u Crater. The summit <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" title="Large volume of molten lava, usually basaltic, in a vent, crater, or broad depression, which forms a lake.">lava lake</a> in Halema‘uma‘u crater has dropped substantially over the past week due to <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/intrusive.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/intrusive.html" title="Molten rock that is forced into pre-existing rocks, or an igneous rock that has crystalized (turned to solid) below the earth's surface.">intrusive</a> and eruptive activity on the lower East Rift zone. This 3D model of the crater was created from <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/thermal.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/thermal.html" title="Of or relating to heat. At volcanoes, thermal features are observed to determine whether temperatures are changing (e.g. fumaroles, vents, lava surfaces, etc...). These changes help scientists to understand volcanic processes.">thermal</a> images collected during a helicopter overflight on May 8. The lake at this time was roughly 295 m (970 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/</a> USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (Public domain.) Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. UPDATE, 5/9/18, 8:02am HST Volcanic Activity Summary: The steady lowering of the lava lake in "Overlook crater" within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kīlauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit. At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue. Residents of the Kīlauea summit area should learn about the hazards of ashfall, stay informed of the status of the volcano and area closures, and review family and business emergency plans. Resource on volcanic ash hazards: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanic_ash/</a> Primary hazards of concern should this activity occur are ballistic projectiles and ashfall. This video of Halema‘uma‘u <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" title="Large volume of molten lava, usually basaltic, in a vent, crater, or broad depression, which forms a lake.">lava lake</a> from this evening shows the agitated lake surface caused by intemittent rock falls. Falling rocks are common since the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" title="General term for magma (molten rock) that has been erupted onto the surface of the Earth and maintains its integrity as a fluid or viscous mass, rather than exploding into fragments. 
">lava</a> lake level has dropped quickly, and exposed the walls. Yesterday the lake level was about 220 m (240 yards) below the crater rim and it continues to drop. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) (Public domain.) BALLISTIC PROJECTILES During steam-driven explosions, ballistic blocks up to 2 m (yards) across could be thrown in all directions to a distance of 1 km (0.6 miles) or more. These blocks could weigh a few kilograms (pounds) to several tons. Smaller (pebble-size) rocks could be sent several kilometers (miles) from Halemaʻumaʻu, mostly in a downwind direction. ASHFALL Presently, during the drawdown of the lava column, rockfalls from the steep enclosing walls of the Overlook crater vent impact the lake and produce small ash clouds. These clouds are very dilute and result in dustings of ash (particles smaller than 2 mm) downwind. Should steam-driven explosions begin, ash clouds will rise to greater elevations above ground. Minor ashfall could occur over much wider areas, even up to several tens of miles from Halemaʻumaʻu. In 1924, ash may have reached as high as 20,000 feet above sea level. Small amounts of fine ash from these explosions fell over a wide area as far north as North Hilo (Hakalau), in lower Puna, and as far south as Waiohinu. GAS Gas emitted during steam-drive explosions will be mainly steam, but will include some sulfur dioxide (SO2) as well. Currently, SO2 emissions remain elevated. WARNING TIME Steam-driven explosions at volcanoes typically provide very little warning. Once the lava level reaches the groundwater elevation, onset of continuous ashy plumes or a sequence of violent steam-driven explosions may be the first sign that activity of concern has commenced. BACKGROUND ON CURRENT EXPLOSIVE POTENTIAL SCENARIO Kīlauea's lava lake began to drop on May 2, 2018. From its peak on May 2 to the most recent measurement at 9 pm on May 6, the lava lake surface dropped a total of more than 200 m (656 ft). The subsidence was at a relatively constant rate of about 2 meters (yards) per hour. Measurements of subsidence have not been possible since May 6 because of thick fume and the increasing depth to the lava surface. However, thermal images indicate continued lowering of the lake surface since that time, consistent with deflationary tilt recorded at Kīlauea's summit. Therefore, we infer that the lake surface continues to drop at roughly the same rate. So, while HVO cannot report exact depths of the receding lava lake, we can monitor the overall trend. USGS and HVO scientists are monitoring changes at the summit 24/7 and watching for signs that hazardous conditions have increased, or may increase. HVO is working closely with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai'i County Civil Defense to respond to this situation. UPDATE, 5/8/18, 11:18pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Activity was focused on the northeast portion of the fissure area; two new fissure segments (13 and 14) broke ground between fissures 7 and 6. Fissure 13 cut across Leilani Street. By 5:00 pm, fissures 13 and 14 were inactive; later, geologists reported loud jetting and booming sounds, and some spattering, at fissure 13. At about 6:00 p.m. reports of booming sounds were reported in the vicinity of Black Sands Beach Subdivision. When HVO geologists arrived soon after, no such sounds were occurring. Geologists reported the widening of cracks of about 1 to 4 cm (0.4 to 1.6 in) of cracks on Highway 130 and Ali'ili road. Rates of seismicity changed little throughout the day, but increased during the fissure activity in the afternoon. Gas emissions remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. HVO field crews successfully completed the installation of two new co-located seismometers and GPS receivers on the north and south sides of the East Rift Zone. Mahalo to landowners for allowing access and use of their property. HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are tracking the volcano's overall activity 24/7 using various monitoring data streams. For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past week and the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce occasional ashy plumes above Halema'uma'u crater. These plumes are expected to continue. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. UPDATE, 5/8/18, 8:15am HST As of 7:00 am, the eruption along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision has paused. Strong emission of gas continues from the fissure system that is now about 2.5 miles long. This pause is likely temporary and resumption of lava emission or additional fissure outbreaks are possible at any time. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. There is no active lava in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area. Aftershocks from Friday's magnitude 6.9 earthquake continue and more are expected. Rockfalls into the Overlook vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater are producing intermittent ash emissions. Seismicity at Kīlauea's summit remains elevated. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense and other authorities. Field crews are onsite examining the fissure vents, lava flow of yesterday, and searching for any signs of new or resumed activity. Lower East Rift Zone Observations Lava emission from fissures was minimal overnight. Strong degassing continues from several fissures. There was no active lava flowing as of 7:00 am this morning. Deformation of the ground in the area continues. Ground cracks are reported crossing Highway 130 about 1 mile west of the westernmost fissure. Overall seismicity in the area has not changed significantly overnight and remains elevated. Seismic stations nearest the fissures record seismicity likely related to ongoing vigorous degassing. Summit Observations: Tiltmeters at the summit continue to record a deflationary trend of the past week and the summit lava lake level continues to drop. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Rockfalls into the Overlook crater are intermittently producing small ash emissions that loft several thousand feet above the ground and travel downwind. Elevated earthquake activity in the summit area continues following Friday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake and as a consequence of ongoing summit deflation. Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: A tiltmeter on the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone continues to record the deflationary pattern that followed collapse of the crater floor on April 30. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls will likely continue to collapse intermittently, producing small ashy plumes. The 61g lava flow is no longer active. Hazard Analysis: Continued eruptive activity (fluctuating and intermittent) in the lower East Rift Zone is likely. New outbreaks or resumption of lava production at existing vents can occur at any time. Areas downslope of erupting fissures are at risk of lava inundation. The general area of Leilani Estates remains at the greatest risk. However, as the eruption progresses, other areas of the lower East Rift Zone may also be at risk. High levels of volcanic gas including sulphur dioxide are being emitted from the fissure vents. In addition, smoke from burning houses and burning asphalt is a health concern and should be avoided. As the lava lake level inside Halemaʻumaʻu drops, rockfalls from the enclosing walls may increase in frequency prompting explosions of spatter from the lake onto the nearby crater rim and lofting plumes of ash. Dustings of ash from these events can occur downwind. UPDATE, 5/7/2018, 5:59pm HST <a href="/media/images/steam-rises-fissure-9-moku-street"></a> Steam rises from <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">fissure</a> 9 on Moku Street in the Leilani Estates Subdivision. (Public domain.) Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. The location of activity today was focused on the southwest portion of the area. This morning, two new fissure segments broke ground. The first (fissure 11) opened in a forested southwest of Leilani Estates about 9:30 am and was active for only 3 hours. The second (fissure 12) opened about 12:20 between older fissures 10 and 11. By 3:15 pm, both new fissures were in active but the west end of fissure 10 was steaming heavily. Cracks on Highway 130 widened from 7 cm to 8 cm over the course of the day and additional cracks were found just west of the highway on trend with the eruptive fissures. <a href="/media/images/cracks-highway-orange-paint-was-used-outline-cracks"></a> Cracks in Highway 130; orange paint was used to outline the cracks. The road remained closed for much of the day on 5/7/18. (Public domain.) For map of recent features discussed above, see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Rates of seismicity and deformation changed little throughout the day. Gas emissions likely remain elevated in the vicinity of fissures. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are closely tracking the volcano's overall activity using various monitoring data streams. Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past several days and the lava lake level continues to drop. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce occasional ashy plumes above Halema'uma'u crater. These plumes are expected to continue. Earthquake activity in the summit remains elevated but has decreased over the past few days. Many of these earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. This message will be updated tomorrow morning or earlier should conditions change. HVO Contact: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> MORE INFORMATION Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/</a> Webcam images: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Photos/Video: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Lava Flow Maps: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Definitions of terms used in update: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf</a> Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf</a> Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf</a> Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/</a> Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/">https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/</a> CONTACT INFORMATION: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. UPDATE, 5/7/18, 7:45am HST Eruption of lava and gas continues at a low level along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision. Overnight, active emission of lava and spatter at multiple fissures was minimal. This is likely only a pause in activity; additional outbreaks or a resumption of activity are anticipated as seismicity continues in the area. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. There is no active lava in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area. Aftershocks from Friday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake continue and more should be expected, with larger aftershocks potentially producing rockfalls and associated ash clouds above Puʻu ʻŌʻō and Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Seismicity at Kīlauea's summit remains elevated. USGS/HVO continues to monitor the situation 24/7. Field crews are onsite this morning examining the fissure vents, lava flow, and searching for any signs of new activity. Lower East Rift Zone Observations Lava emission from fissures was minimal overnight. Strong degassing continues from several fissures. Yesterday (5/6/18), a lava flow advanced northward from fissure 8 about 0.9 km (0.6 miles) by 10 a.m., HST before stopping. Deformation of the ground in the area has slowed. Ground cracks are reported crossing Highway 130 west of the eruption site. Overall seismicity in the area has not changed significantly overnight. Earthquakes continue and seismic stations nearest the fissures record seismicity likely related to ongoing vigorous degassing. <a href="/media/images/thermal-map-leilani-estates-fissures"></a> This <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/thermal.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/thermal.html" title="Of or relating to heat. At volcanoes, thermal features are observed to determine whether temperatures are changing (e.g. fumaroles, vents, lava surfaces, etc...). These changes help scientists to understand volcanic processes.">thermal</a> map clearly shows the flow spreading northward (top) from <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">fissure</a> 8 during an overflight of the area. The black and white area is the extent of the thermal map. Temperature in the thermal image is displayed as gray-scale values, with the brightest pixels indicating the hottest areas (whitish areas show the active <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_flow.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_flow.html" title="Streams of molten rock that erupt relatively non-explosively from a volcano, then move downslope until they stop, cool, and solidify.">lava flow</a>). The gray linear features are the other fissures (numbered in red color) that have erupted thus far in the sequence. The thermal map was constructed by stitching many overlapping oblique thermal images collected by a handheld thermal camera during a helicopter overflight of the flow field. The base is a copyrighted color satellite image (used with permission) provided by Digital Globe. (<a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-414.jpg" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/maps_uploads/image-414.jpg" target="mapsimg">see large map</a>) (Public domain.) Summit Observations: Tiltmeters at the summit continue to record a deflationary trend of the past week and the summit lava lake level continues to drop. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Elevated earthquake activity in the summit area is continuing following Friday's magnitude-6.9 earthquake and as the summit area continues deflating and rockfalls continue within the Overlook vent. Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: A tiltmeter on the Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone continues to record the deflationary pattern that followed collapse of the crater floor on April 30. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls will likely continue to collapse intermittently, producing small ashy plumes. The 61g lava flow is no longer active. Hazard Analysis: Continued eruptive activity (fluctuating and intermittent) in the lower East Rift Zone is likely. New outbreaks or resumption of lava production at existing vents can occur at any time. Areas downslope of erupting fissures are at risk of lava inundation. The general area of Leilani Estates remains at the greatest risk. However, as the eruption progresses, other areas of the lower East Rift Zone may also be at risk. High levels of volcanic gas including sulphur dioxide are being emitted from the fissure vents. In addition, smoke from burning houses and burning asphalt is a health concern and should be avoided. As the lava lake level inside Halemaʻumaʻu drops, rockfalls from the enclosing walls may increase in frequency prompting explosions of spatter from the lake onto the nearby crater rim and lofting plumes of ash. Dustings of ash from these events can occur downwind. Additional aftershocks from the magnitude-6.9 earthquake are expected and some may be strong. Residents are advised to review earthquake preparedness by consulting available resources such as: <a href="https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/dropcoverholdon/">https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/dropcoverholdon/</a> Residents of the Puna District should remain alert, review individual, family, and business emergency plans, and watch for further information about the status of the volcano. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. ">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/. </a> UPDATE, 5/6/18, 8:59pm HST Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Fissure 8 erupted lava fountains until about 4 p.m. HST, and the flow advanced slowly northward through the afternoon, even after the lava fountains shut down. Geologists reported that the flow crossed Ho'okopu Road, a distance from fissure 8 of about about 1.1 km (0.6 miles). They also reported new ground cracks in the vicinity of fissures 8 and 9 that were emitting thick steam and gases, but no lava spattering was observed by the time of this status report. Rates of seismicity and deformation decreased in the past day. The absence of additional deformation in the past day suggests a pause in magma acculumation in the distal part of the intrusion. For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past several days. Corresponding to this deflationary trend, the summit lava lake level in Overlook crater dropped about 2 m (6.5 ft) per hour during the day. The lake level has dropped an estimated 220 m (722 ft) since the collapse of Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater on April 30. Rockfalls from the steep crater walls into the retreating lake continue to produce ashy plumes above Halema'uma'u crater. Rockfalls and ashy plumes are expected to continue as the lake level drops. Earthquake activity in the summit remains at elevated levels. In the past 24 hours, about 31 magnitude 2 earthquakes occurred at depths less than 5 km (3 miles) beneath the summit area (compared to the 24-hour period when 152 magnitude 2 and magnitude 3 earthquakes. These earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and earthquakes beneath the south flank of the volcano. <a href="/media/images/kilauea-summit-lava-lake"></a> The summit <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lavalake.html" title="Large volume of molten lava, usually basaltic, in a vent, crater, or broad depression, which forms a lake.">lava lake</a> has dropped significantly over the past few days, and, as of the evening of 5/6/18, was roughly 220m below the crater rim. This very wide angle camera view captures the entire north portion of the Overlook crater. (Public domain.) UPDATE, 5/5/18, 11:42pm HST <a href="/media/images/view-new-fissure-luana-street-leilani-estates"></a> A new <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/fissure.html" title="In geology, a fissure is a fracture or crack in rock along which there is a distinct separation; fissures are often filled with mineral-bearing materials. On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.">fissure</a> erupted in the evening of 5/5/18, beginning with small <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava.html" title="General term for magma (molten rock) that has been erupted onto the surface of the Earth and maintains its integrity as a fluid or viscous mass, rather than exploding into fragments. 
">lava</a> spattering at about 8:44 p.m. local time. By 9:00 p.m., <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_fountain.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/lava_fountain.html" title="A jet of lava sprayed into the air by the rapid formation and expansion of gas bubbles in the molten rock is called a lava fountain. Lava fountains typically range from about 10 to 100 m in height, but occasionally reach more than 500 m. ">lava fountains</a> as high as about 70 m (230 ft) were erupting from the fissure. (Public domain.) Lower East Rift Zone Eruption The intermittent eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Fissure 7 stopped erupting in mid-afternoon. A new fissure erupted near fissures 2 and 7, and lava fountains reached as high as about 70 m (230 ft). New ground cracks were reported on Highway 130, but no heat or escaping steam was subsequently observed. Seismicity and deformation are consistent with continued accumulation of magma within the rift zone. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). For maps showing the locations of eruption features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> For information on volcanic air pollution, please see: <a href="http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/">http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/</a> HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track and report to Hawaii County Civil Defense on the activity, and other scientists are closely tracking the volcano's overall activity using various monitoring data streams. Kīlauea Volcano Summit Tiltmeters at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano continue to record the deflationary trend of the past several days. Satellite InSAR data show that between April 23 and May 5, 2018, the summit caldera floor subsided about 10 cm (4 in). Corresponding to this deflationary trend, the summit lava lake level in Overlook crater has dropped about 128 m (518 ft) below the crater rim since April 30. Rockfalls from the crater walls into the retreating lake produced ashy plumes above Halemaumau crater , resulting in light ashfall in the summit area. Rockfalls and ashy plumes are expected to continue as the lake level drops. Earthquake activity in the summit increased in the past 2 days, coincident with the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on May 4 beneath the south flank of Kīlauea. In the past two days, about 152 magnitude-2 and magnitude-3 earthquakes occurred at depths less than 5 km (3 miles) beneath the summit area. Twenty two magnitude 3 earthquakes were recorded. These earthquakes are related to the ongoing subsidence of the summit area and beneath the south flank of the volcano. <a href="/media/images/a-panoramic-view-a-fissure-intersection-leilani-estates"></a> A panoramic view of fissure 7 from the intersection of Leilani and Makamae Streets in the Leilani Estates subdivision. This photo was taken at 06:01 a.m. local time, on 5/5/18. (Public domain.) More photos and video are available at the HVO website: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html</a> Watch a recent community meeting with USGS scientists that provided an update of the current volcano and earthquake activity. The primary speaker is Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY5-nJ1tpdo&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY5-nJ1tpdo&feature=youtu.be</a> UPDATE, 5/5/18, 11:54am HST Active eruption of lava and gas continues along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone within the Leilani Estates subdivision. Additional fissure vents producing spatter and small lava flows developed early this morning, and additional outbreaks in the area are likely. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. There is no active lava in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō area. Aftershocks from yesterday's M6.9 earthquake continue and more should be expected, with larger aftershocks potentially producing rockfalls and associated ash clouds above Puʻu ʻŌʻō and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. Photos and maps of activity will be posted to the HVO web site as soon as possible. <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Residents of the Puna District should remain alert, review individual, family, and business emergency plans, and watch for further information about the status of the volcano. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. Summit Observations: Deflationary tilt at the summit continues. In concert, the summit lava lake is dropping. Tremor amplitude is fluctuating with lava lake spattering. No large rockfalls or ash plumes related to rockfalls into the lava lake, such as occurred yesterday during the large earthquake sequence, have occurred. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Gas emissions remain elevated. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: Seismicity remains elevated at Puʻu ʻŌʻō but tiltmeters near the cone show no significant deformation overnight. No lava is active in the area and the 61g lava flow is no longer being fed. The summit crater of the cone will likely continue to collapse intermittently producing small plumes of ash. Yesterday, there were several vigorous episodes of ash emission in response to collapse, including immediately after the nearby M6.9 earthquake. Hazard Analysis: Additional fissure outbreaks producing spatter and lava flows are likely. Locations cannot be forecast with certainty, but new outbreaks thus far have been preceded by ground cracking, then strong steam and volcanic gas release. Areas uprift and downrift of the current fissure zone are the most likely to see further outbreaks. Areas downslope of an erupting fissure or vent are at risk of lava inundation. Currently, lava flows from active fissures are sluggish and not moving very quickly or far. The general area of the Leilani subdivision remains at greatest risk. However, as the eruption progresses, other areas of the lower East Rift Zone may also be at risk. High levels of volcanic gas including sulphur dioxide are being emitted from the fissure vents. In addition, smoke from burning houses and burning asphalt is a health concern and should be avoided. As the lava lake level inside Halemaʻumaʻu drops, rockfalls from the enclosing walls may increase in frequency prompting explosions of spatter from the lake onto the nearby crater rim and lofting plumes of ash. Dustings of ash from these events can occur downwind. Yesterday's strong earthquakes were responsible for some of these plumes and associated ashfall, both from Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake and the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent. Additional aftershocks from yesterday's M6.9 earthquake are expected and some may be strong. Residents are advised to review earthquake preparedness by consulting available resources such as: <a href="https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/dropcoverholdon">https://www.shakeout.org/hawaii/dropcoverholdon</a> UPDATE, 5/5/18, 11:05am HST - Recent Earthquake Activity Near Kilauea The HVO recorded a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Friday, May 4, 2018, at approximately 12:32 p.m. HST. It is the strongest quake in Hawaii since 1975—and the largest in a series of strong earthquakes. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake was located about 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Leilani Estates, on the Island of Hawai‘i, at a depth of 5.0 km (3.1 mi). A map showing the location of the earthquake is posted on HVO's website at <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hvo_earthquakes.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hvo_earthquakes.html</a>. These earthquakes were felt as far away as the Island of Kauai. The maximum intensity of shaking was recorded as VIII on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, indicating severe shaking near the earthquake's epicenter. For more information, see the USGS ShakeMap at <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad#shakemap. ">https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad#shakemap. </a> The mainshock was preceded by a strong magnitude 5.4 earthquake approximately one hour prior. Several aftershocks under the south flank and summit areas of Kīlauea Volcano have already occurred, the largest of which was magnitude 4.8. Strong aftershocks should be expected, and could likely occur for weeks to months into the future. Like the magnitude 5.0 earthquake yesterday, rockfalls and <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/ash_volcanic.html" title="Fine fragments (less than 2-4 mm in diameter) of volcanic rock formed by a volcanic explosion or ejection from a volcanic vent.">ash</a> plumes in the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater were triggered by today's earthquake sequence. HVO scientists are closely monitoring the data. The active eruption in Leilani Estates continues. For more information on recent earthquakes in Hawai‘i and eruption updates, visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/</a> UPDATE - 5/4/18, 4:04pm HST Eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues. Several additional eruptive fissures or vents - each several hundred yards long - have opened over the past day. No significant lava flows have yet formed. Spatter and lava are accumulating primarily within a few tens of yards of the vent. The sixth and most recent fissure is on the eastern edge of the subdivision. Not all fissure vents remain active and no far-traveled lava flows have formed. For maps showing the locations of these features, please see <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> HVO geologists will be in the area overnight to track additional activity that may occur, and other scientists are closely tracking the volcano's overall activity using various monitoring data streams. Seismicity and deformation are consistent with continued accumulation of magma within the rift zone. Additional outbreaks of lava are expected. Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense messages (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). UPDATE - 5/4/18, 7:45am HST An eruption is in progress along Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. Since late afternoon May 3, at least three small fissure vents have opened in Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower Puna district. At this time, activity consists mostly of vigorous lava spattering. Additional outbreaks in the area are likely. Deflationary tilt at the summit of the volcano continues and the lava lake level continues to drop. Photos and maps of activity will be posted to the HVO web site as they become available. <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> Lower East Rift Zone: The first outbreak of lava occurred late in the afternoon of May 3 following days of increased earthquake activity and ground deformation. As of this morning, three separate fissures have opened in the eastern portion of Leilani Estates. Each outbreak has been preceded by ground cracking and strong gas emission. Activity consists primarily of vigorous spattering of lava and development of very short lava flows that have yet to travel more than a few tens of yards from the vent. Earthquake activity in the area remains elevated and ground deformation is continuing. High levels of volcanic gas are reported around the fissure vents. Residents of the Puna District need to remain alert, review individual, family, and business emergency plans, and watch for further information about the status of the volcano. Hawaii County Civil Defense messages regarding conditions, warning, and evacuations may be found at <a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/</a>. Summit Observations: Deflationary tilt at the summit continues. In concert, the summit lava lake is dropping. Tremor amplitude is fluctuating with lava lake spattering. Elevated summit sulfur dioxide emission rates persist. Gas emissions remain elevated. Current webcam views are here: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: Seismicity remains elevated at Puʻu ʻŌʻō but tiltmeters near the cone show no significant deformation overnight. During fieldwork at Puʻu ʻŌʻō yesterday, no lava activity was observed in the area. The 61g lava flow is no longer being fed. The summit crater of the cone continues to collapse intermittently producing small plumes of ash; yesterday there were several episodes of ash emission in response to collapse, including immediately after the nearby M5.0 earthquake. Additionally, seismic activity has increased in the last several hours, with the lastest earthquake being a M6.9 southwest of the Leilani Estates. Click on the USGS Earthquake Hazard link for more information: <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad#executive">https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000dyad#executive</a> Original Story posted 5/4/18, 6:30am HST The Kilauea Volcano erupted in the Lower Puna district of Hawai'i, known as the "Big Island" of the Hawaiian Island chain, which is home to roughly 200,000 people and a haven for tourists and adventure seekers. A notice from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) provides the following details: The eruption in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano that began in late afternoon of May 3rd ended by about 6:30 p.m. HST. Lava spatter and gas bursts erupted from the fissure for about two hours, and lava spread a short distance from the fissure, less than about 10 m (33 ft). The HVO deployed geologists to the eruption site overnight, and other scientists are monitoring various data streams to the observatory 24/7. <a href="/media/images/eruption-has-commenced-leilani-estates-subdivision-lo"></a> An eruption has commenced in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano. White, hot vapor and blue fumes emanated from an area of cracking in the eastern part of the subdivision. (Public domain.) At this time, the fissure is not erupting lava and no other fissures have erupted. HVO geologists were working near the fissure overnight to track additional activity that may occur, and other scientists are closely tracking the volcano's overall activity. Recent Observations Geologists reported that the presence of sulfur gas is quite noticeable around the fissure, typical of active and recently active fissures. The concentration of sulfur dioxide gas is high within tens of meters (yards) of the fissure. Lava flows did not advance more than about 10 m (33 ft) from the fissure. The flows are no longer active. At this time, no other fissures have erupted from along the rift zone. Tiltmeters at Kīlauea's summit continue to record deflationary tilt, and the lava lake level has dropped about 37 m (121 ft) in the past 24 hours. Seismic activity has not changed significantly during the day or since the brief fissure eruption. <a href="/media/images/map-ongoing-intrusion-and-earthquake-activity-along-k-laueas-east"></a> Map of ongoing intrusion and earthquake activity along Kīlauea's eastern side. (Public domain.) Hazard Analysis The opening phases of fissure eruptions are dynamic and uncertain. Additional erupting fissures and new lava outbreaks may occur. It is not possible at this time to say when and where new vents may occur. Areas downslope of an erupting fissure or vent are at risk of lava inundation. At this time, the general area of the Leilani subdivision appears to be at greatest risk. <a href="/media/images/puu-oo-ash-plume"></a> While HVO geologists were working on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, a magnitude-5.0 <a data-cke-saved-href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/seismicity.html" href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/seismicity.html" title="The phenomenon of earthquakes caused by the brittle fracturing of rocks in the earth's crust. Synonymous with seismic activity.">earthquake</a> shook the ground around the cone. Moments later, a collapse occurred in the crater of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, creating a robust, reddish-brown ash plume. (Public domain.) Kilauea Basics Kīlauea is the youngest and southeastern-most volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i. Topographically, Kīlauea appears as only a bulge on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa, and so for many years, Kīlauea was thought to be a mere satellite of its giant neighbor, not a separate volcano. However, research over the past few decades shows clearly that Kīlauea has its own <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/glossary/magma.html" title="Molten rock beneath the surface of the Earth.">magma</a>-plumbing system, extending to the surface from more than 60 km deep in the earth. More Information See the Hawaii County Civil Defense messages and alerts for additional information (<a href="http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts" target="_blank">http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts</a>). Activity Summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8862 Subscribe to these messages: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/</a> Webcam images: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_webcams.html</a> Photos/Video: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_chronology.html</a> (USGS-HVO photos and videos are in the public domain and can be freely downloaded from the HVO website (click on a photo to open a full resolution copy). Please credit "U.S. Geological Survey" for any imagery used.) Lava Flow Maps: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/multimedia_maps.html</a> Definitions of terms used in update: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/definitions.pdf</a> Overview of Kīlauea summit (Halemaʻumaʻu) and East Rift Zone (Puʻu ʻŌʻō ) eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/background.pdf</a> Summary of volcanic hazards from Kīlauea eruptions: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/extra/hazards.pdf</a> Recent Earthquakes in Hawai'i (map and list): <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/earthquakes/</a> Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php" target="_blank">https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/" target="_blank">https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3139/</a> CONTACT INFORMATION: <a href="mailto:askHVO@usgs.gov" target="_blank">askHVO@usgs.gov</a> The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i. May 19, 2018 drewlapointe@usgs.gov 2512e52d-cb13-47b3-a79b-94d7131ffe53 Mapping the Nation's Wind Turbines https://www.usgs.gov/news/mapping-nations-wind-turbines The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the American Wind Energy Association, released the United States Wind Turbine Database and the USWTDB Viewer to access this new public dataset. <a href="https://assets.usgs.gov/video/downloads/2018-05/uswtdb.mp4">Download this video</a> In this video, we'll show you how you can get to know each and every one of the 57,000 wind turbines in the United States with our U.S. Wind Turbine Database and viewer, which we've assembled in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the American Wind Energy Association. Credit: <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:cgarrity@usgs.gov" href="mailto:cgarrity@usgs.gov">Christopher Garrity</a>, USGS Energy Resources Program (Public domain.) This new Wind Turbine Database is a comprehensive dataset of U.S. wind turbine locations and characteristics that is easily accessible, more accurate, and updated more often than existing wind turbine datasets. This dataset and its associated viewer allow federal agencies to share data to properly develop and plan around wind projects. The availability of these data are crucial to planning for government agencies, as well as researchers. The database currently contains data from more than 57,000 turbines, constructed from the 1980s through 2018, in more than 1,700 wind power projects spanning 43 states plus Puerto Rico and Guam. The UWTDB is an update from the USGS WindFarm Database and Viewer, which were the first publicly available interactive map and geo-dataset of onshore wind turbines in the United States. <a href="/media/images/power-county-wind-farm"></a> Power County Wind Farm (Credit: Douglas Barnes, U.S. Department of Energy) Public domain The primary role of the USGS in this partnership is visually verifying turbine locations using high resolution imagery and fixing turbine locations when necessary. USGS has access to large amounts of remote images and specializes in the interpretation of digital imagery. In addition, USGS verifies dismantled turbines or “repowered” turbines, which occurs when a smaller turbine is replaced with a larger one. USGS also hosts the database in its Sciencebase platform and developed the <a href="https://eerscmap.usgs.gov/uswtdb/viewer/#3/37.25/-96.25" target="_blank">web viewer</a> which allows users to rapidly find turbines and summarize information about them. More information about this database and other USGS energy research can be found <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/">here</a>. Stay up to date with USGS energy science by subscribing to the <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/GeneralInfo/Newsletter.aspx">USGS Energy Newsletter</a> or following USGS on <a href="https://twitter.com/usgsenergy">Twitter</a>. May 16, 2018 apdemas@usgs.gov 51f4e72f-eb7c-427f-bb82-f99dbf593dc0 East vs West Coast Earthquakes https://www.usgs.gov/news/east-vs-west-coast-earthquakes A <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/2011virginia/">magnitude 5.8 earthquake</a> in 2011 in Mineral, Virginia, was felt up to 600 miles from the epicenter. Tens of millions of people in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada felt this earthquake. For comparison, a <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/nc72282711#executive">magnitude 6.0 earthquake</a> in 2014 in Napa, California, was felt only as far as 250 miles from the epicenter. Despite the Napa earthquake releasing about twice as much energy as the Virginia earthquake and causing much more damage near the epicenter, it wasn’t felt nearly as far away. As another example, the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000bjkn#executive">magnitude 4.1 earthquake</a> that occurred in December 2017 near Dover, Delaware, was felt approximately 200 miles from the epicenter. The region that felt this earthquake is about the same size as that of the much larger California event, which released about 700 times more energy. Scientists are researching a variety of factors that influence regional differences in the intensity and effects of earthquakes. Some of the factors have to do with the nature of the underlying tectonic plates and their geologic history. Others are connected to the size and age of buildings. <a href="/media/images/east-vs-west-coast-earthquakes"></a> Map of USGS “Did You Feel It?” data shows that earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains are felt over larger areas than earthquakes in the West. Credit: Eric Jones, USGS <a href="/media/images/eastern-earthquakes"></a> This map shows earthquakes above magnitude 4.0 in the eastern United States since 1973, the first year with a complete catalog. There are 184 earthquakes recorded. An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 or greater can cause minor or more significant damage. The circle sizes correspond to earthquake magnitude, ranging from 4.0 to 5.9 (the largest was in the Gulf of Mexico). Seismic Waves Can Travel Farther in the East Eastern North America has older rocks, some of which formed hundreds of millions of years before those in the West. These older formations have been exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures, making them harder and often denser. Faults in these older rocks have also had more time to heal, which allows seismic waves to cross them more effectively when an earthquake occurs. In contrast, rocks in the West are younger and broken up by faults that are often younger and have had less time to heal. So when an earthquake occurs, more of the seismic wave energy is absorbed by the faults and the energy doesn’t spread as efficiently. More Vulnerable Infrastructure in the East Many of the older structures in the East, such as buildings and bridges built before the 1970s, were not designed to endure earthquakes and therefore may not fare well. The recent earthquakes that struck near <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/audio/magnitude-63-earthquake-strikes-new-zealand">Christchurch, New Zealand</a> showed the damage that infrequent earthquakes can do to a region with older structures. With that said, modern buildings are being constructed to newer design standards, and there has been progress in retrofitting many older buildings in the East. In the West, older structures are often retrofitted, and new structures are designed to withstand strong shaking. <a href="/media/images/earthquake-damage-sherman-building"></a> Damage at the Sherman Building in Washington, DC, caused by the magnitude 5.8 earthquake in August 2011 in Mineral, Virginia. Credit: EHT Traceries. Furthermore, smaller structures such as houses could experience stronger and more damaging shaking in the East. Earthquakes in the East tend to cause higher-frequency shaking—faster back and forth motion—compared to similar events in the West. Shorter structures are more susceptible to damage during fast shaking, whereas taller structures are more susceptible during slow shaking. Surprising Level of Shaking in Washington, DC <a href="/media/images/amplified-ground-shaking-earthquakes"></a> This graphic demonstrates that ground shaking from earthquakes is amplified at sites with sediment compared to those with harder bedrock. The upper panel shows ground shaking at bedrock and sediment sites in Washington, DC, from an earthquake in North Carolina. The lower panel shows ground shaking in DC from an earthquake in Alaska. An example of the earthquake hazard in the eastern U.S. is provided by the surprising level of high-intensity ground shaking that occurred in Washington, DC, during the 2011 Virginia earthquake. This shaking caused well-publicized damage to some historic buildings, even though the earthquake was moderate in size and its epicenter was 80 miles from the city. To learn more, USGS scientists <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017GL075517/full">deployed 27 temporary seismometers</a> throughout DC to study variations in the strength of earthquake ground shaking. The instruments recorded ground motions from 30 earthquakes around the world during the 10 months they were in place. Scientists confirmed that <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/everyone/dcshake/">shaking is amplified</a> in the parts of DC underlain by a thin layer of sediments compared to areas built on more solid, harder bedrock. This is because the energy in the seismic waves can move the lighter, weaker sediments more easily than the harder bedrock, and that energy gets “trapped” and echoes multiple times within the sediments. While this amplification effect has been well documented in some western cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco, this is the first study that directly measures the effect in the nation’s capital. It was previously suspected to occur in Washington, DC, and had been found in other cities such as Boston. Other major cities in the central and eastern United States with similar geology that could lead to amplified ground shaking include Trenton, New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; and Columbia, South Carolina. Similar deposits also underlie cities in the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast, notably Memphis, Tennessee, near the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The new results about amplification and the more efficient energy transmission in the East are part of an increased understanding and awareness of earthquake hazards in central and eastern U.S. cities. This information is especially useful to engineers and architects when designing buildings and retrofitting existing structures. Challenges of Assessing Earthquake Hazards in the East The geology of the eastern United States and the relatively sparse history of earthquakes to study make it difficult for scientists to assess how frequently earthquakes will occur and how large they can be. Eastern earthquakes are more of a mystery because they do not take place at a plate boundary where most other earthquakes originate. Scientists do not fully understand the state of stress within tectonic plates, and they are studying how stresses accumulate and evolve and how earthquakes are triggered. Scientists also do not know precisely where most active faults are located in the East. Most faults have not had major earthquakes or movement in the past few million years, and the faults that are active may only have earthquakes every few thousand or tens of thousands of years. Furthermore, any evidence of past earthquakes on the land’s surface in the eastern U.S. is often obscured by vegetation or is more subdued because of erosion. Conversely, the West has more active faults and many areas with sparse vegetation, meaning earthquakes can leave clear markings that inform research on earthquake history, size and effects. Ongoing Research The National Science Foundation and the USGS recently added <a href="http://www.usarray.org/ceusn">new seismic stations</a> in the central and eastern United States, creating a more robust network that augments the monitoring by university partners. USGS scientists also are working with university collaborators on several research projects. For example, they are searching parts of Virginia and the Carolinas for evidence of strong earthquake shaking in the past, monitoring earthquakes and studying faults near the 2011 earthquake in Virginia and the 1886 earthquake in Charleston, South Carolina, and conducting detailed studies of the seismically active central Virginia region. <a href="/media/images/installing-a-seismometer"></a> A USGS researcher installs a seismometer in a building in Washington, DC, to study earthquake ground shaking. The sensor that measures the ground motion is beneath the sandbag, and the recording instruments are in the plastic case. Credit: Susan Hough, USGS Scientists Can’t Predict Earthquakes As far as predicting earthquakes, no reliable short-term earthquake prediction method has ever been developed. Nor do scientists expect to develop a method in the foreseeable future. However, using scientific data—such as fault locations and patterns of earthquakes over many years—<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/can-you-predict-earthquakes?qt-news_science_products=7#qt-news_science_products">probabilities can be calculated</a> for future earthquakes, and that information is used in development of building codes. Furthermore, the USGS and its partners are working to develop a prototype <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/earlywarning/">Earthquake Early Warning System</a> for the West Coast of the U.S. called ShakeAlert. The system does not predict earthquakes, but once an earthquake happens, it could provide a few seconds to tens of seconds of warning before seismic waves arrive and cause strong shaking. More Earthquakes in the West The western United States lies along the boundaries of major tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust—the North American Plate and the ocean plates to the west. These plates are moving against each other, breaking up the crust along many faults like the San Andreas Fault. Faults in the East are less active and lie entirely within the North American Plate. USGS Science One of the most important takeaway messages is that everyone should know how to protect themselves during an earthquake. Check out <a href="https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes">FEMA’s Ready campaign</a> for tips on earthquake preparedness. The USGS is the federal agency with primary responsibility for recording and reporting earthquake activity nationwide and assessing seismic hazards to reduce risks to life and property. The USGS has created and provides tools to support earthquake loss reduction, including hazard assessments, earthquake scenarios, comprehensive real-time earthquake monitoring and public preparedness handbooks. <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/">Learn more</a> about USGS earthquake science. April 24, 2018 jkfitzpatrick@usgs.gov 97357969-c52e-4a0d-b790-e87e55732c38 USGS Rolls Out Groundbreaking Earthquake Study: The HayWired Earthquake Scenario https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-rolls-out-groundbreaking-earthquake-study-haywired-earthquake-scenario Today, the USGS, along with approximately 60 partners, released a new <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20183016">fact sheet</a> that summarizes a report from a larger study of what could happen during a major earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area along the Hayward Fault – arguably one of the most urbanized and interconnected areas in the nation. This study is called “The HayWired Earthquake Scenario.” “The USGS and its partners have worked together to anticipate the impacts of a hypothetical M7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault, before it happens, so that people can use the latest science in their efforts to become even better prepared," said Ken Hudnut, USGS Science Advisor for Risk Reduction and one of the lead authors of the HayWired Earthquake Scenario report. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20183016">The newly released USGS Fact Sheet, “The HayWired Earthquake Scenario – We Can Outsmart Disaster</a>,” provides a concise overview of what will be a multi-volume report. The Fact Sheet distills key points of the report and provides the first glimpse of a truly groundbreaking study into earthquake hazard impacts, mitigation efforts, and resiliency actions for communities in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. <a href="/media/images/haywired-scenario-factsheet-cover-screen-capture"></a> Image is a screen capture of the front page of the HayWired Scenario Factsheet. The HayWired factsheet was published on April 17th, 2018, and the SAFFR office is the principal author. (Public domain.) What is the HayWired Scenario? The HayWired Scenario is a scientifically realistic, highly detailed depiction of what may happen during and after a M7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault with an epicenter in Oakland, CA. But it is not a prediction, and a real earthquake on the Hayward Fault could occur at any time and with a different pattern of shaking causing damage to be concentrated in different spots. Understanding the risk and getting ready for a large earthquake on the Hayward Fault like the one depicted in this scenario can help other at-risk communities prepare for similar events that are possible in their area. <a href="/media/images/haywired-vol-1-cover-image"></a> Oblique aerial image showing how the main active traces of the Hayward Fault [red lines] cut through the urban landscape of the East Bay part of the San Francisco Bay area. The main football stadium at Univ. of California, Berkeley (oval in center of image), is nearly bisected by the fault, and it has been extensively retrofitted to withstand fault offset and shaking. (Public domain.) The USGS Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) team initiated and coordinated collaboration among a diverse group of partners, from academia to public utility companies, to create a hypothetical earthquake scenario in the San Francisco Bay area, including impacts on nearby communities. SAFRR and its partners are publishing a multi-volume USGS Scientific Investigation Report on the HayWired Earthquake Scenario – the first two volumes are available now (HayWired Scenario <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1">Vol. 1</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v2">Vol. 2</a>) and the third volume is expected to be released by October 2018. Dale Cox, Project Manager for the HayWired Earthquake Scenario, described the far-reaching scope of the project: "If we all have a common understanding of what will happen before such an earthquake actually strikes, we can reshape a future with reduced losses and injuries from damaged buildings, roads, rails, pipes, wires, and fires.” Although other earthquake hazard investigations for this area have been published, the HayWired Earthquake Scenario focuses in-depth on key themes not addressed in previous scenarios: the cumulative impacts of aftershocks and fault afterslip, likely performance of buildings constructed under current building codes, urban search and rescue implications, effects of lifeline interdependencies (including the Internet), and communities at risk. With the objective of enhancing resilience, the scenario aims to improve the communication and use of earthquake hazard studies and early warning and aftershock forecast information, and it will inform future building code developments, community capacity building, and business continuity planning. Ryan Arba from the Earthquake and Tsunami Program within the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said, “The HayWired report provides a thorough, comprehensive analysis of the potential impact of a large-scale earthquake in the Bay Area. The State of California and its local partners have been preparing for decades; however, there is always more that we can do.” He goes on to say, “We encourage everyone to learn about the HayWired Earthquake Scenario so that they can remain vigilant in their efforts to be prepared for the next earthquake.” Why Is It Called “HayWired”? Communications at all levels are crucial during incident response following an earthquake. Damage to critical facilities (such as power plants) from earthquake shaking, and to electrical and telecommunications wires and fiber-optic cables that are severed where they cross a ruptured fault, can trigger cascading Internet and telecommunications outages. Restoring these services is vitally important for emergency-response coordination. Without good communications, emergency-response efficiency is reduced, and as a result, life-saving response functions can be compromised. Thus, the name “HayWired” was chosen for the scenario to emphasize the need to examine our interconnectedness and reliance on telecommunications and other lifelines such as water and electricity. Collaboration and Community Engagement are Essential When asked about earthquakes in the United States, most people think of California. The “Golden State” is foremost in the public’s mind when we talk about earthquakes and impacts on communities. In fact, California’s long history of earthquake activity has enabled scientists to obtain critical data that advances understanding of how earthquakes work and what havoc they could wreak in the future. This study of the Hayward Fault is particularly notable not only for its scientific basis, but also because of the significant and impactful relationships that were either created or strengthened among a variety of partners. “In 2017, Californians experienced multiple natural and man-made disasters that have had major impacts to lives, businesses, and communities,” said California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Authority (BCSH) Secretary Alexis Podesta. “The HayWired Earthquake Scenario report gives us a common understanding of our risk and will help us collectively prevent natural disasters from becoming ongoing catastrophes. Together we can outsmart disaster.” <a href="/media/images/earthquake-road-damage"></a> <a href="/media/images/earthquake-water-damage-2"></a> <a href="/media/images/earthquake-water-damage-1"></a> Photographs showing examples of types of damage to lifelines and infrastructure expected to occur along the Hayward Fault in the San Francisco Bay region, California, in an earthquake like the magnitude-7 mainshock modeled in the HayWired Scenario. Photographs from National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering-Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (NISEEPEER), University ofCalifornia, Berkeley, used with permission. To address an earthquake of this size, in this region, and to address all the integrated aspects of modern life that would be affected– from internet access to water supplies – the USGS garnered an unprecedented level of cooperation across the spectrum of community stakeholders. Although more work needs to be done, this type of community engagement in the San Francisco Bay Area has already resulted in more resilience to earthquake damage than in the recent past. In fact, after the<a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/1989lomaprieta/"> Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989</a>, approximately $50 billion in infrastructure improvements and other investments were made to reduce earthquake vulnerability across the region. The USGS partnered with numerous organizations to form the “<a href="https://outsmartdisaster.com/about/coalition/">HayWired Coalition</a>,” whose members’ goal is to identify the scenario’s potential impacts on their constituents and to align the scenario with the resiliency, response, and recovery planning of their respective communities. The coalition began forming in mid-2016 to gather input and organize the interactions of a broad range of stakeholders – from utility companies to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Red Cross to design and engineering firms. This process enhanced the scenario development team by helping to identify previously unrecognized vulnerabilities of communities, lifeline infrastructure, and supply chains. As the HayWired Earthquake Scenario team examined the possible effects on every aspect of daily life, it was important to understand what people would need to get their lives back to normal. The USGS worked closely with the State of California to ramp up a public-engagement campaign that would use the scenario as a catalyst to make communities aware of earthquake risk, to help them understand what they can do to mitigate the impact of an earthquake, and how to bounce back once the shaking stops. The campaign is called “<a href="https://outsmartdisaster.com/">Outsmart Disaster</a>,” and is led by the Seismic Safety Commission, which falls under the BCSH. Additionally, the USGS worked closely with the California Geological Survey and the California Office of Emergency Services to obtain a comprehensive view of the region’s current level of preparedness and its potential for improved resiliency. Ken Hudnut summed up the spirit of the HayWired Coalition, saying, "Teamwork and partnerships have truly been the key to our success in developing the HayWired Earthquake Scenario.” Start with Science The USGS provides science that is critical for understanding earthquake risk, because communities can plan more effectively for earthquakes if they know when and where damaging earthquakes are likely to occur and what their effects might be – from the shaking that accompanies a mainshock and its aftershocks to secondary effects like landslides, liquefaction, and fault afterslip. Incorporation of new models from the USGS and its various partners ensure the HayWired Earthquake Scenario reflects the best and most current understanding of earthquake science and engineering. Earthquakes pose a threat to the safety of more than 143 million people living in the United States, and estimated long-term annualized earthquake losses in the United States are more than $6.1 billion per year. The social and economic losses associated with deaths, injuries, and damage to property and infrastructure can be significantly reduced if communities understand the risk and take proactive steps to mitigate that risk. Earthquake risk and exposure continues to increase with population growth and expanded development in hazard-prone regions of the country. Understanding earthquake hazards is critical for informed policies, priorities, strategies, and funding decisions to protect communities most at risk. <a href="/media/images/map-known-active-geologic-faults-san-francisco-bay-region"></a> Map of known active geologic faults in the San Francisco Bay region, California, including the Hayward Fault. The 72 percent probability of a magnitude (M) 6.7 or greater earthquake in the region includes well-known major plate-boundary faults, lesser-known faults, and unknown faults. The percentage shown within each colored circle is the probability that a M 6.7 or greater earthquake will occur somewhere on that fault system by the year 2043. The dark, thick lines outlined in various colors represent major plate boundary faults; the thinner, yellow lines mark lesser-know, smaller faults. (Public domain.) Learn More For up-to-date information on earthquakes in the U.S. and around the world, go to the<a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/"> USGS Latest Earthquakes page</a> The USGS provides rapid alerts of potential impacts from an earthquake through its <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/pager/">Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response</a> system. Sign up to receive earthquake notices through the <a href="https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/">USGS Earthquake Notification System</a>. If you feel an earthquake, report your experience on the USGS “<a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/">Did You Feel It?</a>” website. Learn how to prepare at home using the <a href="http://www.earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps">7 Steps to Earthquake Safety</a> from the guidebook “<a href="https://www.earthquakecountry.org/booklets/">Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country</a>,” written for different areas of the country and in several languages. Additional information on what you can do to prepare for earthquakes at work and home is available on the <a href="http://www.shakeout.org/">Great ShakeOut website</a>. View more USGS HayWired products, including publications, maps, data and tools, and multimedia<a href="http://usgs.gov/haywired"> here</a>. April 18, 2018 drewlapointe@usgs.gov 0651bbdb-90d9-4b2e-8854-ad0678eda9d4 USGS Authors New Report on Seismic Hazard, Risk, and Design for South America https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-authors-new-report-seismic-hazard-risk-and-design-south-america South America is one of the most earthquake-prone regions of the world and has witnessed tremendous losses throughout recorded history. <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/bssa/article/525972/seismic-hazard-risk-and-design-for-south">A recently released USGS report </a>provides probabilistic tools to help engineers assess seismic hazards, risk, and building code requirements, potentially saving lives and dollars. During the past century, earthquakes have caused billions of dollars of damage and tens of thousands of casualties across the northern and western part of the South American continent. The seismic activity in this continent is driven by the South American Subduction Zone and other complex fault interactions. Future human and financial losses can be mitigated through making informed decisions based on where future earthquakes may occur, how often they might occur, and how strong the ground will shake. Such information is the purpose of probabilistic (i.e., based on a mathematical forecast) seismic hazard models that are applied in building codes, insurance models, and public policy. <a href="/media/images/faults-and-damaging-earthquakes-over-past-century-along-south"></a> Faults and damaging earthquakes over the past century along the South American Subduction Zone (Public Domain) New Data Provides New Opportunities For the past couple of decades, the USGS has been collaborating with South American colleagues to develop models and maps to support nationwide emergency planning efforts. While there are a number of in-country studies that have evaluated earthquake shaking hazard and risk, the coverage is hardly uniform or complete across the South American continent. This report is the first to apply standardized methodologies and tools for hazard and risk assessments, to reduce discrepancies at national borders, and to identify areas of high hazard and risk within each country. The study relies on five important datasets and methodologies: (1) an updated USGS earthquake catalog (<a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/comcat/">ComCat</a>), (2) models of known and mapped faults generated by USGS over the past 30 years in collaboration with scientists from South America, (3) the latest seismic ground motion models applied in the USGS hazard maps, (4) USGS PAGER vulnerability models (“PAGER” stands for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response, and it is a system that provides fatality and economic loss impact estimates following significant earthquakes worldwide), and (5) methods applied in U.S. building codes. This information can be used to identify areas of high hazard and to develop strategies to strengthen vulnerable buildings. The new results indicate that over 160 million people (or about a third of the total population of South America) live in areas with significantly elevated seismic hazard, primarily within the northern and western portions of the continent where earthquakes associated with subduction and crustal faulting are most common. Figures 2-3 indicate that the risk is not uniform or limited to only coastal areas. Countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru face high hazard and risk; Chile also faces high hazard, but the vulnerability of buildings is much lower compared with the northern countries due to modern and stringent building codes. <a href="/media/images/comparison-maps-south-america-showing-100-year-earthquake-shaking-p"></a> Maps of South America showing 100-year earthquake shaking projections. (Public Domain) A Cornerstone of International Collaboration About a decade ago, scientists in South America from the Centro Regional Seismological para América del Sur requested that USGS scientists collaborate in developing shaking hazard, risk, and design maps for South America. Over the past decade several workshops and discussions with South American colleagues were held to discuss the input data and evaluate the assessments. In June 2016, the USGS and the University of Chile jointly hosted a seismic hazard planning workshop in Costa Rica in which 24 scientists from 17 countries across Latin America participated. This effort was funded by the United States Agency for International Developments Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance program which is devoted to mitigating risk in this region. The report describing the results was recently published in the journal “Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.” Start with Science The USGS provides science which is critical for understanding earthquake risk because communities cannot plan for earthquakes if they do not know the expected earthquake occurrence and potential shaking. These USGS models reflect the best and most current understanding of earthquake science and engineering. Earthquakes are a global concern; in the last decade alone, seismic events have claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused hundreds of billion dollars of economic impact. These international collaborations are an important part in making sure that everyone can benefit from the best available science. For instance, USGS scientists take the scientific expertise and experience they gain working with collaborators in South America and apply it to similar situations here in the United States. In return, scientists in other countries can benefit from the lessons learned by USGS scientists responding to domestic earthquakes. In the United States, earthquake risk continues to grow with increased exposure of population and development in hazard-prone regions of the country. Understanding earthquake hazards is critical for informed policies, priorities, strategies, and funding decisions to protect the most at-risk communities. Datasets and models presented in this study and the results are publicly available <a href="https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/59aeeedee4b0e9bde133ea59">here</a>. Learn More The USGS provides rapid alerts of potential impacts from an earthquake through its <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/pager/">Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response</a> system. Sign up to receive earthquake notices through the <a href="https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/">USGS Earthquake Notification System</a>. If you feel an earthquake, report your experience on the USGS “<a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/">Did You Feel It?</a>” website. Learn how to prepare at home using the <a href="http://www.earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps">7 Steps to Earthquake Safety</a> from the guidebook “<a href="http://scecinfo.usc.edu/eqcountry/roots/cover.html">Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country</a>,” written for different areas of the country and in several languages. Additional information on what you can do to prepare for earthquakes at work and home is available on the <a href="http://www.shakeout.org/">Great ShakeOut website</a>. March 14, 2018 drewlapointe@usgs.gov 2ee8fe2b-0ccb-4770-a942-55e6219684d7 Modern Perspective on Gas Hydrates https://www.usgs.gov/news/modern-perspective-gas-hydrates The number of discoveries and advances regarding gas hydrates has advanced at a rapid pace in recent years. As a leading voice in international gas hydrate research, the U.S. Geological Survey has contributed substantially to the discourse. Now, to take stock of where we are and what is known about gas hydrates, USGS has published two new fact sheets focused on methane hydrates. <a href="/media/images/burning-gas-hydrates"></a>Natural gas from gas hydrates burning. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is the most common of the gases that form gas hydrate. In fact, the amount of natural gas within the world’s gas hydrate accumulations is estimated to greatly exceed the volume of all known conventional gas resources. Because of that potential, the USGS and academic, government, and private industry scientists and engineers have been studying how to produce natural gas from hydrates for many decades. Read more about our gas hydrate research <a data-cke-saved-href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/" href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/">here</a>. Image courtesy of the Department of Energy.(Public domain.) The <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2017/3080/fs20173080.pdf">first</a> fact sheet provides up-to-date information about naturally occurring gas hydrates, including their global distribution, the amount of gas trapped in these deposits, and the technology used to find them. The <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2017/3079/fs20173079.pdf">second fact sheet</a> describes the USGS Gas Hydrates Project, which collaborates with other U.S. federal agencies, international partners, and academic researchers to enhance understanding of the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/exploring-gas-hydrates-a-future-energy-source">resource potential of gas hydrates</a> and the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/gas-hydrate-breakdown-unlikely-cause-massive-greenhouse-gas-release">interaction of gas hydrates with the changing environment</a>. <a href="/media/images/chunks-gas-hydrate"></a>In 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey recovered white chunks of gas hydrate (methane ice) mixed with gray sediment a few feet below the sea floor in the Arctic Ocean at a water depth of approximately 8,000 feet.(Public domain.) A Key Research Field Crystallizes <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/primer.html">Gas hydrate</a> forms naturally when water combines with certain gases at low temperatures and moderate pressures to produce a frozen solid. Methane, which is often referred to as “natural gas”, is the gas most often trapped in gas hydrate. Globally, most methane hydrate is found below the seafloor at water depths greater than 300-500 meters (984–1,640 feet) on the margins of continents. Gas hydrate also forms in and beneath permanently frozen ground (permafrost) at high northern latitudes and in the ground beneath large ice sheets (e.g., Greenland, Antarctica) and some glaciers. <a href="/media/images/map-gas-hydrates"></a>Map showing locations where gas hydrate has been recovered, where gas hydrate is inferred to be present on the basis of seismic data, and where gas hydrate drilling expeditions have been completed in permafrost or deep marine environments, also leading to recovery of gas hydrate. (Public domain.) The “<a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2017/3080/fs20173080.pdf">Gas Hydrates in Nature</a>” fact sheet compiles critical background information about methane hydrate. For example, gas hydrate traps about one-sixth of the methane moving through the global earth-ocean-atmosphere system. Because gas hydrate is a concentrated form of methane and is found in deposits that are shallower than conventional gas reservoirs, some countries are investigating the possibility of extracting methane from these deposits to meet resource needs. The fact sheet also provides a timeline for major U.S. and international research activities that have investigated natural gas hydrates since 1990. <a href="/media/images/timeline-gas-hydrate-expeditions"></a>Timeline showing past and future drilling and deep-sea coring and borehole logging expeditions as of late 2017. The goal of the permafrost and deepwater marine programs is to evaluate the potential of gas hydrate as a resource, whereas the goal of the academic ocean drilling programs is to focus on critical research questions related to natural gas hydrate deposits. DOE refers to the U.S. Department of Energy. The academic programs are the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP; 1983–2003), the Integrated ODP (IODP; 2003–2013), and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), which started in 2013. The international marine drilling programs are the Ulleung Basin Gas Hydrates project (UBGH; Korea), the National Gas Hydrates Project (NGHP; India), and the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS; China). (Public domain.) A Legacy of Scientific Achievements The “<a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2017/3079/fs20173079.pdf">USGS Gas Hydrates Project</a>” fact sheet describes the research carried out by USGS scientists who support the resource, environmental, and geohazards goals of the Project, which is jointly supported by the <a href="https://marine.usgs.gov/">Coastal and Marine Geology Program</a> (CMGP) and the <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/">Energy Resources Program</a> (ERP). <a href="/media/images/sediment-sampling-gas-hydrate"></a>USGS scientists collect sediment samples in a gas hydrates area during a cruise on the U.S. Atlantic margin in 2015. (Public domain.) John Haines, Program Coordinator for CMGP and Acting Associate Director for the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area, commented that, “These new fact sheets highlight the role that the USGS Gas Hydrates Project plays in advancing national and international understanding of natural methane hydrates in collaboration with critical partners like the <a href="https://www.netl.doe.gov/research/oil-and-gas/methane-hydrates">U.S. Department of Energy</a>. Our stakeholders will benefit from access to the clear, up-to-date information provided on these fact sheets.” <a href="/media/images/gas-hydrate-crystals"></a> Scanning electron microscope image of gas hydrate crystals in a sediment sample. The scale is 50 micrometers (µm) or approximately 0.002 inches. (Public domain.) Start with Science The USGS has been active in methane hydrates research for more than three decades. Among the seminal contributions of the USGS Gas Hydrates Project have been participating in and sometimes managing large-scale drilling projects that investigate the resource potential of gas hydrates in <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/GeneralInfo/EnergyNewsroomAll/TabId/770/ArtMID/3941/ArticleID/812/Successful-Test-of-Gas-Hydrate-Production-Test-Well-Ignik-Sikumi-on-Alaskas-North-Slope.aspx">Alaska</a>, <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/generalinfo/energynewsroomall/tabid/770/artmid/3941/articleid/1230/results-of-the-india-national-gas-hydrate-program-expedition-02.aspx">offshore India</a>, and the <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/GeneralInfo/EnergyNewsroomAll/TabId/770/ArtMID/3941/ArticleID/779/Gulf-of-Mexico-Gas-Hydrate-Joint-Industry-Project.aspx">Gulf of Mexico</a>; providing unique <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/hydrate_labs/">electron microscopy imaging</a> capabilities and special <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/proven-under-pressure-usgs-advances-capabilities-high-pressure-seafloor-samples-containing-gas">high-pressure laboratory</a> facilities to study hydrates in conditions close to their natural state; producing the first assessment of <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds-069/dds-069-cc/">technically-recoverable gas hydrate resources</a>; characterizing the physical properties of hydrate bearing sediments to constrain reservoir properties; unraveling the possible synergies between <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/ocean-absorption-carbon-dioxide-more-makes-methane-emissions-seafloor-methane-seeps">gas hydrate breakdown and environmental change</a>; and acquiring data to image the distribution of these deposits on the U.S. <a href="https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2015/06/fieldwork3.html">Atlantic</a>, <a href="https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2013/08/SW201308.pdf">Gulf of Mexico</a>, and Beaufort Sea margins. Carolyn Ruppel, Chief of the USGS Gas Hydrates Project and author of the new fact sheets, said, “USGS scientists frequently receive requests for information about natural gas hydrates and international priorities for gas hydrate studies. At the same time, federal agency partners, academic collaborators, international collaborators, and the public sometimes need a succinct description of the USGS Gas Hydrates Project and its activities. These fact sheets should provide a consistent message to respond to such needs for many years to come.” March 8, 2018 apdemas@usgs.gov de90cde3-89b3-4006-8b0e-bf70d1dd1a17 USGS Flood Experts Respond to High Water in Central, Northeastern U.S. https://www.usgs.gov/news/flood-experts-respond-high-water-central-northeastern-us During this string of intense storms, more than 100 USGS scientists and technicians were mobilized across the affected regions to keep the<a href="https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?id=ww"> USGS’s streamgage network</a> operational, perform on-site measurements of flooded rivers, install storm-tide and wave sensors prior to the nor’easter, and measure high-water marks as flood waters receded. A second nor’easter was affecting areas from Virginia to Maine on March 7, and was expected to bring heavy snow to some areas already impacted by the nor’easter that hit the area March 2-3. In the coming days and weeks, USGS specialists will continue to monitor streamgages, make on-site measurements of river discharge to determine how much water is flowing, and provide data to aid the response in the Midwest and Mississippi watershed. The data from the USGS’ nationwide streamgage network provides vital information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service, and other state and local agencies, enabling them to make river forecasts, operate flood control structures, and make important emergency management decisions. Besides aiding first responders and other emergency managers during the flooding, USGS streamgage data and flood science is used in the aftermath of floods and coastal storms to make decisions for long-term recovery. Meanwhile, in the Northeast, coastal communities are just beginning to recover from the first nor’easter. Its intense winds and storm surge caused coastal erosion and tidal flooding in some states, leading to several deaths and leaving almost a million people without power. USGS crews will continue to document coastal flooding in the affected areas by analyzing the data gathered by the storm-tide and wave sensors deployed before the storm, and by flagging and surveying high-water marks, which will indicate to scientists how high the flood waters reached. As some states struck by the severe weather begin to return to normal, others are dealing with continued flooding and the dangers that come with it. Here’s a look at some ongoing field work the USGS has been involved with over the past few weeks. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee <a href="/media/images/measuring-mississippi"></a> David Crum, USGS hydrologic technician, prepares for a discharge measurement on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee February 27, 2018. Photo by Jerry Garrett, USGS. (Public domain.) From the upper Midwest to southern Mississippi, as much as 15 inches of rain fell during the past two weeks, causing major flooding in parts of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. In some parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, as much as 10 inches of rain fell in a five-day period — equal to two months of rain in just a few days. Though recent drought meant that flooding wasn’t as extreme as it could have been, streams exceeded moderate to major flood levels in portions of these four states. During the flooding, the states recorded numerous peaks of record, or measurements that were the highest ever recorded at those specific streamgages. Visit the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/lmg-water">Lower Mississippi Gulf Water Science Center website</a> for current conditions of rivers and streams in the Lower Mississippi Gulf region. Indiana Beginning February 19, parts of Indiana saw up to seven inches of rain across northern portions of the state. This rain, which fell onto snow-covered frozen ground, increased runoff and caused flooding. Communities along the Ohio River in the southern portion of the state, such as Evansville and New Albany, were affected. So were parts of South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, and some smaller towns on the St. Joseph, Kankakee, Iroquois, and Tippecanoe rivers. Twelve people from the Indianapolis office responded. During the flooding, Indiana saw six peaks of record. Visit the <a href="https://in.water.usgs.gov/">USGS website</a> for current conditions of Indiana’s rivers and streams. Michigan <a href="/media/images/a-usgs-hydrologic-technician-takes-a-discharge-measurement"></a> On February 22, 2018, USGS hydrologic technician Thomas Morgan took a period of record discharge measurement on the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://go.usa.gov/xneCY" href="https://go.usa.gov/xneCY">St. Joseph River at Niles, MI</a>. The measurement — of 23,200 cubic feet per second — is the highest ever made at this site, which has been in operation since 1931. Photo by Nathan Prokopec, USGS. (Public domain.) In Michigan, heavy rain, melting snowpack, and frozen ground combined to create textbook conditions for flooding. Hundreds of homes and businesses in flood-prone areas of the Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph river watersheds were affected. Though high water has largely subsided, some waterways are still overflowing their banks. More than 20 crews were deployed in Michigan to take streamflow and water-level measurements and the state recorded seven peaks of record. For up-to-date information on rivers and streams in Michigan, visit the <a href="https://mi.water.usgs.gov/">USGS website</a>. Kentucky <a href="/media/images/a-usgs-boat"></a> USGS measures discharge at the Ohio River at Olmsted Lock and Dam. USGS photo. (Public domain.) Heavy rainfall in late February across the upper portion of the watershed caused moderate to major flooding along the middle and lower Ohio River. At the request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, researchers used a boat to make special discharge measurements at various locations downstream of Barkley and Kentucky lakes. The Corps had not released a volume of water this large from those reservoirs since 2010, and wanted to verify the amount to be released. Along the Ohio River, USGS crews collected the highest discharge measurements ever taken at three different gauges. Special water quality samples were also collected for the National Water Quality Program on the lower Ohio River at two locations. Thirteen people from the USGS offices in Murray and Louisville responded over the course of 10 days. Ohio As with other states, flooding in Ohio was caused by rain and snowpack thaw. While the state was spared more severe rainfall, the combination of an inch or two of rain daily on top of already saturated ground made for flooding. The flooding in Ohio has now subsided but during the event, more than 10 crews in Ohio measured high flows in Ohio. Visit the <a href="https://oh.water.usgs.gov/">USGS website</a> for current conditions of rivers and streams in the state of Ohio. The Northeastern states On Friday, March 2, a powerful nor’easter struck the Mid-Atlantic and New England states for the second time this winter, similar to a storm that caused record-breaking flooding in parts of the region in January. With strong winds and high waves, a major nor’easter can lead to flooding equivalent to or greater than a hurricane’s effect. <a href="/media/images/flagging-a-high-water-mark"></a> Sal Amador, a USGS hydrologic technician, flags a high-water mark on a utility pole in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Christopher Bruet, USGS. (Public domain.) USGS field crews<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-deploys-storm-tide-sensors-advance-nor-easter"> deployed over 50 storm-tide and wave sensors</a> from Maine to Delaware the day before the March 2 storm made landfall. The sensors are part of a relatively new USGS mobile network of instruments, designed for rapid deployment in the path of an oncoming storm, called the <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/floods/swath/">Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network, or SWaTH</a> Network. They continuously measure wave height and tide levels and provide information on the timing, duration, and extent of storm-tide flooding. Data are collected four times per second, providing a detailed picture of the storm. Scientists went back to recover the sensors on March 5 and 6, as soon as it was safe to do so after the storm. All data from the sensors will be available via the <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/floods/FEV/">USGS Flood Event Viewer</a> later this week, and over the coming weeks USGS scientists will closely analyze the information. USGS research teams also spread out along the coast from Maine to Connecticut starting on March 4, to document the storm-tide flooding by flagging and surveying high-water marks, which are debris and dirt lines that reveal how high the flood waters reached. The teams’ first priority was to visit locations where high-water marks were found after a record-breaking blizzard that struck the region in 1978, and high-water mark locations from the January 2018 nor’easter, so the effects of those three significant storms can be carefully compared. Time was of the essence, since the winter storm of March 7 could wipe away the high-water marks. The information gathered from the sensors and high-water marks will help officials understand coastal storms, prepare for their impacts, and ultimately build more resilient communities. Real-world data on a variety of storms and tracks allow for more precise and informed forecasts for future scenarios. In southeast New York, USGS’ network of permanent real-time tide gauges recorded high water levels that persisted through six full cycles of high and low tides before gradually receding, with minor to moderate flooding recorded at 16 different gauges. Water levels reached major flood heights at one location, the Hudson Bay at Freeport, New York. That state’s crews were also out in the field collecting high-water marks and retrieving storm-tide and wave sensors soon after the high waters receded, and information about the New York coastal flooding is also available on the <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/floods/FEV/">USGS Flood Event Viewer</a>. Looking Toward the Future Though flooding in the affected states has largely subsided, the USGS will continue to monitor stream conditions and use data collected to prepare for future disasters. For up-to-date info on conditions in your area visit the USGS <a href="https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?id=ww_current">WaterWatch</a> website. Sign up for high-water alerts at the USGS <a href="https://maps.waterdata.usgs.gov/mapper/wateralert/">WaterAlert</a> website. The <a href="https://marine.usgs.gov/coastalchangehazardsportal">USGS Coastal Change Hazards Portal</a> provides forecasts on the potential for beach erosion, overwash and inundation during hurricanes and other severe coastal storms. Real-time, six-hour forecasts of storm-induced total water levels and potential coastal changes can be found through the <a href="https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/research/twlviewer/">USGS Total Water Level Viewer</a>. The USGS also operates a network of permanent tide gauges that provide real-time information through the <a href="https://maps.waterdata.usgs.gov/mapper/nwisquery.html?URL=https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/current?state_cd=ct&state_cd=de&state_cd=me&state_cd=md&state_cd=ma&state_cd=nh&state_cd=nj&state_cd=ny&state_cd=pa&state_cd=ri&state_cd=va&site_tp_cd=OC&site_tp_cd=ES&index_pmcode_STATION_NM=1&index_pmcode_DATETIME=2&format=sitefile_output&sitefile_output_format=xml&column_name=agency_cd&column_name=site_no&column_name=station_nm&sort_key_2=site_no&html_table_group_key=NONE&rdb_compression=file&list_of_search_criteria=state_cd%2Csite_tp_cd%2Crealtime_parameter_selection&column_name=site_tp_cd&column_name=dec_lat_va&column_name=dec_long_va&column_name=agency_use_cd">National Water Information System</a>. These gauges supplement <a href="https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/">NOAA's long-term network of gauges</a>. March 7, 2018 hdewar@usgs.gov 2e1a3b80-dca2-4e29-8eb1-39e41bdbacb2 Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake, Papua New Guinea https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-75-earthquake-papua-new-guinea A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on February 26, 2018 at 3:45 pm local time (February 25, 17:45 UTC). There have been at least 45 aftershocks greater than M2.5, in the past day. The largest of the aftershocks was M6.2. Visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000d7q6#executive">USGS event page</a> for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000d7q6#pager">USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website</a>. The PAGER result for this earthquake was orange, meaning significant casualties and damage are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past orange alerts have required a regional or national level response. Estimated economic losses are 0-3% GDP of Papua New Guinea. <a href="/media/images/regional-map-february-25-2018-papua-new-guinea-earthquake"></a>USGS map of the February 25, 2018 earthquake, Papua New Guinea. (Public domain.) If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the “<a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000d7q6#dyfi">USGS Did You Feel It?” website for this event.</a> The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500. Learn more about the <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/">USGS Earthquake Hazards Program</a>. February 25, 2018 dnoseral@usgs.gov 8ff65cff-a184-43fc-9451-97017afec6bc USGS and NASA Team Up to Help Scientists Study the “Social Networks” of Wildlife https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-and-nasa-team-help-scientists-study-social-networks-wildlife Whereas we might carry cell phones or tablets, each sea otter has a small, solar-powered tag clipped carefully to one of its flippers. When the sea otters gather to nap at the ocean’s surface, their tags boot up, and check in with one another. Who else did the sea otter interact with today, where, and when? <a href="/media/images/biologists-survey-sea-otters-ca"></a>Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service search for southern sea otters along the California coast. (Public domain.) For <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/joseph-tomoleoni?qt-staff_profile_science_products=3#qt-staff_profile_science_products">Joseph Tomoleoni</a> of the U.S. Geological Survey and <a href="http://ib.oregonstate.edu/grads/randellz/Zachary-Randell">Zachary Randell</a> of Oregon State University, this future would refine our understanding of sea otters’ community structure, movements, distributions, survival rates, and even disease transmission among individuals. Currently, USGS biologists like Tomoleoni and <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/brian-b-hatfield">Brian Hatfield</a> use radio transmitters, binoculars, and high-powered spotting scopes to track sea otters from shore. For hours at a time, they painstakingly record the otters’ location and behaviors off the California coast. Yet, this lengthy, labor-intensive process happens only when the weather cooperates; if a storm rolls through, or if conditions along the coast are otherwise unfavorable, the scientists can’t collect their data. Because Tomoleoni, Randell, and Hatfield can only survey sea otters from the beach during daylight hours with reasonable weather, they get a part rather than the whole picture of sea otter ecology. To increase the ease and capacity for gathering large amounts of information from sea otters and other wildlife, USGS scientists have teamed up with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to design two new types of wildlife-tracking tag. The first is a lightweight, solar-powered GPS unit that could eventually open avenues for researchers to study the movements and behaviors of animals as small as a songbird. The second is a peer-to-peer network tag which could pave the way for scientists to study wildlife “social networks.” It Takes Engineers and Biologists GPS tags are the go-to device for biologists studying wildlife and their habitat. The tags’ strength resides in their ability to accurately calculate an animal’s location using transmissions received either by satellites or by the same cellular networks that people use. However, most of the energy needed to power the device and transmit data is stored in a small battery. Although larger batteries supply more energy and allow devices to collect data for longer durations, they are also more weight for the animal to carry. “We want the new tags to apply to a broad range of species, from polar bears to songbirds,” says <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/susan-de-la-cruz">Susan De La Cruz</a>, a wildlife biologist and USGS-lead on the project. To accomplish this, De La Cruz and colleagues at USGS teamed with NASA engineers Chad Frost and Dayne Kemp to design a GPS device that wouldn’t sacrifice accuracy, sophistication, and lifespan for size and weight. Within a year, the team had a working prototype: a solar-powered GPS unit that could be produced for a quarter of the price of current models and weighed only about a third that of a house key. <a href="/media/images/usgs-nasa-miniaturized-gps-tag"></a>USGS and NASA collaborated to develop a prototype, miniaturized GPS tag to support wildlife biologists in their research. The new tag weighs about a third that of a house key. (Public domain.) USGS wildlife biologist and team member <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/michael-casazza?qt-staff_profile_science_products=0#qt-staff_profile_science_products">Michael Casazza</a> plans to use this prototype to study the movements and habitat use of waterfowl within California’s Central Valley. His research will help landowners, duck clubs, and non-profit conservation groups manage the Central Valley’s wetland habitats for millions of waterfowl migrating through the Pacific Flyway each year. Peeking into the “Social Networks” of Wildlife Today, the USGS-NASA team is attempting to integrate the new solar-powered GPS unit with a peer-to-peer network tag. Traditional GPS tags store data on the location of a single animal. Adding the peer-to-peer network capacity would allow each tag to share its data when tagged animals come within range of one another. By tracking the rates at which the tags gather data, scientists can learn about connectivity within and among species, their distributions across their range, and other complex questions. The prototype tag also wouldn’t need to use precious energy to transfer large amounts of information to a satellite. Instead, it could communicate at low-power with base stations, or with bigger, more powerful tags capable of both storing greater amounts of data and transmitting these data farther via satellite or cellular network from the back of a larger animal. <a href="/media/images/final-usgs-nasa-prototype-flipper-tags-0"></a>The final prototype of the USGS-NASA flipper tags. USGS scientists will first use the flipper tags on sea otters to learn more about their lives along the coast.(Credit: Chad Frost, NASA. (Public domain.) In time, De La Cruz plans to use the new tags to understand <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/avian-studies-san-francisco-bay?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects" target="_blank">interactions amongmultiple species of migratory and wintering birds that use recovering tidalmarshes and managed waterbird habitat in California’s San Francisco Bay. </a>Her results are helping the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies manage migratory bird populations that rely on coastal estuaries such as San Francisco Bay for food and shelter as they migrate along the Pacific Flyway. Biologists like Tomoleoni, Randell, and Hatfield provide resource agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) with scientific information that helps inform conservation and management of wildlife populations and their habitats. Following years of population declines, FWS listed the southern sea otter as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in 1977. With the peer-to-peer network tag, USGS biologists can establish a more detailed understanding of how and how often sea otters interact. Such information can help the FWS and other partners predict how threats like white shark attacks might affect their numbers. Their findings will aid the FWS with ongoing efforts to increase sea otter populations, and restore their unique presence within ecosystems where they once thrived. The Future of Wildlife Tracking Tags Another ambitious, collaborative project co-led by USGS wildlife biologist <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/josh-adams">Josh Adams</a> aims to combine the peer-to-peer network tag with biosensors. Adams and colleagues plan to use the peer-to-peer network tag to reveal how seabirds like the albatross use their sense of smell to hunt. Adams is collaborating with a separate team of NASA engineers and researchers at the University of California, Davis to develop small, carbon nanotube sensors that can detect dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a chemical compound produced when microscopic animals crush and consume the cells of equally tiny plants at the ocean’s surface. “Dimethyl sulfide is one of the compounds that give the ocean its unique smell. Oftentimes we’ll remark while working at sea, that the ocean smells different, alive, and that smell indicates ocean productivity,” says Adams. Adams, who has tracked thousands of seabirds at sea, hypothesizes that seabirds will change their flight behavior in response to differing concentrations of dimethyl sulfide. Areas with high concentrations of DMS likely have a healthy food web, including minuscule plants and animals that transfer the energy of the sun through the marine food chain to larger predators like fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Together, the DMS sensor and peer-to-peer network tag will allow Adams and his colleagues to better understand how the ocean environment influences seabird navigation, movement, and foraging. A strong link between DMS and seabird behavior could aid in the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/seabird-https:/www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/seabird-health-and-adaptive-management-and-adaptive-management">identification and conservation of key seabird habitats</a> and assist with <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc/science/seabird-ecology-and-marine-planning">marine spatial planning for offshore renewable energy</a>. <a href="/media/images/werc-biologists-water-dawn"></a>USGS wildlife biologist Josh Adams (right) and colleague head out on seabird surveys early in the morning. (Credit: Emily (Emma) Kelsey, USGS Western Ecological Research Center. (Public domain.) In the future, De La Cruz hopes to combine the new GPS tag technology developed with NASA with another USGS-NASA product: a tiny, 3-D printed battery developed in collaboration with Eben Paxton of the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pierc">USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center</a>. This technology would allow engineers to create their own battery design and produce their own device, rather than relying on preexisting parts. Perhaps someday, researchers will generate batteries so compact that they could fit on an insect. Results from this battery project bring De La Cruz’s goal to decrease the size of GPS tags closer to reality. With the new, miniature tags and networking technology, biologists and ecologists throughout the world can conduct more reliable research studies on wildlife in diverse ecosystems. From inland marshes to the open waters of the ocean, scientists will be able to learn more about the earth’s unique environment — with some help from the wildlife. This project is headed by NASA and the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/werc">USGS Western Ecological Research Center</a>, and funded by the USGS Innovation Center. Other partners include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Oregon State University, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of California, Davis. Listen to a <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/ames/nisv-podcast-Chad-Frost-Susan-de-La-Cruz">NASA podcast with Susan De La Cruz on this subject</a>. February 22, 2018 plaustsen@usgs.gov a3f1a668-52a3-4ce8-93ac-1c3f702f571f One of the first Black USGS geophysicists, pioneers subsurface research https://www.usgs.gov/news/one-first-black-usgs-geophysicists-pioneers-subsurface-research Early in his college career, U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Rufus Catchings became drawn to the mysteries that lie beneath the earth’s surface — and was determined to understand them. This interest began during the first geology conference he attended, while an undergraduate student at Appalachian State University, North Carolina. “I remember there was a huge debate that broke out about the sub-surface of the earth and whether there were faults in various locations,” said Catchings. “ I felt that it really wasn’t that difficult to solve. I thought they could’ve used geophysical techniques to answer those types of questions. Early on, I became very interested in the physics of the earth.” Sparked by this newfound passion, Catchings, one of the first African-American research geophysicists to join the USGS in 1979, started what was to become a much-lauded career in geophysical science. He began to advance the understanding of seismic activity with his groundbreaking sub-surface research. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Tent_Closeup.jpg?itok=bLVS6mgT"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Rocks.JPG?itok=GOgkEi3D"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Wideshot_Group.JPG?itok=ZK-REw2S"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Field_A.JPG?itok=wDYbTTjV"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Tent.JPG?itok=gY2LFlgF"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_camera.jpg?itok=g5MOPGNk"></a> His early work at USGS evaluated the structure of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Later, using seismic and other geophysical methods, he investigated subsurface structures, rock types, material properties, and active and potentially-active subsurface faults. This work was not only used within the geologic disciplines, but it was also used in hydrological subsurface research and research related to meteor and asteroid impacts on Earth. “I really wanted to understand the things beneath our feet, that we couldn’t see,” he said. “I wanted to have a method to be able to see what’s there — from water to minerals — and to understand, in general, how the earth works.” Early Life & Career A naturally inquisitive kid, Catchings grew up in a racially segregated North Carolina in the late 1950’s and 1960s. He credits his family for emphasizing the importance of obtaining an advanced education and then using that education to achieve his goals, despite the challenges of racism. He and his siblings were some of the first African-American students integrated into previously segregated schools, following the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Brown v. Board of Education legislation. “Education was really stressed by my parents — especially math and reading,” said Catchings, one of eight siblings. “My parents made sure all of us attended college and applied our particular skills.” Catchings completed his bachelor’s degree in Geology from Appalachian State University, master’s degree in Geophysics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Geophysics from Stanford University. He also did graduate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/RDC5.jpg?itok=iWVXpJSg"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/RDCgrad.jpg?itok=pP2lhp_-"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/RDC_JWC3.jpg?itok=96ztnCbx"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_walk.jpg?itok=_JnPO3S1"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Van.jpg?itok=eCps5joN"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Catchings_Group.jpg?itok=qPs0tjqa"></a> After joining the USGS, Catchings worked for the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado. Later, he joined the Earthquake Science Center (and its predecessors) in Menlo Park, California as a Research Geophysicist, where he works today. From 2005 until 2008, he served as the Center Director (previously called Chief Scientist) for the Earthquake Science Center. Catchings is known as an innovator of models that combine seismic data with other geophysical and geological data to help characterize the structure of faults. “Rufus was [also] an early pioneer of interdisciplinary research at the USGS,” said retired USGS seismologist Lucy Jones. “He worked with both hydrologists and seismologists to understand the geologic structures in the subsurface. His seismic profiles increased our understanding of the subsurface structures that confine our aquifers and the seismogenic faults.” His current work includes subsurface research in Beijing, China, Koyna, India, and Vancouver, Canada. Among the accolades for his work, Catchings has been named a Fellow by the Geological Society of America and has been awarded the Department of the Interior Superior Service Award and Unit Award for Excellence of Service, which recognizes significant achievements within natural science. Diversity in Science Fundamentally, Catchings believes proactive mentorship is the key avenue to guide students interested in the geoscience field. He also emphasizes the important role diversity plays in a healthy organization and values his role in encouraging prospective minority scientists to expand their exposure to scientific fields. “They may see people who mirror themselves and think, ‘Well if he can do it, I can do it too,’” he said. “Mentorship also helps students to see the end-game and provides them with a roadmap of what they need to do to get to where they’d like to be.” As a young researcher, Catchings was often the only African-American student in his programs. Catchings described the social and academic environment as racially segregated; leaving minority students to navigate on their own. He would often have to the take initiative to be included in study groups for assignments. “I would hope that some of the geoscientists coming up now would not have to face quite as much as I had to,” Catchings said. “My colleagues are starting to come from backgrounds where I’m not the first person of color they’ve interacted with, and that is beneficial to a more progressive working relationship.” Catchings is optimistic that more focused efforts in exposing underrepresented groups to the geosciences will be a part of bringing in more diversity. <a href="https://assets.usgs.gov/video/downloads/2018-02/rufus-catchings.mp4">Download this video</a>USGS geophysicist Dr. Rufus Catchings, brings insights to the importance of diversity and perseverance in the earth science field. <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:dkdavis@usgs.gov" href="mailto:dkdavis@usgs.gov">Donyelle K. Davis</a>, USGS(Public domain.) Continuing to Blaze the Trail Currently, Dr. Catchings continues his geophysical earthquake research, studying fault zones in Los Angeles, Beijing, and other places. He utilizes techniques called “PGV of Guided Waves” and “Vp/Vs Ratio Mapping” to precisely locate and identify faults. The former method locates faults at the surface using sensors to measure energy traveling within fault zones, and the latter method identifies subsurface faults using the ratio of P- to S-wave velocities. “Rufus’ work has proven to be a great benefit to geologists working in urban environments like Los Angeles. Because of the urban development, we are now able to see how past earthquakes have altered the landscape, and thus hone in on the location of active faults,” said USGS geologist Kate Scharer. “Using geophysical methods, Rufus and his team are able to provide this information. It adds a ton of useful data and it’s really cool!” <a href="/media/images/rufus-catchings-san-francisco-ca-golden-gate-bridge-2010"></a>Rufus Catchings in San Francisco, CA. (Golden Gate Bridge, 2010) (Credit: Rufus Catchings , USGS. Public domain.) February 16, 2018 dkdavis@usgs.gov 87589141-77e6-4da8-85d6-0438fc83a048 President Proposes $860 Million USGS Budget for FY2019 https://www.usgs.gov/news/president-proposes-860-million-fy19-budget-usgs President Donald Trump today proposed an $859.7 million Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) budget for the U.S. Geological Survey, which prioritizes effective stewardship of America’s natural resources and scientific inquiry. “The President’s proposed budget allows USGS to prioritize its mission of providing the nation reliable scientific information while also helping ensure American security and resource prosperity are paramount,” said Dr. Tim Petty, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. Conserving our land and water: The USGS seeks to understand the impacts to the Nation’s land, water and species challenges through scientific monitoring and research. The 2019 budget provides the following: Development of the Landsat 9 ground station, keeping pace with NASA satellite development in order to meet a fiscal year 2021 launch of Landsat 9 Monitoring of the National Water Census, which provides daily water budget estimates for small watersheds that enable resource managers to make near-real time, local management decisions with regard to water availability Furthering the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), which responds to growing needs for high-quality, three-dimensional topographic data representations of the Nation's natural and constructed features Monitoring wildlife health and detecting invasive species impact Generating revenue and utilizing our natural resources: Energy resources are a critical component of the Nation’s economy. The USGS provides science that helps inform stewardship of American energy resources to meet our security and economic needs. The 2019 USGS budget will support the following: Resource estimates of undiscovered, technically recoverable hydrocarbon resources present within Alaska’s North Slope Topographic and geological maps, geophysical and geochemical surveys, together with scientific research on mineral resources to produce resource assessments imperative to understanding the Nation’s mineral endowment Identifying domestic sources of critical minerals, including an initiative, the “Three Dimensional Mapping Economic Empowerment Program,” a comprehensive "shovel-ready" program to identify U.S. mineral resources that would reduce mineral import dependence Expanding outdoor recreation and access: USGS data and research support the hunting and recreational fishing sectors that generate $144 billion in expenditures annually and 480,000 American jobs. The 2019 budget will fund the following: Continued work with a vast array of partners to provide science support to management agencies designed to sustain harvest of game, waterfowl, fish, and furbearing animals for the hunting, fishing, and wildlife-related sporting and recreation needs of the public Continued studies in to the occurrences, origins, and health implications of pathogens and contaminants (such as harmful algal toxins, metals, and other compounds) in waters, rocks, soils, and dusts on public lands Fulfilling our trust and insular responsibilities: Combining traditional ecological knowledge with empirical studies allows the USGS and Native American governments, organizations, and people to increase their mutual understanding and respect for this land. In 2019, the USGS budget will support the following: Tribal self-determination and sovereignty by providing information, technical assistance, and training to Tribes, enabling them to address the complex natural resource issues they face throughout Native American lands Monitoring and research activities across the Nation including an extensive network of streamflow gages and groundwater monitoring stations; training and technical assistance; data management and quality control; Geographic Information Systems; fish and wildlife assessment and monitoring; development of models and decision-making tools Integration of tribal and indigenous ecological knowledge with more traditional science in management decisions and engagement in tribal outreach efforts Protecting our people and the border: USGS natural hazards science informs a broad range of disaster planning, situational awareness and response activities at local to global levels. The 2019 budget will enable the following: Modernizing the highest priority Alaska volcano monitoring networks with digital communication and instrumentation Continuing expansion of data collection networks that improve our capacity to provide information during extreme events. The USGS will continue to expand the present library of flood-inundation maps, which provide emergency officials the information needed to predict the extent of a flood hours or even days before it occurs Expanding use of Rapid Deployment Gages, temporary water-stage sensors with autonomous data-transmission capacity, which provide short-term water-level and meteorological data during an event for areas that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of flooding and storm surge Modernizing our organization and infrastructure for the next 100 years: The goal of the USGS is to balance mission delivery demands with adequate investments in operations and maintenance to sustain the portfolio in an appropriate condition befitting of our role as America’s stewards. The 2019 budget will enable the USGS to do the following: Continuing partnerships with State Geological Surveys and academic institutions for bedrock and surficial geological mapping to increase U.S. geological map coverage at a scale useable for energy and mineral exploration and raw material assessment Protecting its critical information assets from cyber exploitation and attack to ensure that employees and the public can rely on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the USGS’s data and information systems Implementing advanced technologies that will increase visibility into its information management and technology environment, improve protections around our high‐value information assets, and empower its workforce to better detect, respond, and recover from cyber‐attacks and breaches The USGS FY 2019 Budget at Justification is available <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/budget-planning-and-integration">here</a>, and additional details on the President's FY 2019 Budget are available on the <a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/presidents-117-billion-proposed-fy-2019-budget-interior-includes-legislation">Department’s website.</a> February 12, 2018 drewlapointe@usgs.gov d9fa3372-cf80-4f5c-963d-6a536bb59dbe January 23, 2018 M7.9 Gulf of Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami https://www.usgs.gov/news/january-23-2018-m79-gulf-alaska-earthquake-and-tsunami Four minutes later, Alaskans in coastal communities were awakened with blaring alarms when <a href="http://www.tsunami.gov/">NOAA’s National Tsunami Warning Center</a> sent out a Tsunami Warning for the state and the west coast of Canada based on the quake’s magnitude and its proximity to the coast. At the same time, a Tsunami Watch was issued for California, Oregon, and Washington. Ultimately, a small tsunami surge, less than one foot deep, was observed in Kodiak and smaller water-level increases occurred in other Alaskan coastal communities. A water-level rise of a few inches was detected four and a half hours later in <a href="https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/waterlevels.html?id=9416841&units=standard&bdate=20180123&edate=20180123&timezone=GMT&datum=MLLW&interval=6&action=">Arena Cove</a>, California. Three hours after the initial tsunami advisory was issued, NOAA canceled it. <a href="/media/images/observed-water-levels-arena-cove-calif-january-23-2018"></a>Point Arena tide gauge at Arena Cove recorded a small tsunami several hours after the earthquake in Alaska. Additional small fluctuations in the water level continued to occur.(Public domain.) Historical Large Alaskan Quakes The first thing many people think of when they learn there has been a significant earthquake in Alaska are the infamous 20th century quakes that occurred in the Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone, such as the magnitude 9.2 <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/alaska1964/">Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami</a> of 1964. Subduction zone quakes have the potential to generate very strong ground shaking, and accompanying dangerous tsunamis as occurred in 1964. After U.S. Geological Survey scientists analyzed the data recorded on the network of seismographs, they quickly realized, with some relief, that the Jan 23 event happened on a <a href="https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/deform/gfaults.html">strike-slip fault</a>, and not in the subduction zone. The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake generated not only a very large tsunami that traveled across the Pacific Ocean, but the strong shaking also triggered undersea landslides, resulting in deadly local tsunamis that wiped out entire coastal villages. <a href="/media/images/location-jan-23-2018-quake-relative-historical-ruptures"></a>Location of the January 23, 2018 earthquake (red star) relative to the 1938, 1946, and 1964 earthquake rupture locations (pink-shaded areas).(Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/jan-23-epicenter-and-locations-historical-quakes"></a>Location of Jan 23, 2018 eartthquake epicenter (orange star) and locations of historical quakes (white dots) in the area since 1900.(Public domain.) The January 23 Tsunami Earthquakes in the past that have generated large tsunamis — such as the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/alaska1964/">1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami</a>, the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/official20110311054624120_30#executive">2011 M 9.1 Tohoku earthquake</a>, and the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/official20041226005853450_30#executive">2004 M 9.1 Sumatra earthquake</a> — caused significant vertical deformation of the seafloor, and thus a large<a href="https://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami/sumatraEQ/"> amount of displaced water</a>. The January 23 Alaska quake, however, was the result of strike-slip faulting within the shallow lithosphere of the Pacific Plate (commonly known as the Earth’s crust). Because the January 23rd quake was generated by a <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/animations/strikeslip.php">strike-slip motion</a>, only a small tsunami was generated, and the risk of a more significant tsunami was low. Strike-slip earthquakes involve horizontal motion across a fault, and do not generate significant uplift or subsidence. This means they do not, in turn, cause the significant displacement of the water column above the earthquake rupture required to generate a large tsunami. <a href="/media/images/block-diagram-a-strike-slip-fault"></a>Block diagram of a Strike-Slip fault.(Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/block-diagram-a-subduction-zone"></a>Block diagram of a subduction zone when two oceanic plates converge.(Public domain.) Although strike-slip faults are less likely to cause vertical deformation of the seafloor and displace large amounts of water to generate a large tsunami, they can still be very dangerous. Any strong earthquake shaking could potentially dislodge submarine landslides and trigger a deadly local tsunami. Consequently, it was very important that the people in Kodiak, Homer spit, and parts of Seward evacuated when they received the tsunami warning, and that the police advised them to stay in place until the tsunami warning was cancelled. What Did People Feel? A few people on Kodiak Island felt moderate to strong shaking, but most Alaskans felt only weak to light shaking; because this earthquake occurred almost over 225 miles offshore from mainland Alaska, its impact was minimized. <a href="/media/images/shakemap-jan-23-2018-earthquake"></a>Shaking intensity: The lavender colors on the map represent weak shaking, and the blue to turquoise colors represent light shaking. Areas nearer the coast (and closer to the epicenter) experienced slightly stronger shaking than areas farther away.(Public domain.) For the Jan. 23 earthquake, the USGS “Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response” (<a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/realtime/product/losspager/us2000cmy3/us/1516834585629/onepager.pdf">PAGER</a>), alert level was “green,” indicating low probabilities of fatalities and low probabilities of significant economic losses. PAGER combines measurements of shaking with demographic and infrastructure information to estimate damage and loss of life probabilities. <a href="/media/images/usgs-pager-assessment-summary-january-23-alaska-earthquake"></a>USGS PAGER assessment summary for January 23 Alaska earthquake.(Public domain.) Tectonic Setting Near the location of the January 23 earthquake, the Pacific (tectonic) Plate is moving to the north-northwest, toward the North American Plate at a rate of approximately 59 mm/year (a little over 2 inches per year). The Pacific Plate subducts, or sinks, beneath the North American Plate at a deep-sea trench that defines the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone on the seafloor, about 90 km (56 miles) to the northwest of the Jan. 23 earthquake epicenter. The location and mechanism of the January 23rd earthquake show it occurred on a fault system within the Pacific Plate, about 16 miles deep, rather than on the actual plate boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates further to the northwest. Far-Away Effects of Large Earthquakes In addition to the well-known ground shaking, tsunamis, and other hazards, large earthquakes can produce effects very far away from their source location. Large <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/eq-gw/">quakes can cause well-water levels in areas far away</a> from the quake to either drop or rise, depending on the local geology near the well, but not all wells show this effect. Scientists are tracking these water-well changes so they can learn more about the Earth’s structure near a well, and the geophysical properties of how earthquake energy travels through the Earth’s crust. More than 3,500 miles from the Gulf of Alaska Earthquake’s epicenter, <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/alaska-earthquake-rattles-florida-s-groundwater-plumbing">water levels at a USGS groundwater well</a> near Madison, Florida spiked by about two inches, while levels at the USGS groundwater well near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dropped by an inch and a half. Both recovered to their previous levels within an hour. January 23rd was not the first time a major Alaska earthquake caused groundwater effects far from its epicenter. Water-level fluctuations caused by the magnitude 9.2 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake were recorded in 716 wells in the United States; the earthquake also was registered on water-level recorders in many other countries. The 2004 northern Sumatra Earthquake, and even the smaller 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake also affected groundwater level in wells far away. Hydrogeologic responses to earthquakes <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-096-03/pdf/fs-096-03.pdf">have been known for decades</a>, and have occurred both close to, and thousands of miles away from earthquake epicenters. Water wells have become turbid, dry or begun flowing, discharge of springs and ground water to streams have increased and new springs have formed, and well and surface-water quality have become degraded as a result of earthquakes. <a href="/media/images/hydrographs-two-usgs-groundwater-monitoring-sites-florida"></a>Hydrographs from two USGS groundwater monitoring sites in Florida show groundwater levels affected by the seismic waves from the M7.9 earthquake near Kodiak, Alaska. (Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/hydrographs-indicating-possible-groundwater-level-changes-due-quake"></a>Examples of hydrographs indicating possible groundwater level changes due to January 23, 2018, Gulf of Alaska M7.9 earthquake. (These data are <a data-cke-saved-href="https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/eq-gw/#disc" href="https://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/eq-gw/#disc">preliminary or provisional</a> and are subject to revision.) These provisional data are presented in a combined, simplified figure to highlight the observed change in water levels associated with the earthquake. Note that water levels have not been corrected for barometric pressure and Earth tide affects(Public domain.) Aftershocks There will likely be vigorous aftershocks in the magnitude 4-5 range over the weeks and months following the January 23, 2018 earthquake, with aftershocks in the M6 range also possible, but less frequent. There is a small, but non-zero chance of the M 7.9 January 23, 2018 earthquake triggering a nearby event of comparable size or larger. <a href="/media/images/aftershocks-m40-and-larger-within-48-hours-after-12318-quake"></a>60 aftershocks greater than or equal to M4.0 occurred in the first 48 hours after the mainshock. The blue dot is the location of the main Jan 23 earthquake. Yellow and orange dots are aftershock epicenters.(Public domain.) January 30, 2018 Leslie C. Gordon d32d3279-cb25-4057-bd67-be5f3fd7c9fb USGS Geologists Join Efforts in Montecito to Assess Debris-Flow Aftermath https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-geologists-join-efforts-montecito-assess-debris-flow-aftermath Days after fatal debris flows devastated Southern California’s Montecito community, a team of U.S. Geological Survey geologists joined county, state, and federal partners to survey and evaluate the aftermath. <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2004/3072/pdf/fs2004-3072.pdf">Commonly known as mudslides or mudflows, </a> debris flows are slurries of water, rock, soil, vegetation, and boulders with the consistency of wet concrete that can move rapidly downhill and down channel. USGS geologists from the <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/">Landslide Hazards Program</a> and <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/contactus/pasadena/">Earthquake Science Center</a> deployed to Santa Barbara County to support a geohazard assessment of the Montecito area; led by the California Geological Survey, with the support of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). “We’re mapping the area that’s been inundated by debris flows so that we are able to get some sense of the spatial extent of the area debris flows impacted, as well as the magnitude of the flows,” said USGS geologist Dennis Staley. “We will also be able to produce a forensic reconstruction of what happened throughout the event.” <a href="https://assets.usgs.gov/video/downloads/2018-01/montecito-debrisflow-aftermath.mp4">Download this video</a> A team of USGS geologists provide science support following Montecito post-fire debris-flow event. <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:dkdavis@usgs.gov" href="mailto:dkdavis@usgs.gov">Donyelle K. Davis</a>,(Public domain) Based on the information the group collects from the area, they can estimate the velocity and other dynamics of the flow to better understand and forecast how similar events might behave in the future. Real-time Techniques Help to Monitor Hazards The Dec. 4, 2017 Thomas fire, Southern California's largest wildfire on record, burned more than 280,000 acres across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for nearly a month. After the wildfire, the USGS completed a <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/detail.php?objectid=178">Post-Fire Debris-Flow hazard assessment </a>to determine debris-flow susceptibility. The hazard assessment uses information on burn severity, topography, and soil characteristics to estimate the likelihood and volume of debris flows in response to a design storm. The maps need to be created rapidly after the fire, but before the first storm, in order to provide as much time as possible to develop emergency response plans. The maps are also used by the <a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/main.php?suite=hydrology&page=debris-flow_project">National Weather Service offices in southern California</a> to inform debris-flow and flash-flood alerts. “In this case, the maps showed that many drainages across the fire are highly susceptible to debris flows even during a garden-variety storm,” said USGS hydrologist Jason Kean. “The burst of rain that triggered the debris flows was more than three times greater than the design storm that was used to create the maps.” According to the maps, the Montecito area, as well as other parts of the Thomas Fire, may remain susceptible to flooding and debris for the next two years. Weeks after the fire, which destroyed thousands of structures, heavy rainfall eroded the burned areas — saturating the Montecito community with between 3-5 inches of rain. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/SwimmingPool_MontecitoDebrisFlow_Kean.jpg?itok=JlZk3cVi"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/deshot_Montecito_Hills_MontecitoDebrisFlow_Kean%20.jpg?itok=cgtKTo1n"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/SanYsidoroCreek_MontecitoDebrisFlow%20.jpg?itok=RCrPGOMK"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/WideShot_MontecitoDebrisFlow_Kean.jpg?itok=NRmJjqKh"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Home_DebrisFlow_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=OvuWw0fI"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Scharer_Boulder_MontecitoDebrisFlow%20.jpg?itok=UFc9PMIh"></a> Areas of steep topography subjected to intense rainfall, following a large fire, are particularly susceptible to damaging debris-flow episodes. Debris flows can start on steep hillsides as shallow landslides that liquefy and accelerate to speeds that are typically about 10 mph, but can exceed 35 mph. However, in recently burned areas, debris flows may also initiate from erosion on hillsides and from stream channels. The flows then reach canyon mouths or flatter ground, where the material spreads over a broad area, sometimes accumulating in thick deposits that can wreak havoc in developed areas. “Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur following very short bursts of intense rainfall,” said Jonathan Godt, USGS Landslide Hazards Program Coordinator. “Because debris flows move fast with great momentum they, can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures, and endanger human life.” Boots-on-Ground Evaluations Among the remains of demolished infrastructure, the team of scientists trudged through miles of thick, deep mud, rubble and wreckage to map the edges of the flow. They recorded flow features such as deposit thickness, size of boulders and inundation depth on GPS-connected electronic tablets. The location data are used to help emergency responders and will be used to model the flow. After a debris flow event, satellite imagery helps document the scope of the event, but in order to provide the best data to emergency responders and to learn from this event, scientists must physically canvass the scene. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/KateMeasureBoulder_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=NMxAnvCN"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/DennisStaley_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=PQ0AjxHP"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/KateScharer_Debris_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=W891UOX7"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/JanisWalksEdgeInundation_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=Q6IEpmnW"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/ScreenShot_GIS_MontecitoDebrisFlow_Hernandez.jpg%20.jpg?itok=IYPqBxZj"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/edge_debrisflow_Montecito.jpg?itok=5cRCbXZW"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/KenHudnet_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=QuR10G-6"></a> “It’s important for scientists to be in the field shortly following the debris flow to collect perishable measurements of the depth, character and perimeter of the debris flows,” said research geologist Dr. Kate Scharer. “By working on the ground, we can evaluate the features that influence how the debris flow spreads across the land and then use these data in models to inform federal, state and local partners how future events can unfold.” For this project, the scientists were also focused on understanding how the terrain controlled the path of the debris flows, and how the area inundated by the debris flow deposits was different or similar than what was estimated using flood models. Partner Collaborations Advance Hazard Understanding Understanding and mapping post-fire debris flow inundation serves multiple objectives for all organizations involved. The partnership between<a href="https://www.countyofsb.org/emergencyinfo.sbc"> Santa Barbara County</a>, CAL FIRE’s Watershed Protection Program, the disaster incident command, <a href="http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs">CGS</a> and <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/">USGS</a>, will meet immediate and long-term needs. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Group_Wideshot_%20MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=g3H7NToM"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Staley_Hernandez_Coe_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=c0OS9oNv"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/JanisHernandez_Debris_MontencitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=Y7D7XbiS"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Infrastructure_%20MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=Jx5SmMMv"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/KateandDennis_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=0xw2de5C"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/CloseUp_Measure_MontecitoDebrisFlow.jpg?itok=fSwXnMIN"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Creek_Janis_%20MontecitoDebrisFlow%20.jpg?itok=8k2okBtU"></a> After the team identifies areas that were inundated by the January 9, 2018 event, as well as areas that could be inundated in future, the data collected now will be used in a long-term effort to develop models of debris-flow runout and inundation. “This effort assists Santa Barbara County and the State of California with additional tools to map post-wildfire landslide hazards in areas at risk,” said Jeremy Lancaster, CGS Regional Geologic Mapping Program Manager. “The results of this information can also be used in post-wildfire hazards evaluations and risk reduction efforts in California, and may be broadly applicable to large regions of the United States.” <a href="/media/images/usgs-and-cgs-geologists-montecito"></a> USGS geologists from the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/" href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/">Landslide Hazards Program</a> and <a data-cke-saved-href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/contactus/pasadena/" href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/contactus/pasadena/">Earthquake Science Center</a> deployed to Santa Barbara County to support a geohazard assessment of the Montecito area. This effort was led by the California Geological Survey, with the support of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).(Credit: Donyelle K. Davis , USGS . Public domain.) More Resources & Information <a href="http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/hydrology/files/DebrisFlowSurvivalGuide.pdf">Post Wildfire, Flash Flood and Debris Flow Guide </a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/">Post-Fire Debris-Flow Hazards</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-176-97/fs-176-97.pdf">Debris Flow Hazard in The United States </a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/">Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazards</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3107/pdf/FS-3107.pdf">Southern California Landslides: An Overview</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3106/">Southern California—Wildfires and Debris Flows</a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/learn/">Learn More About Landslides</a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/learn/ls101.php">Landslides 101</a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/rtmonitoring/">Real-time Monitoring for Potential Landslides</a> <a href="https://landslides.usgs.gov/learn/prepare.php">What To Do and Look For During and Immediately After Heavy Rains</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0071-00/fs-0071-00.pdf">Landslide Hazards</a> <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0072-00/fs-0072-00.pdf">Peligros de Deslizamientos</a> January 26, 2018 dkdavis@usgs.gov 91e14229-0c8a-479c-8dc3-0dfdb8e6f50e Magnitude 7.9 Earthquake Gulf of Alaska https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-79-earthquake-gulf-alaska A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska on January 23, 2018 at 12:32 am Alaska time (09:32UTC). Visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000cmy3#executive">USGS event page</a> for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000cmy3#pager">USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website</a>. <a href="/media/images/regional-map-gulf-alaska-earthquake"></a>USGS regional map of the January 23, 2018 earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska(Public domain.) If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000cmy3#dyfi">“USGS Did You Feel It?” website for this event</a>. For information about tsunami watches, warnings or advisories, visit the <a href="http://www.tsunami.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tsunami website</a>. The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500. Learn more about the <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/">USGS Earthquake Hazards Program</a> January 23, 2018 dnoseral@usgs.gov 4766af9b-2e39-4960-962b-8cc3bee3aa07 Scientists, volunteers rescue about 1,000 cold-stunned sea turtles https://www.usgs.gov/news/florida-scientists-volunteers-rescue-about-1000-cold-stunned-sea-turtles <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-4"></a>When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), cold-blooded sea turtles, like this Kemp’s ridley, can become cold-stunned. They are unable to swim or even raise their heads out of the water to breathe, which can lead to drowning. Photo by Margaret Lamont, USGS (Public domain.) On the icy cold shores of Florida’s St. Joseph Bay, a team of volunteers and wildlife experts have rescued an estimated 1,000 cold-stunned sea turtles since January 2 in what is believed to be Florida’s second-largest mass cold-stunning event of the 21st century, according to U.S. Geological Survey research biologist Margaret Lamont. Lamont has been coordinating the turtle rescues in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. About 50 people – about 30 volunteers from the Florida Coastal Conservancy, employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eglin Air Force Base, the Florida FWCC, Gulf World Marine Park, and two more USGS scientists – have taken part in the rescues Jan. 2-7, when about 700 turtles were rescued, and Jan. 17-19, when about 300 more were brought in. So many cold-stunned turtles have been rescued from the bay’s waters and mud flats that Gulf World, where the turtles are taken to rest and recover, is full and can only take in injured animals, she said. A rented house where Lamont and two scientists conduct their research was full of turtles, inside and outside, on Friday, Jan. 19. The vast majority of the turtles rescued were threatened green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but the teams also brought in endangered Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii), threatened loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and one endangered hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-2"></a>Eglin Air Force Base biologist Kathy Gault (left) and Dave Seay (right), a contract biologist working with the USGS, hauled cold-stunned sea turtles to safety along the icy shore of Cape San Blas. Scientists and licensed volunteers walked the beaches and marshes, loading cold-stunned sea turtles into kayaks. Once full, kayaks could weigh more than 400 pounds and had to be dragged two to three miles to shoreline access points. Photo by Margaret Lamont, USGS. (Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-3"></a>Scientists and volunteers use nets to scoop the immobile sea turtles out of St. Joseph Bay before transporting them to safety. Photo by USGS. (Public domain.) “I’m very happy with how we’ve been able to minimize the mortality to the animals,” said Lamont, who has been studying sea turtles in Florida since 1995. “And I’m very proud of how everyone has come together to get it done. I’m especially proud of the volunteers who are out here in the cold and mud, doing exhausting work for no reward and often no recognition.” When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), cold-blooded sea turtles’ metabolisms slow so much that they become unable to swim or even lift their heads above the water to breathe. Without warmth or help, they drown. Every winter, when strong cold fronts sweep through the Florida Panhandle, volunteers and scientists rescue about 30 to 40 cold-stunned turtles. In 2010, a statewide cold snap led to the rescue of about 1,700 turtles, the largest such rescue in this century, Lamont said. This winter, so many animals have needed rescuing because the back-to-back cold spells have lasted so long. And middle-of-the-night low temperatures have coincided with high tides that washed the turtles into the shallows, Lamont said. St. Joseph Bay is home to a dense population of overwintering sea turtles, Lamont said. “It’s perfect habitat for them. It has some of the most pristine sea grass beds in Florida where they can feed, cut through by deep channels where they can escape from predators,” she said. In cold weather, turtles normally leave the shallows for deeper water that doesn’t turn cold so quickly – but if the cold lasts long enough, even those depths can fall below 50 degrees. Meanwhile strong winds can blow the sea turtles onto the coastal mudflats where they become stranded. <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-0"></a>USGS scientist Margaret Lamont measures a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle recovered from the cold waters of St. Joseph Bay. Rescued sea turtles are weighed, measured and marked with an identifier, and are examined to determine if they need medical attention. Photo by USGS. (Public domain.) The rescue teams work by boat, with USGS, USFWS and Florida FWCC scientists using nets to scoop cold-stunned turtles out of the bay, and on foot. On the bay’s Cape San Blas, teams of scientists, wildlife workers and specially-trained and licensed volunteers walk the beaches and marshes, picking up cold-stunned turtles from the shoreline and loading them onto kayaks. When fully loaded with turtles, the kayaks may weigh 400 pounds or more, “and the only access points are two or three miles apart,” Lamont said. “So people are out there in the cold and mud, with harnesses around their chests, pulling the kayaks across the mud flats,” Lamont said. “It’s exhausting. It’s really tough. And it’s really inspiring to see that people are willing to do it to save these animals.” The turtles are weighed, measured, and marked with an identifier, and examined to determine whether they need medical care. If they don’t, a few hours in sunlight or another warm space is usually enough to revive them, Lamont said. Warmer weather was due to return on the night of Friday, January 19, so Lamont expected the rescues to end that evening. Weather permitting, most of the turtles sheltering at Gulf World Marine Park were scheduled to be released back into bay waters on Saturday, January 20, according to the marine park. <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-1"></a>USGS scientist Margaret Lamont, who has studied sea turtles in Florida since 1995, carries a cold-stunned green sea turtle from the mud flats of St. Joseph Bay. Photo by USGS. (Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/rescuing-sea-turtles-cold-5"></a>David Seay, a contract biologist working with the USGS, holds a green sea turtle that is recovering from the effects of cold-stunning in St. Joseph Bay. Photo by Margaret Lamont, USGS. (Public domain.) January 19, 2018 hdewar@usgs.gov de3936a1-7759-4cd0-954f-1625d226656f USGS Scientist Mobilizes with Recon Team to Learn from Mexico's Earthquake Early Warning System https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-scientist-mobilizes-recon-team-learn-mexicos-earthquake-early-warning-system A few weeks after a <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ar20#executive">magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck </a><a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ar20#executive">central Mexico</a><a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ar20#executive"> on Sept. 19, 2017</a> — leaving hundreds dead and dozens of buildings destroyed — USGS seismologist Elizabeth Cochran and a team of experts mobilized to Mexico City to assess the performance of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZMAJzrcZqw" target="_blank">Mexico Seismic Warning System (Sistema de Alerta Sísmica Mexicano or SASMEX)</a> and the public’s perception of the alerts. In the company of only Japan and Taiwan, Mexico is one of few countries equipped with a seismic warning system that currently broadcasts publicly. Mexico has been broadcasting in a public regional capacity since 1993 via the Mexico Seismic Warning System, which currently has more than 90 sensors in central and southern Mexico. <a href="/media/images/centro-de-instrumentaci-n-y-registro-s-smico-cires"></a>The EERI team visited Centro de Instrumentación y Registro Sísmico (CIRES), which operates SASMEX(Credit: Dr. Elizabeth Cochran, USGS. Public domain.) Although no one can reliably predict earthquakes, today’s technology is now advanced enough to rapidly detect seismic waves as an earthquake begins and send alerts to surrounding areas before damaging shaking arrives. “Mexico is one of just a few number of places around the world that has a warning system and this was also one of the rare times an early warning system had been activated for a significant earthquake,” said Cochran. “We were interested in how people reacted to the alerts and their overall perceptions of the system in the immediate aftermath of this destructive earthquake.” Discussions the team had included the technical development of the system, and challenges to ensure the alerts have the maximum benefit to the population of Mexico. “We wanted to learn from the experiences of SASMEX in order to apply some of those lessons to the earthquake early warning system we are developing here in the U.S.,” Cochran said. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/IMG_20171005_135412.jpg?itok=qL6MtfRa"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/EERIteamof4.JPG?itok=HQlYZr5e"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/SASMEX.jpg?itok=n--E-3fh"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/IMG_20171003_151123.jpg?itok=ogWWq2re"></a> The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute selected Cochran to join their reconnaissance team of recognized expert scientists to assess the warning system’s performance. The team also included Dr. Richard Allen (University of California, Berkeley), Dr. Scott Miles (University of Washington), and Diego Otegui (University of Delaware). Earthquake Aftermath: Recon Team Studies System Performance Upon arrival to Mexico City, the EERI team visited the Centro de Instrumentación y Registro Sísmico (CIRES) that operates SASMEX. There, they learned details about how the system performed, including when alerts were issued to Mexico City during the magnitude 7.1 quake. The system issued an alert 3-5 seconds after the initial seismic wave arrivals, which were strongly felt throughout the system. The team spent several days visiting a series of locations, including a private school equipped with a dedicated siren system since 1993. The school experienced significant damage to two buildings on their campus, which were the administrative and preschool structures. During the earthquake, the teachers and students began evacuation as soon as shaking began but were unable to complete evacuations due to the strength of shaking. They chose to shelter in place and no injuries occurred at the school. <a href="/media/images/dr-elizabeth-cochran-cires-office-mexcio-city"></a>Dr. Elizabeth Cochran visited the Centro de Instrumentación y Registro Sísmico (CIRES) in Mexico City. The group operates SASMEX, Mexico's earthquake early warning system. (Credit: Dr. Elizabeth Cochran, USGS. Public domain.) The recon team also interviewed dozens of locals -- from Uber drivers to business owners --to understand what they expected from the system, in addition to how they responded to the alert. The warning came only after earthquake shaking began because the epicenter was so close to the city. “Despite the late warning in Mexico City for the nearby M7.1 earthquake, people view the early warning system as necessary and valuable. They feel that since the technical capability exists to issue warnings, it should be used. It doesn’t prevent all damage or losses from earthquakes, and we knew that, but it does provide information to people,” Cochran said. “And, it turns out to also be a useful tool for strengthening their earthquake awareness and response to earthquakes.” Coincidentally, the Sept. 19, 2017, 7.1-magnitude Mexico earthquake occurred two hours after a national earthquake drill to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. That devastating 1985 quake was what prompted the implementation of SASMEX. <a href="/media/images/seismic-warning-system-sistema-de-alerta-s-smica-mexicano-or-sasmex"></a>Siren system for Seismic Warning System (Sistema de Alerta Sísmica Mexicano or SASMEX) (Credit: Dr. Elizabeth Cochran, USGS. Public domain.) The earthquake occurred only a short time after the sirens were sounded for the national exercise, but since shaking started prior to the alert sounding there was no confusion that this alert was an extension of the drill. People noted that they reacted more quickly when shaking started because the recent drill reminded them how to respond during shaking or when the siren sounds. U.S. Earthquake Early Warning: ShakeAlert Nearly 50 million Americans are at risk due to earthquakes on the West Coast of the United States. Massive earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone or the San Andreas Fault system could cause billions of dollars in damage and cost thousands of lives. “When fully operational, the <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2014/3083/pdf/fs2014-3083.pdf">ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system</a> will save lives and reduce injuries and property damage,” said Robert de Groot, Coordinator for Communication, Education, and Outreach for the USGS ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Project. The USGS ShakeAlert system does not yet support public warnings, but in the near future a limited rollout will enable selected early adopters to develop pilot implementations that take automatic protective actions or notify trained personnel. The goal is to demonstrate the system’s utility and develop technologies that pave the way for broader use. Learn More Published report from reconnaissance team: <a href="http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6367/1111">http://science.sciencemag.org/content/358/6367/1111</a> Other resources: <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ar20#executive">https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000ar20#executive</a> <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/archive/product/poster/20170919/us/1506025242898/poster.pdf">https://earthquake.usgs.gov/archive/product/poster/20170919/us/1506025242898/poster.pdf</a> January 18, 2018 dkdavis@usgs.gov f9981c23-6c91-4b53-9f45-872a3941e63a Re-Assessing Alaska's Energy Frontier https://www.usgs.gov/news/re-assessing-alaskas-energy-frontier The <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20173088">new USGS assessment</a> estimates 8.7 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources. This is a more than sixfold increase from the previous USGS estimates in the region, which include parts of the 2005 Central North Slope assessment and the 2010 NPR-A assessment. <a href="/media/images/npr-a-assessment-map"></a>This map shows the assessment units of the USGS assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and adjacent state and Tribal lands and waters.(Public domain.) Driven by Discoveries The USGS decision to reassess the NPR-A came after several industry announcements of potential large discoveries in the area, much greater than previously thought. The Pikka and Horseshoe oil discoveries near the Colville River delta just outside NPR-A were announced in 2015 and 2017. Industry announcements suggest that the two discoveries 21 miles apart likely are in the same oil pool, which may hold more than 1 billion barrels of recoverable oil. “Advances in technology and our understanding of petroleum geology are constantly moving forward,” said Walter Guidroz, program coordinator of the USGS Energy Resources Program. “That’s why the USGS re-evaluates and updates our assessments, to give decision-makers the best available science to manage our natural resources.” Industry announced the discovery of the Willow oil pool in the Nanushuk Formation in NPR-A in 2017 with estimated resources of more than 300 million barrels of oil. Multiple wells have been announced to be drilled during the 2017-2018 winter drilling season at both Pikka-Horseshoe and Willow to further delineate these discoveries. Industry announced an oil discovery in the deeper Torok Formation at Smith Bay, less than one mile offshore from NPR-A, in 2016 to hold more than 1 billion barrels of oil. Another oil discovery in the Torok Formation was announced in 2015 at the Cassin prospect in NPR-A, not far from the Willow discovery. No plans for additional industry drilling have yet been announced at either Smith Bay or Cassin. <a href="/media/images/permafrost-national-petroleum-reserve-alaska"></a>Permafrost forms a grid-like pattern in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, a 22.8 million acre region managed by the Bureau of Land Management on Alaska's North Slope. USGS has periodically assessed oil and gas resource potential there. These assessments can be found <a data-cke-saved-href="https://energy.usgs.gov/RegionalStudies/Alaska/NPRA.aspx" href="https://energy.usgs.gov/RegionalStudies/Alaska/NPRA.aspx">here</a>. (Credit: David Houseknecht, USGS. Public domain.) Uncertainty at the Frontier’s Edge Although the USGS has a range of potential for the new estimates of oil and gas resources, there is significant uncertainty with these values. Until further wells are drilled and oil production is initiated, it is difficult to be certain about the resource potential. Nevertheless, a sufficient amount of data is available to confirm that the potential size of oil pools in the Nanushuk and Torok Formations is six times larger than previously thought. Prior to 2015, about 150 exploration wells had penetrated the Nanushuk and Torok Formations, and oil discoveries were limited to a few small oil pools (less than 10 million barrels) in stratigraphic traps and one larger oil pool (more than 70 million barrels) in a structural trap. The new USGS assessment of the Nanushuk and Torok Formations estimated that oil and gas resources are not uniformly distributed across the region, and divided each formation into three assessment units. These assessment units were defined based on geological character documented using data from seismic-reflection surveys, exploration wells, and outcrops. This assessment did not include rocks older than the Torok Formation in NPR-A because those rocks have not been penetrated by exploration drilling since previously assessed in 2010, and thus no new information is available about their oil and gas potential. The 2010 assessment of those older rocks in NPR-A estimated that they hold 86 million barrels of oil and nearly 15 trillion cubic feet of gas. <a href="/media/images/fish-creek-watershed-national-petroleum-reserve-alaska"></a>Fish Creek wanders through the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, a 22.8 million acre region managed by the Bureau of Land Management on Alaska's North Slope. USGS has periodically assessed oil and gas resource potential there. These assessments can be found <a data-cke-saved-href="https://energy.usgs.gov/RegionalStudies/Alaska/NPRA.aspx" href="https://energy.usgs.gov/RegionalStudies/Alaska/NPRA.aspx">here</a>. (Credit: David Houseknecht, USGS. Public domain.) Start with Science USGS assessments are for undiscovered, technically recoverable resources. Undiscovered resources are those that are estimated to exist based on geologic knowledge and theory, while technically recoverable resources are those that can be produced using currently available technology and industry practices. These assessments of oil and gas resources follow a publicly available, peer-reviewed methodology that is used for all USGS conventional resource assessments. That allows resource managers, decision-makers and others to make apples-to-apples comparisons across all of the Nation’s petroleum-producing basins. In addition, USGS periodically reassesses basins to ensure that the latest trends in industry production, new discoveries, or updates in our understanding of the geology are reflected in the USGS resource estimates. The 2017 USGS National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska assessment can be found <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20173088">here</a>. For more information on USGS oil and gas assessments, please visit our Energy Resources Program <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/">website</a>, sign up for our <a href="https://energy.usgs.gov/GeneralInfo/Newsletter.aspx">newsletter</a>, and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/usgsenergy">Twitter</a>. December 22, 2017 apdemas@usgs.gov 832b922c-0547-4ca2-8f0a-e36cd1c4c93f Critical Minerals of the United States https://www.usgs.gov/news/critical-minerals-united-states From the high-tech devices we use to access the information superhighway to the cars and trucks we use to drive the freeways, from the urban jungle to rural farms, every aspect of our lives relies on minerals. Thus, access to sufficient supplies of these minerals is a crucial part of keeping our economy and our security running. In this new volume, entitled <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1802">Critical Minerals of the United States</a>, USGS geologists provide the latest and greatest on the geology and resources of 23 mineral commodities deemed critical to the economy and security of the United States. This work is meant to provide decision-makers, researchers, and economists with the tools they need to make informed choices about the mineral mix that fuels our society. <a href="/media/images/computer-chip-comparison"></a>The number of elements used in computer chip technology has changed: 12 in the 1980s, 16 in the 1990s, and more than 60 by the 2000s. (Public domain.) What is Critical? USGS tracks the industries of about <a href="https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/">88 different mineral commodities</a>, but not all of these are considered critical. So what makes the 23 in this report critical? Mineral commodities that have important uses and no viable substitutes, yet face potential disruption in supply, are defined as critical to the Nation’s economic and national security. A mineral commodity’s importance and the nature of its supply chain can change with time, such that a mineral commodity that may have been considered critical 25 years ago may not be critical now, and one considered critical now may not be so in the future. A good example of this is aluminum. <a href="https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/aluminum/">Aluminum </a>has always been one of the most common elements in the Earth’s crust, but it has not always been so easily obtained. In fact, the ceilings of the Library of Congress and the crown of the Washington Monument were once covered in aluminum as a symbol of status, because aluminum was worth more than silver. However, once scientists figured out how to extract aluminum from bauxite ore, aluminum suddenly became much easier to produce, and its value plummeted in turn. As Time Goes By This report updates another<a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp820"> USGS report from 1973</a>, which was published when many of the commodities that are covered in this new volume were only of minor importance. Today, advanced technologies have increased the demand for and production of mineral commodities for nearly all elements in the periodic table. For instance, in the 1970s, <a href="https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/rare_earths/">rare-earth elements</a> had few uses outside of some specialty fields, and were produced mostly in the United States. Today, rare-earth elements are integral to nearly all high-end electronics and are produced almost entirely in China. Since 1973, there has also been a significant increase in knowledge about geologic and environmental issues related to production and use. This report addresses the sustainable development of each mineral commodity in order that the current needs of the Nation can be met without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. For each mineral commodity, the authors address how the commodity is used, the location of identified resources and their distribution nationally and globally, the state of current geologic knowledge, potential for finding additional deposits, and geoenvironmental issues that may be related to the production and uses of these mineral commodities. Access the report <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1802">here</a>. Meet the Minerals So what are the 23 minerals and why are they critical? Read on: <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Tantalite.jpg?itok=xaf6SNs9"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/fluorite-telluride-sample-Cripple-Creek-CO.jpg?itok=5ry9r06p"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Stibnite-IMG_9200.jpg?itok=tSmgnU8y"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Spiegeleisen.jpg?itok=CI6caX-p"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Selenium_in_sandstone_Westwater_Canyon_Section_23_Mine_Grants%2C_New_Mexico.jpg?itok=2OQxvYT3"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Platinum-nugget.jpg?itok=EVvSObEx"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Niobium_crystals_and_1cm3_cube.jpg?itok=qT_rjC5N"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Indium.jpg?itok=KHhX7LHa"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Cobalt_OreUSGOV.jpg?itok=8-CBsNar"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Cassiterite09.jpg?itok=1MmtN7rd"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/6158M-barite2.jpg?itok=uMr3iUex"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Bastnaesite-IMG_9245.jpg?itok=In7xT6cO"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Bauxite-IMG_9181.jpg?itok=qsA_kxOU"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Beryllium-IMG_9154.jpg?itok=jG2T0eX9"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Fluorite-IMG_9187.jpg?itok=1bYt6ide"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Graphite-IMG_9298.jpg?itok=C5k7OY-k"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Vanadinite-IMG_9228.jpg?itok=mGDWmnzj"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Titanium%20Ore-IMG_9290.jpg?itok=2MbImK2H"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Molybdenite-IMG_9155.jpg?itok=_vpGdmrO"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Alumina-Zirconia%20%28AZ%29%20Abrasive-IMG_9192.jpg?itok=tb0ErI_s"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Spodumene-IMG_9224.jpg?itok=BE4FTY8G"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Hafnium_bits.jpg?itok=vCMCdbGk"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Renierit_0.jpg?itok=zJgoQbaC"></a> December 19, 2017 apdemas@usgs.gov 99207d5c-62ab-4329-b9f3-91fbb62e97a1 Saving Salamanders: Vital to Ecosystem Health https://www.usgs.gov/news/saving-salamanders-vital-ecosystem-health <a href="/media/images/saving-salamanders-vital-ecosystem-health"></a> One-third of the planet’s amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Now, these vulnerable creatures are facing a new foe: the <a href="https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB%202016-03%20Bsal%20Final.pdf">Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) fungus</a>, which is the source of an emerging amphibian disease that caused the die-off of wild European salamander populations. The Bsal fungus has not yet appeared in U.S. salamander populations. However, scientists caution that without preventive measures, the fungus is likely to emerge via the international pet trade or through other human activities. From 2010 to 2014, over 750,000 salamanders were legally imported into the United States. Salamanders control pests by eating insects like mosquitos and by becoming food for larger animals. Their moist, permeable skin makes salamanders <a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/ecosystems/wildlife/amphibians.html">vulnerable</a> to drought and toxic substances, so they are exceptional indicators of ecosystem health. The health of important ecosystems, including forests and <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/edu/qa-around-wetlands.html">wetlands</a>, contributes billions of dollars to the economy by supporting the fishing and timber industries and recreation. “If we lose salamanders, we lose an important part of what keeps many of our forests and aquatic ecosystems vital, along with the benefits those ecosystems provide for the American people,” said Jason Goldberg, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologist. <a href="/media/images/health-important-ecosystems"></a> <a href="/media/images/rough-skinned-newt"></a>The rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) is a western U.S. species of salamander that is highly susceptible to Bsal, based on laboratory studies. (Credit: Teal Waterstrat, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) <a href="/media/images/salamander-situation"></a> The Bsal fungus was identified in 2013 as the cause of mass wild salamander die-offs in the Netherlands and Belgium. Bsal likely originated in Asia and spread to wild European populations through the global import and export of salamanders. <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/deadly-amphibian-fungus-abroad-threatens-certain-us-regions">The risk of Bsal is highest</a> for the Pacific coast, the southern Appalachian Mountains, and the mid-Atlantic regions. “Because of the devastating effect that we expect Bsal will have on native United States salamanders if introduced, there is an urgent need to ensure it does not establish,” Goldberg said. <a href="/media/images/a-proactive-policy"></a> In January 2016, the USFWS issued a rule that lists 201 species of salamanders from 20 genera as injurious wildlife under the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/lacey-act.html">Lacey Act</a>. <a href="https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=service-lists-201-salamander-species-as-injurious-to-help-keep-lethal-&_ID=35433">This rule</a> prohibits the importation or interstate transport of the listed species and samples derived from them unless a permit is issued. “The rule minimizes opportunities for Bsal to be introduced, established, and spread in the United States,” Goldberg said. The USFWS used a Bsal risk assessment published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) and the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database to help inform its rule. “The NAS site showed us that salamanders had been found outside of their native United States range,” Goldberg said. “That evidence was useful to our finding that Bsal could establish and spread in the country.” By understanding the Bsal threat before a potential arrival, wildlife managers have a critical advantage in fighting the disease. <a href="/media/images/bsal-risk-county"></a>This map shows the total relative risk of Bsal by U.S. county. (Credit: USGS, Katie Richgels et. al.) <a href="/media/images/disease-detectives-and-rapid-responders"></a> What if Bsal does arrive in the United States? In 2015, the <a href="https://armi.usgs.gov/">USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative</a> (ARMI) proactively led a <a href="https://armi.usgs.gov/story/story.php?contentid=139971">workshop</a>, developed a <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20151233">report</a>, and helped establish a <a href="http://www.salamanderfungus.org/">task force</a> to coordinate a response to Bsal. Furthermore, USGS NWHC scientists act as wildlife disease detectives, investigating the cause of death during die-offs and screening sick or dead animals for infectious diseases. “The USGS research plays a much bigger role in helping understand disease and amphibian ecology that goes beyond its influence on the USFWS salamander rule,” Goldberg said. “Early detection can help ensure that decisive steps can be taken to attempt to quickly eradicate Bsal if it’s ever found in the United States.” Based on the risk assessment, the ARMI and NWHC are conducting an intensive <a href="https://armi.usgs.gov/story/story.php?contentid=184711">national Bsal survey</a>. “ARMI has been doing most of the Bsal surveillance sampling on USFWS refuges, and the NWHC has been heavily involved in testing those samples,” Goldberg said. Still, the Bsal threat raises numerous questions that have yet to be answered. “Understanding which other species might be carriers, ensuring early detection of Bsal, should it arrive here, rapidly responding if a detection is found, and finding new ways to protect amphibians are all crucial efforts where the USGS can continue to play a key role,” Goldberg said. <a href="/media/images/map-bsal-surveillance-sampling"></a>This map shows the sites where Bsal surveillance sampling by the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative has been conducted. (Credit: USGS) <a href="/media/images/ranges-salamander-species-lethal-responses-bsal"></a>A map of the United States showing the ranges of the two salamander species that had lethal responses to Bsal in laboratory exposure trials. (Credit: USGS) December 12, 2017 mlubeck@usgs.gov a03cd9bb-e5a3-4ff6-aa16-836da5ad1474 The Quality of the Nation’s Groundwater: Progress on a National Survey https://www.usgs.gov/news/quality-nation-s-groundwater-progress-a-national-survey From 2012 – 2023, the USGS is assessing groundwater throughout the country through extensive sampling. The latest results from four regional aquifers have become available today and add to previously released results for five other regional aquifers. About half of the nation’s population relies on groundwater for drinking water. As the nation’s population grows, the need for high-quality drinking-water supplies becomes even more urgent. <a href="/media/images/groundwater-invisible-and-vital-resource-graphic-1"></a> The USGS has identified 68 principal aquifers, or regionally extensive aquifers that can be used as a source of drinking water, across the country. Groundwater pumped from these aquifers provides nearly 50 percent of the nation’s drinking water. Twenty of these principal aquifers account for about 75 percent of the nation’s groundwater pumped for public supply and 85 percent of the groundwater pumped for domestic supply. These 20 principal aquifers are being intensively evaluated by the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment Project between 2012 and 2023. Summary results for nine principal aquifers are now available online at the links below. <a href="/media/images/a-young-girl-drinks-water-which-likely-originated-groundwater"></a>A young girl drinks water, which likely originated from groundwater sources. (Credit: Tammy Zimmerman, USGS. Public domain.) “The National Water-Quality Assessment Project is critical in helping resource managers understand how contaminants are introduced into the environment. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions about how to manage the nation’s water resources,” said Don Cline, USGS Associate Director for Water. “Understanding the quality of our water is critical in sustaining this resource for generations to come.” A Deep Look at an Unseen Resource USGS scientists are assessing water quality in source, or untreated, water from wells in principal aquifers. Most consumers receive water that has been treated by local utilities to meet federal drinking-water standards. Understanding what <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/constituents/">constituents</a> are in untreated water can help decision makers manage and treat water resources. This comprehensive sampling, carried out over principal aquifers across the country, is focused on public-supply wells that tap deeper groundwater. Along with detailed information on geology, hydrology, geochemistry and chemical and water use, this data can be used to explain how and why aquifer vulnerability to contamination varies across the nation. These regional aquifer studies provide water utilities and resource managers with information about: Regulated and unregulated constituents from natural or human sources; Pesticides, <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/vocs/">volatile organic compounds</a>, and other constituents of concern for human health; Present groundwater quality as a baseline for future conditions; Regional and national statistics on water quality, which serves as a context for individual wells; Differences in water quality in the shallow between the shallow and deep parts of aquifer systems; Environmental tracers that can be used to understand sources and sustainability of groundwater supplies; Local, regional and national hydrogeology. <a href="/media/images/map-showing-summary-groundwater-quality-results"></a> New Regional Aquifer Studies In-depth, regional-scale assessments conducted or planned for 2012 through 2023 focus on 20 of the most heavily used aquifers in the nation. Groundwater quality results for principal aquifers sampled in 2014 are available today, in addition to those previously available for principal aquifers samples in 2012-13, and summarized in the fact sheets below. Almost 670 deep public-supply wells were sampled within these aquifers, which were analyzed for a broad range of water-quality constituents. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20173047">NEW: Rio Grande aquifer system</a> (southwestern U.S.) <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20173055">NEW: Glacial aquifer system</a> (northern U.S.) <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20173056">NEW: Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system</a> (north central U.S.) <a href="https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20173040">NEW: Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers</a> (eastern U.S.) <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163080">Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers</a> (western U.S.) <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163079">Valley and Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers and the Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers</a> (eastern U.S.) <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163078">Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system</a> (east coast of U.S.) <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163076">Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system</a> (southeastern U.S.) <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs20163077">Coastal Lowlands aquifer system</a> (south central U.S.) Findings At least one inorganic constituent exceeded a <a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/envirohealth/geohealth/articles/2014-09-26-hsbl.html">human-health benchmark</a> in 4 to 50 percent of samples collected from the nine principal aquifers. Organic constituents were rarely measured at levels of concern. Constituents from geologic sources—primarily <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/trace/">trace elements</a> such as arsenic, fluoride and manganese—most commonly exceeded human-health benchmarks. Radioactive constituents exceeded human-health benchmarks in a small percentage of samples—1 to 5 percent—in most of the nine aquifers studied. The exceptions were the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers and the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system where exceedances were 30 and 45 percent, respectively. The <a href="https://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/nutrients/">nutrient</a> nitrate was the only constituent from manmade sources that exceeded the human-health benchmark, typically at low levels (1 or 2 percent). These exceedances occurred in the Glacial aquifer system, the Rio Grande aquifer system, and the Valley and Ridge and Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers. <a href="/media/images/usgs-scientist-collects-groundwater-samples-determine-water-quality"></a>USGS scientist, Rick Arnold collects groundwater samples to determine water quality. (Credit: Nancy Bauch, USGS. Public domain.) Looking Forward Understanding how natural features and human activities affect groundwater quality helps to predict how and why aquifer vulnerability to contamination varies across the nation. Over the next few years, results will be released for additional principal aquifers that are important sources of drinking water for the nation as the USGS NAWQA Project continues to address three central questions: What is the quality of the nation’s groundwater? Is it getting better or worse? What factors affect the quality of this vital resource? Learn more <a href="http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/">National Water-Quality Assessment Project</a> <a href="http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/">USGS Groundwater Information</a> <a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2014/3024/">USGS Fact Sheet, NAWQA Groundwater Studies: Principal Aquifer Surveys</a> <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ds997">USGS Data Series, Groundwater quality data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, May 2012 through December 2013</a> <a href="http://water.usgs.gov/watercensus/WaterSMART.html">USGS WaterSMART</a> Technical announcements for nine aquifers studied: <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-southwest-rio-grande-aquifer-system">NEW: Rio Grande aquifer system (western U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-north-glacial-aquifer-system">NEW: Glacial aquifer system (northern U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-midwest-cambrian-ordovician-aquifer-system">NEW: Cambrian Ordovician aquifer system (north central U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-east-piedmont-and-blue-ridge-crystalline-rock-aquifers">NEW: Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers (eastern U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-west-examining-basin-and-range-basin-fill-aquifers" style="font-size: 13.008px;">Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers (western U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-eastern-us">Valley and Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers and the Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers (eastern U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-northern-atlantic-coastal-plain-aquifer-system">Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system (east coast of U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-southeastern-coastal-plain-aquifer-system">Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system (southeastern U.S.)</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/groundwater-quality-coastal-lowlands-aquifer-system">Coastal Lowlands aquifer system (south central U.S.)</a> <a href="/media/images/usgs-scientist-tests-groundwater-samples-water-quality"></a>USGS scientist tests groundwater samples for water quality. (Credit: Laura Hallberg, USGS. Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/different-tests-need-different-containers"></a>Groundwater samples to be tested for water quality. (Credit: Laura Hallberg, USGS. Public domain.) December 7, 2017 jlavista@usgs.gov c5cd2086-26cf-48ef-984d-16eeab6dcff0 Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake near Dover, Delaware https://www.usgs.gov/news/update-magnitude-41-earthquake-near-dover-delaware A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near Dover Delaware on November 30, 2017 at 4:48 pm Eastern Standard Time. This is the largest earthquake to occur within about a 90 mile radius since 1994 when a M4.6 event was recorded near Reading, Pennsylvania, and it might be the largest in Delaware since an earthquake of unknown magnitude near Wilmington on October 9, 1871. The 1871 earthquake caused some damage at Wilmington and New Castle, Delaware and at Oxford, Pennsylvania. <a href="/media/images/did-you-feel-it-map-dover-delaware-2017"></a>The November 30, 2017 earthquake in Delaware was felt in major cities along the U.S. East Coast. (USGS Public domain.) Yesterday’s earthquake was felt along the U.S. East Coast from Massachusetts to central Virginia, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The USGS has so far received more than 16,000 reports on its <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000bjkn#dyfi">“Did You Feel It?” website</a>. Since 1973, several other earthquakes were recorded north of the Dover event on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Bay and Delaware River. The largest of these was an M 3.8 on February 28, 1973 across the river fromWilmington. That earthquake was felt widely in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. People in the New York – Philadelphia – Wilmington urban corridor have, since colonial times, felt small earthquakes and suffered damage from infrequent larger ones. New York City was damaged in 1737 and 1884. Moderately damaging earthquakes strike in the urban corridor roughly twice a century and smaller earthquakes are felt about every 2-3 years. <a href="/media/images/regional-map-showing-earthquake-epicenter-near-dover-delaware"></a>Regional map showing the November 30, 2017 earthquake epicenter near Dover, Delaware. (USGS Public Domain) Field crews from Carnegie Institute, the University of Maryland, Columbia University and Lehigh University and USGS are deploying seismometers in Delaware and New Jersey to record aftershocks. Visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000bjkn#executive">USGS event page</a> for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000bjkn#pager">USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website</a>. If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us1000bjkn#dyfi">“USGS Did You Feel It?” website</a> for this event. The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500. Learn more about the <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/">USGS Earthquake Hazards Program</a>. <a href="/media/images/east-vs-west-dover-earthquake-comparison"></a>"Did You Feel It?" map of the U.S. lower 48 states shows that earthquakes East of the Rocky Mountains are felt over larger areas than those in the West. (Robert Williams and Eric Jones, USGS)(Public domain.) November 30, 2017 dnoseral@usgs.gov 19254459-efc3-47a0-a895-7c5baf012412 Revisiting the Oso Landslide https://www.usgs.gov/news/revisiting-oso-landslide Today in Washington, D.C., members of the USGS Landslides Program and interagency partners from around the country briefed congressional staff members and key stakeholders in a series of presentations called, “Gravity Never Sleeps: Landslide Risk Across the Country.” The presentations provided information on landslide causes and impacts, current and ongoing research, and mitigation efforts to protect America’s communities. This information can help legislators understand how vital USGS science is for assisting emergency planners and community leaders prepare for landslide events. A key example of this collaboration is outlined in a story the USGS ran in March of 2015 on the one-year anniversary of the Oso landslide that occurred in northwest Washington. The Oso slide is a grim reminder about the complex nature of these slides and how fundamental ongoing efforts to understand them are to the health and security of the Nation. Original Story -- Release Date: MARCH 16, 2015 One Year Later – The Oso Landslide in Washington A large landslide occurred in northwest Washington on March 22, 2014, leading to tragic loss of life and destruction of property. A large landslide occurred in northwest Washington on March 22, 2014, leading to tragic loss of life and destruction of property. Landslide debris covered about 40 homes and other structures as well as nearly a mile of State Route 530. It also caused 43 fatalities in the community of Steelhead Haven near Oso, Washington. This event is commonly named the “Oso Landslide” in many official reports. It is also referred to as the “SR530 Landslide,” as named by Snohomish County and Washington State. Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href="http://wa.water.usgs.gov/data/oso.html">continue to support</a> all of those involved in responding to the event to assess ongoing hazards and identify possible future impacts. <a href="/media/images/2014-landslide-washington-state-6"></a>Oblique aerial photograph of the 2014 landslide in northwest Washington. This image shows the entire extent of the landslide source area and path. This event is commonly named the “Oso Landslide” in many official reports. It is also referred to as the “SR530 Landslide,” as named by Snohomish County and Washington State. Credit: Mark Reid, USGS(Public domain.) What Do Scientists Know Now? Over the past year, <a href="http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4097">scientists have acquired new insight</a> on the circumstances surrounding the Oso Landslide. USGS research indicates that the landslide’s average speed was about 40 miles per hour, with maximum speeds likely even higher. The area overrun by the landslide was about one half square mile, and the landslide moved about 18 million tons of sand, till, and clay. That amount of material would cover approximately 600 football fields 10 feet deep. The slide dammed the North Fork Stillaguamish River to a depth of as much as 25 feet, forming a temporary lake 2.5 miles long, which flooded houses and other structures in Steelhead Haven. In the 6-8 weeks following the landslide, the river slowly eroded back to near its pre-landslide elevation, effectively draining the remaining excess water by the middle of May. The landslide involved a complex sequence of events—including rotation, translation, and flow mechanisms—and can be referred to as a debris-avalanche flow. Studies indicate that slope failure occurred in two stages over the course of about 1 minute. During the second stage of movement, the landslide greatly accelerated, crossed the North Fork Stillaguamish River, and mobilized to form a high-speed debris avalanche. The leading edge of the wet debris avalanche probably acquired additional water as it crossed the North Fork Stillaguamish River, ultimately transforming into a water-saturated debris flow. Debris flows are liquefied slurries of rock, water and mud that can travel great distances at high speeds, entraining nearly all objects in their paths. Did Scientists Expect this to Happen? The Oso Landslide occurred in an area of known landslide activity, but this time, the slide was much larger, traveled much further, and had greater destructive force than others previously experienced at the site. An incident of this magnitude was not expected based on previous studies of past events in the area as well as comparison with landslides worldwide of this height, volume and type. If the landslide had behaved in the expected range, it would have likely blocked the river and possibly destroyed some houses, which may have caused casualties. Instead it led to numerous fatalities and more large-scale destruction. The landslide’s high mobility was likely due to several contributing factors, including the soil’s initial porosity and water content from rainfall in the months prior. Precipitation in the area during February and March of 2014 was 150 to 200% of the long-term average, and likely contributed to landslide initiation and mobility. Landslide mobility might have been far less if the landslide material had been slightly denser and/or drier. Coordinated Response Response to the Oso Landslide has involved many federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, as well as the private sector. These organizations include Snohomish County; the Washington State Emergency Management Division; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Washington State Department of Natural Resources; the Washington State Department of Transportation; NOAA’s National Weather Service; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians; and the USGS. <a href="/media/images/spider-unit-2014-washington-landslide"></a>The photograph shows a spider unit, which is being used to help study the landslide that occurred in northwest Washington on March 22, 2014. Spiders are portable instrumentation packages that contain high-precision GPS units for detecting landslide movement as well as geophones for detecting small vibrations. The spiders can be emplaced by hovering helicopters. Data from the spider units are transmitted by radio to USGS computers and made available to the monitoring team.(Credit: Jonathan Godt, U.S. Geological Survey. Public domain.) Immediate USGS Response Shortly following the landslide, the USGS and partnering agencies provided near-real-time information on the potential for additional landslides and flood threats to search and rescue personnel. The USGS deployed three “spiders,” portable instrument packages originally <a href="http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/st_helens/st_helens_monitoring_106.html">developed for monitoring active volcanoes and landslides</a>. Spiders contain high-precision GPS units for detecting landslide movement as well as geophones for detecting small vibrations. The spiders were placed on and near the landslide with helicopters.The USGS was also able to provide immediate data on water levels and river discharge from an existing permanent streamgage located downstream on the North Fork Stillaguamish River at Arlington. Immediately following the event, the USGS installed three rapid-deployment gages and three buoys to measure flow, sediment, and lake levels. Ongoing Research and Goals There is still much to learn about the Oso Landslide, as well as how and why landslides happen and behave in general. With the initial disaster response now over, longer-term questions have arisen. Below is a summary of key USGS projects underway. There are many more projects in progress with partners. One key research goal is to identify the primary reasons for the landslide's high mobility. This past summer, USGS scientists spent approximately three weeks mapping the geology and geomorphology of the landslide deposit. The USGS also worked with partners to obtain and study soil samples from the landslide area to better understand the landslide’s characteristics and behavior. USGS research on the North Fork Stillaguamish River is aimed at identifying potential impacts to the aquatic ecosystem and changes to flood risk along the river corridor including newly reconstructed stretches of State Route 530 and downstream bridges. <a href="/media/images/2014-landslide-washington-state-3"></a>Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.(Credit: Air Support Unit, King County Sheriff's Office. Public domain.) The USGS presently operates eight streamgages along the Stillaguamish River, with two being permanent and six as rapid-deployment gages. Scientists are collecting continuous data from those gages in order to analyze downstream movement of sediment and identify possible regions of accumulation. USGS scientists are conducting aerial overflights to collect photographs and monitor river channel evolution through the landslide. Start with Science for Landslide Hazards Landslides occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. The goal of USGS landslide science is to help answer questions such as where, when, and how often landslides occur and how fast and far they might move. USGS scientists develop tools and produce maps of areas susceptible to landslides and identify what kinds of conditions will most likely lead to such events. For more information, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVwSpGVfWVo&feature=plcp">watch a video </a>about USGS landslide science, and visit the <a href="http://landslides.usgs.gov/">USGS Landslide Hazards Program website</a>. Scientists at the USGS are also asking the public to help by reporting landslide experiences and sightings at the new <a href="http://landslides.usgs.gov/dysi/">USGS “Did You See It?” website</a>. Further, the USGS is working with the National Weather Service on a <a href="http://www.usgs.gov/homepage/science_features/debris_flow_ca.asp">Debris Flow Warning System</a> to help provide forecasts and warnings to inform community and emergency managers about areas at imminent risk. Such a system would enhance the USGS ability to respond to landslide crises such as the Oso Landslide. Photographs and Graphics <a href="http://gallery.usgs.gov/sets/2014_Washington_State_Landslide">View photographs </a>related to the landslide and impacts. <a href="http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/movies/movie_98/landslide_simulations.mp4">Watch a computer simulation</a> on the landslide. Publications and Additional Information A USGS project to monitor the <a href="http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/sr530">evolution of the new channel</a> and the volumes of sediment transported by the North Fork Stillaguamish River Earth and Planetary Science Letters article, “<a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X1400781X">Landslide Mobility and Hazards: Implications of the 2014 Oso Disaster</a>” USGS article, “<a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1065/">Preliminary Interpretation of Pre-2014 Landslide Deposits in the Vicinity of Oso, Washington</a>” <a href="http://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/safe-communities/joint-sr-530-landslide-commission">Governor Inslee’s Joint SR 530 Landslide Commission</a> November 30, 2017 drewlapointe@usgs.gov 66bfb90c-3fb2-484f-b571-ee05661714ae USGS on Fire: It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “more fire science data please!” https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-fire-it-s-not-a-matter-if-it-s-a-matter-more-fire-science-data-please It was a catastrophic, often heartbreaking equation at work in northern California these last few months: dryness or drought + vegetation + hotter temperatures + wind = wildfire. Wine country residents had little warning when wildfires ignited early October, late on a Sunday night, rapidly spreading with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour. A 5-year drought left the region parched. And last winter’s heavy rains, though a welcome relief, kick-started abundant vegetation growth, which then dried out over the hot, dry summer and early fall. The fire’s toll is tragic and devastating: more than 40 people confirmed dead and thousands of homes and business destroyed over the 100,000 acres burned. We know it’s not a question of “if” it will burn, but rather what can we do to better be prepared. Science helps answer this question, and in the process can also saves lives, property and money. A Hotter, Drier United States With one month left in 2017, the nation has been ravaged by more than 50,000 wildfires that have burned more than 8.9 million acres, the third-highest number of large wildfire acres in the last 10 years. “Human caused ignitions, warmer temperatures, dry and wet spells, and accumulation of fuels are some of the factors contributing to longer wildfire seasons, increases in the number of large and long-duration fires, and more severe effects from the wildfires,” said Paul Steblein, USGS fire science coordinator. “Such conditions – along with the wildfires that accompany them – are likely to increase in the future.” Yet Steblein is optimistic about our ability to better manage wildfires of the future, in part because of the large cadre of federal, university and other fire researchers committed to science that not only supports the immediate needs of managers during a wildfire, but also will help managers determine the very best ways to manage lands to lessen wildfire risks. Fire science underlies all the training and tools used by firefighters today. Fire science is also critical to understand the complex and changing situations encountered by communities and land managers, finding ways to address the rising wildfire risk to save lives, property, our wildlands and money. USGS Science on Fire “Because USGS is positioned at the crossroads of academia and the federal emergency response agencies, we are able to quickly bring cutting-edge fire science to help firefighters, land-use and crisis managers, and others address real-world fire scenarios,” said Steblein. And, Steblein emphasizes, wildland fires are an important ecosystem process on our planet. For example, many coniferous forests have a natural frequent fire regime of low-intensity fires, which played an important role in reducing hazardous fuels and in rejuvenating the forests. Similarly, in the chaparral shrublands of California, high-intensity crown fires have helped guide the evolution of plant life and ecological communities. In contrast, in many desert habitats, fires occur far less frequently, and often are a more severe disturbance. Today, the natural role of fire in these ecosystems is complicated by the fact that fire often favors non-native and invasive plants, which, in turn, can lead to more frequent and more intense fires to the detriment of native desert plants. Detailed USGS studies on fire patterns and histories on Department of the Interior lands and forests are foundational to restoring fire cycles that will safeguard human lives and property and benefit the richness of land types across the country. Likewise, Steblein said, USGS’s ability to provide timely and accurate data and maps helps managers mitigate the effects of wildfire. “Not only do we have experienced fire scientists at USGS,” said Steblein, “but we also have other researchers who bring their expertise to bear on complex issues surrounding wildfires, such as impaired water and air quality, debris-flow risks and how to manage and lessen the risk of wildfires in urban and wildland areas.” Visit our new <a href="https://www2.usgs.gov/ecosystems/environments/fireecology.html">USGS fire webpage</a> and read about the projects below to learn how USGS fire science is making a difference: <a href="/media/images/photo-landscape-after-desert-wildfire"></a>One year after a desert wildfire, the Joshua trees are left as skeletons, but globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) and desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) along with many annual food plants of the desert tortoise may be abundant. Among the bright flowers are green and red patches of the invasive red brome grass (Bromus madritensis rubens) – which fuel fires and USGS research shows is detrimental to growing juvenile tortoises. (Credit: Todd C. Esque, USGS WERC. Public domain.) LANDFIRE! USGS Data Provides Insight into Vegetation, Terrain, Hydrology and More Management agencies and elected officials need sound information about the effects of large wildfires to make effective policy and make management decisions. The national <a href="https://www.landfire.gov/">LANDFIRE</a> data set, a product co-produced by USGS, Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service, does just that. One specific real-time tool of LANDFIRE, the Wildfire Decision Support System, is used by incident-management teams on the front lines of fighting wildfires in the field. LANDFIRE is also used by fire managers before fires to help discern where the highest wildland fire risks are and to take steps to reduce risks in those potential hot spots. The data are also used to reduce risk to areas of specific concern, like areas with giant sequoias, endangered species and even cultural artifacts. Monitoring Burn Severity Trends Helps Forecast Erosion, Debris-Flows and Flooding in Areas Burned by Wildfire <a href="https://www.mtbs.gov/project-overview">Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity</a> (MTBS) is an interagency program that maps the burn severity and extent of large fires, 1000 acres or more in the West and 500 acres in the East, across all lands of the United States from 1984 to present. This data has already saved lives by enabling USGS scientists to use it in computer models that forecast potentially catastrophic flooding, debris-flows or mudslides in urban and suburban areas following wildfires. MTBS data are freely available to many users including policy-makers and others focused on implementing and monitoring national fire management strategies; field management units such as national forests, parks and other federal and tribal lands that benefit from GIS-ready maps and data; other federal land-cover mapping programs such as LANDFIRE, which uses burn severity data in their own efforts; and academic and agency research entities. MTBS data are generated by leveraging other national programs such as the Landsat satellite program, jointly developed and managed by the USGS and NASA. One of the greatest strengths of the program is the consistency of the data products going back to 1984, which would be impossible without the historic Landsat archive, the largest in the world. Download the MTBS Overview <a href="https://mtbs.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/Eidenshink-final.pdf" target="_blank">paper here</a>. GeoMAC Wildland Fire Support Tracks Where Fires are Occurring In fire emergencies such as the devastating and tragic wildfires in California and elsewhere, accurate, timely information is critical. Such information is available on <a href="https://www.geomac.gov/">GeoMAC Wildland Fire Support</a> a site managed by USGS and multiple federal and state partners, that allows citizens, emergency managers, and fire responders to access online maps to track where fires are burning and their perimeters. Visit and use GeoMAC, but people near fires should rely on information from local emergency managers for evacuation or other instructions. Data are updated daily from incident intelligence sources, GPS data, and infrared imagery from fixed-wing and satellite platforms. GeoMAC users can manipulate map information displays, zoom in and out to show fire information at various scales and detail, including downloading desired perimeter data. Users can display current information on individual fires such as its name, current acreage, the amount of area a fire has grown, and the direction the fire is moving. USGS operates GeoMAC in partnership with the Department of the Interior’s Office of Wildland Fire, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and state agencies. <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xnCcD">Read more about GeoMAC</a>. Wildfires Threaten Future Water Supplies in the West Across the West, wildfires are expected to increase in frequency, size and severity. Not only is fire a threat to life and property, but it can also reduce the quality of water supplies by increasing the amount of sediment entering streams – turning clear mountain waters brown. These impacts can persist for years and require costly restoration. To determine how future water supplies in the West could be impacted by fire, researchers with the Department of the Interior Northwest Climate Science Center (managed by USGS) modeled future wildfire activity though 2050. Researchers used these projections to produce the first assessment of fire-induced soil erosion for the West – and found that wildfires could double soil erosion in a quarter of western watersheds by 2050. Learn more at the <a href="http://bit.ly/2qMxnLR">CSC website</a>. Igniting a New Trend in Public Safety by Using UAS Technology to Study Wildfires U.S. Geological Survey scientists and partners are taking technology to the next level at Tall Timbers Research Station in North Florida where they are using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, to acquire both fire intensity and emissions data during prescribed burns. This effort combines expertise from multiple USGS partners that could reduce the harmful effects of smoke impacts from use of prescribed burns. Lessening the risk to property and lives during wildfires is a primary purpose of prescribed fires. Yet continued growth of residences and public buildings into forested areas has increased the wildland-urban interface and the consequent risks for property and health from uncontrolled wildfires. This cutting-edge collaboration, includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Canadian Forest Service and the University of Dayton Research Institute with support from the University of Florida Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Program. Learn more about this project <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/igniting-a-new-trend-public-safety">here</a> and check out <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/prescribed-burn-tall-timbers-research-station-fl-drone">this video</a> to see the UAS in action. Using Drones in Wildfires Can Save Lives, Money, and Help Reduce the Spread of Wildfires <a href="/media/images/close-uav-design"></a>A drone prototype that drops ping-pong sized balls injected with a special chemical mix, which ignites a fire as a way to more effectively control burning or prescribe fire management. (Public domain.) U.S. federal agencies spent $13 billion from 2006 to 2014 on fighting wildfires. Yet far more than the money spent are the lives lost: 26 percent of firefighter deaths are due to flying over to observe and control wildfire burns. Studies from the USGS and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln show that using drones could help reduce the extreme danger for our nation’s firefighters, and also save Americans money. Drones are relatively easy to use and the training needed to fly them not only saves lives and money, but also helps prevent wildfire spread by being able to know exactly where the fire is. After NASA approved the prototype, the FAA gave permission for testing. The same team also designed a drone prototype that drops ping-pong sized balls injected with a special chemical mix, which ignites a fire as a way to more effectively control burning or prescribe fire management. This kind of management action starts fires to manage or restore landscapes and to protect land from invasive species or an overabundance of fuels. Because these drones can eliminate the need for people to manually set controlled fires, they reduce the human risk, as well as the cost. Although this prototype has many benefits, more testing needs to be done. Check out <a href="http://bit.ly/2rFRyJh">this video</a> to learn more! Wildfire, Climate and Invasive Species: Three Challenges for the Greater Sage-Grouse USGS research is helping managers in the Great Basin understand the best ways to deal with the effects of more frequent and often larger wildfires on animals like the at-risk greater sage-grouse, a species dependent on sagebrush habitat for food, cover, and breeding. By analyzing 30 years of data, USGS modeled how sage-grouse populations are responding to changes in wildfire, rainfall, and soil temperature in this region. This research demonstrated that if left unchecked, wildfires could cause significant habitat decline and a loss of nearly half of current sage-grouse populations in the next three decades. USGS research provides federal and state management agencies with the science needed to improve effectiveness of rangeland fire suppression and conservation actions to benefit sage-grouse and other wildlife. For more about this project <a href="https://www.werc.usgs.gov/ProductDetails.aspx?ID=5694">visit the USGS project site</a>. Permafrost: Wildfires Could Accelerate Degradation of Alaska’s Permafrost In interior Alaska, permafrost is insulated and protected from thaw by a layer of organic soil. In addition to changes in climate, wildfire can alter permafrost conditions by burning the protective soil layer. Given that wildfire frequency and severity is predicted to increase in Alaska, researchers with the DOI Alaska Climate Science Center (managed by USGS) examined the sensitivity of permafrost to wildfire. Focusing on the region’s black spruce forests, researchers found that combined with warming temperatures, fire could significantly accelerate the degradation of Alaska’s permafrost – particularly in upland forests, which have a thinner soil layer. Learn more at the <a href="http://bit.ly/2rtvnJ7">CSC website</a>. Linking Atmospheric Rivers to Wildfire Patterns in the Southwest Last winter, parts of drought-stricken California were besieged by heavy flooding, mudslides, and feet of snow. The cause? A meteorological phenomenon known as an atmospheric river, in which high concentrations of moisture are carried in narrow bands, often from the tropics, up to western North America. While we know these events can produce heavy precipitation along the West Coast, researchers with the DOI Southwest Climate Science Center (managed by USGS) wanted to see if atmospheric rivers influence wildfire patterns. Results show that atmospheric rivers can increase the area burned by fires in the year following an event, particularly in the most arid parts of the Southwest. This is because the extra precipitation spurs vegetation growth, providing fuel for fires once it dries out. Learn more at the <a href="http://bit.ly/2q8V3He">CSC project website</a>. Do Fires Help Protect Forests from Drought? Even ancient humans used fire as a tool for food and landscape alteration, but did you know USGS scientists are using it to protect forests from drought? USGS ecologist Dr. Phil van Mantgem tests whether “prescribed fire” can reduce competition for resources like water, nutrients and sunlight among trees in the Sierra Nevada. His studies could help management agencies like the National Park Service make western forests more resilient and resistant to the harmful effects of longer, more severe droughts in the future. Visit the <a href="https://on.doi.gov/2rATwhc">USGS website</a> to learn more. Fires Becoming Increasingly Frequent at High Elevations in Sierra Nevada The effects of fire in high-elevation forests can be particularly severe. Fires are historically rare in higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, meaning vegetation may not be adapted to frequent fire activity. Researchers with the DOI Southwest Climate Science Center (managed by USGS) found that the upper elevation extent of fires in California’s Sierra Nevada has been increasing over the past 100 years. Researchers hypothesize that this could be due to changes in fire management, temperature, available fuels or ignition frequencies – or a combination of these factors. Whatever the cause, more frequent fires in these subalpine forests could affect their structure, composition, and function. Learn more at the <a href="http://bit.ly/2rtvnJ7">CSC website</a>. <a href="/media/images/werc-living-fire-firefighter"></a>Screenshot from the USGS video "<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/living-fire-usgs-southern-california-wildfire-risk-project" href="https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/living-fire-usgs-southern-california-wildfire-risk-project">Living With Fire</a>." (Credit: Stephen M. Wessells, U.S. Geological Survey. Public domain.) Wildfire Risk for Southern California Communities Every year, wildfires in southern California cause property and ecological damage, sometimes severely. USGS ecologist Dr. Jon Keeley and partners study the ecological factors, such as invasive grasses, that increase the risk of wildfire damage to homes, people, roads and other infrastructure. This study and other USGS fire research supports science-based decisions to keep people and property safer during California’s fire season. Check out this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-SNFf0xM5g">Living with Fire</a> video and visit the <a href="https://on.doi.gov/2qxjDS7">USGS project website</a> for more information. Legendary Lizard-Like Creatures that Can Live in Fire? Ancient legends tell of mythical fire-dwelling lizards appearing from flames when a fire was lit. The creatures, thought to be immune to fire, were named salamanders, which (no joke) meant "legendary lizard-like creatures that can live in fire." Now we know salamanders are not mythical beings (though they are amazingly awesome), but instead lived in the logs used in fires, causing them to scurry away once the logs were lit. But as USGS scientists can tell you, salamanders and fire still go hand-in-hand: many species, including the frosted flatwoods salamander, rely on fire-dependent ecosystems. <a href="/media/images/frosted-flatwoods-salamander-0"></a>Frosted flatwoods salamander, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Florida (Credit: Katie O'Donnell, USGS. Public domain.) In St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (Florida), USGS scientists work closely with fire managers to help them make the most effective recovery actions of the federally protected frosted flatwoods salamander. During breeding season, females lay eggs on the outskirts of dry wetland basins, but for this to happen, the ground must be clear of plant detritus, like fallen leaves, branches, bark, and stems. Prescribed burns are a critical tool in the recovery plan for the salamander; such fires help clear out accumulated plant litter and other vegetation to provide the best habitat conditions for breeding salamanders. For more information, please <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/science/adaptive-habitat-conservation-flatwoods-salamanders?qt-science_center_objects=1#qt-science_center_objects">visit the USGS project website</a>. November 30, 2017 plaustsen@usgs.gov 3ce148e1-c614-4393-add3-08dd22cde37f Serene Sirens: USGS Sea Cow Science https://www.usgs.gov/news/magical-manatees <a href="https://assets.usgs.gov/video/downloads/2017-11/MagicalManatees-Snackable.mp4">Download this video</a>A USGS video about manatees reveals that while the animals may act like the cows of the sea, they also have more than a bit of the magical siren or mermaid about them. Go for a serene swim.<a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:shorvath@usgs.gov" href="mailto:shorvath@usgs.gov">Scott Horvath</a>, USGS (Public domain.) It may be hard to believe the legend that sailors long-at-sea once considered manatees to be mermaids. The manatee nickname – the “Sea Cow” – which comes from the herbivores’ affinity for grazing on vegetation and their slow, ambling way just makes more sense. But a U.S. Geological Survey video reveals that while they may be cow-like, they also have more than a bit of the magical mermaid to them. Almost Four Decades of Manatee Research For nearly four decades, researchers with the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science-topics/manatees" target="_blank">USGS Sirenia Project</a> have been committed to understanding the biology and ecology of the threatened West Indian manatee to aid managers in actions that could best help the population. Through long-term, detailed studies on the life history, population dynamics, and ecological requirements of the manatee, USGS scientists work cooperatively with federal and state biologists and managers on research identified as essential for the recovery of the species. To do this, the USGS manatee researchers rely on a variety of tools and techniques; puzzle pieces that come together to form the expertise of the Sirenia Project. Ready for a Close-Up Manatees aren’t strangers to the camera. The <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science/manatee-photo-id-tool-research-manatee-0?qt-science_center_objects=0%22%20%5Cl%20%22qt-science_center_objects" target="_blank">Manatee Individual Photo-Identification System</a> (MIPS) is a database containing photographs and life-history information for over 4,200 individual manatees. As seen in the video, USGS researchers sketch and take photos of the manatees’ prominent scars and injuries that result primarily from boat propellers or from becoming entangled in abandoned fishing gear. These scars allow the researchers to identify individual manatees in the MIPS database and to use that information to help monitor the population. This information is used to estimate adult survival and reproductive rates and to study the life history of manatees. It can even help when a manatee has traveled into waters far away from home, such as the famous Chessie, who traveled all the way to Chesapeake Bay, which is far outside the usual range for manatees. Seventeen years later, <a href="https://archive.usgs.gov/archive/sites/www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp-ID=2855.html" target="_blank">USGS scientists were able to identify the manatee</a> thanks to his unique markings, which include a long, gray scar on his left side. Capturing Baseline Health Information USGS researchers also use <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science/manatee-health-assessment-and-biomedical?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects" target="_blank">manatee captures and health assessments</a> to gather information on this easygoing aquatic mammal. Over the last decade, the USGS has captured, examined, and released more than 250 manatees in the waters of Crystal River, Florida, creating an extensive sample and data archive. A collaborative effort between federal, state, and local government agencies and institutions, the information collected on these health assessments provides a baseline understanding of manatee health and can be used to help determine the status of the manatee population. Tag, You’re It Radio and satellite tracking allows researchers to document manatee movement and habitat use patterns. <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center/science/manatee-distribution-and-habitat-use-northern?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects" target="_blank">Tagging</a> manatees can reveal travel pathways and the time they spend in each area. When coupled with the distribution of resources such as seagrasses and fresh water, this information is valuable to environmental managers to determine the resources that manatees use most. Tracking information can be used not only to protect habitat, but also the manatees themselves, by showing where they may come into conflict with watercraft or other potential hazards. Caribbean Cousins <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/science-topics/geneticsgenomics" target="_blank">Genetics</a> are an informative tool when it comes to at-risk species, like the manatee. Molecular studies found low genetic diversity in the Florida manatee – a subspecies of the West Indian manatee population – as well as help determine <a href="https://archive.usgs.gov/archive/sites/www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp-ID=2588.html" target="_blank">genetic relationships</a> between the Antillean manatee – the second sub-species of the West Indian manatee – and the Florida manatee. Genetics also can help USGS researchers follow a manatee’s life history, without using marks on its body, providing an opportunity to better assess the population. <a href="/media/images/manatee-health-assessment-capture"></a>Researchers use a net to pull a threatened wild manatee onto the beach in order to conduct a physical examination. Information on manatee biology in Crystal River enables biologists to better understand the complex issues confronting this at-risk species. Public domain <a href="/media/images/manatees-scars-warc"></a>Manatees with scars. These scars help identify individual manatees. Public domain For more information on USGS manatee research: <a href="http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/manatees.html">http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/manatees.html</a> For information on Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge: <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal_river/">http://www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal_river/</a> <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/florida-manatees-likely-persist-least-100-years-us-geological-survey">2017 Study: Experts expect US Manatee Population to Slowly Grow, Expand Northward</a> November 24, 2017 shorvath@usgs.gov 24a1b4e6-8256-45fd-b58d-deec62209261 Return to the Alaska Wilderness: USGS Scientists visit one of North America’s fastest-moving faults https://www.usgs.gov/news/return-alaska-wilderness-usgs-scientists-visit-one-north-america-s-fastest-moving-faults Five geologists spent two weeks in the Alaskan wilderness studying one of the fastest-moving earthquake faults in North America. Project leader Rob Witter led the team on the expedition to the Fairweather Fault, only accessible by boat, with the group camping outdoors during their field work. Even though their work takes place 500 miles from the contiguous U.S., much of what the team will learn during the ongoing project can be utilized in many other areas. “Our research in Alaska likely will have its greatest impact elsewhere in the U.S., by informing federal agencies and the public about the seismic hazards posed by the Fairweather Fault,” said Witter. “Our data will be used to update the Alaska seismic hazard map, part of the collection of USGS maps used to support effective building codes. Other federal agencies, such as the National Park Service, NOAA, U.S. Forest Service, and FEMA use our data to increase public safety related to earthquake and tsunami hazards.” <a href="https://assets.usgs.gov/video/downloads/2017-11/return-to-ak-wilderness.mp4">Download this video</a>A team of USGS scientists spent two weeks in the isolated Glacier Bay National Park, exploring one of the fastest-moving faults in North America. Credit <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:kscharer@usgs.gov" href="mailto:kscharer@usgs.gov">Dr. Katherine Scharer</a>, USGS(Public domain.) The team hopes to also determine how fast the tectonic plates on each side of the fault slide past each other and how this fault “slip” has altered the landscape at Icy Point. The rate (or speed) that a fault slips controls the time between earthquakes, and is a critical input for seismic hazard assessments in a region. In 1958, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Lituya Bay, Alaska — leading to a tsunami that devastated the area. The earthquake was studied right after it occurred by USGS geologist Don Miller and University of California, Berkeley geologist Don Tocher. Last year, Witter and his team picked up the trail to use new technologies to understand the Fairweather Fault’s motion. Witter’s work leverages research done by USGS geologist George Plafker, who worked along the Fairweather Fault in the 1970s. “We continue to consult these scientists to take advantage of legacy data they contribute, including field observations, aerial photography, and radiocarbon dates on glacial moraines and marine terraces,” Witter said. “Their many years of experience working in the region can help our team target the right research questions and be better prepared for what we might find in the field.” <a href="/media/images/rob-witter-1"></a>Rob Witter examining the contact between glacial lake beds (grey, below) and river gravels (brown, above) that show how the landscape has changed over time.(Credit: Kate Scharer, USGS. Public domain.) This year, Witter’s field team included USGS geologists Adrian Bender, Richard Lease, Kate Scharer, and Humboldt State University geologist Harvey Kelsey. Field Work Advances Science Research Despite huge advancements in remote sensing (e.g., satellite) technology, there is still a need for scientists to physically look at, study, and collect samples from the Earth’s surface in order to decipher its history. For example, during their fieldwork, the team discovered that the valley east of Icy Point had been impacted by both glaciers and faulting in the geologic past. They discovered the valley once had been filled by a lake. The field crew collected samples of trees buried by gravel from glacial outwash streams, and radiocarbon dating will determine when the trees died. They also found bivalve shells on a terrace lifted 30 feet above today’s sea level, from which they will determine the age and rate of that uplift. The team will use the age and elevation of the deposits above sea level to understand how fast the landscape has been lifted up or down by large earthquakes. All these field observations and samples can only be collected by scientists with “boots on the ground.” “Geologists have to go into the field to collect data,” said San Andreas Fault-expert Dr. Kate Scharer. “Though satellite images are important, we cannot collect samples of the past landscapes from behind our desk. We will take our observations back to the lab and the computer, but for this type of work, there is no other method but to start in the field.” <a href="/media/images/kate-scharer-gps"></a>Dr. Kate Scharer using a GPS unit to get precise measurements of the elevation of the coast line. Glacier Bay National Park (Credit: Rob Witter, USGS. Public domain.) Scharer describes Icy Point as a beautiful yet complicated place with a geological history spanning many thousands of years. The diverse terrain, with a deep-rooted history, requires more than the physical ability to endure the strenuous work needed to explore this remote area. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Witter_Scharer_tent_1.JPG?itok=jO_EQeVz"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Scharer_Kelsey_0.JPG?itok=L1IzAoZQ"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Witter_pointing_1.jpg?itok=QzwqCmVe"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Witter_hat_0.jpg?itok=rE0F4rc_"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/LoadingBoat_alaska_0.jpg?itok=tPhRkodM"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Kelsey_sediment_1.jpg?itok=BsRKrKNN"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Lease_witter_1.jpg?itok=hhtHubYj"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/lease_witter_kelsey_1.JPG?itok=m-HfW6ob"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Bender_Relax_1.JPG?itok=q1Hx7zjV"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Kelsey_glacial_1.JPG?itok=TzdKW7zC"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Harvey_Rob_notes_1.JPG?itok=6ZJ1_HY6"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Adrian_Kate_Richard_1.JPG?itok=UFBUFORY"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/FieldTeam_AlaskaGroup_1.jpg?itok=mlq-v8Kq"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/campground_icypoint_1.JPG?itok=5gH8m-AF"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Kelsey_Witter_soilpit_1.jpg?itok=u0W01LqG"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/GlacierBayNationalPark_1.jpg?itok=GSBQBPay"></a> “In an early edition of the Boy Scout Merit Badge pamphlet for Geology, there is a phrase about how geologists wear their 'mental boots.' I have always loved this, because it is our job to be out there, to make clear observations, and to recreate the past from what we can see on the ground and analyze in the lab.” Scharer said. “This takes careful thought, but also a lot of walking around! Certainly the most challenging and rewarding aspect of this science is to keep developing hypotheses and then building on them or discarding them, depending on the data collected from our field work. It takes mental boots!” Learn more Read about the team’s previous work in Alaska: <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/uncharted-exploring-one-america-s-fastest-faults">Uncharted: Exploring one of America’s fastest faults</a> <a href="/media/images/glacier-bay-national-park-pano"></a>Glacier Bay National Park pano(Credit: Dr. Kate Scharer, USGS. Public domain.) November 18, 2017 dkdavis@usgs.gov bc755645-dbcf-42ce-b205-1626369084ed New Map of Worldwide Croplands Supports Food and Water Security https://www.usgs.gov/news/new-map-worldwide-croplands-supports-food-and-water-security A new map <a href="https://www.croplands.org">was released today</a> detailing croplands worldwide in the highest resolution yet, helping to ensure global food and water security in a sustainable way. The map establishes that there are 1.87 billion hectares of croplands in the world, which is 15 to 20 percent—or 250 to 350 million hectares (Mha)—higher than former assessments. The change is due to more detailed understanding of large areas that were never mapped before or were inaccurately mapped as non-croplands. Earlier studies showed either China or the United States as having the highest net cropland area, but this study shows that India ranks first, with 179.8 Mha (9.6 percent of the global net cropland area). Second is the United States with 167.8 Mha (8.9 percent), China with 165.2 Mha (8.8 percent) and Russia with 155.8 Mha (8.3 percent). Statistics of every country in the world can be viewed in an <a href="https://www.croplands.org">interactive map</a>. South Asia and Europe can be considered agricultural capitals of the world due to the percentage of croplands of the total geographic area. Croplands make up more than 80 percent of Moldova, San Marino and Hungary; between 70 and 80 percent of Denmark, Ukraine, Ireland and Bangladesh; and 60 to 70 percent of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Gaza Strip, Czech Republic, Italy and India. For comparison, the United States and China each have 18 percent croplands. The study was led by the USGS and is part of the <a href="https://geography.wr.usgs.gov/science/croplands/index.html">Global Food Security-Support Analysis Data @ 30-m (GFSAD30) Project</a>. The map is built primarily from <a href="https://landsat.usgs.gov/">Landsat satellite imagery</a> with 30-meter resolution, which is the highest spatial resolution of any global agricultural dataset. <a href="/media/images/map-worldwide-croplands"></a>This map shows cropland distribution across the world in a nominal 30-meter resolution. This is the baseline product of the GFSAD30 Project. Importance of Monitoring Croplands in Great Detail “The map clearly shows individual farm fields, big or small, at any location in the world,” said Prasad Thenkabail, USGS research geographer and Principal Investigator for the GFSAD30 Project Team. “Given the high resolution of 30 meters and 0.09 hectares per pixel, a big advantage is the ability to see croplands in any country and sub-national regions, including states, provinces, districts, counties and villages.” With the global population nearing the 7.6 billion mark and expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, it is of increasing importance to understand and monitor the state of agriculture across the world in great detail. This new research is useful to international development organizations, farmers, decision makers, scientists and national security professionals. “This map is a baseline and starting point for higher level assessments, such as identifying which crops are present and where, when they grow, their productivity, if lands are left fallow and whether the water source is irrigated or rain fed,” said Thenkabail. “Comparisons can be made between the present and past years as well as between one farm and another. It is invaluable to know the precise location of croplands and their dynamics to lead to informed and productive farm management.” Critical for Water Security Not only does this map and accompanying data have significant food security implications, but it is also critical as a baseline for assessing water security. Nearly 80 percent of all human water use across the world goes towards producing food, and this research provides insight on “crop per drop,” which is an assessment of the amount of crops produced per unit of water. Research is a Major Undertaking “The project is a major undertaking for many reasons,” said Thenkabail. “One major challenge was obtaining cloud-free images in regions such as the tropics and during rainy seasons. That took multiple years in some areas. This project required the use of satellite-acquired big-data analytics using machine learning algorithms on a cloud computing platform such as the Google Earth Engine.” Another important aspect of this project was the rigorous validation of the map, leading to an overall accuracy of 92 percent. Validation was performed by an independent team for 72 zones across the world. The USGS led this project and played an especially valuable role in providing Landsat imagery. The USGS acquires, processes, archives and distributes—freely to anyone in the world—Landsat data from 1972 to the present day. This project uses a one-of-a-kind dataset primarily of Landsat satellite imagery from the year 2015. Remote sensing is critical to achieving a global perspective as well as objective and unbiased information. Download data through the <a href="https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/about/news_archive/release_gfsad_30_meter_cropland_extent_products">Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center</a>. The GFSAD30 Project Team’s goal is to map global croplands and their attributes routinely, rapidly, consistently and accurately year after year. The project is a collaborative effort among the USGS, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, University of New Hampshire, California State University Monterey Bay, University of Wisconsin, Northern Arizona University, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Systems Research Institute of Indonesia and Google. The project is funded by NASA’s Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments Program, with supplemental funding from the USGS. <a href="/media/images/map-croplands-united-states"></a>This map shows U.S. croplands in a nominal 30-meter resolution. This is part of the GFSAD30 Project. <a href="/media/images/texas-croplands"></a>This map shows croplands in Texas in a nominal 30-meter resolution. This is part of the GFSAD30 Project. November 14, 2017 jkfitzpatrick@usgs.gov 6c593b93-19d6-4a28-8794-ec6f3416d95e Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake Iran/Iraq Border https://www.usgs.gov/news/magnitude-73-earthquake-iraq A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Iran near the border with Iraq on November 12, 2017at 9:18 pm local time, 1:18 pm Eastern Standard Time. Visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000bmcg">USGS event page</a> for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000bmcg#pager">USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website</a>. If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us2000bmcg#dyfi">“USGS Did You Feel It?” website</a> for this event. <a href="/media/images/magnitude-73-earthquake-iraq"></a>Regional map showing the November 12, 2017 earthquake in Iran(Public domain.) The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500. Learn more about the <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/">USGS Earthquake Hazards Program</a>. November 12, 2017 dnoseral@usgs.gov 79076e64-03e0-4f4c-808e-8b4f42ec8791 Investigating Lung Disease in Military Veterans https://www.usgs.gov/news/investigating-lung-disease-military-veterans-0 <a href="/media/images/investigating-lung-disease-military-veterans-0"></a> Many veterans turned to America’s top-ranked respiratory hospital, National Jewish Health (NJH), for answers. Doctors at NJH started collecting information from the patients’ personal histories. The doctors ran routine tests on the patients, but all the tests returned negative. When doctors, at last, turned to surgical lung biopsies, they noticed unexplained abnormalities affecting the smaller airways of the lung. “You can’t really treat people unless you have a diagnosis to know what you’re treating,” said Cecile Rose, professor of medicine and medical director of the Center of Excellence on Deployment-Related Lung Disease at NJH. “And you can’t prevent disease unless you know what caused it. So, that prompted us to explore building collaborations with scientists like those at the U.S. Geological Survey, who have a very different perspective.” <a href="/media/images/dust-storm"></a> U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 17 faces a dust storm while constructing a combat outpost in Iraq near the Syrian border in 2008. Photograph credit: Dr. Richard Meehan, National Jewish Health(Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/building-a-partnership"></a> Rose recalled the partnership as “serendipitous,” stemming from her time coteaching a course on health and environmental exposure with Geoffrey Plumlee, associate director of environmental health at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Together, NJH and the USGS are trailblazing a new path in the collaborative field of “medical geology.” “USGS scientists had been working with the Fire Department of New York medical folks, looking at mineral particles in [the] lung tissue of World Trade Center responders,” Plumlee explained. He and Rose applied a similar approach to the soldiers’ lung biopsy samples, comparing tissues among previously deployed patients with lung problems, those whose lung issues were unrelated to military deployment, and those with no symptoms. <a href="/media/images/nanoscale-health"></a> Pulmonologists at NJH identified inflamed and injured tissue, and USGS geologists closely examined the tissue to see what might be there. “A lot of these particles are two micrometers or less, with some as small as 50 nanometers,” explained Heather Lowers, a research geologist and manager of the USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory. “Hair, for instance, is about 80 micrometers wide. So, these are very small particles.” To glimpse these tiny suspects and identify and count different types of particles, Lowers and her team shot beams of electrons at the particles and recorded the x-rays that bounced off them. In some patients, there were too many particles to count. Then, the team shined lasers over the samples to map where metals and other elements were unusually elevated in the tissue. The particles the USGS team observed fell into three categories: man-made sources, like steel; geological sources, like quartz from sand; and particles that formed within the lung itself. The team’s methods showed precisely where in the lung the contaminants could be found, giving NJH pulmonologists a clearer picture for diagnosis and treatment. <a href="/media/images/lung-tissue"></a> Backscattered electron image acquired with a scanning electron microscope of lung tissue (darker areas) and inorganic particulate matter (lighter areas). Credit: USGS Denver Microbeam Laboratory(Public domain.) <a href="/media/images/power-collaboration"></a> <a href="/media/images/lung-disease-military-veterans"></a> The USGS brought to the project knowledge of high-resolution techniques, mineral sources, and how minerals interact with the body’s fluids over time. The NJH team applied that knowledge to human health, using the findings for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. “The analytical techniques that USGS scientists developed for this purpose had not been previously developed,” Rose said. “It is this kind of collaboration that allows us to cross disciplinary boundaries.” The team anticipates publishing the findings from the first phase of the study soon. The USGS is also part of a new study with an expanded group of collaborators at NJH, which will enable the scientists to refine their understanding of how the particles may link to soldiers’ lung problems. “We are, through this collaboration, in a much better place to get the answers to these fundamental questions around cause and mechanism,” Rose said. “I think science in this day and age really requires cross-disciplinary collaboration.” By working together, two seemingly unrelated groups—National Jewish Health and the U.S. Geological Survey—are taking steps to solve an environmental and public health crisis, an accomplishment that will help affected veterans receive the treatment they need. <a href="/media/images/air-quality-measurements"></a> Dr. Richard Meehan, Battalion Surgeon for Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 17, taking air quality measurements during a dust storm at Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq. Photograph credit: Dr. Richard Meehan, National Jewish Health(Public domain.) <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/science-stories">Read more stories</a> about USGS science in action. <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/files/Transition_Story_Military_Lung_Disease_FINAL4WEB_508compliant.pdf" title="Click here for the print version.">Click here for the print version.</a> November 10, 2017 hkoontz@usgs.gov 2643aa4d-5a4f-41fb-866c-7255d5e138c1 Eyes on the Coast—Video Cameras Help Forecast Coastal Change https://www.usgs.gov/news/eyes-coast-video-cameras-help-forecast-coastal-change If we understand these processes well enough, scientists can include them in computer models of coastal change that can be used to forecast, for example, how the shoreline will react to severe storms and how it could change over years, decades, or even centuries. Coastal communities can use these forecasts to plan for storms, sea-level rise, changes in sand supply, and other threats. “When a storm is on the way, it’s really powerful to be able to say: Here’s how the water and sand will move,” says Shawn Harrison, a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) postdoctoral oceanographer. That’s why USGS scientists have installed video cameras pointed at beaches on the coast of western Florida and central California. They’re analyzing the videos to measure features of the beach and ocean so they can improve coastal-change forecasts. <a href="/media/images/beach-monitoring-video-cameras-atop-hotel-santa-cruz-california"></a>Gerry Hatcher (left) and Shawn Harrison work on their video camera station atop a hotel in Santa Cruz, California. (Credit: Shawn Harrison, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, USGS. Public domain.) In Santa Cruz, California, Harrison and ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher installed two video cameras on the roof of the 10-story hotel, Dream Inn. One camera looks east over Main Beach, and the other south over Cowells Beach. Starting in May 2017, the cameras recorded video of the beach and ocean for 10 minutes every half hour during daylight hours. <a href="https://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/sc/">Selected images</a> are posted online. Research oceanographers Jenna Brown and Joe Long installed a camera atop the Shoreline Island Resort in Madeira Beach, Florida. That camera has recorded video between sunrise and sunset for 17 minutes every hour since February 2017. <a href="https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/research/video-remote-sensing.php">The most recent images</a> from Florida are also available online. <a href="/media/images/beach-monitoring-video-camera-atop-hotel-madeira-beach-florida"></a>Video camera atop a hotel in Madeira Beach, Florida. (Credit: Jenna Brown, St. Petersberg Coastal and Marine Science Center, USGS. Public domain.) Different clues from different views The Santa Cruz and Madeira Beach websites both display two types of images. A “snapshot” is typically the first frame of a video—just like a still photo. A “time-averaged image” is an average of all the frames in a video. In Santa Cruz, for example, the scientists combine 1,200 frames per video. A time-averaged image provides several measurements of the coast. Breaking waves produce a band of white in the time-averaged image. A sandbar is probably beneath that bright band, creating a shallow area that causes the waves to break. Dark areas extending out from the shoreline mark rip channels, formed by rip currents. Rip currents are fast, narrow, and often dangerous flows of water moving away from the shore. The line between dry beach sand and wet sand shows the maximum elevation reached by waves, or runup. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/1497981600.Tue_.Jun_.20_18_00_00.GMT_.2017.madbeach.c1.snapAuCtr.jpg?itok=K5SyCTUu"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/1497981600.Tue_.Jun_.20_18_00_00.GMT_.2017.madbeach.c1.timexAuCtr.jpg?itok=zCZFNqG7"></a> Left: Snapshot of Madeira Beach, Florida, on June 20, 2017. Right: Time-averaged image, created by averaging the intensity of light recorded at each spot, or “pixel,” during the video. The pale band offshore reveals where a sandbar caused waves to break. On the beach, the line between wet and dry sand shows the maximum wave runup during the video. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/1494111600.c2.snap_.jpg?itok=FXHcOdyt"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/1494111601.c2.timex_.jpg?itok=on2W9w1B"></a> Cowells Beach in Santa Cruz, California, from a 10-minute video shot on May 6, 2017. Snapshot on the left; time-averaged image on the right. <a href="/media/images/time-averaged-image-video-beach-duck-north-carolina"></a>A time-averaged image from Duck, North Carolina, on September 1, 2015. Dark bands extending offshore from the beach show the rip current channels. Image from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility (Public domain.) Other image types provide even more information. “Each element in an image, called a pixel, contains color intensity, which can be used to extract information about changes along the coast,” says Brown. Pixels as scientific instruments “The pixels in these videos can be used like scientific instruments,” says Harrison. “For example, we can identify an array of pixels and measure changes recorded by those pixels over time.” <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/pixelInstrument_MadeiraBeach.png?itok=jQYIiOKJ"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/ObliqueCowells_1494685800_snap_PixelInstruments.png?itok=1jPqkuCD"></a> Views of Madeira Beach (left) and Cowells Beach (right), showing "pixel instruments" measured during each video. The blue dots mark pixels used by cBathy to estimate water depth. The red, orange, and yellow lines indicate pixels used to measure wave runup on the beach. USGS scientists use “cBathy,” a computer program which analyzes groups of pixels to detect passing waves, then estimates the water depths, or bathymetry, required to make those waves. Combining results from many pixel groups creates a bathymetry map of the seafloor. <a href="/media/images/estimated-and-measured-bathymetry-offshore-madeira-beach-florida"></a>Estimated and measured ocean depths (bathymetry) from Madeira Beach, Florida. Each panel shows same geographic area. m = meters. Left: Snapshot transformed from original oblique camera view to overhead “map” view. Middle: Bathymetry estimated by applying cBathy algorithm to July 2017 video imagery. Right: Bathymetry measured with sonar in February 2017. Despite being based on data collected 5 months apart, both bathymetric images show similar depths and features: a sandbar about 140 meters cross-shore, deepening to a trough at 100 meters, and shallowing to the shoreline at 50 meters. (Credit: Jenna Brown and Joseph Long, USGS. Public domain.) Scientists have long made measurements at single points and along lines or “transects.” For example, current meters can measure ocean currents at one point, and small boats with sonar can measure water depths along multiple transects. A video system “is not going to replace any of those [traditional techniques],” says Harrison, “but it lets us do things that we couldn't do otherwise.” Video cameras can collect data almost continuously over longer periods, and supply more detail over a larger area. During bad weather and high surf the cameras continue recording data, when it would be dangerous to use a boat or personal watercraft. These camera stations are also much less expensive than traditional oceanographic equipment. “The whole [Santa Cruz] system cost less than $5,000,” says Harrison. Nuts and bolts The Santa Cruz camera station includes two cameras in weatherproof cases and a computer in a separate weatherproof box. The computer is smaller than a deck of cards, costs less than a tank of gas, and uses easily replaceable parts. The whole system runs on a rechargeable battery, solar power, or a standard wall outlet. <a href="/media/images/small-computer-controls-video-cameras-above-beach-santa-cruz"></a>The small computer or “micro-controller,” at the bottom of this photo controls the Santa Cruz video cameras, processes the images, and stores the data. (Credit: Shawn Harrison and Gerry Hatcher, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, USGS. Public domain.) The Madeira Beach station is similar but uses a larger computer. Brown built and installed that station months before Hatcher and Harrison started, so she helped them with system design. One of her recommendations was to make a smaller, portable system to capture big storms. “We have now built a system like ours for Jenna,” says Hatcher, so they can be deployed before a large storm or hurricane. This information will help scientists better understand the impacts of these large storms. Harrison and Hatcher also got tips from John Stanley, a senior faculty research assistant at Oregon State University (OSU). Stanley helped develop coastal video systems as part of OSU’s Argus Program, which inspired the USGS camera stations. How it began: Argus Development of Argus started in the early 1980s under Rob Holman (currently OSU professor emeritus) and his team. After more than 30 years of academic research and commercial applications, in 2016 Holman released the software and shared his expertise with the public under an open source license. The international community of Argus users embraced the move, and created an online knowledge base and software repository at the <a href="https://coastal-imaging-research-network.github.io/#/">Coastal Imaging Research Network (CIRN)</a>. “In September 2016, we had an Argus users workshop,” recalls Brown, “and that’s where I met Shawn [Harrison].” Both Brown and Harrison are CIRN members, and part of the new <a href="https://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/remote-sensing/">USGS Remote Sensing Coastal Change project</a>. That project’s leaders include research oceanographer Nathaniel Plant at the USGS Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. “Nathaniel Plant was one of the original Argus users [when he was a student at OSU], and he wrote a bunch of the original [software],” says Brown. “He helped me get started.” <a href="/media/images/participants-september-2016-argus-workshop-duck-north-carolina"></a>Participants in the 2016 Argus Workshop at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina, including many of the scientists named in this article (labeled). Rob Holman (Oregon State University) took the photo with a drone. (Credit: Rob Holman, Oregon State University. Public domain.) Putting the data to work Brown is particularly interested in how beaches respond to storms. She compares beach surveys from before and after storms, “but I would really like to capture and examine the processes occurring during the storm.” The Madeira Beach camera station, and the more portable system from Harrison and Hatcher, should enable her to do just that. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/SunsetBeach_20160606b_duringTSColin.jpg?itok=2jexRplk"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/IMG_3562_afterTSColinCV.jpg?itok=-1MqgSF1"></a> Photographs taken during Tropical Storm Colin (left, June 6, 2016), and one day later (right) in the town of St. Pete Beach, Florida. Storm waves eroded the beach and dune, producing a cliff- like feature called a beach scarp. Continuous video collected during a storm could help scientists better understand how this happened. Credit: Jenna Brown, USGS. Harrison’s focus is on the shape—or morphology—of the beach and the seafloor near the shore. “I'm really interested in how morphology changes the way currents and sediment move,” he says. Harrison specializes in simulating how changes in seafloor morphology—the growth of sandbars, for example—change ocean currents, which reshape the seafloor, and so on. “[The camera system] is a great tool to capture that behavior and to provide data I can use to refine morphodynamic models.” According to Harrison, those computer models currently oversimplify how waves and currents behave, and how those forces move sediment and change the seafloor. He wants to use data from the videos—especially during a single storm—to improve the models. “We’re able to track the movement of morphological features as they adjust to waves and currents, and that gives us something to shoot for in our model simulations,” Harrison says. <a class="galleria-fullscreen-link">fullscreen</a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Eyes12aMarGeoHarrisonFig4.png?itok=Xi2rVpwM"></a> <a href="https://prd-wret.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Eyes12bMarGeoFig10cr.png?itok=uCsFAgHS"></a> Left: A time-averaged image transformed into a bird’s-eye view of New Zealand’s Raglan Bar delta. CMLB = channel margin linear bar. Analysis of many time-averaged images produced the map at right, which shows the average migration of sandbars over five years. “Once we get it right in our models, then it could be incorporated into operational coastal hazard forecast models,” Harrison says. These operational forecasts, frequently updated like weather forecasts, can warn coastal communities about potentially hazardous beach and dune erosion. Data from the Madeira Beach video camera are already helping USGS researcher Joe Long fine tune the <a href="https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/research/twlviewer/">Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer</a>. The web site displays forecasts for parts of the U.S. coastline using local beach characteristics. <a href="/media/images/total-water-level-and-coastal-change-forecast-viewer"></a>The <a data-cke-saved-href="https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/research/twlviewer/" href="https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/research/twlviewer/">Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer</a> on June 4, 2016, two days before Tropical Storm Colin was expected to hit Florida. The forecast for June 6 at Treasure Island (blue balloon on map at left) shows total water level (top right) and water height relative to the beach dune (lower right.) (Credit: Joseph Long, St. Petersberg Coastal and Marine Science Center, USGS. Public domain.) Harrison views the Santa Cruz camera system as both a long-term observatory, and a testbed for new ideas and improving the system. Eventually, similar systems could be used for rapid storm response, and for remote locations like Pacific island atolls or Arctic bluffs that are much harder to access. <a href="/media/images/north-shore-barter-island-alaska-s-arctic-coast"></a>Photo from a time-lapse camera on Barter Island, Alaska. A video camera station would capture even more detail about the processes that shape this coast. (View <a data-cke-saved-href="https://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/climate-change/time-lapse.html" href="https://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/climate-change/time-lapse.html">the complete time-lapse sequence</a>.) (Credit: Bruce Richmond, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, USGS. Public domain.) November 8, 2017 Leslie C. Gordon 256f9eb0-f4c4-48fd-9e98-4c95c66c9543 USGS helps restore public safety in Puerto Rico under harsh conditions https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-helps-restore-public-safety-puerto-rico-under-harsh-conditions And they are doing it on an island mostly without electrical power, cell phone service, working water systems, supplies of fresh food, or everyday conveniences like ATM machines, under conditions that pose daily challenges at work and at home. The island has been devastated by two powerful hurricanes: a glancing blow from Category Five Irma, which passed north of the island on Sept. 6, and a direct hit by Category Four Maria, which crossed the entire island on Sept. 20. <a href="/media/images/hurricane-maria-high-water-mark"></a>José Santiago-Saez, USGS hydrologic technician, flags a high-water mark in Comerio, Puerto Rico, from flooding on the Río de la Plata caused by Hurricane Maria. USGS Photo. (Public domain.) With the help of rotating teams of about 15 USGS volunteers from the mainland, the island’s mostly young crew of 20 hydrologic technicians have rebuilt 15 of the 16 monitoring stations demolished by the hurricanes, replaced or repaired more than 70 of the more than 94 damaged surface water, groundwater, and rainfall stations, identified at least 74 sites where river and stream channels were significantly changed by the storms, and begun collecting high water marks to document the extent of storm-related flooding. At the height of the rainy season in September and October, as rain continued falling, flood and landslide risks remained very high, and the island’s weather radar was out of commission, the USGS’s work was vital to weather forecasting, flood control, and emergency relief work, said Rafael W. Rodriguez, director of the USGS Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center. “I’m so proud of our staff,” said Rodriguez, a native of Puerto Rico who is now based in Lutz, Florida. “They have been working extremely hard, putting in long hours under very difficult conditions.” “Every square meter of the 100-mile by 35-mile island has been devastated,” said Rodriguez, who was on board the first commercial flight to land in San Juan after Maria closed the airport. “Every aspect of living and working there has been thrown into turmoil.” Cistern water, MREs and laundry in a bucket The 30 employees of the center’s office in Puerto Rico are mostly young, native-born islanders with children or parents to care for, Rodriguez said. Three staffers were injured in falls in the aftermath of the storm, but they are recovering, he said. All of the employees live in concrete block houses that survived the storm. For the first few weeks after the hurricane, none had electrical power or public water, and several are still waiting for these basic services to be restored. Some have generators. Others rely on butane stoves for cooking and ice chests for refrigeration. For some families, water comes from springs or cisterns, and from FEMA-provided stores of bottled water. Food comes mostly from cans, because the island’s crops were devastated by the storm and there is little fresh meat or produce in grocery stores. USGS co-workers in Florida and around the country have donated canned food and other staples, including tuna, beans, and peanut butter, to the Puerto Rico office’s staff and their families, and some also got U.S. military meals ready to eat, known as MREs, through FEMA. Employees must constantly improvise, in the field and at home. The center’s data chief, David Hernandez, lives in a mountainous area that took a direct hit from Maria and was cut off from the outside world by downed trees and mudslides. It took him three days of chain-sawing and shoveling to clear a 12-foot-wide path for his pickup truck to travel down the mountain road. Now his commute, normally 50 minutes, takes 2 ½ hours each way. Lacking water, he trucks it in from a nearby spring and does his laundry in a bucket. “Washing a pair of jeans in a bucket is not easy,” he said. Cell towers were knocked out all over Puerto Rico, so—like everyone on the mainland who had family, friends or colleagues on the island—Rodriguez and others at USGS experienced a worrisome wait for news of how employees and their families had come through the storm. It took five days for word to reach USGS leadership that everyone was safe. And though the team quickly got back to work, for the first few weeks they, like other islanders, were hampered by the lack of power and fuel shortages. “This is the first time USGS has responded to such a devastating hurricane in such a remote location,” said Holly Weyers, who oversaw the response as USGS’ regional director for the Southeast, which includes the Caribbean. “What really impressed me was how quickly the local staff pulled together and started working, even though their personal lives had been completely up-ended.” Dodging gridlock and landslides to get a vital network online <a href="/media/images/a-rapid-deployment-gauge-puerto-rico"></a>This USGS Rapid Deployment Gauge was installed near Morovis, Puerto Rico, to monitor the Río Grande de Manatí after Hurricane Maria destroyed the permanent streamgage which typically monitors the river. USGS photo. (Public domain.) Hernandez said a day in the life of a Puerto Rico-based USGS hydrologic technician begins very early, as staffers hope to avoid gridlock in a metropolitan area of 2.6 million people and virtually no working traffic signals. The field crews report to work in the San Juan suburb of Guaynabo, in a federal building so damaged by hurricane winds that the General Services Administration placed it off-limits to the public for about a month until repairs were made. The building has no power, but two generators power the computers and air conditioning. The technicians quickly head out to their field assignments, working in teams of two or three. Each team has a satellite phone, since most cell towers are down. They spend long hours on roads frequently blocked by downed trees, landslides, and bridge damage, where many familiar landmarks were wiped away by the hurricanes’ one-two punch. The center’s first priority was to help federal agencies predict and manage flood danger. With no weather radar and with most of the National Weather Service’s rain gauges destroyed, the USGS reactivated seven rain gauges that had been discontinued earlier because of a lack of funding. The USGS has 216 water monitoring stations on the island, collecting a variety of information including surface water, groundwater and rainfall data. Accurate real-time measurement of rivers’ and streams’ discharge is especially important because “so many things are based on it—like early warnings about flash floods, control of dams, and bridge construction,” Hernandez said. At first, 94 stations were knocked offline during the storm. Consulting with the weather service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify the 25 surface water and rainfall stations most crucial to flood prediction, the USGS crews quickly got those gauges operating. By late October, more than 70 damaged stations were back in working order, and Hernandez expected to have all 94 up and running by the end of November. Keeping an eye out for trouble, with a homeowner’s help Working with parts and construction supplies Hernandez had stocked before the storms made landfall, the crews reconnected or replaced solar panels, salvaged steel gauge shelters from stream beds, hammered out dents, re-welded damaged parts, replaced ruined electronic components, set metal posts and poured concrete to re-install the instruments. Sixteen streamgages were completely destroyed. The crews rebuilt 12 of those from scratch. <a href="/media/images/installing-a-web-cam"></a>John Holmes, Department of Interior, watches while John Parks, USGS IT liaison, and Dennis Rivera, USGS hydrologic technician, install a webcam to monitor the the Guajataca Dam in Puerto Rico, after the intense rains from Hurricane Maria damaged the dam’s emergency spillway. This camera is providing valuable information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who need real-time information about the dam while organizing repairs. USGS photo. (Public domain.) One damaged streamgage was just downstream of the storm-damaged spillway of the Guajataca Dam, where erosion threatened to undermine the structure that holds back a 2 ½ mile-long lake. In the event of a dam failure, about 70,000 people would be in danger, the governor of Puerto Rico estimated at a September 22 news conference urging residents to evacuate the area. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, which operates the dam, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has been assigned to make repairs, needed real-time information about conditions at the spillway. A rapid deployment gauge upstream provided valuable information, but conditions were considered too dangerous to repair the downstream station. So USGS crews identified a good vantage point, a private home overlooking the spillway. The home’s owners gave them permission to set up a video camera on a balcony to monitor the spillway, while the Corps of Engineers is supervising ongoing repairs. “Our people have been very inventive,” Hernandez said. “They have to be. When you’re dealing with the power of nature, you don’t have a cookbook.” In the first few weeks after the storm, crews also recovered 16 storm-tide sensors they had deployed before Hurricane Irma’s passage and 20 deployed before Maria’s landfall. One sensor was crushed under a collapsed concrete wall and another was lost when the pier it was attached to came apart, but the others were intact. The information they provided will help document the height and extent of both hurricanes’ storm surges, which in turn will improve future storm forecasting and allow for better emergency planning. Helpers from the mainland pitch in In early October, the island-based crews were joined by USGS flood response experts from Florida, Missouri, New Mexico and Wisconsin, all of whom volunteered to work on the island for two weeks at a time. This gave the island-based crews the opportunity to take time to care for their families. The visitors from the mainland are bunking in a rented condominium and working six days a week as the effort to collect high-water marks kicks into high gear. High water marks—the telltale lines of seeds, leaves and other storm debris left on buildings, bridges and trees as floodwaters recede—are important tools for documenting the depth and extent of flooding. This information helps steer emergency relief to the communities that need it most, helps document losses for insurance and disaster relief, and helps property owners and local governments plan ways to minimize future flood losses. At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, USGS crews from Florida and Puerto Rico are now identifying, flagging and surveying the precise elevations of high water marks in 20 Puerto Rican communities flooded by overflowing rivers or storm surges. Because high water marks are perishable, the goal is to finish that fieldwork by Nov. 15. Crews have identified at least 74 streamgage sites where floodwaters reshaped stream channels or river banks. In at least 16 sites, the crews will do additional surveying to determine the true extent of flooding. The list of sites where this extra work is needed is likely to grow. <a href="/media/images/documenting-landslides-puerto-rico-caused-hurricane-maria"></a>Bill Schulz, USGS Research Geologist, takes photographs of Puerto Rican hillsides from a U.S. Army helicopter to document landslides caused by Hurricane Maria. This work will help identify areas around Puerto Rico with the highest risk of more landslides, which is information the Federal Emergency Management Agency will use to determine the best way to mitigate and prepare for any future landslides. Photo by Jason Marineau, DOI Office of Emergency Management. (Public domain.) Landslides remain a serious problem. To help FEMA prepare for future landslide and mitigate their effects, a team of five scientists from the USGS Landslides Hazards Program arrived in Puerto Rico October 25 for a two-week deployment. Using satellite imagery and aerial surveys, the team will analyze the increased occurrence of landslides and help identify areas around Puerto Rico with the highest risk of more landslides. Because Maria’s powerful winds stripped the leaves off of most of the vegetation around the island, landslide scars show up clearly in satellite and aerial imagery collected between September 26 and October 8. The team completed its first aerial helicopter survey over the central mountains October 26, and will make a ground trip to the Utuado Municipality in the northwestern part of the island, where significant landslides have occurred. Cut off by the storm, families reunite and regroup Each week brings a new step towards recovery. In late October, the U.S. Marine Corps deployed two temporary radar units to help with weather forecasting and aviation. Progress continues, but center director Rodriguez said for many island residents, life is now divided into two eras – “before Maria” and “after Maria.” Rodriguez’ parents, who live on the family’s coffee farm about 1,000 feet up a mountainside on the island’s west coast, ignored relatives’ pleas to ride out the storm in a less isolated place. At the height of the hurricane, a wooden door came off its hinges and the winds tore kitchen cabinets off the walls, while rain drenched everything inside. It was nearly two weeks before Rodriguez was able to speak to his parents. In the meantime, some cousins came to check on them. “Of course the farm has lost all its coffee,” he said. “Oranges, plantains, you name it – it’s gone. All the crops and all the leaves were stripped from the trees. But I’m told some green is already coming back.” Rodriguez helped his parents, daughter and two grandchildren relocate to Florida, where they are living with relatives. Many of the center’s workers are dealing with similar family concerns. “It’s a resilient group,” Rodriguez said, “and of course we have the support not only of our colleagues in Florida, but the whole USGS, so I’m confident that our people and our center will be able to get back on track. “The work the USGS does in Puerto Rico is considered an essential service,” Rodriguez said. “Gauges are important to provide water to people, to document flooding and to save lives. I don’t foresee that we are going to have any issues with continuing our work down the road. But recovery is going to take many, many years. So there are a lot of challenges ahead.” November 8, 2017 jburton@usgs.gov ced03f21-d620-48f5-92a5-01678d830191

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