Welcome to the USGS - U.S. Geological Survey (original) (raw)

Welcome to the USGS — Your source for science you can use

As an unbiased, multi-disciplinary science organization that focuses on biology, geography, geology, geospatial information, and water, we are dedicated to the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the landscape, our natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten us.

National Streamflow Information Collecting information about the Nation's water resources and the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives and property and helps to ensure an adequate fresh water supply for a healthy environment and economy. The USGS operates and maintains about 7,400 streamgages that provide long-term, accurate, and unbiased information to meet the needs of many diverse users. Learn More Meeting Our Energy Needs The Nation faces simultaneous challenges from increasing energy needs, a growing dependence on imported oil from politically unstable parts of the world, and increasing demands to minimize environmental effects of energy resource development and use. Learn More Natural Hazards in Southern California The Integrated Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project in Southern California will show how integrating information and products about multiple hazards can reduce loss of life and property from natural hazards. The unique research and systems capabilities of the USGS provide the science and monitoring needed to address the complex issues associated with natural hazards events, especially interrelated hazards, such as fire, floods, and debris flows, or earthquakes and tsunamis. Landsat Data Continuity Mission The USGS and NASA will be teaming up once again on the development, launch, and operation of a "free-flyer" Landsat Data Continuity Mission. The mission includes launching an earth observing satellite and the processing and distribution of the data from the satellite. NASA will have responsibility for procuring the data acquisition capability and the USGS will operate the satellite after a successful launch and check-out and will be responsible for the ingest, archive, processing, and distribution of Landsat-type data products. This capability could become operational early in 2011. Learn More
Science Features Archives View the breadth of USGS Science

National Streamflow Information Collecting information about the Nation's water resources and the flow of rivers is a vital national asset that safeguards lives and property and helps to ensure an adequate fresh water supply for a healthy environment and economy. The USGS operates and maintains about 7,400 streamgages that provide long-term, accurate, and unbiased information to meet the needs of many diverse users. Learn More oil drill

Meeting Our Energy Needs The Nation faces simultaneous challenges from increasing energy needs, a growing dependence on imported oil from politically unstable parts of the world, and increasing demands to minimize environmental effects of energy resource development and use. Learn More earthquake damaged overpass

Natural Hazards in Southern California The Integrated Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project in Southern California will show how integrating information and products about multiple hazards can reduce loss of life and property from natural hazards. The unique research and systems capabilities of the USGS provide the science and monitoring needed to address the complex issues associated with natural hazards events, especially interrelated hazards, such as fire, floods, and debris flows, or earthquakes and tsunamis. Landsat 7 image showing the damage that New Orleans, Louisiana received as a result of Hurricane Katrina

Landsat 7 image showing the damage that New Orleans, Louisiana received as a result of Hurricane Katrina

Landsat Data Continuity Mission The USGS and NASA will be teaming up once again on the development, launch, and operation of a "free-flyer" Landsat Data Continuity Mission. The mission includes launching an earth observing satellite and the processing and distribution of the data from the satellite. NASA will have responsibility for procuring the data acquisition capability and the USGS will operate the satellite after a successful launch and check-out and will be responsible for the ingest, archive, processing, and distribution of Landsat-type data products. This capability could become operational early in 2011. Learn More

Science Features Archives

View the breadth of USGS Science

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Drinkable, fresh water accounts for less than 3 percent of the Earth's total supply.