United States Geological Survey

Organizational Structure and Responsibilities

• USGS headquarters located in Reston, Virginia
• Earthquake monitoring worldwide through the National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC)
• Regional monitoring networks in the United States under the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS)
• Long-term archives of earthquake data for scientific and engineering research
• Release of the UCERF California earthquake forecast
• Working to create a National Volcano Early Warning System
• Improving instrumentation for monitoring volcanoes in U.S. territory
• Establishing methods for measuring relative threats at each site
• Three sites for research in geology, mapping, hydrology, biology, and related sciences
• Evaluation of hazards associated with floods, droughts, hurricanes, subsidence, human activity, and climate change
• Mapping of onshore and offshore geologic framework
• Assessment of mineral resources and development of discovery techniques
• Assessment of water resources and understanding impact of human activities and natural phenomena on hydrologic systems
• Monitoring of magnetic field at magnetic observatories
• Distribution of magnetometer data in real time
• Operation of the streamgaging network for the United States
• Over 7400 streamgages
• Real-time streamflow data available online
• Designing, testing, evaluating, repairing, calibrating, and warehousing hydrologic instrumentation
• Distributing instruments through direct sales and rental program
• Supporting data collection activities through centralized warehouse and laboratory facilities
• Providing hydrologic instruments, equipment, and supplies for USGS, Other Federal Agencies (OFA), and USGS Cooperators
• Offering training and technical support for stocked equipment
• Seeking new technology and designs for more efficient and accurate instrumentation
• Collaborating with vendors to produce products that meet USGS mission needs
• Designing and testing HIF-designed equipment for instrument needs not met by vendors
• Patenting new designs to encourage mass production at lower cost
• Working towards producing instruments that are more cost-effective for everyone

Topographic Mapping

• USGS produces several national series of topographic maps
• Largest and best-known series is the 7.5-minute, 1:24,000 scale quadrangle
• Each map covers an area bounded by two lines of latitude and two lines of longitude spaced 7.5 minutes apart
• Nearly 57,000 maps in this series cover the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and areas of Alaska
• 1:24,000 scale requires a separate and specialized romer scale for plotting map positions
• Older series used to map the contiguous 48 states at a scale of 1:62,500
• Discontinued during the last quarter of the twentieth century
• Each map covered an area bounded by two parallels and two meridians spaced 15 minutes apart
• 15-minute series remains the primary topographic quadrangle for the state of Alaska
• Nearly 3,000 maps cover 97% of the state
• United States is the only developed country without a standardized civilian topographic map series in 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 metric scales
• Coordination difficult in border regions
• U.S. military issues 1:50,000 scale topo maps for use by defense forces
• Next-smallest topographic series is the 1:100,000 scale series
• 1:100,000 scale primarily employs the metric system
• Produced by the U.S. Army Map Service in the 1950s
• Each quadrangle measures 1 degree of latitude by 2 degrees of longitude
• Consists of 489 sheets covering an area ranging from 8,218 to 6,222 square miles
• Hawaii is mapped at this scale in quadrangles measuring 1° by 1°
• Quadrangle maps marked with grid lines and tics for identification
• USGS produces specialty maps such as county maps and maps of national parks
• Many maps available on the web for commercial and professional use
• Georeferenced map images available as digital raster graphics (DRGs)
• USGS unveiled the topoView website in 2015, allowing users to view and download digitized maps
• USGS abandoned traditional methods of surveying and now uses automated processes for map production

Research and Data Collection

• Conducts research in various scientific fields
• Collects and analyzes data on natural resources, hazards, and ecosystems
• Provides data on earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geological phenomena
• Monitors water resources, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater
• Studies climate change and its impact on the environment

Mapping and Geospatial Data

• Produces topographic maps of the United States
• Creates digital elevation models and 3D terrain visualizations
• Develops geospatial datasets and tools for mapping purposes
• Offers access to aerial and satellite imagery
• Provides geodetic control and surveying services

Natural Hazards, Disaster Response, and Environmental Research

• Assesses and monitors earthquake activity
• Issues earthquake alerts and forecasts
• Conducts research on seismic hazards and risk assessments
• Provides real-time streamflow data for flood forecasting
• Assists in emergency response and recovery efforts during natural disasters
• Studies the impact of human activities on ecosystems
• Monitors biodiversity and species distribution
• Assesses the health of aquatic ecosystems
• Conducts research on land use and habitat conservation
• Provides data on air quality and pollution levels

United States Geological Survey Data Sources