Press conference held at 2:30 pm EST on April 5, 2024.
Paul Laustsen
Paul Laustsen is a science communicator with the USGS Office of Communications.
Paul specializes in communicating science to journalists, policy makers and the public. Since the fall of 2007, Paul has worked with the USGS Office of Communications, based in California, providing communication’s leadership and collaborating with his USGS colleagues and partners throughout the western United States and beyond.
Notable career highlights include working on the BP-Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, several walrus haulout communication responses, the USFWS Polar Bear Recovery Plan, the 2009 Redoubt and 2018 Kilauea eruptions, and working with the ShakeAlert team.
Paul co-chaired of the San Francisco Federal Executive Board’s Public Affairs Council between 2018 and 2020.
Prior to working with the USGS, he worked for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service between 1999 and 2007.
Paul holds a B.S. in Environmental Design with an emphasis in Communications from the University of California, Davis.
Science and Products
Hazards in Alaska
Walrus Media/Contacts
Polar Bear Media/Contacts
Media/Outreach at the Alaska Science Center
If you have questions about upcoming events, research, or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center please contact Yvette Gillies.
Press conference held at 2:30 pm EST on April 5, 2024.
Press conference held at 12pm EST April 5, 2024.
Press conference held at 12pm EST April 5, 2024.
Mountain yellow-legged frog habitat found in a riparian area of Los Angeles County.
Mountain yellow-legged frog habitat found in a riparian area of Los Angeles County.
High flows at streamgage 11172945 (Alameda Creek above Div Dam near Sunol, California) were captured by USGS hydrologic technician Louis Cannarozzi on 12/31/2022. Heavy precipitation caused higher-than-normal streamflow in many areas as an atmospheric river moved through northern California.
High flows at streamgage 11172945 (Alameda Creek above Div Dam near Sunol, California) were captured by USGS hydrologic technician Louis Cannarozzi on 12/31/2022. Heavy precipitation caused higher-than-normal streamflow in many areas as an atmospheric river moved through northern California.
What is a seismic survey? This video gives a very brief overview of the what goes into conducting a seismic survey in an urban area. The survey depicted in this video was done in San Carlos, California.
What is a seismic survey? This video gives a very brief overview of the what goes into conducting a seismic survey in an urban area. The survey depicted in this video was done in San Carlos, California.
Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault.
Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault.
A USGS electronics technician performs maintenance on a ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) sensor station, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. ShakeAlert station components include strong-motion accelerometers, solar panel and battery power systems, and communications & telemetry equipment for communication with the wider ShakeAlert network.
A USGS electronics technician performs maintenance on a ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) sensor station, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. ShakeAlert station components include strong-motion accelerometers, solar panel and battery power systems, and communications & telemetry equipment for communication with the wider ShakeAlert network.
USGS scientist in the Lower East Rift Zone documenting the spectacular ~50 m tall fissure 7 lava fountain to the east which had lit up the sky in a red hue.
USGS scientist in the Lower East Rift Zone documenting the spectacular ~50 m tall fissure 7 lava fountain to the east which had lit up the sky in a red hue.
Southern California cliff and cliff-top development in Isla Vista, California
Southern California cliff and cliff-top development in Isla Vista, California
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
USGS researchers from the multidisciplinary Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) project at the Elwha Dam removal ceremony, September 17, 2011 (left to right): Pat Shafroth, Jon Warrick, Jeff Duda, Guy Gelfenbaum, and Amy Draut.
USGS researchers from the multidisciplinary Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) project at the Elwha Dam removal ceremony, September 17, 2011 (left to right): Pat Shafroth, Jon Warrick, Jeff Duda, Guy Gelfenbaum, and Amy Draut.
Caribou foraging on the Arctic Coastal Plain near the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
Caribou foraging on the Arctic Coastal Plain near the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
USGS seismologist Luke Blair demonstrates an earthquake animation to students during an Earth Science Week event at the USGS in Menlo Park.
USGS seismologist Luke Blair demonstrates an earthquake animation to students during an Earth Science Week event at the USGS in Menlo Park.
Fieldwork northeast of Redoubt volcano. Kristi Wallace measuring and collecting ash samples from the current eruption.
Fieldwork northeast of Redoubt volcano. Kristi Wallace measuring and collecting ash samples from the current eruption.
USGS scientist Michael Doukas responds to questions concerning the observation flight over Redoubt volcano that he is leading.
USGS scientist Michael Doukas responds to questions concerning the observation flight over Redoubt volcano that he is leading.
USGS Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tom Murray, gets first-hand look at the heightened activity of Redoubt volcano.
USGS Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tom Murray, gets first-hand look at the heightened activity of Redoubt volcano.
Science and Products
Hazards in Alaska
Walrus Media/Contacts
Polar Bear Media/Contacts
Media/Outreach at the Alaska Science Center
If you have questions about upcoming events, research, or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center please contact Yvette Gillies.
Press conference held at 2:30 pm EST on April 5, 2024.
Press conference held at 2:30 pm EST on April 5, 2024.
Press conference held at 12pm EST April 5, 2024.
Press conference held at 12pm EST April 5, 2024.
Mountain yellow-legged frog habitat found in a riparian area of Los Angeles County.
Mountain yellow-legged frog habitat found in a riparian area of Los Angeles County.
High flows at streamgage 11172945 (Alameda Creek above Div Dam near Sunol, California) were captured by USGS hydrologic technician Louis Cannarozzi on 12/31/2022. Heavy precipitation caused higher-than-normal streamflow in many areas as an atmospheric river moved through northern California.
High flows at streamgage 11172945 (Alameda Creek above Div Dam near Sunol, California) were captured by USGS hydrologic technician Louis Cannarozzi on 12/31/2022. Heavy precipitation caused higher-than-normal streamflow in many areas as an atmospheric river moved through northern California.
What is a seismic survey? This video gives a very brief overview of the what goes into conducting a seismic survey in an urban area. The survey depicted in this video was done in San Carlos, California.
What is a seismic survey? This video gives a very brief overview of the what goes into conducting a seismic survey in an urban area. The survey depicted in this video was done in San Carlos, California.
Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault.
Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault.
A USGS electronics technician performs maintenance on a ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) sensor station, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. ShakeAlert station components include strong-motion accelerometers, solar panel and battery power systems, and communications & telemetry equipment for communication with the wider ShakeAlert network.
A USGS electronics technician performs maintenance on a ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) sensor station, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. ShakeAlert station components include strong-motion accelerometers, solar panel and battery power systems, and communications & telemetry equipment for communication with the wider ShakeAlert network.
USGS scientist in the Lower East Rift Zone documenting the spectacular ~50 m tall fissure 7 lava fountain to the east which had lit up the sky in a red hue.
USGS scientist in the Lower East Rift Zone documenting the spectacular ~50 m tall fissure 7 lava fountain to the east which had lit up the sky in a red hue.
Southern California cliff and cliff-top development in Isla Vista, California
Southern California cliff and cliff-top development in Isla Vista, California
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
This video was edited and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the US Geological Survey. This new type of camera technology was developed by videographer Adam Ravetch with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
USGS researchers from the multidisciplinary Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) project at the Elwha Dam removal ceremony, September 17, 2011 (left to right): Pat Shafroth, Jon Warrick, Jeff Duda, Guy Gelfenbaum, and Amy Draut.
USGS researchers from the multidisciplinary Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) project at the Elwha Dam removal ceremony, September 17, 2011 (left to right): Pat Shafroth, Jon Warrick, Jeff Duda, Guy Gelfenbaum, and Amy Draut.
Caribou foraging on the Arctic Coastal Plain near the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
Caribou foraging on the Arctic Coastal Plain near the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
USGS seismologist Luke Blair demonstrates an earthquake animation to students during an Earth Science Week event at the USGS in Menlo Park.
USGS seismologist Luke Blair demonstrates an earthquake animation to students during an Earth Science Week event at the USGS in Menlo Park.
Fieldwork northeast of Redoubt volcano. Kristi Wallace measuring and collecting ash samples from the current eruption.
Fieldwork northeast of Redoubt volcano. Kristi Wallace measuring and collecting ash samples from the current eruption.
USGS scientist Michael Doukas responds to questions concerning the observation flight over Redoubt volcano that he is leading.
USGS scientist Michael Doukas responds to questions concerning the observation flight over Redoubt volcano that he is leading.
USGS Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tom Murray, gets first-hand look at the heightened activity of Redoubt volcano.
USGS Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, Tom Murray, gets first-hand look at the heightened activity of Redoubt volcano.