Data Science: Converting Data into Actionable Knowledge
Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)
Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
Determining the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic social, or scientific welfare of the Nation
Determining the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic social, or scientific welfare of the Nation
National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program
Preserving geoscience samples for today and future generations
Preserving geoscience samples for today and future generations
USGS Library
Core Science Systems Mission Area
USGS CSS serves as the primary national civilian mapping agency, including topographic and geologic mapping for Federal and State requirements, national geospatial coordination, satellite operations and remote sensing. Our products and data are necessary to understand, monitor, and detect changes that affect the Nation’s natural and agricultural resources, the economy, public safety, and security.
National Geospatial Program
National Geospatial Program
The National Geospatial Program is the Federal civilian mapping agency and provides the digital geospatial foundation for the Nation. It engages partners and communities of use to collaboratively produce consistent and accurate topographic map data.
Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program
Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program
The Science Synthesis Analysis, and Research (SSAR) Program provides analysis and synthesis of scientific data and information, interdisciplinary research to improve understanding of Earth system changes, and preservation of scientific data and samples and library collections.
News
New Reference and Validation Data Available for Annual NLCD
New Reference and Validation Data Available for Annual NLCD
USGS Geologic Mapping Project Supports Critical Mineral Exploration, Enhances Public Safety in the Southeast
USGS Geologic Mapping Project Supports Critical Mineral Exploration, Enhances Public Safety in the Southeast
Celebrating 53 Years Since the Launch of Landsat 1
Celebrating 53 Years Since the Launch of Landsat 1
Publications
Validation of the geometric accuracy of airborne light detection and ranging data for eastern Iowa, 2019 Validation of the geometric accuracy of airborne light detection and ranging data for eastern Iowa, 2019
A geometric accuracy assessment of lidar data collected in eastern Iowa in 2019 as part of the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) was conducted. The assessment involved evaluating interswath accuracy, same surface precision, point density, absolute accuracy, and consistency with adjacent 3DEP datasets. The results demonstrate that the data meet or exceed the quality level 2 specifications...
Lead exposure in waterfowl before contoxic shot requirements: A nationwide study, 1983−1986 Lead exposure in waterfowl before contoxic shot requirements: A nationwide study, 1983−1986
Before implementing nontoxic shot requirements for hunting waterfowl and American coots Fulica americana in the United States in 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitored lead poisoning in waterfowl on federal and state wildlife hunting areas during 1983-1986. Federal and state collaborators collected gizzards and livers from 9,029 hunter-killed waterfowl (10 species of dabbling...
Potential 2050 distributions of World Terrestrial Ecosystems from projections of changes in World Climate Regions and Global Land Cover Potential 2050 distributions of World Terrestrial Ecosystems from projections of changes in World Climate Regions and Global Land Cover
The urgency to address ecosystem loss is paramount, as both land use change and climate change will continue to rapidly alter and degrade natural ecosystems and reduce the many services they provide. To support conservation actions that mitigate impacts from these dual threats, we have developed potential World Terrestrial Ecosystem (WTE) distributions for 2050 following IPCC best...
Science
GLGMC Current Projects
These projects highlight the important research conducted through the GLGMC.
GLGMC Science in Action
The testimonials below demonstrate the impact of recent geologic mapping projects carried out by the GLGMC.
2025 CEGIS Annual Research Meeting
The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) is proud to host the 2025 U.S. Geological Survey’s Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) Annual Research Meeting July 22-24, 2025. The virtual calendar event is being hosted by the USGS Community for Data Integration (CDI) in collaboration with CEGIS and is invitation only. The annual research meeting is...