Essay, Research Paper: U.S Geloogical

The US Geological Survey is an agency of the U.S. Department of
the Interior, it was established in 1879. It is responsible for
interpreting and mapping the geology, hydrology, and topography of
the United States and its territories and for investigating and
appraising mineral, energy, and water resources. The agency
investigates a wide range natural hazards. It performs scientific
research and publishes the results of its studies.
The value of the USGS to the Nation is in its ability to carry out
studies on a national scale and to do long-term monitoring and
assessment of natural resources. The diversity of scientific knowledge
enables the USGS to carry out large-scale, multi-level investigations
that give us detailed information about the Earth.
The USGS has 10,000 scientists, technicians and support staff
located in nearly 400 offices in every State and in several foreign
countries. It has a budget of more than $1 billion dollars a year. Field
investigations, direct observations of natural science processes and
phenomena, and monitoring and data collection at the local scale are
the base of the USGS.
Natural hazards are a big national concern. The USGS main
purpose is to provide the science needed to reduce the loss of life and
property they can cause. The USGS deals with natural hazards like
earthquakes , volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, droughts,
coastal storms, wildfires, And fish and wildlife diseases . USGS
science assesses where natural hazards may occur and what the risks
are to the people who live there. Long-term monitoring of natural
hazards gives scientiststhe ability to detect and report hazards in real
time.
The USGS works closley with Federal, State, and local agencies
to assist in emergency response efforts when disaster strikes. USGS
science provides information needed by the public to understand the
hazards that may exist in their community and to help decrease loss
and damage when they occur.