Science for Decisionmaking Coastal and Marine Geology at the U.S. Geological Survey (1999) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 6-18
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From page 6... ...
For example, the FEZ extends seaward 200 nautical miles from our coastline and covers an area of 3 million square nautical miles (an area 30 percent larger than the land portion of the United States [Gardner et al., 19961~. The coastal and marine regions of the United States encompass vast and complex environments from terrestrial to the air-sea-land interface to the coastal ocean, the continental margin, and the deep ocean and are characterized by rich biological diversity and a wealth of mineral resources.
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From page 7... ...
Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers in coastal areas illustrates that human activities can alter the flow unfavorably. Along the East Coast, onshore and offshore coastal aquifers form essentially contiguous regional units between Rhode Island and Florida.
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From page 8... ...
For example, off Oregon and Washington, volcanic and earthquake activity is concentrated near the edge of the FEZ along a midocean ridge system, which is the longest volcanic mountain chain on our planet (Box 1-1~. In this area, hydrothermal vents, similar to the more familiar hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, discharge hot fluids onto the seafloor; form mineral deposits rich in iron, copper, and zinc; and are the site of exotic biological communities.
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From page 10... ...
coast and continental margins reflects the delicate interplay of a number of natural processes, as well as the footprint of human activity. The size, depth, and shape of coastal rivers, estuaries, and beaches reflect the control of these same geologic processes through time.
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From page 11... ...
This information consists of maps, databases, and descriptions and analyses of the water, energy and mineral resources, land surface, biologic resources, underlying geologic structure, and dynamic processes of the earth's ecosystems. To accomplish its mission, the USGS: · conducts and sponsors research in geology, mapping, hydrology, and related sciences; describes the onshore and offshore geologic framework and develops an understanding of its formation and evolution; assesses energy and mineral resources, determines their origin and manner of occurrence, and develops techniques for their discovery; evaluates hazards associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, droughts, toxic material, landslides, subsidence, and other ground failures, and develops methods for hazard prediction; produces and updates geographic, cartographic, and remotely sensed information in graphic and digital form, and develops advanced mapping techniques, as well as new applications for cartographic and geographic data; collects and analyzes data on the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater, on water use, and on quality of precipitation; and assesses water resources and develops an understanding of the impact of human activities and natural phenomena on hydrologic systems.
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From page 12... ...
Division activities provide information and data with which to make informed management and policy decisions that reduce economic risks and improve public safety. · natural geologic processes and phenomena and human-induced actions that operate at the earth's surface and control the evolution of landscapes and the resulting quality of the physical environment.
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From page 13... ...
THE COASTAL AND MARINE GEOLOGY PROGRAM The CMGP allows the scientific expertise in the GD to be applied to a range of issues that have broad policy implications for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
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From page 14... ...
INTENT OF THIS STUDY In June 1994, the USGS implemented a National Coastal and Marine Geology Plan outlining proposed studies and budgets for understanding the coastal
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From page 16... ...
the GD was reorganized, and the former Office of Marine Geology was renamed the Coastal and Marine Program to reflect the fact that the programmatic emphasis has shifted from deep water to the shelf, coast, and estuaries. In addition, many new issues and opportunities unforeseen in the original plan have arisen.
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From page 17... ...
These shifts and corrections will be driven by such forces as the increasing Revolution of federal government functions to the states and other entities, changes in national demographics, the expanding influence of advances in scientific methods and technologies, and the continuing and underlying-tension between the development of the nation' s natural resources and environmental conservation. Beyond these already compelling factors are the public's perception of its investment in science as a means of solving societal problems and society's concept of the "public good" ~ .
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From page 18... ...
This report is organized according to the committee's charge and is intended for multiple audiences, including scientists familiar with both coastal and marine geology and the CMGP, and policymakers who may not be familiar with either. Chapter 2 discusses the current niche, as understood by the committee, of the CMGP in addressing research, assessment, monitoring, and characterization of U.S.
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