Emergency Management
During incidents of national significance, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides support to certain National Response Framework emergency support functions. The National Reponse Framework sets forth guidelines for all response partners to prepare for, and provide a unified response in the event of any domestic incident.
The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; and manage water, biological, energy and mineral resources. The USGS has a special scientific focus for FY 07 and beyond on lessening the adverse impacts of natural hazards - - volcanoes, earthquake, hurricanes, landslides, wild fires, and floods.
See also United States Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Response Factsheet
Emergency Management Programs & Resources
- Partners with more than 2,000 state, local and tribal governments, the academic community, federal allies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
- Maintains the Global Seismographic Network in collaboration with international partners/the National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado where earthquake activity is monitored and reported globally.
- Maintains the volcano monitoring networks: the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory where USGS scientist lead the world in the study of how volcanoes work; how to forecast them and warn the public about an eruption; and how to mitigate potential volcanic disasters from occurring.
- Assesses and monitors potential landslide hazards, providing warning information on landslide activity and rapid monitoring response to events.
- Maintains Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data with federal agency partners (Landsat 7; NASA's TERRA Satellite; NOAA's satellites; and declassified intelligence photos).
- Maintains the National Mapping Facilities where geographic research is conducted. The National Mapping Facilities are: The EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls SD; the Mid-Continent Mapping Center in Rolla MO; the Rocky Mountain Mapping Center in Lakewood, CO; the Western Mapping Center in CA; and the Headquarters and Mapping Applications Center in Reston, VA.
- Provides unbiased scientific information to characterize and manage contaminated sites and protect human and environmental health.
- Provides real-time flood warnings to promote safer communities.
- Houses Biological Science and Technology Centers nationwide such as the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in MD; the Alaska Biological Science Center; the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in ND; and the Florida Caribbean Science Center.
- Houses the Columbia Environmental Research Center in Columbia MO to provide scientific information on environmental contaminants and assessments of the effects on habitat alterations on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
- USGS is the Department of the Interior Planner for ESF-11 (Animal & Plant Disease and Pest Response), and ESF-14 (Economic Stabilization, Community Recovery & Mitigation).
Other Emergency Management Links
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
