USGS personnel study the geographic features of the United States.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a bureau of the Department of the Interior. It is a scientific agency tasked with researching the natural resources and physical characteristics of the territory of the United States. Its near-exclusive focus on earth science, specifically geology, geography, geospatial studies and hydrology, mean that there are a wide variety of options for career earth scientists with the agency.
Geography
The USGS seeks to understand changes to the Earth's surface via the GAM, or Geographic Analysis and Monitoring program. By monitoring a wide variety of factors, including land cover and hydrology, earth scientists working in the GAM program seek to help inform decision makers and the public as to the nature and consequences of the interaction of human actions and natural processes.
Geology
Geologists working for the USGS work to understand and address issues arising from geologic sources such as volcanoes, earthquakes, mineral resource exploration and extraction, and groundwater distribution. There are also programs dedicated to geologic mapping, marine geology, and studying the geomagnetic properties of the Earth.
Hydrology
The USGS seeks to collect information on and understand the nature of the United States' water resources. Whether studying surface water features such as lakes, rivers, and streams or subsurface features like aquifers and wells, the hydrologists of the USGS work to achieve better knowledge of water resources and their role both in the natural world and in serving human needs.
Geospatial Data Gathering/Analysis
Supporting the National Map and National Atlas of the United States, the NGTOC, or National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, seeks the collection and analysis of accurate, consistent geospatial data (one of the primary roles of the USGS).
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