General Info

Established in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey, also known as USGS, is a multidisciplinary scientific organization that focuses on the areas of biology, geography, geology and geospatial information. It collects, monitors, analyzes and provides scientific information about natural resource conditions, issues and problems. The agency is one of the largest water, earth, biological science and civilian mapping organizations in the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey provides scientific information related to the description and understanding of the Earth, minimizing the loss of life and property from natural disasters, and the management of water and biological, energy and mineral resources. The agency supports a program for the conservation of terrestrial and endangered resources. In addition, it administers a biological informatics program that specifically addresses the issues regarding natural data and information related to wildlife and environment. The U.S. Geological Survey supports several programs related to earthquakes, landslides and volcano hazards; data preservation; and astrogeology. In addition, the agency operates the National Geospatial Program Office, which facilitates the development of key standards and data models. It maintains a location in Woods Hole, Mass.