Climate Change News

• NOAA: Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48 Countries
  The 2009 State of the Climate report released Wednesday draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable. […]
• NOAA: June, April to June, and Year-to-Date Global Temperatures are Warmest on Record
  Last month’s combined global land and ocean surface temperature made it the warmest June on record and the warmest on record averaged for any April-June and January-June periods, according to NOAA. […]

Earth FAQ

• How dangerous is flooding?
  Floods are a dangerous hazard throughout the world. On average in the United States, about 165 people are killed and about $2 billion of damage occurs each year. Most people underestimate the power and destructiveness of flood waters.   […]
• How can I find flood maps?
  A: For flood insurance maps, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Flood Map Division. Telephone: 1-800-358-9616FAX: 1-800-333-1363URL: http://store.msc.fema.gov For prints of historical flood-prone area maps on microfilm, contact: U.S. Geological SurveyEarth Science Information Center507 National CenterReston, VA 20192Telephone: 1-888-ASK- […]
• What does the term "stream stage" mean?
  Stream stage is an important concept when analyzing how much water is moving in a stream at any given moment. Stage is the water level above some arbitrary point in the river and is commonly measured in feet. For example, on a normal day when no rain has fallen for a while, a river might have 'a stage of 2 feet.' If a big storm hits, the river stag […]

U.S. Geological Survey

• Interior and Agriculture Departments Announce Joint New Climate Change Research Projects on SE and NW Freshwater Systems
  WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced joint scientific research projects that address the effects of climate change on freshwater systems and sensitive aquatic species in the northwestern and southeastern United States. […]
• Scientists Set Sail to Map the Arctic Seafloor
  American and Canadian scientists are setting sail this summer to map the Arctic seafloor and gather data to help define the outer limits of the continental shelf. Each coastal nation may exercise sovereign rights over the natural resources of their continental shelf, which includes the seabed and subsoil. These rights include control over minerals, petroleum […]
• New Species Comes out of its Shell and onto the Map
  A new species of turtle no bigger than a small dinner plate has been discovered, bringing the number of native turtle species in the U.S. to 57. The Pearl River map turtle, discovered by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, is found only in the Pearl River in Louisiana and Mississippi. It is a relict of sea-level fluctuations between glacial and inter […]

Earth Publications

U.S. Department Of The Interior