U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey British Geological Survey 175th Anniversary Symposium 28 September 2010 Dr. Marcia McNutt, Director U.S. Geological Survey Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges with Integrated Science

A Look Ahead The need for trusted, authoritative science information The fundamental role of government-sponsored science The nature of USGS science Integrated science promotes synergy in knowledge and in practice A recent example of integrated science New frontiers for geological surveys

Night light produced largely from fossil fuels An index of population and human power in the environment NASA Night light produced largely from fossil fuels

Human-induced changes on a global scale Rising demand for resources Climate change Approaching thresholds of ecosystems Rising demand for resources Climate change Approaching thresholds of ecosystems

Increased demand Energy Minerals Water Agriculture Energy Minerals Water Agriculture

Global issues concerning society and the environment Competition for, natural threats to, natural resources Natural hazards – floods, earthquakes, landslides Effects of wildlife disease on human health Availability of water for people and ecosystems Effects of climate change on resources, ecosystems, human health _______________ An urgent need for authoritative, trusted science information Competition for, natural threats to, natural resources Natural hazards – floods, earthquakes, landslides Effects of wildlife disease on human health Availability of water for people and ecosystems Effects of climate change on resources, ecosystems, human health _______________ An urgent need for authoritative, trusted science information

The role of government-sponsored science

The Nation’s natural science agency. Conducts independent research. Our reputation is our most important asset. Science resources leveraged in partnership with more than 2,000 agencies in the U.S. and abroad:. State, local, tribal governments. Academic community. Other Federal allies. Non-governmental organizations. Private sector The Nation’s natural science agency. Conducts independent research. Our reputation is our most important asset. Science resources leveraged in partnership with more than 2,000 agencies in the U.S. and abroad:. State, local, tribal governments. Academic community. Other Federal allies. Non-governmental organizations. Private sector The Nature of USGS Science

USGS Science Information The National Map Usually held in large archives Provides historical record for improved baselines Beyond the capabilities of states or universities Helps forestall duplicative efforts Free access, in public domain Usually held in large archives Provides historical record for improved baselines Beyond the capabilities of states or universities Helps forestall duplicative efforts Free access, in public domain

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. John Muir The Earth behaves as a system in which oceans, atmosphere and land, and the living and non-living parts therein, are all connected. Global Change and the Earth System Steffen et al, 2005 When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. John Muir The Earth behaves as a system in which oceans, atmosphere and land, and the living and non-living parts therein, are all connected. Global Change and the Earth System Steffen et al, 2005 USGS Science Strategy: A Systems Approach

USGS Realignment follows USGS Science Strategy Ecosystems Climate and Land-Use Change Energy, Minerals, and Human Health Natural Hazards SAS Water Informatics and Data Integration Science Quality and Integrity

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey USGS Science in the Gulf: the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Effects  April 20 explosion, 11 fatalities  Total oil released: Apr. 22 – July 15 (when flow suspended) 4.9 million barrels, +/- 10% (FRTG)  Over 1.8 M gallons of dispersant (as of 8/23)  Over 80,000 square miles of Gulf closed to fishing (8/10)  642 mi. of coastline impacted, 343 mi. currently oiled (8/25)

Three Day Projected Oil Spill Movement Forecast – June 3

Pre-Impact Assessment Water, sediment and benthic samples taken at ~70 locations Conducted coastal vegetation photo surveys and ground truthing Remote sensing and production of maps and GIS layers showed historical and current locations of trust resources, coastal ecosystems, and shoreline conditions ``````````````````````````

Flow Rate Technical Group Mass Balance Team Methodology peer reviewed and published, May

Well Integrity Team Director McNutt with Well Integrity Team members (l to r): Paul Hsieh, Water Mooney, Marcia McNutt, Steve Hickman, Cathy Enomoto, Phil Nelson

The Relevance of National Surveys Authoritative, unbiased Authoritative, unbiased Accessible Accessible Extensive national and global observation networks and databases require a national commitment Extensive national and global observation networks and databases require a national commitment Historical perspective essential for information continuity and archival Historical perspective essential for information continuity and archival Decision support tools Partnerships optimize science resources, build consensus Decision support tools Partnerships optimize science resources, build consensus

New frontiers for Geological Surveys Move beyond traditional categories of natural resources Move beyond traditional categories of natural resources Assess effects of societal actions on the environment Assess effects of societal actions on the environment Consider societal resilience to hazards Create decision support systems using all available scientific data Consider societal resilience to hazards Create decision support systems using all available scientific data Geological surveys can expand as vital sources for science information Toward future geological surveys