Our world is being transformed as population increases, the climate changes, and the needs for water, agricultural, energy, and mineral resources increase. To address societal issues related to this transformation, the Geology and Environmental Change Science Center (GECSC), located in Denver, Colorado, conducts research on past climatic and environmental changes, the geologic framework of natural resources and hazards, and the interactions among geologic, biologic, and hydrologic systems at and near the Earth's surface. This work supports land and resource management decisions, the search for new sources of key materials, and the assessment of the environmental effects of climate change and human activities.
Science Center Director: Buddy Schweig
Science Center contacts and directory
The Geology and Environmental Change Science Center is part of the USGS Rocky Mountain Area. Our offices and laboratories are located primarily in Building 25 of the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado. We also occupy offices and laboratories in Buildings 15, 21, and 56 of the Denver Federal Center and an office in Corvallis, Oregon. The GECSC includes federal employees, contract employees, and emeritus scientists.
New Evidence Argues Against Younger Dryas Extraterrestrial Impact Event
The controversial Younger Dryas impact hypothesis contends that an extraterrestrial object exploded over North America about 12,900 years ago resulting in massive wildfires, climate change, the extinction of many North American megafauna, and the demise of the Clovis culture. Certain "impact markers" found in the remains of old wetlands ("black mats") dated to 12,900 years ago were used as evidence for this hypothesis. If an extraterrestrial impact was the cause of such drastic change, the implications include an implied greater risk to humanity from impact events as well as these events being considered as potential triggers of rapid climate change.
GECSC geologist Jeff Pigati led a cooperative study funded by the USGS, the National Geographic Society, the Millennium Science Initiative, and Chile's National Commission on Scientific Research and Technology, to determine if the impact markers are actually inherent to the wetland systems in which the markers were originally found. The study shows that several of the markers are commonly found in black mats and other wetland deposits ranging in age from 6,000 to more than 40,000 years in areas far removed from the purported impact location. These findings suggest that the markers accumulated naturally in wetlands and are not the result of a catastrophic impact event.
The role of the Geology and Environmental Change Science Center is to use integrated studies of geology, biology, hydrology, and spatial analysis to understand the Earth's past and present changes. Our research activities have applications to a wide range of public policy concerns related to managing public lands, assessing the influence of climate change on the environment (past, present, and future), defining the geologic framework for groundwater-related problems, and identifying geologic and environmental hazards.
The Geology and Environmental Change Science Center publishes a variety of maps and scientific reports that present the findings of our research.
April 24, 2012
By Jeff Pigati (GECSC), Claudio Latorre, Jason Rech, Julio Betancourt, Katherine Martínez, and James Budahn. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis contends that an extraterrestrial object exploded over North America 12,900 years ago, causing massive wildfires and climate change, the extinction of many North American megafauna, and the demise of the Clovis culture. Evidence for the event came from impact markers found in association with "black mats". This new study shows that the impact markers are common in black mats in both North and South America, regardless of age or location, and are terrestrial in origin.
April 23, 2012
By Sarah Shafer (GECSC), Jane Atkins, Betsy Bancroft, Patrick Bartlein, Joshua Lawler, Ben Smith, and Chad Wilsey. USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5099.
The ways in which species and ecosystems may respond to future climate changes may present challenges for conservation and natural resource managers. This report describes projected future changes in climate and vegetation for the areas around Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Irwin, California and discusses the potential effects of climate change for species and habitats of management concern in each study area.
April 17, 2012
Digital version of Quaternary geologic map of the Hatteras 4° x 6° quadrangle, United States
By Chuck Bush, USGS Miscellaneous Investigations Series I-1420 (NI-18).
The geologic data of this map, first published as a printed edition in 1986 as part of the Quaternary Geologic Atlas of the United States, has been captured digitally for use with GIS applications. This data is presented here along with images of the printed map sheet, map text, and component parts as PDF files.
April 11, 2012
Quaternary geologic map of the Havre 1° x 2° quadrangle, Montana
Compilations by Dave Fullerton (GECSC) and Roger Colton. Digital edition by Chuck Bush (GECSC). Published as USGS Open-File Report 2012-1028.
Prepared in cooperation with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, this map describes the surficial deposits and materials of an area along the Montana/Saskatchewan boundary. Report includes ARC/INFO export coverages.
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Page Last Modified: Wed 25-Apr-2012 9:35:10 MDT
