U.S. Department of the Interior

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GD role in the Hazards theme in the bureau
science strategyGD Managers Meeting
April 18, 2007
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
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What does GD have to do to be a significant
player or contributor? What is our niche?
GD already plays a significant role in all
aspects of strategic focus Robust monitoring in
frastructure ANSS, NVEWS, geodesy, geomag
Technology for network communications (see
above) Characterizing and assessing hazards
Forecasts based on understanding physical
processes Partnerships Our niche derives from
Statutory authority Real-time capabilities
espec. analysis (value added) Process understan
ding across temporal and spatial scales, includes
modeling and especially testing of models
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What has to be changed, adapted or grown in GD?
Robust monitoring infrastructure requires
investment this represents a core internal
responsibility needs to be well integrated as
networks but also well integrated with process
understanding capabilities. Develop observational
dataset to improve ability to forecast.
Develop a truly national capability for
landslides, including rapid response (but
probably not nationally comprehensive
monitoring) The science strategy calls for a risk
-based approach that takes traditional hazard
assessment role and incorporates societal
vulnerability for GD, that means an internal
translator capability to effectively
collaborate with Geography Discipline and
external partners who bring necessary expertise.
Side benefit of risk approach Help with internal
prioritization Challenge How to move beyond pilo
t efforts (geographic vs. thematic focus) once
demonstrate proof of concept.
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What new technologies, expertise and data are
needed to achieve the vision?
The challenge is to take advantage of new
technologies that already have been developed but
not implemented modernization of systems and
application of new capabilities Modern seismic,
real-time GPS, InSAR, LIDAR At same time, we are
in danger of losing the expertise that can bring
value to the data being collected need balance
of skills for monitoring implementation, data
interpretation and process research
Data availability is an ongoing challenge need
for data integration web portal
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Which strategic partners need to be cultivated?
The hazard to risk transition requires a new set
of partners move beyond the traditional
government partners to include private sector
Ongoing partners Emergency managers, NOAA/NWS,
International partners are becoming more
important GEOSS increasing interdependence,
need to cultivate partners (ex. Reliance on other
countries for InSAR, cooperation on ground-based
networks full and open data access) risk
approach creates new international support
opportunities, including development banks, UN as
well as USAID
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Example scientific investigations
Application of geodetic capabilities across broad
temporal scales, incl. LIDAR, SAR, InSAR,
high-res bathymetry, real-time GPS. Several
examples provided in the briefing book across
multiple hazards (and themes) Multi-hazard scenar
ios for at-risk urban areas (discussed yesterday
for Southern California) as means to make the
hazard real to those affected tool for community
engagement Example project that rolls together un
derstanding and forecasting of eruptive
processes brings together seismology,
geochemistry, geodesy, petrology. (Tasks in
briefing book)