Because the marine environment is made up of complex interrelated systems that cross political boundaries, the USGS, in collaboration with other Federal, State, and local agencies, addresses and respond s to changing national needs and develops and maintains long-term national data bases. Credible data is available to State and local agencies as they consider mitigation strategies and develop land management plans. Our success in these endeavors is being assessed this year by an external review from National Research Council. Fundamental studies improve the understanding of coastal and marine geologic processes. Knowledge gained is broadly applicable to National and International issues.
Regional studies increase knowledge of specific coastal and marine geologic systems.
Catastrophic event studies address the effect that rare or large-magnitude events have on coastal and marine geologic systems. Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and pollutant or nutrient discharges require rapid response, and a long-term commitment to the acquisition of baseline data is needed. Long-term observations define the time scales and the magnitude of change in geologic systems. Data from long-term observations provide a range of conditions, including catastrophic and rare events, for use in models. Assessments provide a systematic evaluation of the status of geologic systems or processes.