Since we usually get more questions than we can answer, many messages receive automated replies expressing our regrets. Our goal is to reply to all questions within three working days. Their job titles include geologist, hydrologist, cartographer, and technician. Their experience ranges from recent college graduates to senior scientists with more than 30 years experience. Questions are not assigned by specialty, so a question about earthquakes might go to a specialist in ground water.
Many scientists enjoy finding answers to questions outside their specialty.
We received over 38,000 messages October 1994 through April 1999. We answered more than 20,000 questions October 1994 through April 1999. We received an average of 1809 messages per month January through March 1999. Most scientists answer six questions once per month. One scientist answers all the questions received on a given day of the month.