In 1995, USGS geologists responded to a major flood and landslide disaster after a large storm system moved through central Virginia. Building on their expertise in the surficial geology of this area, USGS geologists and hydrologists produced maps of landslides, debris flows, and flooding resulting from this costly storm. These maps are being used to explain how such disasters develop and how the loss of human life and property can be avoided. Concern about worldwide declines and deformities in amphibian populations has prompted USGS and NPs biologists to develop a project to study amphibians at Shenandoah National Park. Monitoring techniques being developed on this project are expected to be the prototypes for long-term monitoring of amphibians at other National Parks.
Spotted salamanders breed in temporary pools in the deciduous forests of Virginia.
USGS hydrologists are using environmental tracers to determine the age of ground water in Shenandoah National Park. This information will be used to help determine the susceptibility of park ground water to near-surface contamination. The USGS also is investigating how acid rain affects water quality and ecological health in the park. Working with University of Virginia scientists, the USGS is investigating the episodic acidification of streams responding to snowmelt and rainfall and is developing computer models of water quality to help predict when and where stream acidification will occur within the Park. The USGS collects biological and geosciences information in Virginia and makes this information available through map products and computer databases.