United States Geological Survey (USGS)
» Visit the USGS Science Center for Coastal and Marine Geology located in Woods Hole, Ma
Earth scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Woods Hole Science
Center explore and study the geology, chemistry, and physics of the
underwater areas offshore of the United States. Established in 1962,
the field office has grown from a handful of researchers exploring the
frontier continental margin to a team of about 100, studying many of
society’s pressing issues, such as coastal erosion, marine pollution,
resource extraction, and habitat degradation. The USGS research
facility is located on WHOI’s Quissett Campus.
The Woods Hole team’s research focuses on five general themes: coastal
and shelf geology, sediment transport, environmental geoscience, energy
and tectonics, and information science. A long-term goal is to develop
predictive capabilities for geologic processes and to provide the basic
geologic framework of the U.S.’s offshore areas. The results of these
studies are released to the public as reports, maps, journal articles,
books, atlases, and seminar contributions. Much of the data and
information are accessible online through woodshole.er.usgs.gov.
The USGS Woods Hole Science Center has specialized capabilities to
assist in oceanographic research, including sediment transport
instrumentation, an integrated seafloor mapping facility, geochemistry
laboratory facilities, a 25-foot research vessel R/V Rafael, a gas-hydrates testing laboratory, and an advanced shoreline mapping vehicle (SWASH).
USGS research is used to increase basic understanding of geoscience
processes, to help develop government policy, and to aid managers in
their stewardship and regulatory functions. The USGS in Woods Hole
collaborates with other research institutions and universities within
the Woods Hole scientific community, the nation, and the world.
USGS marine research also involves collaboration with states, and other
government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Army Corps of Engineers, the departments of Commerce, Energy, Defense,
and State, and other bureaus within the Department of the Interior.
Publications by the Woods Hole team provide scientific information of
national and international importance to the research community,
federal and state agencies, as well as the general public. Additional
information is available via the www.usgs.gov website.
Contact Information
Main Phone: 508-548-8700
Crawford and Gosnold Laboratories
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543
woodshole.er.usgs.gov