USGS

Three insect specimens are stored in a U.S. Geological Survey research lab in Kansas. They are part of the agency's Lepidoptera Research Collection. USGS is asking residents in six states to send in dead butterflies, moths and skippers so scientists can test them for contaminants.

Environment

Scientists want you to mail dead butterflies for research if you live in these states

10:47am August 04, 2023

by Ayana Archie

The USGS wants to test if butterflies and other insects are being hurt by contaminants, such as those in pesticides. It's seeking specimens from Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

A study released by the U.S. Geological Survey on Wednesday estimates that at least 45% of U.S. tap water could be contaminated with at least one form of PFAS, which could have harmful health effects.

'Forever chemicals' could be in nearly half of U.S. tap water, a federal study finds

2:57pm July 06, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

A new government study estimates that at least 45% of the nation's tap water could be contaminated with one or more forms of PFAS. Here's what to do if you're worried about what's in your faucet.

Rescue teams are conducting search and rescue operations in Diyarbakir and other parts of southeastern Turkey that were hit by powerful earthquakes on Monday. Anyone claiming to predict quakes, a seismologist tells NPR, is making "scattershot" predictions.

No, you can't predict earthquakes, the USGS says

8:27am February 07, 2023

by Bill Chappell

If someone who predicts an earthquake seems to get it right, it's basically like a broken clock that's right twice a day, a USGS seismologist tells NPR.

A cyclist rides past a destroyed building in Guanica, Puerto Rico. The island was hit by a series of earthquakes over the past couple of weeks, leading to a state of emergency, power outages and millions of dollars of damage.

National

After Quakes, Puerto Rico's Electricity Is Back On For Most, But Uncertainty Remains

6:04pm January 13, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

Puerto Rico's public utility, PREPA said 99% of its customers' electricity has been restored following last week's 6.4 earthquake. Thousands remain in makeshift camps unsure when they can return home.

Businesses and homes were severely damaged in the town center of Guanica, Puerto Rico, after an earthquake on Tuesday. The quake, just the latest in a series of temblors to hit the region, crumbled walls and destroyed houses.

Puerto Rico Declares State Of Emergency After Quake Rocks Residents Awake

4:59pm January 07, 2020

"We have not been exposed to this kind of emergency in 102 years," Gov. Wanda Vázquez says. The 6.4 magnitude quake left at least one person dead and knocked out most of the island's power.

A 4.0 earthquake jostled communities near Cleveland on Monday.

National

Cleveland Area Rattled By 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake

8:05pm June 11, 2019

by Dani Matias

Nearly 9,000 Ohio residents reported feeling tremors because of an earthquake centered under Lake Erie. Since 1823, the northeastern Ohio seismic zone has had "moderately frequent earthquakes."

An earthquake struck early Friday morning at an intermediate depth of around 82 miles, the USGS said.

World News

7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Ecuador's Border With Peru

11:12am February 22, 2019

by Bill Chappell

The earthquake's epicenter was far inland, away from the country's main highways that run along mountain ranges.

A new lava vent opened up on a residential street in the Leilani Estates neighborhood near Kīlauea volcano Friday morning. Spatter was being thrown nearly 100 feet high at the time the photo was made.

National

Hawaiian Volcano Erupts As Molten Lava Flows Into Residential Neighborhoods

11:31pm May 04, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

The U.S. Geological Survey said lava was spewing into a neighborhood near the Kilauea volcano, which briefly erupted Thursday, and that a 6.9 magnitude earthquake was reported in the area.

The U.S. Geological Survey shows the location of Wednesday's earthquake in central Oklahoma.

Earthquake Shakes Central Oklahoma, One Of 7 In 28 Hours

9:33am August 03, 2017

by James Doubek

An earthquake of preliminary magnitude 4.2 hit Wednesday night. Earthquakes used to be rare in Oklahoma. Scientists say they're linked to the disposal of wastewater from fracking.

Henry Wood Elliott comments on walruses on Punuk Island in 1874, from his book Our Arctic Province.

What Does It Take To Map A Walrus Hangout? 160 Years And A Lot Of Help

2:04pm August 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Groups of walruses are vulnerable to disturbances, but it's hard to avoid them if you don't know where they are. A new tool from U.S. and Russian researchers draws on history to protect the animals.