USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Oceans”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
USGS1991

The distribution of seabirds and fish in relation to ocean currents in the southeastern Chukchi Sea

In late August 1988, we studied the distribution of seabirds in the southeastern Chukchi Sea, particularly in waters near a major seabird colony at Cape Thompson. Foraging areas were characterized using hydrographic data obtained from hydroacoustic surveys for fish. Murres ( Uria spp. ) and Black-legged Kitttiwakes Rissa tridactyla breeding at Cape Thompson fed mostly on Arctic cod, which are known from previous studies to be the most abundant pelagic fish in the region. Our hydroacoustic surveys revealed that pelagic fish were distributed widely, but densities were estimated to be low (e.g., 0.1-10 g∙m -3 ) throughout the study area and a few schools were recorded. Large feeding flocks of murres and kittiwakes were observed over fish schools with densities estimated to exceed 15 g∙m -3 . Fish densities were higher in shallow Alaska Coastal Current waters than offshore in Bering Sea waters, and most piscivorous seabirds foraged in coastal waters. Poor kittiwake breeding success and a low frequency of fish in murre and kittiwake stomachs in late August suggested that fish densities were marginal for sustaining breeding seabirds at that time. Planktivorous Least Auklets Aethia pusilla and Parakeet Auklets Cyclorrhynchus psittacula foraged almost exclusively in Bering Sea waters. Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris and Tufted Puffins Fratercula cirrhata foraged in transitional waters at the front between Coastal and Bering Sea currents.

Alaska↗
USGS1988

Effects of the 1982-83 El Niño – Southern Oscillation on Pacific Ocean bird populations

Seabird reproductive success, population size, and movements in the Pacific region responded dramatically to the 1982-83 El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO). At sites within the North and South Pacific Gyres, the onset of seabird responses tracked oceanographic changes related to ENSO; to the north of the gyres, responses were delayed 1 yr. Reproductive failures and high adult mortality were detected at all sites investigated. Post-ENSO, the return to “normal” nesting patterns depended on species and locality. The 1982-83 ENSO revealed a dimension to the variability in seabird reproductive biology only now appreciated by ornithologists.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2016

Geology of the Mount Rogers area, revisited: Evidence of Neoproterozoic continental rifting, glaciation, and the opening and closing of the Iapetus ocean, Blue Ridge, VA–NC–TN

Recent field and geochronological studies in eight 7.5-minute quadrangles near Mount Rogers in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee recognize important stratigraphic and structural relationships for the Neoproterozoic Mount Rogers and Konnarock formations, the northeast end of the Mountain City window, the separation of Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Blue Ridge into three age groups, and timing and emplacement of the Blue Ridge thrust sheet. The study area includes folded and faulted Paleozoic strata of the Valley and Ridge to metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Blue Ridge. In the Valley and Ridge, Cambrian to Middle Ordovician carbonate and clastic rocks are exposed in a syncline on the Pulaski thrust sheet; these rocks are overridden by the Blue Ridge thrust sheet. The northeast end of the Mountain City window is interpreted as a simple window; the Stone Mountain fault is folded and continues as the Iron Mountain fault on the NW-side of the window. The Stone Mountain fault does not exist to the NE near the Razor Ridge volcanic center. Instead a continuous section of Proterozoic gneisses, Mount Rogers Formation, Konnarock Formation and Chilhowee Group is now recognized. Rhyolites of the Mount Rogers Formation range from 760–749Ma, with detrital zircon age populations from associated volcaniclastic rocks indicating magmatism and rifting began by ~780 Ma. Rhyolite blocks in the Konnarock Formation and a change from rift-related clastic rocks of the Mount Rogers Formation transitioning to maroon laminites and laminites with dropstones, suggest that the Konnarock Formation may be as old as ~749 Ma. Mesoproterozoic crystalline rocks of the Blue Ridge, previously referred to as the Cranberry Gneiss, are separated based on field relationships and SHRIMP U–Pb geochronology: (1) pre-Grenvillian crust,1.33 Ga; (2) 1190–1140 Ma granitoids; and (3) 1075–1030 Ma granitoids. Multiple greenschist-facies high-strain zones, including the 2–11 km wide Fries high-strain zone, occur in the Blue Ridge thrust sheet. Fabrics across the Fries and Gossan Lead faults have similar orientations and NW–directed contractional deformation. 40Ar/39Ar hornblende, muscovite, and K-feldspar ages indicate the western and eastern Blue Ridge had different thermal histories. The eastern Blue Ridge (Gossan Lead thrust sheet) experienced a 360–340 Ma amphibolite facies event prior to juxtaposition with the western Blue Ridge. 40Ar/39Ar muscovite ages in western Blue Ridge rocks document greenschist facies metamorphism and deformation and emplacement of the Blue Ridge thrust sheet at ~340 Ma; the Catface and Fries faults are tentatively interpreted to be contemporaneous. After initial emplacement of the Blue Ridge thrust sheet at ~340 Ma, shortening was accommodated by westward translation along the basal decollement, which carried the Blue Ridge thrust sheet to its final position.

Book chapter↗