The Washington Geological Survey recently published a new Mines and Minerals database to the Washington Geologic Information Portal. The database was created as part of a grant from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP). The database consolidates existing digital data about mines and minerals in Washington State, created by […]
Celebrate the New Year with new lidar images!
Happy New Year from the Washington Geological Survey! In honor of the New Year we’ve created many new lidar-derived images that we would like to share with you. These new images cover the state from east to west and include mountains, floodplains, glaciers, and other landscapes sculpted by geologic forces. Scroll down to read more […]
Three New 1:24,000-Scale Geologic Maps Published!
We recently released three new 1:24,000-scale geologic maps covering parts of Thurston, Pierce, King, and Kittitas Counties. Read on to learn more about the maps and find links to download the publications. Geologic map of the Chester Morse Lake 7.5-minute quadrangle, King County, Washington Abstract We combine new geologic mapping, geochronology, geochemistry, thin-section analysis, a […]
A new look and new features for our Recently Reported Landslides map
Are you curious whether there have been any landslides near you recently? Now you can find out on our new and improved Recently Reported Landslides map! The interactive map shows recent landslides compiled by the Washington Geological Survey based on reports from media sources and government agencies. The compilation is updated regularly throughout the year […]
Building a sustainable world through geology
Happy Earth Science Week! In celebration of this year’s theme, “Earth Science for a Sustainable World”, we are excited to introduce the new Earth Resource Program at the Washington Geological Survey. The program studies the intersection of groundwater, geothermal energy, and carbon sequestration in the Columbia Basin of southeastern Washington. The development of the Earth […]
New tsunami vertical evacuation structure and evacuation maps for the Washington coast.
On August 5th, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe dedicated the new Auntie Lee Vertical Evacuation Tower in Tokeland. The Tokeland tower is the third vertical evacuation structure in North America, joining rooftop structures in Westport, Washington and Newport, Oregon. The Auntie Lee Vertical Evacuation Tower can accommodate over 400 people and has dramatically reduced the […]
New Landslide Inventory of Portions of Snohomish County Published
We are pleased to announce the publication of our Landslide Inventory of Portions of Snohomish County, Washington. Abstract An updated inventory of landslides was produced by interpreting 1,663 mi2 of lidar data in western Snohomish County. Following published protocols, mapping yielded 6,171 landslides, 7,145 fans, and 1,289 rockfall deposits. Through a review of orthophotos and […]
More new lidar images of Washington’s landforms!
The Washington Geological Survey has just added 10 new lidar-derived images of the State’s landforms to our image collection. This new set includes landscapes shaped by glaciers, ice-age floods, rivers, and landslides. For more information, check out the image descriptions below and use the associated links to view and download high-resolution versions of each one. […]
New educational web guide for tsunami preparedness
The eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano earlier this year created a tsunami that spread to Washington’s coasts. This may have been the first tsunami many residents of Washington had experienced, but it might not be the last. Tsunamis occur pretty frequently, with two damaging tsunamis occurring worldwide each year on average. In Washington State, […]
New Tsunami Hazard Maps and Simulation Videos from a Seattle Fault Earthquake Scenario
We have just released a new publication titled: “Tsunami inundation, current speeds, and arrival times simulated from a large Seattle Fault earthquake scenario for Puget Sound and others parts of the Salish Sea”. The publication provides 16 large-format maps along with a pamphlet describing the science behind the modeling. We have also released six new […]
WASHINGTON STATE GEOLOGY NEWS 