United States Geological Survey

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the U.S. government. It studies the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The USGS is in the news recently due to several events. First, the USGS reported on the eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, detailing the height of lava fountains and the distribution of tephra. Second, the USGS mistakenly issued an alert for a non-existent magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Carson City, Nevada. Finally, while not directly related to a USGS activity, the agency's data and expertise are relevant to understanding the global supply chain implications of disruptions to helium production in Qatar, as the USGS provides data on helium resources. These events highlight the USGS's role in monitoring and reporting on geological activity and its relevance to both domestic safety and international resource issues.