http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12700

Presents nine research challenges and four research initiatives to advance the study of how the landscape of the Earth changes. Predicts how processes such as wind, ice, water, tectonics and ecosystems drive changes in the surface of the planet. From the National Research Council.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf

Estimates daily water use in the U.S. at 410 billion gallons in 2005, a reduction of 5% from the peak year of 1980. Also provides details of purposes of water use and total water withdrawals by source and state. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://www.nsf.gov/geo/acgeo/geovision/nsf_ac-geo_vision_10_2009.pdf

Describes the challenge for the Geosciences to foster a sustainable future through a better understanding of the changing complexities of the planet. From the National Science Foundation.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2009/5153/pdf/sir2009-5153.pdf

Due to increasing population and economic development in the northern Shenandoah Valley, water availability has become a primary concern for public officials. This report describes the hydrogeology of the study area, documents the development of a groundwater flow model, and quantifies streamflow and water availability under both average and drought conditions. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn327.pdf

Summarizes the arguments for funding research in geo-engineeering to combat climate change. Also describes geo-engineering projects of promise for mitigating the global warming problem. From the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

http://neic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2008/

Provides list of significant 2008 earthquakes, major earthquake news and highlights for the year, maps, and information on total deaths. 88,000 people died in earthquakes during the year, most in the Eastern Sichuan quake with 69,195 documented deaths and 18,392 missing. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/p1386k/

The 8th in a series of 11 chapters on the Glaciers of North America. Compares present areal distribution of glaciers with historical information about their past extent. Provides an accurate regional inventory of the areal extent of glacier ice during the 1970s. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3082/pdf/fs2008-3082.pdf

Represents the first national geothermal resource estimate for the U.S. in more than 30 years. Argues that geothermal power production could significantly add to the electric power generating capacity of the U.S. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://www.mrm.mms.gov/rikweb/PDFDocs/RIKPRPFY2007.pdf

Reports on the money transferred to the federal treasury as a result of royalty payments by private mineral extraction firms operating on federal lands. Reports a total benefit of $63 million for FY 2007. From the Minerals Management Service.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1437/of2007-1437_text.pdf

Predicts a major earthquake in California is virtually assured within the next 30 years. From the U.S. Geological Survey.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Eruption04/framework.html

News, features, photos, and background information on the volcano from the 1980 major eruption through the 2004 minor eruption. From the U.S. Geological Survey