| Description |
The USGS Coastal and Marine Geology program (CMGP) is unique among federal science programs in providing the science base for policy and management relating to a broad array of coastal-zone issues. Program resources are applied to describe and understand the geologic processes that occur along the U.S. and territorial coasts. Critical national interests requiring expertise maintained within the CMGP include hazards related to earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. The 2004 Sumatra earthquake and Indian Ocean tsunami served as sober reminders of the deadly impact of, and interrelation between coastal and marine earthquakes, tsunamis, and coastal change. In addition, submarine landslides have caused some of the highest-amplitude tsunami waves ever observed. All U.S. and territorial coastlines are vulnerable to these local and remote hazards. Although the USGS has national Earthquake, Volcano, Landslide, and Earth Surface Processes programs, and NOAA has a tsunami program, these programs do not cover the unique aspects (process and operational) of hazards in coastal and marine realms. Nor do they provide the required expertise in coastal and marine geology and geophysics. Application of the competencies maintained by the CMGP is an essential element of a coordinated effort to understand hazards and to develop scientifically sound contributions to forecasts of loss of life, infrastructure, and property from catastrophic geologic events associated with coastal and marine geologic processes. |
