Research Themes: Ocean Resources for America's Needs

Methane hydrate is sometimes called "the ice that burns" because the warming hydrates release enough methane to sustain a flame. [larger version]

America is increasingly dependent on ocean resources for energy, raw materials for construction, and minerals vital to emerging communication and information technologies. Resources of high interest and value are gas hydrates, renewable kinetic energy in offshore winds, tides and currents, deposits of rare earth elements, and sand and gravel deposits for construction and beach nourishment. USGS conducts research studies focused on geologic mapping, sampling and understanding of mineral and energy resources and studies of the geologic setting and processes to inform renewable energy development offshore.

Use the tabs below to see current research related to Ocean Resources for America's Needs or see all Research Themes.

• National Studies
• Regional Studies
• Applied Science

Gas Hydrates Evaluating methane hydrates a potential energy source, studying relations between hydrate dynamics and submarine slope failures, and understanding the interactions between methane hydrate and climate change. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science)

Law of the Sea - Outer Limits of the U.S. Continental Margins Conducting field experiments in the regions beyond 200 nautical miles off U.S. coastlines to define the extended continental shelf. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study)

Marine Aggregate Resources and Processes Providing information about offshore aggregate deposits such as grain size, composition, and extent, to support resource and habitat assessments, and sustainability. Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study, Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study)

Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems Quantifying estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study, Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study, Applied Science)

Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Minerals Providing an assessment of the state-of-knowledge of the mineral resources within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Pacific islands of U.S. interest. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study, Applied Science)

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) Developing scientific information and tools to support natural resource managers in the adaptive management of nearshore habitats of Puget Sound. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (Regional Study)

National Seafloor Mapping and Benthic Habitat Studies: Atlantic Monitoring and assessing diverse marine habitats at Stellwagen and Georges Banks to preserve and support a large fishing industry. Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study)

Coastal Aquifer Project II (CAPII) Quantifying the relative role of ground water in the delivery of fresh water and nutrients to geologically distinct coastal areas. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (Regional Study, Applied Science)

Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CREST) Studying complex physical and biological processes that are impacting the health of coral reef ecosystems, such as climate change, ocean acidification, increasing fishing pressure, and occurrences of disease, to inform their sustainable management. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (Regional Study, Applied Science)

Pacific Coral Reef Geology and Oceanography Providing scientific understanding of the natural physical processes and human-induced impacts that critically influence the development and sustainability of U.S. coral reefs. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (Regional Study, Applied Science)

Sea and Lake Floor Mapping Providing research programs with technical expertise and innovations in seafloor mapping production. Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study, Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study)

Sediment Transport in Coastal Environments Finding solutions to environmental problems caused by sediment erosion and movement. Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Applied Science), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study, Applied Science)

Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Minerals Providing an assessment of the state-of-knowledge of the mineral resources within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Pacific islands of U.S. interest. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (Regional Study, Applied Science)

Estuarine Processes, Hazards, and Ecosystems Quantifying estuarine processes through observations and numerical modeling Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study, Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study, Applied Science)

Gas Hydrates Evaluating methane hydrates a potential energy source, studying relations between hydrate dynamics and submarine slope failures, and understanding the interactions between methane hydrate and climate change. Research Theme(s): Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science)

Marine Aggregate Resources and Processes Providing information about offshore aggregate deposits such as grain size, composition, and extent, to support resource and habitat assessments, and sustainability. Research Theme(s): Understanding Coastal Change (National Study, Applied Science), Ocean Resources for America's Needs (National Study, Applied Science), Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Science (National Study)