Climate Change
Learn how geoscientists are studying the impacts of climate change and developing strategies to mitigate and adapt.
Reference Collection
Geoscience FAQ
Frequently asked questions about geoscience, societal issues, natural resources, hazards, climate, water, and related public-facing topics.
Explore Geoscience Intersections
Explore how geoscience intersects with societal challenges and informs our understanding of critical issues.
Energy
Explore how geoscientists are at the forefront of ensuring sustainable energy production and mitigating environmental impacts.
Hazards
Geoscience helps us understand and prepare for natural hazards, and contribute to disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
Mineral Resources
Learn about the importance of minerals in modern society that are vital for technology, infrastructure, and economic development.
Water
Discover the science behind water resources, managing droughts, floods, and ensuring sustainable supplies for future generations.
Weather
Explore the science behind weather systems, and how geoscience improves forecasting and preparing for weather-related hazards.
Browse All FAQs
Search by question title, source, or topic to find answers across the FAQ collection.
101 results
Are rare earth elements the only critical mineral resources?
critical minerals
mineral resources
Can droughts be predicted?
drought
hazards
water
water availability
geoscience
Can earthquakes be predicted?
earthquake
hazards
Can floods be predicted?
water
hazards
flood
Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
landslide
hazards
Can volcanoes be dangerous even when they don't erupt?
volcano
hazards
Can we mitigate environmental impacts from mining?
metal
mining
mineral resources
Do we have enough oil worldwide to meet our future needs?
oil and gas
energy
Does flood risk for a particular location change over time?
flood
hazards
water
climate
Does hydraulic fracturing cause earthquakes?
hydraulic fracturing
energy
hazards
earthquake
fracking
How are tsunami early warnings issued?
tsunami
hazards
How can metal mining impact the environment?
metal
mining
mineral resources
geoscience
water quality
How can you find out how deep the water table is in a specific location?
water availability
water
groundwater
How common is groundwater and what affects its availability?
water availability
water
groundwater
How do changes in land use impact water resources?
water quality
water availability
water
groundwater
wildfire
flood
How do groundwater and surface water interact?
water availability
water quality
water
geoscience
groundwater
How do pyrite and pyrrhotite damage building foundations?
hazards
geoscience
aggregates
mineral resources
industrial minerals
How do we use rare earth elements?
critical minerals
mineral resources
metal
How do you forecast tornadoes?
weather hazards
hazards
How does 3D geologic mapping benefit society?
hazards
mineral resources
energy
water
mapping
How does El Niño affect my area?
climate
el nino
weather hazards
How does recycling save energy?
waste management
energy
hazards
recycling
How does the damage from hurricanes compare to that of tornadoes?
weather hazards
hazards
How is ocean acidification affecting sea life?
climate
environment
oceans
geoscience
How long does it take for a sinkhole to stop growing?
sinkhole
hazards
How many active volcanoes are there in the United States?
volcano
hazards
How many nuclear power plants are there in the U.S.?
nuclear energy
energy
How many pounds of minerals are needed for each person in the U.S. per year?
mining
mineral resources
How many tornadoes have there been in my state or county?
weather hazards
hazards
How might global warming change hurricane intensity, frequency, and rainfall?
weather hazards
hazards
climate
How much carbon dioxide can the United States store underground via geologic sequestration?
climate
How much carbon dioxide is produced when different fuels are burned?
climate
energy
coal
oil and gas
How much coal does the U.S. export and import?
coal
energy
mineral resources
How much copper has been found in the world?
metal
mineral resources
How much do landslides cost the U.S. in terms of monetary losses?
landslide
hazards
el nino
How much electricity does a typical nuclear power plant generate?
nuclear energy
energy
How much energy does a person use in a year?
energy
How much natural gas does the United States have, and how long will it last?
oil and gas
energy
How much of the world's energy does the United States use?
energy
How much of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are associated with electricity generation?
energy
climate
coal
oil and gas
How much of world energy consumption and electricity generation is from renewable energy?
renewable energy
energy
hydropower
wind power
solar
geothermal
How much oil does the U.S. export and import?
oil and gas
energy
How much oil is consumed in the United States?
oil and gas
energy
How much U.S. electricity is generated from renewable energy?
renewable energy
energy
hydropower
wind power
solar
geothermal
How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?
hydraulic fracturing
fracking
oil and gas
energy
water
water availability
How much water is used by people in the United States?
water availability
water
What affects the quality of surface and groundwater?
water quality
water
groundwater
wildfire
What are critical minerals, and why are they important?
critical minerals
mineral resources
What are El Niño and La Niña?
climate
el nino
What are environmental regulations on mining activities?
mining
mineral resources
What are rare earth elements, and why are they important?
critical minerals
mineral resources
geoscience
What are tar sands?
energy
oil and gas
mining
water quality
What are the advantages and disadvantages of offshore wind farms?
energy
renewable energy
wind power
What are the different types of coal?
coal
energy
mineral resources
What are the different types of landslide hazard maps? What do they mean?
landslide
hazards
What are the effects of contaminants on water quality?
water quality
water
groundwater
wildfire
flood
What are the energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by source and sector for the United States?
climate
energy
What are the main methods of mining?
mining
mineral resources
What are the major sources and users of energy in the United States?
coal
oil and gas
nuclear energy
renewable energy
geothermal
hydropower
wind power
solar
energy
What are the natural warning signs for a tsunami?
tsunami
hazards
What are underground injection wells used for?
waste management
energy
hazards
water
water quality
water availability
groundwater
What can be done to prevent or clean up acid mine drainage?
mining
mineral resources
environment
water quality
What controls natural water quality?
water quality
water
What environmental issues are associated with hydraulic fracturing?
hydraulic fracturing
energy
fracking
What happens before, during, and after mining?
metal
mining
mineral resources
What is an Enhanced Geothermal System?
energy
geothermal
geoscience
What is biomining?
mineral resources
metal
mining
waste management
What is coalbed methane?
energy
oil and gas
coal
geoscience
What is frac sand?
industrial minerals
mineral resources
hydraulic fracturing
energy
fracking
What is geoscience?
geoscience
What is groundwater used for?
water
water use
water availability
groundwater
What is Lidar and what is it used for?
geoscience
lidar
hazards
landslide
flood
What is ocean acidification?
climate
environment
oceans
What is produced water?
energy
oil and gas
hydraulic fracturing
fracking
waste management
water
water quality
What is renewable natural gas?
energy
renewable energy
oil and gas
What is surface water and what affects its availability?
water availability
water
geoscience
wildfire
What is the difference between weather and climate?
climate
el nino
weather
What is the evidence that our present-day climate is changing?
climate
climate change
wildfire
drought
flood
weather hazards
What is the potential for geothermal energy production in the United States?
geothermal
energy
What is the probability that an earthquake is a foreshock to a larger earthquake?
earthquake
hazards
What is the role of shale as a source of oil and gas resources in the United States?
oil and gas
energy
fracking
hydraulic fracturing
What kinds of hazards are associated with volcanic eruptions?
volcano
hazards
geoscience
What minerals are used in fireworks?
mineral resources
What role does recycling play in our metal supply?
metal
mining
mineral resources
recycling
What types and amounts of energy are produced in each state?
coal
oil and gas
energy
Where can I find flood maps for my area?
flood
hazards
water
geoscience
Where can I find information about the health effects of contaminants in drinking water?
water quality
water
Where can I find maps or information on the location of natural gas and oil pipelines?
oil and gas
energy
Where can I find statistics about the supply and demand of industrial minerals?
industrial minerals
mineral resources
Where can I find statistics about the supply and demand of metals?
metal
mineral resources
Where can I find up-to-date information about drought conditions in my region?
drought
hazards
water
Which areas are most at risk for sinkholes?
sinkhole
hazards
groundwater
Which areas in the United States are most dependent on groundwater?
water
water availability
groundwater
Which mineral commodities used in the United States need to be imported?
mineral resources
critical minerals
industrial minerals
mining
metal
Which states are the largest producers and consumers of coal?
coal
energy
mineral resources
Which states are the largest producers and consumers of coal?
coal
energy
mineral resources
Why and where do earthquakes happen?
hazards
earthquake
geoscience
Why doesn't a drought go away when it rains?
drought
hazards
water
Why is geothermal energy a renewable resource? Can it be depleted?
geothermal
energy
renewable energy
Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
volcano
hazards
Why is monitoring volcanoes important to aviation?
volcano
hazards
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