Geoscience in Your State: Alaska

PDF versionPDF version
Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI

By the numbers: Alaska

  • 3,736 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1
  • 315 million gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3
  • $3.53 billion: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174
  • 54 total disaster declarations, including 17 severe storm, 4 fire, and 13 flood disasters (1953-2017)6
  • $33.6 million: NSF GEO grants awarded in 201714...

Read more in this Geoscience in Your State Factsheet...

Agencies Working on Geoscience Issues in alaska

Alaska Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.alaska.gov/

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources' mission is to develop, conserve and maximize the use of Alaska's natural resources consistent with the public interest. The Department of Natural Resources manages all state-owned land, water and natural resources, except for fish and game, on behalf of the people of Alaska.

Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
http://dggs.alaska.gov/

The Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) mission is to determine the potential of Alaskan land for production of metals, minerals, fuels, and geothermal resources, the locations and supplies of groundwater and construction material, and the potential geologic hazards to buildings, roads, bridges, and other installations and structures.

Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
https://www.ready.alaska.gov/

The mission of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is to lead the way in homeland security and emergency management to foster a prepared, resilient Alaska capable of meeting the needs of its communities and citizens in response to all-hazards events.

Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
http://doa.alaska.gov/ogc/

The Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's mission is to protect the public interest in exploration and development of Alaska's valuable oil, gas, and geothermal resources through the application of conservation practices designed to ensure greater ultimate recovery and the protection of health, safety, fresh ground waters and the rights of all owners to recover their share of the resource.

Maps & Visualizations

Pause

Search all Maps & Visualizations  > 

Case Studies & Factsheets

CI_Factsheet_2017_5_drywellprograms_170906_thumb.JPG
Dry well usage across the United States

Introduction Dry wells improve stormwater drainage and aquifer recharge by providing a fast, direct route for rainwater to drain deep into underlying sediment and rock. Dry wells are most common in the western U.S. where clay or caliche layers slow down the natural drainage of water into underlying...

Cover of AGI Factsheet 2018-004 - Present Day Climate Change
Present Day Climate Change

Climate Science 101 Climate is the average of weather conditions over several decades.1,2 Geoscientists monitor modern climate conditions (1880 A.D. to present) in part by taking direct measurements of weather data (i.e., air temperature, rainfall and snowfall, wind speed, cloudiness, and so on)...

Fig. 3. View of part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at the Denali Fault showing major design features. Fault movement and intense ground shaking were accommodated by zigzagging the pipeline and leaving it free to slide. Credit: M. Metz, Anchorage
Geologic map aids mitigation of earthquake damage in Alaska

On November 3, 2002, the 800-mile long Trans-Alaska Pipeline pipeline was able to withstand the largest recorded earthquake for the Denali fault without spilling a drop of oil and with only 3 days shutdown time for inspections. The survival of the pipeline demonstrates the value of combining...

CI_CaseStudy_2017_1_VolcanicLandslides_thumb.JPG
Investigating Volcanic Landslide Hazards

More than just volcanic eruptions Volcanic eruptions are a serious hazard. But at many stratovolcanoes in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and Alaska, landslides and debris flows can be just as dangerous. Some of these - especially volcanic mudflows (lahars) - are directly triggered by...

Cover of Offshore Oil and Gas
Offshore Oil and Gas

Introduction Many of the world’s oil and gas resources lie beneath the oceans. Advances in exploration, drilling, and production technologies allow production in water more than 10,000 feet deep and more than 100 miles offshore. Major spills are rare but damage sensitive ocean and coastal...

Cover of What Determines the Location of a Well
What Determines the Location of a Well?

Introduction Oil- and gas-rich rocks are only found in certain parts of the United States, so most of the country has no oil or gas wells. Where oil and gas production is commercially viable, many factors determine the exact location of each well, including leasing, permitting, competing land uses...

Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI
Geoscience in Alaska

By the numbers: Alaska 3,736 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1 315 million gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3 $3.53 billion: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174 54 total disaster declarations, including 17 severe storm, 4 fire, and 13 flood disasters (1953-2017)6 $...

Cover of Oil and Gas in the U.S. Arctic
Oil and Gas in the U.S. Arctic

Introduction The Arctic hosts large oil and natural gas resources both onshore and offshore.1 However, the harsh climate, extreme weather, remote locations, and limited infrastructure make exploration and production expensive and sometimes hazardous. In recent decades, decreased summer sea ice has...

Cover of Heavy Oil
Heavy Oil

Introduction Naturally occurring crude oil comes in many forms. The most familiar to many people is light crude oil, which is less dense than water and flows easily at room temperature. Heavy oil and bitumen are forms of crude oil that are more viscous (thicker) and dense. The largest crude oil...

Screenshot of the USEITI case studies showing the North Slope Borough case study highlighted
Oil Production in the North Slope Borough, Alaska

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Information and Data Management has produced a series of case studies on extractive industries across the United States, focusing on coal, copper, gold, iron, natural gas, and oil.

Cover of AGI Case Study 2018-001-Geologic Mapping and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Geologic Mapping and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline

Overview The 800-mile-long Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which starts at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope, can carry 2 million barrels of oil per day south to the port of Valdez for export, equal to roughly 10% of the daily consumption in the United States in 20171. The pipeline crosses the Denali...

Pause
1 of 11

Search all Case Studies & Factsheets  > 

Webinars & Forums

Pause

Search all Webinars & Forums  >