Geoscience in Your State: Florida

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Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI

By the numbers: Florida

  • 13,696 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1
  • 3.77 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3
  • $3.15 billion: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174
  • 122 total disaster declarations, including 42 fire, 34 hurricane, and 22 severe storm disasters (1953-2017)⁶
  • $19.6 million: NSF GEO grants awarded in 201714...

Agencies Working on Geoscience Issues in florida

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects, conserves and manages Florida's natural resources and enforces the state's environmental laws.

Florida Division of Emergency Management

The mission of the Florida Division of Emergency Management is to work together to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate against their impacts. 

Florida Geological Survey

The Florida Geological Survey's mission is to collect, interpret and provide objective quality geologic information about Florida.

Case Studies & Factsheets

Cover of Geoscience Policy State Factsheet. Image credit: AGI

By the numbers: Florida 13,696 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1 3.77 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3 $3.15 billion: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174 122 total disaster declarations, including 42 fire, 34 hurricane, and 22 severe storm disasters (1953-...

CI_CaseStudy_2018_3_RipsBeachAccess_cover.PNG

What is a rip current? Rip currents are fast, concentrated flows of water that can form on beaches that have breaking waves.1 Every beach is different, but rips generally form when waves are breaking and the underwater surface is uneven (e.g., if there are sandbars, piers, jetties, or groins along...

Cover of AGI Factsheet 2018-004 - 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)...

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Fresh water from underground Groundwater is any water found underground in the cracks and pores in soil, sand, or rock. Groundwater provides 25% of the fresh water used in the United States.1 It is particularly important for irrigation and domestic uses in arid or remote areas, where surface water...

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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...