By the numbers: Washington
- 12,118 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed)1
- 1.53 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3
- $901 million: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174
- 132 total disaster declarations, including 78 fire, 28 flood, and 16 severe storm disasters (1953-2017)⁶
- $34.4 million: NSF GEO grants awarded in 201714
What is Geoscience?
Geoscience is the study of the Earth and the complex geologic, marine, atmospheric, and hydrologic processes that sustain life and the economy. Understanding the Earth’s surface and subsurface, its resources, history, and hazards allows us to develop solutions to critical economic, environmental, health, and safety challenges.
Your State Source for Geoscience Information
Workforce in Washington
- 12,118 geoscience employees (excludes self-employed) in 20171
- $80,786: average median geoscience employee salary1
- 11 academic geoscience departments2
Water Use in Washington
- 1.53 billion gallons/day: total groundwater withdrawal3
- 2.73 billion gallons/day: total surface water withdrawal3
- 867 million gallons/day: public supply water withdrawal3
- 2.52 billion gallons/day: water withdrawal for irrigation3
- 412 million gallons/day: industrial fresh water withdrawal3
- 86% of the population is served by public water supplies3
Energy and Minerals in Washington
- $901 million: value of nonfuel mineral production in 20174
- Sand and gravel (construction), stone (crushed), gold: top three nonfuel minerals in order of value produced in 20174
- 82.8 million megawatt hours: hydroelectricity produced in 20175
- 7.48 million megawatt hours: wind produced in 20175
- 1.7 million megawatt hours: wood-derived fuels produced in 20175
Natural Hazards in Washington
- 132 total disaster declarations, including 78 fire, 28 flood, and 16 severe storm disasters (1953-2017)6
- $38 million: individual assistance grants (2005-2017)6
- $145 million: mitigation grants (2005-2017)6
- $571 million: preparedness grants (2005-2017)6
- $327 million: public assistance grants (2005-2017)⁶
- 23 weather and/or climate events, each with costs exceeding $1 billion (inflation adjusted) (1980-2017)7
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- $1.15 billion: total USGS budget in FY 2018 (5.8% increase from FY 2017)8
- The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program funds geologic mapping projects with federal (FEDMAP), state (STATEMAP), and university (EDMAP) partners
- $4.14 million: Washington STATEMAP funding (1993-2016)9
- 4 Washington universities, including University of Washington and Washington State Univserity, have participated in EDMAP9
- USGS streamgages collect real-time or recent streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality data for Washington
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- $20.7 billion: total NASA budget in FY 2018 (5.5% increase from FY 2017)10
- $1.9 billion: total NASA Earth Science budget in FY 2018 (0% change from FY 2017)10
- Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites measure groundwater changes in Washington
- Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite measures soil moisture in Washington
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- $5.9 billion: total NOAA budget in FY 2018 (4.1% increase from FY 2017)11
- Next-generation geostationary (GOES) and polar orbiting (JPSS) satellites provide weather forecasting for Washington
- Deep Space Climate Observatory (DISCOVR) satellite monitors radiation and air quality over Washington
- 28 National Weather Service Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) stations in Washington12
- 195 National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) sites in Washington12
National Science Foundation (NSF)
- $7.8 billion: total NSF budget in FY 2018 (4% increase from FY 2017)13
- $1.4 billion: total NSF Geosciences Directorate (GEO) awards in FY 2017 (7.2% increase from FY 2016)14
- 111 NSF GEO awards in Washington totaling $34.4 million in 201714
- $29 million: NSF GEO grants awarded to University of Washington in 201714
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- $8.1 billion: total EPA budget in FY 2018 (0% change from FY 2017)15
- 49 active Superfund sites in Washington in 201816
- $18.4 million: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) grants in Washington in 201717
Federal Facilities in Washington
- USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver
- NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Port Angeles
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle
- NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle
- DOE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland
- DOE Office of River Protection - Hanford Site, Richland
References
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2017
2. American Geosciences Institute, Directory of Geoscience Departments, 53rd Edition (2018)
3. U.S. Geological Survey, Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2015
4. U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2018
5. U.S. Energy Information Administration
6. FEMA Data Visualization: Summary of Disaster Declarations and Grants (accessed May 2, 2018)
7. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters from 1980 to 2018 (accessed April 6, 2018)
8. U.S. Department of the Interior, FY 2019 Budet in Brief
9. U.S. Geological Survey, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
10. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, FY 2019 Budget Estimates
11. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, FY 2019 Bluebook
12. NOAA In Your State and Territory
13. U.S. House of Representatives, FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Bill (Division B) – Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
14. National Science Foundation, Budget Information System
15. U.S. House of Representatives, FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Bill (Division G) – Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018
16. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Sites
17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund National Information Management System Reports
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