This guide provides a set of resources for advanced undergraduate research in USGS Resources at the Cabot Science Library. This list is not intended to be exhaustive or comprehensive. Cabot Library holds the general science collections for the university; additional resources are available at the Harvard Map Collection and Environmental Information Services. Please consult the HOLLIS catalog and the E-Research @ Harvard site for all of Harvard’s holdings.
General Guides to the USGS
Much of this information may also be found at the USGS at http://www.usgs.gov/.
Guide to USGS Publications ; Cabot REF MAP -- a bibliography of resources from the USGS.
Earth Sciences Disc [computer file] / U S Geological Survey Library ; Cabot CD-ROM -- contains bibliographic records of USGS materials, information about earth science data sets, and a compilation of geologic maps of the U.S.
Guide to Obtaining USGS Information ; Cabot REF QE76.Z99 G46 1985
General Geology Guides
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report (CD-ROM) and U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report [computer file] ; Cabot CD-ROM or Online at: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/pubs/index.jsp?view=adv -- open-file reports include unpublished manuscript reports, maps, and other material that are made available for public consultation at depositories.
Geological Survey Bulletin ; Cabot Serial BG 1200 -- the bulletins contain significant data but are generally more limited in scope or geographic coverage than Professional Papers. They include the results of resource studies and of geologic and topographic investigations, as well as collections of short papers related to a specific topic.
Geological Survey Professional Paper ; Cabot Serial BG 6500 and Tozzer LSOC 120.146.40 -- these are comprehensive scientific reports of wide and lasting interest and scientific importance, characterized by thoroughness of study and breadth of scientific or geographic coverage. The series may include collections of related papers addressing different aspects of a single scientific topic, either issued together under one cover or separately as chapters.
Scientific Investigations Report ; Cabot Serial BG 6700-- this series includes collections of related papers addressing different aspects of a single scientific topic, either issued as individual chapters or as a single volume; proceedings and abstracts for USGS-sponsored meetings; some field trip guidebooks and road logs; and general manuals, and are generally narrower in scope than Professional Papers.
Minerals
U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Databases, MRDS and MAS/MILS [computer file] ; Cabot CD-ROM TN153 .U55 2000
Minerals Yearbook ; Cabot PER 5695 Shelved in stacks -- an annual publication that reviews the mineral and material industries of the United States and foreign countries.
Mineral Industry Surveys ; Cabot Serial BB 4800 -- serves up periodic economic and statistical information about the mineral industry.
Geomagnetism, Water Science/Water Quality and Environmental Geomagetism
Geomagnetism
USGS-NGIC Geomagnetic Observatory Data [computer file]; Documents / Lamont I 19.120/2
Water Science/Water Quality
USGS Quality of Water [electronic resource]: Surface 1998 ; Map Coll (Pusey) CDISC MAP-LC TD223 .U55 1998
Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper ; Cabot Serial BG 9400 and Tozzer L.SOC.120.146.35
Environmental
Environmental Data Resource Disc [computer file]: Hydrosphere ; Map Coll. (Pusey) CDISC MAP-LC QC983 .E58
For further information please visit the USGS Web site at: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/publications.html
Series Titles: Data Series
It encompasses a broad range of data , maps, and computer programs, including interpreted results of investigations, comprehensive reviewed data bases, spatial data sets, digital images and animation, and multimedia presentations that are not intended for printed release.
Example of titles: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series Cabot CD-ROM Various call numbers
Series Titles: Map Series
Oil and Gas Investigations Maps and Charts ; Cabot example: MAP OC-147-A -- includes various titles, e.g.: Structure contour Maps of the Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming.
Geologic Quadrangle Maps. Each map in this series is accompanied by an explanatory text printed on the map margin or occasionally as a separate pamphlet. Some maps include cross sections for clarity and to show relations at depth; some contain columnar sections describing stratigraphy; some maps show structure contours. ; Cabot example: MAP GQ-351 (1995) -- on geology of the Mammoth Cave quadrangle, Kentucky.
Miscellaneous Investigations Series Maps. Includes maps covering diverse topical material such as bedrock and surficial geology, marine geology, mineral and energy resources, and geophysics and geochemistry. The series also includes maps of the Earth's Moon and other planetary bodies, hydrogeology, landforms, earthquake epicenters, map projections, and oblique-view maps. ; Cabot example:: MAP I-2472 -- a surficial geologic map of the Chewelah 30 x 60 quadrangle, Washington and Idaho.
Miscellaneous Field Studies Series Maps. The series, begun in 1950, had been known earlier as the Mineral Investigations Field Studies Series. Pre-1971 maps show geology in relation to specific mining or mineral deposit studies; later maps are on various subjects such as bedrock and surficial geology, offshore geology, mineral resource assessments, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and environmental studies. Theses maps are either the preliminary results of ongoing studies or the final results of studies that lack the scope necessary for the I and GQ Series. They are intended for rapid publication and are mostly author prepared. ; Cabot example: MAP MF-2144-E -- maps showing mineral resource assessment of the Chandler Lake quadrangle, Alaska.
The Hydrologic Investigations Atlases. A series of Hydrologic maps showing a wide range of water resources information, such as depth to ground water, floods, irrigated acreage, producing aquifers, water availability, surface water discharge, chemical or mineral content of water, surface impoundments, and water temperature. ; Cabot example: Atlas HA-747 -- an atlas of water resources in the Black Hills area, South Dakota.
For further information please visit the USGS Web site at:
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/usgsmaps/usgsmaps.html#GEOLOGIC%20MAPS
Journals and Databases to Journal Articles
Journals
Cabot Science Library has a large collection of current journals on the main floor of the library. We have couches and arm chairs available for comfortable browsing of the collection. Older issues can be found in the basement. For access to electronic copies of journals, look up the journal’s title in the HOLLIS catalog, where an internet link will be available if Harvard owns a subscription. Or you may use the E-Journals list available through the E-Research @ Harvard site. To locate individual articles within the journals, use one of the databases listed in this guide (individual articles are not available in the catalog or the e-journal list).
Databases for Journal Articles
Science Direct (1995- )
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:elsevier is a multidisciplinary database offering full text in many areas of science such as geology, environmental science, earth and planetary sciences, chemistry, physics, biology, genetics, agriculture, and social sciences.
GeoRef (1785- )
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:georefxx provides access to the geoscience literature of the world, with references to journal articles, books, maps, conference papers, reports and theses.
Applied Science and Technology Abstracts (1983- )
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:apscitec
Subjects covered include all fields of engineering, aeronautics, chemistry, computer technology and applications, earth sciences, energy and environment, geology, mathematics, metallurgy, and physics.
Citation Indexes / Web of Science (1945- )
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:scicitin Science Citation Index is a multidisciplinary database, with searchable author abstracts, covering the journal literature of the sciences. It indexes 5,700 major journals across more than 150 scientific disciplines. Because the information stored about each article includes the article's cited reference list (often called its bibliography), you can also search the database for articles that cite a known author or work.