2024

(top)

On May 29, 2024 we released a new fact sheet about geologic mapping in Washington State. Click here to download the fact sheet. Read more about surface geologic mapping on the surface geology page.

On May 3, 2024 we released a new fact sheet about groundwater in Washington State. Click here to download the fact sheet. Read more about groundwater resources on the WGS groundwater page.

On March 15, 2024 we released an update to the Washington Tsunami Design Zone for the new Washington State Building Code. Read more on the updated WA-TDZ webpage.

On March 12, 2024 we released a new aggregate resource map for Skagit County at a scale of 1:100,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

2023

(top)

On December 27, 2023 we released a new geologic map of the Bald Hill quadrangle at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 27, 2023 we released a new geologic map of the Harts Lake quadrangle at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 27, 2023 we released a new geologic map of the Kittitas and East Kittitas quadrangles at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 27, 2023 we released a new geologic map of the Adams Mountain and Hunters quadrangles at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 14, 2023 we released a series of new maps showing modeled tsunami inundation and current speed for the Chehalis, Hoquiam, Willapa, and Wishkah Rivers. Click here to check out the publication!

On November 16, 2023 we released a major update to the landslide inventory for the Columbia Gorge, including new mapping and additional hazards such as rockfall and alluvial fans. Download the publication here.

On November 7, 2023 we released a new interactive map that allows you to search for geologic map publications at a variety of scales by quadrangle name. Click here to check out the map!

On October 2, 2023 we released a new Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team report for the Sourdough and Blue Lake Fires. Click here to download the report.

On September 29, 2023 we released a new Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team report for the Newell Road Fire. Click here to download the report.

On September 29, 2023 we released a new Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team report for the Eagle Bluff Fire. Click here to download the report.

On September 29, 2023 we released 7 new tsunami walk maps and 6 new simulation videos for several communities on the outer coast. The walk maps can be accessed here and the videos here.

On July 11, 2023 we released an extensive new website providing access to digital versions of preserved media such as thin sections, field notebooks, and much more. Get started exploring the site here.

On June 26, 2023 we published a new inventory of alluvial fans in Klickitat County. Download the publication here, or view the data on our Geologic Information Portal.

On June 26, 2023 we published a new story map about the intersection of wildfire and alluvial fans in Klickitat County, to accompany a new report and new alluvial fan mapping.

On June 23, 2023 we published an update to our database of surface geologic mapping at scales of 25-99k. You can view the data on our Geologic Information Portal or download them here.

On June 22, 2023 we published a new webpage that gathers all of our booklets, fact sheets, and posters into one place so it is easier for you to find them. Check out the webpage here.

On April 20, 2023 we published a new compilation of geophysical measurements made as part of various studies throughout Washington. You can view the data on our Geologic Information Portal.

On April 17, 2023 we released a new Glossary to accompany our Geologic Information Portal. The Glossary provides easily understandable explanations of every data layer on our Portal. Click here to check it out.

On April 3, 2023 we published the first in a series of new maps of aggregate resources. Click here to download the plate and pamphlet. The data are also viewable on our Geologic Information Portal here.

In March 2023, we added 3,344 records from Spokane, Lewis, Thurston, and Kittitas Counties to our Subsurface Database. Click here to view the data on the Geologic Information Portal or here to download a zip file.

On January 30, 2023 we appended more than 60 new quadrangles to our 1:24,000-scale surface geology GIS dataset. Click here to view the data on the Geologic Information Portal or here to download a zip file.

On January 18, 2023 we published a fact sheet describing the work and objectives of the recently formed Earth Resource Program. Click here to download the fact sheet as a pdf.

On January 18, 2023 we published a WALERT report that provides an assessment of debris flow hazard following the 2023 Nakia Creek Fire. Click here to download the report as a pdf.

On January 10, 2023 we released a database that consolidates our existing mines and minerals data. Click here to view the database on the Geologic Information Portal or here to download the zip file.

On January 4, 2023 we released a new collection of lidar images showing places of geologic interest across the state. Click here to read more or here to browse the images.

On December 15, 2022 we released a new geologic map of the Chester Morse Lake quadrangle at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 15, 2022 we released a new geologic map of the Colockum Pass SE quadrangle at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On December 15, 2022 we released a new geologic map of the McKenna and northern half of the Lake Lawrence quadrangles at a scale of 1:24,000. Click here to download the map and pamphlet.

On November 16, 2022 we released a new interactive map showing recently reported landslides. Click here to go to the map. Read more about landslides on our landslides webpage.

On October 6, 2022 we released new tsunami evacuation walk time maps for Grayland and North Ocean Shores. Click Grayland or Ocean Shores to download the maps. Click here to check out other available walk maps.

On October 5, 2022 we released a new Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team report for the Bolt Creek, Suiattle River, Boulder Lake, and Lake Toketie fires. Click here to download the report.

On August 4, 2022 we released a new tsunami evacuation walk time map for the Tokeland Peninsula. Click here to download the map. Click here to check out other available walk maps.

On July 28, 2022 we released a landslide inventory for Snohomish County. Click here to read the report and go to the Geologic Information Portal to see the data.

On July 11, 2022 we released an educational web guide for the tsunami content on our website that includes an additional capstone project to synthesize learning and a data component with real data. Click here for access.

On July 7, 2022 we released new tsunami modeling results for a large Seattle Fault earthquake scenario. There are six simulation videos to show how the tsunami impacts would change over time. Click here to view them.

On July 7, 2022 we released new tsunami modeling results. Click here to download the report and the 16 map sheets that display impacts from a tsunami generated by a large Seattle Fault earthquake scenario.

On June 29, 2022 we released a new fact sheet about geologic planning and WGS efforts to help connect our science to communities. Click here to access the fact sheet.

On June 7, 2022 we released a new webpage about geologic planning and WGS efforts to help connect our science to communities. Click here to access the page.

On June 7, 2022 we released an update to our Aggregate Resources webpage, that includes new information about planning for aggregate needs under the Growth Management Act. Click here to access the page.

On June 7, 2022 we released a new fact sheet about landslide hazard mapping in Washington and how it can help with land-use planning. Click here to view the fact sheet.

On May 27, 2022 we released a new webpage to search for and download earth science educational resources for K–12 classrooms, with a focus on Pacific Northwest geology. Click here to access the page.

On May 17, 2022 we released a new poster that chronicles the changes of and surrounding Mount St. Helens as a result of the catastrophic May 18, 1980 eruption. Click here to access the map.

Do you have questions? We've got answers! On May 17, 2022 we released a new webpage that answers all of the questions we get asked most frequently. Click here to go to the page.

On May 11, 2022 we released a 1:10,000-scale surficial geologic map for Sadie Creek fault in Clallam County. Click here to view this map.

On May 9, 2022 we released an updated digital dataset for our 1:250,000-scale surface geology of Washington to align with new federal data standards. Click here to download this new data.

On April 25, 2022 we updated some of the content on our webpage about Washington's Glacial Geology. Check out the new sections Alpine Glaciers and Future of Washington's Glaciers.

On April 4, 2022 we released a new dataset on our Geologic Information Portal, which can be viewed and downloaded here. The initial release includes 10 maps but many more will be added soon.

On March 31, 2022 we released a new fact sheet that explains how WGS can help counties and cities with their land-use planning by providing aggregate resource maps. View the fact sheet here.

On February 11, 2022 we released an updated digital dataset for our 1:500,000-scale surface geology of Washington. Click here to download this new data.

On February 3, 2022 we released new geologic maps for Benton County's Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve and Candy Mountain Preserve. Click here to download these new maps.

On January 26, 2022 we released new tsunami evacuation maps for coastal areas of Pacific County and Anacortes from an extended L1 Mw 9.0 Cascadia subduction zone megathrust earthquake scenario.

On January 10, 2022 we released new tsunami modeling results for the Olympic Peninsula from an extended L1 Mw 9.0 Cascadia subduction zone megathrust earthquake scenario.

2021

(top)

On December 15, 2021 we released geologic maps for Tenalquot Prairie and the northern two-thirds of the Vail quadrangles and Colockum Pass SW and the southern half of Naneum Canyon quadrangles.

On December 3, 2021 we released a new interactive map that features high resolution lidar images for 60 areas across the state. Click here to peruse the map and check out our lidar page to learn more.

On November 9, 2021 we released a report that evaluates the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near Chelan, Chelan County. Click here for the report.

On November 4, 2021 we released a report that evaluates the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near Conconully Lake. Click here for the report.

Our November 2, 2021 report evaluates the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near Naches, Yakima County. Click here for the report.

Our September 15, 2021 report evaluates the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near the towns of Tumtum and Ford in Stevens County. Click here for the report.

Our September 8, 2021 report evaluates the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near the towns of Mazama and Winthrop. Click here to read the report.

On August 27, 2021 we released a report evaluating the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides and debris flows near Asotin and Garfield Counties. Click here to read the report.

On August 11, 2021 we released a report evaluating the risk to communities and infrastructure from post-wildfire landslides near Wenatchee, Chelan County. Click here to read the report.

On August 4, 2021 we released a report evaluating the potential risk to water tanks from post-wildfire landslides in the community of Nespelem, Okanogan County. Click here to read the report.

On July 26, 2021 we launched a new story map about our data preservation efforts. The story map features our digital, geolocated field notebook collection. Click here to view it.

On July 12, 2021 we published the second phase of a statewide effort to systematically evaluate Washington school buildings for seismic performance. Click here for more information.

On May 13, 2021 we released an updated popular handout that includes a simplified geologic map of Washington on the front and a short summary of the geologic history of Washington on the back.

On May 13, 2021 we published an interactive web guide to our volcano website content that is meant to be an educational resource. Click here to access this resource and related educational content.

On May 10, 2021 we released a new geotourism website that tells the geologic stories of 100 great places to see geology in Washington. Click here to go to the website and start exploring!

On April 26, 2021 we published new tsunami hazard maps of the Puget Sound and adjacent waters, showing modeled tsunami inundation and current speed. Click here to download the maps and pamphlet.

On February 10, 2021 we published a fact sheet about geologic carbon sequestration. Learn about this process and what it might mean for Washingtonians. Click here to download the fact sheet.

On February 9, 2021 we published a booklet about the Mima mounds. Learn about this protected landscape and the many hypotheses for how it formed. Click here to download the booklet.

On January 27, 2021 we published a new webpage about groundwater and its importance as a resource for communities across Washington. Click here to visit the page.

On January 27, 2021 we published a new webpage about geologic carbon sequestration, its importance as a method to mitigate global warming, and how it could be used in Washington. Click here to visit the page.

2020

(top)

On December 29, 2020 we released the latest TsuInfo Alert, a bi-monthly newsletter about the latest tsunami research. Click here to download the newsletter, or visit our TsuInfo Alert page to access older editions.

On December 21, 2020 we released two 24k maps of quadrangles covering (1) Ellensburg North and part of Reecer Canyon and (2) Oakville and Rainbow Falls. Click here for map 1 and here for map 2.

On December 16, 2020 we released a new fact sheet to explain our different types of tsunami hazard maps and videos. Click here to view the fact sheet, and check out our tsunamis page to learn more.

On December 14, 2020 we released a new Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team (WALERT) Report for the Evans Canyon Fire. Read more about wildfire-associated landslides on our WALERT page.

On October 15, 2020 we published a new flyer about alluvial fans which are particularly susceptible to post-fire flooding. Click here to download a copy.

On August 27, 2020 we released videos for Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and zoomed-in videos for the northern and southern portions of Willapa Bay. Click here to view the videos.

On July 1, 2020 we released the latest TsuInfo Alert, a bi-monthly newsletter about the latest tsunami research. Click here to download the newsletter, or visit our TsuInfo Alert page to access older editions.

On June 24, 2020 we published our homeowner's guide to earthquakes, a booklet about how to prepare your home and your family for earthquake hazards. Click here to download a copy.

On June 8, 2020 we released our historical field notebook collection. This collection includes theses, maps, and publications from 1899 onward. Click here to visit the page and browse these historical resources.

On May 14, 2020 we launched our new Education and Outreach page to share educational resources and discuss outreach opportunities. Click here to visit the page.

On April 9, 2020 we published a new webpage about our mission, our history, and all the important work we do in the office and the field to provide geologic information to the people of Washington.

On March 31, 2020 we released a tsunami brochure for residents in Washington to understand and prepare for tsunami hazards.

On March 31, 2020 we released a fact sheet for the Washington Lidar Program. Click here to learn more about the Lidar Program and check the Lidar Portal to view and download the latest lidar data.

On February 27, 2020 we released an updated landslide inventory for western Whatcom County. Click here to download the publication, or visit our Geologic Information Portal to access all of our landslide data.

2019

(top)

On November 22, 2019 we released an update to our 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping. Visit our Geologic Information Portal to view and download the data.

Casey Hanell joined the Washington Geological Survey on October 1, 2019 as our new State Geologist. For more information about Casey read the DNR press release or take a look at Casey’s profile.