Please check if your question has been answered in one of our many FAQs before reaching out to the appropriate team:

USGS Frequently Asked Questions

Common FAQs:

• I have (or think I have) a sinkhole on my property. What should I do?
• Can you identify my rock or mineral?
• I think I found a meteorite. How can I tell for sure?
• How do I find, download, or order topographic maps?
• Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
• Where can I find current earthquake lists and maps for the world or for a specific area?
• I found (or killed) a bird with a band or color marker around its leg. What do I do?

For questions regarding specific web-tools or science topics, please reach out to one of the following support teams:

USGS Store

Questions about orderingNational Park Passes, paper maps, or educational materials, are handled by theUSGS Store atusgsstore@usgs.gov or by calling1-888-275-8747.

If contacting the store by phone, review the following menu options and press the corresponding number to be connected directly to the appropriate helpline:

1. General information
2. Existing order status (please have your order number on hand)
3. Maps, books, educational materials, and partners
4. Accounts and payment questions
5. Aerial photography and EROS products

Maps and Mapping

Questions about The National Map's various tools, 3DEP, Lidar, and our collection of topographic maps should be directed to theTNM Service Desk attnm_help@usgs.gov.

Satellite Data and Aerial Imagery

Questions about EarthExplorer, satellite data, and aerial photography can be brought to theEROS Center by filling out thisFeedback Form, emailingcustserv@usgs.gov, or calling1-800-252-4547.

Water

Questions about water resources should be directed toWDFN@usgs.gov while questions about specific water data or websites can be brought togs-w_waterdata_support@usgs.gov.

For questions about a streamgage or water resource in a particular area, please navigate to the "Connect" section of the appropriateWater Science Center.

Natural Hazards

Questions about earthquakes, faults, and seismic hazards should go to theEarthquake Hazards Program (EHP) ateq_questions@usgs.gov, and questions about theEarthquake Notification Service (ENS) should go toensadmin@ens.usgs.gov.

For regional volcano questions, contact one of the five U.S. volcano observatories below. For general questions about volcanoes in the U.S. or about website issues, contactvhpweb@usgs.gov.

• Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
• USGS California Volcano Observatory (CALVO)
• USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
• USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
• Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)

Biology and Ecosystems

Questions about bird bands and the breeding bird survey should be brought to theBird Banding Laboratory (BBL) atbandreports@usgs.gov.

General Questions

If your question doesn't fit into any of the above categories, please fill out the form below and a member of our Science Information Services team will be happy to assist you:

Fields marked with (*) are required.