USGS to begin low-level geology flights over U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Geological Survey said on Thursday 12 November 2026 that it would begin low-level airplane flights in November over the U.S. Virgin Islands to image geology with airborne geophysical technology.

The agency said the surveys were the first airborne geophysical surveys of their kind in the region. The data would improve understanding of geologic hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. They would also support natural resource assessments and other research applications.

The agency said the flights were a collaborative effort between the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative and the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program. Jamey Jones, science coordinator for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, said the mapping would provide critical information about earthquake and tsunami hazards and build a scientific foundation for resilient communities and informed resource management. Brita Jessen, director of the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, said understanding offshore geology was essential to assess hazards and improve community resilience.

The survey would collect magnetic data from fixed-wing aircraft along pre-planned flight lines at a nominal terrain clearance of 330 feet (100 meters). Flight-line spacing would vary from 820 feet (250 meters) over shallow water to 6500 feet (2000m) over deep water. The agency said the instruments would be passive, with no emissions that posed a risk to humans, animals or plant life. No photography or video data would be collected.

The USGS said experienced pilots trained and approved for low-level flying would conduct the surveys during daylight hours only. The pilots would work with the FAA to ensure the flights were safe and followed U.S. law. Sander Geophysics and Dewberry were contracted to collect the airborne magnetic data.

Flights would be based out of Jose Aponte de La Torre Airport in Puerto Rico, Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix. The aircraft tail number was C-GSGP. The agency said the collected data were made freely available to the public on the USGS ScienceBase website.