Rex Sanders
​Freelance science writer, editor, photographer, and videographer

U.S. Geological Survey, 1978-2019
USGS Ask-A-Geologist project, 1994-2019
UCSC Science Communication Program, 2014-2015
Whitewater raft guide, 1987-2009, guide trainer, 1993-2005
Backpacker, 1967 to present
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rex.sanders@usa.net
Featured Work
 
​Rising Seas and Storms Could Seriously Damage California’s Coast within 30  Years, Sound Waves, March 2019

In less than 30 years the combination of 10 inches of sea-level rise plus an extreme storm along California’s coast could flood more than 150,000 residents and impact over $30 billion in property value. By 2100, when the oceans could be 6.6 feet higher, up to 600,000 people and $150 billion in property could be at risk from coastal flooding—potentially worse than Hurricane Katrina in destruction.
Giant Grooves Discovered on an Earthquake Fault Offshore Costa Rica, Sound Waves, February 2018

Imagine dragging your outstretched fingers through wet beach sand, leaving long grooves behind. Scientists recently discovered similar but enormous grooves buried under the seafloor near Costa Rica. The detailed three-dimensional data they used to uncover these corrugations can help them better understand large subduction zone earthquakes and related tsunamis worldwide.
Backpacking Scissors, Backpacking Light, February 2018

Backpackers use many kinds of cutting gadgets, including survival knives, multi-tools, and razor blades. For many years, I’ve carried the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic, but most of the time, I just use the scissors on that little multi-tool. So why carry the rest of the knife? After asking on BPL, I found several others using "backpacking scissors."

I’ll compare ten pairs of scissors to the Classic, using a baker’s dozen of backpacking-based scenarios and tests. The Classic was tough to beat. But you can save half an ounce (15 grams) by switching to a very familiar pair of scissors with a couple of tradeoffs.
USGS Science in Point Reyes National Seashore, USGS, December 2016, video

The park also uses USGS science to manage this iconic but complex setting. For example, local ranchers lease 28,000 acres of National Park land for dairy and beef cattle. To monitor ranch lands, the park uses maps, air photos and other databases from USGS.
Condors in Purgatory, Science Notes, August 2015

Swooping low across a canyon inside Pinnacles National Park, California condor #444 appeared to be in fine health. “Ventana” hatched in 2007 from a nest in Big Sur, and she paired five years later with #340. The next year they fed their first chick regurgitated food scavenged from miles away. That food came from a dead animal—rotting, stinking and crawling with maggots.

But one of the condor’s favorite meals, the gut pile left behind after a hunter kills a deer or wild pig, threatens the survival of this critically endangered species. 
Tweets for USGS
Other Recent Work
USGS

Moving Mountains: Elwha River Still Changing Five Years After World’s Largest Dam-Removal Project, Sound Waves, September 2018

Pacific Missile Tracking Site Could Be Unusable in 20 Years Due to Climate Change, Sound Waves, February 2018

Open House Welcomes Enthusiastic Visitors to Santa Cruz Office, Sound Waves, January 2018

Busy Day in the Sed lab, USGS, July 2017, video

Scientists Inspiring Students, Sound Waves, May 2017

Bob Rosenbauer Retires as Science Center Director, Sound Waves, April 2017

​Core and Sediment Labs, USGS, April 2017

Twenty Years of Ask-A-Geologist, Sound Waves, October 2014

Backpacking Light

Rescue Insurance for Backpackers, Backpacking Light, January 2014

Backpacking With A Thermometer, Backpacking Light, October 2013

Backpacking With A Voice Recorder, Backpacking Light, October 2013

Satellite Texting, Backpacking Light, March 2013

Satellite Phones, Backpacking Light, March 2013
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Two-way Satellite Communications for Backpacking, Backpacking Light, March 2013

Older work

My research publications and interests on researchgate.net

The story behind "If the data you need still exists ..."
rexsanders.com
2019 November 22