(1) It makes maps:
- Topographic maps, showing accurately the shape of the land surface and the location of natural and man made features – hills, valleys, streams, lakes, highways, trails, buildings, etc.
- Hydrologic maps, showing the availability and quality of water.
- Geologic maps, showing the types, ages, and configurations of rock formations that lie at and beneath the earth's surface.
- A variety of outline maps, mineral-resource maps, geophysical maps, state base maps, and many others.
(2) It studies the earth's processes that may be hazardous to man and his works, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, in an attempt to understand how these processes operate, and hence how their destructive effects may be reduced or prevented.
(3) It develops new prospecting techniques that can be used by industry in its continuing search for mineral resources.
(4) It studies the natural processes that form deposits of valuable minerals. because knowing why certain kinds of mineral resources are formed in certain locations or in certain kinds of rocks may provide clues that will help to find new mineral resources now hidden beneath the earth's surface.
(5) It takes a continuing inventory of the nation's water resources and studies areas that have special water problems.
(6) It classifies federally owned lands for mineral and water power potential.
(7) It does fundamental research in topography, geology, hydrology, geochemistry, geophysics, and related sciences.
(8) It publishes maps and reports to make the results of these investigations available to the public.