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Obtain a Complimentary Geological Map to Investigate Subsurface Rock Structures Throughout the US

In a notable step forward for American geoscience, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has unveiled a new mapping resource named The Cooperative National Geological Map. This cutting-edge application brings together over 100 geological maps of the contiguous United States, establishing the first national-level geological tool of its sort. The map is intended for various applications, including educational, industrial, and governmental, and is available to the public at no cost. It is anticipated to serve as a crucial resource for hobbyists, educators, and professional geologists.

The USGS aims to tackle several scientific, industrial, and public safety issues through this resource, as geological mapping is essential for delving into ancient questions surrounding Earth’s history and evolution. Beyond scientific explorations, the data from the USGS tool is critical for addressing economic, energy, public safety, and infrastructure concerns in the U.S. This tool may play a pivotal role in improving disaster preparedness, real estate development, water management, and mineral exploration.

To access the map, users can visit the Cooperative National Geological Map website, which is optimized for both desktop and mobile use. The application is free of charge and does not necessitate personal information or login credentials. Additional resources are provided via the USGS’s National Geological Map Database and its catalog. The map is designed to serve various users, such as classrooms, city planners, government entities, and water utility firms. It features an intuitive interface, a help guide, explanatory notes, and a search capability, ensuring accessibility for users of all ages and skill levels.

The map comprises four geological map layer selectors: Earth Surface, Quaternary, Pre-Quaternary, and Precambrian. These layers enable users to filter results based on particular geological characteristics, material types, or time intervals. For instance, the Earth Surface layer showcases the top surface geologic topography of the nation, while the Precambrian period displays ancient “basement” rock formations. Users can also personalize the map’s display style and conduct refined searches using further filters.

The creation of this map signifies a considerable advancement in the USGS’s capacity to disseminate and gather geological information. The database was developed in merely three years, thanks to automated tools that integrated regional, state, and national geological survey maps. This efficiency enables the USGS to refresh its maps promptly as new discoveries occur. A study by the American Geosciences Institute indicates that geological maps produced between 1994 and 2019 generated economic advantages ten times their production costs.

The USGS’s press announcement emphasizes the map’s potential to facilitate exploration of energy, mineral, and water resources, evaluate earthquake hazards, and guide land use, infrastructure, and community planning decisions. There are plans in place to broaden the tool’s scope to encompass Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. As researchers persist in uncovering new minerals and observing geological phenomena, the USGS’s mapping instruments will be vital in investigating Earth’s most urgent inquiries.

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Ways for Steam Deck Users to Obtain Free Games via Amazon Prime

hidden Prime benefits beyond expedited shipping. For avid gamers, one of the standout Prime offerings is the new Amazon Luna gaming service. Amazon Luna serves as a dedicated cloud gaming platform, enabling users to play a rotating library of games directly from their browser, making an Amazon Prime membership even more valuable. The Luna Standard edition is now part of your Amazon Prime account, allowing you to enjoy these cloud-based games on your Steam Deck as well. Additionally, Amazon Luna has incorporated one of the top features from the previous Prime Gaming — the monthly free PC games that subscribers can download and retain.

These include numerous popular titles from years gone by, with recent offerings featuring Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, Guardians of the Galaxy, Elite Dangerous, among others. Many of these games are available in code format and can be accessed via Luna and other well-known gaming platforms such as GOG and Epic Games. Fortunately, Steam Deck users can easily play these games on their console thanks to an application known as the Heroic Games Launcher.

Nothing compares to free

Top 5 Mobile Providers Delivering the Most Cost-Effective Plans

switching your carrier is one method to cut down on your cellphone expenses).

Most typical phone plans provide unlimited talk and text along with 5G and 4G LTE data speeds to users. That being said, your access to 5G is influenced by your geographical location and network provider, and data speeds can vary significantly. Numerous plans limit video streaming speeds, for instance. Carriers may also reduce your mobile data speeds once you surpass your monthly data limit. Some networks even halt your mobile data entirely if you exceed your quota. These considerations are crucial when choosing the right plan for your smartphone. Below is a compilation of the most affordable phone carriers available, complete with a brief overview of their lowest-cost plans and what they include.

Visible

Visible provides a $25 plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and data, utilizing Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. Additionally, unlimited mobile hotspot usage is included, though speeds are limited to 5Mbps. Another downside to this plan is the video throttling, as streams are restricted to 480p on mobile data. This could be a significant drawback for those who often watch movies or shows on their phone using mobile data. However, the plan does offer free calls to Canada and Mexico. If you need international roaming in Canada or Mexico, there is a $5 daily charge.

For those who frequently stream, the Visible+ plan at $35 per month offers premium data and the ability to stream in up to 1080p. For $45 a month, the Visible + Pro plan provides 4K UHD video streaming and support for smartwatches. Visible often has special promotions for new customers, such as the current Switch26 promo code, which can save you $6 on a base plan, $9 on a Visible+ plan, or $45 on a Visible+ Pro plan.

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Eight Undervalued Smart Car Gadgets You Should Experience

LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker is here to assist you. This often-overlooked smart vehicle accessory isn’t just another GPS device. It’s a magnetic, waterproof compact tracker that attaches securely to your car, truck, trailer, or even your golf cart. It monitors everything in real-time via the SilverCloud App and provides immediate updates on Google Maps. The tracker can also replay journeys for up to one year and establish geofences that notify you the instant your vehicle exits these limits.

Additionally, it features motion activation. When your vehicle is stationary, it enters sleep mode to conserve battery, activating only when movement is detected. This intelligent sleep function extends its battery life to as much as 14 days, and you have the option to hardwire it for ongoing usage. It’s compact and durable with an

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Get Rid of Cable Mess with an Easy Dollar Tree DIY Fix

declutter your countless browser tabs.

A quick search online reveals several alternatives for cable management, each with its own disadvantages. Zip ties are effective for grouping cables, but they can be hard to remove when necessary. Securing cords with tape utilizes a common household item, but the adhesive may lose its stickiness over time, requiring reapplication. The plastic hooks from Dollar Tree solve both issues: They remain firmly in place while allowing for easy removal of cables when needed.

Utilizing the hooks

The Destiny of NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope

NASA issued a public statement in October that year. Its final light image is quite impressive as a closing capture, considering all factors. Kepler dedicated almost ten years in deep space (it circles the sun, not Earth) gathering information and remains in a secure orbit today.

Kepler played a key role in identifying more than 2,600 exoplanets. As per NASA, it exceeded its objectives and has “enlightened us regarding the variety of planets that populate our galaxy.” Analysis of data suggests that 20 to 50 percent of the stars seen in the night sky are likely to possess “small, potentially rocky planets akin in size to Earth” located in their stars’ habitable zones. Does this imply the existence of another Earth out there? Possibly. However, thanks to Kepler, we now know that it is significantly more probable.

Where is Kepler currently?

Shelf Life of Opened Thermal Compound

If you’ve procured some second-hand PC components, you might find it necessary to have a tube of thermal paste to correctly set up your new accessories. Changing the thermal paste in your laptop could be on your agenda if you observe that your device is operating at a higher temperature than normal, resulting in unexpected shutdowns. However, since thermal paste has very particular applications, you are likely to end up with a considerable amount left in the tube after finishing your DIY task.

This raises the question: What is the lifespan of thermal paste after being opened? In general, an opened tube of thermal compound can be utilized for about 2-5 years. Certain brands assert that you can get as much as 8 years of usage, but it’s advisable to play it safe and adhere to the lower end of that range.

You’ll also want to look out for any liquid or dry flakes that may emerge from the tube along with the typically grey paste, as the liquid usually suggests that the thermal compound is beginning to separate. A compromised compound might also emit an unusual odor. Fortunately, thermal paste is relatively affordable: a new tube generally ranges from $10-15, and if stored properly, it should be capable of retaining its full shelf life.

Properly replacing old thermal paste

The Significance of Our Solar System Steering Clear of the Galaxy’s Black Hole

comprehend their formation. Black holes possess such intense gravity that they can attract even the light surrounding them, which is why they are referred to as “black.” This has prompted some to speculate whether Earth might eventually become a prey of Sagittarius A*. No need for concern, as that scenario is not imminent.

Despite our galactic black hole being 4.3 million times more massive than the sun, its gravitational effect on us is negligible when compared to the overall density of the galactic core. Take into account that the sun constitutes over 99% of the solar system’s mass and we have been rotating for billions of years without any significant events. In contrast, Sagittarius A* makes up less than 1% of the galaxy’s total mass. That illustrates how trivial its gravitational pull is to us.

Even though Sagittarius A* is currently viewed as an inactive black hole, it has been known to consume matter that strays too near in the past, but given that we’re situated 27,000 light-years away, coming too close is not a concern. However, just because we need not fret about being engulfed by our galactic core, there exists a theory suggesting that Earth (and the universe) might already be within a black hole, and we are simply unaware of it.

The specifics of our galaxy’s black hole

Uncover 4 Key Google Search Capabilities for 2025

attempting to eliminate AI clutter from its platform, whereas others like OpenAI seek to introduce more TikTok-like AI video clutter online, discovering exactly what you need on Google can resemble navigating through a sewer. Even though Google’s latest AI features might be rendering your search results more nonsensical than before, there remain methods and tools that can assist you in locating exactly what you need. It’s simply a matter of knowing the proper phrases and tools.

Enhancing your Google searches is an excellent way to swiftly obtain the outcomes you desire. Although the company enjoys incorporating Easter eggs and concealed tricks that are entertaining but irrelevant to searching, we’ve summarized some tools to assist you in addressing math problems, planning your upcoming trip, filtering your search results, and even searching for videos and images more efficiently.

Keep in mind that many of these features will be operators you type into a Google Search bar, while some are simply functions and extensions of Google Search that you might not know about. Sifting through all the clutter nowadays may seem like an overwhelming challenge, but it’s not unachievable. Experiment with these tips and tools the next time you need them and experience a clearer view of Google Search.

Google Search can assist your travel plans

Why Glass Cleaner Can Be Detrimental to TV Screens

keep the television screen pristine. While you may feel inclined to utilize the same glass cleaner that you apply to windows and mirrors, this is not advisable.

Glass cleaning solutions can harm a TV screen due to the anti-reflective coating found on most contemporary televisions. The chemicals in conventional glass cleaners can erode this coating, leading to streaks, blemishes, or even fading. This affects not just the visuals when you’re watching something, but also creates an unattractive appearance when the TV is turned off.

So, what steps should you take? The easiest and most effective method is to use distilled water, which does not leave any mineral residue, mixed with a bit of gentle soap. Alternatively, you could opt for specialized screen cleaning solutions, but ensure that the one you select is appropriate for TV screens. Both options should be used directly on a soft microfiber cloth, not on the screen, and the screen should be wiped with a slow, gentle motion.

Why glass cleaner is not recommended