USGA fires more than 500 employees. (United States Geological Survey)(Earth Science)(Brief Article) From: Science News | Date: September 2, 1995 | COPYRIGHT 1995 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Squeezed by ever tightening budgets, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has terminated almost one quarter of the staff in its geologic division. Known as a "reduction in force," or RIF, the firings will cut into almost all elements of the geologic division, which investigates earthquakes and other geologic hazards, assesses mineral and energy resources, and maps the geology of the nation, both on land and off shore.

USGS officials said the downsizing became necessary because ...