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Browse images from a wide range of science topics covered by USGS. All items in this gallery are considered public domain unless otherwise noted.
In these two images, top from 1964 (W.R. Hansen, USGS) and bottom from November 18, 2013 (Game McGimsey, AVO/USGS). Note how the general shape and trend of the 1964 subsidence trough, or graben, is still visible nearly 50 years later.
In these two images, top from 1964 (W.R. Hansen, USGS) and bottom from November 18, 2013 (Game McGimsey, AVO/USGS). Note how the general shape and trend of the 1964 subsidence trough, or graben, is still visible nearly 50 years later.
A mated pair of Common Eider swim across a lake in northern Alaska.
Photography by Jeff Wasley.
A mated pair of Common Eider swim across a lake in northern Alaska.
Photography by Jeff Wasley.
Lindsay VanSomeren (graduate student at University of Alaska Fairbanks) collects forage samples in the foothills of the Brooks Range off the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
Lindsay VanSomeren (graduate student at University of Alaska Fairbanks) collects forage samples in the foothills of the Brooks Range off the Dalton Highway, North Slope of Alaska.
Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Flooding encroaches on trees, Exit Creek.
Flooding encroaches on trees, Exit Creek.
Exit Creek flooding across the road
Exit Creek flooding across the road
Lowe River Flood outside of Valdez, Alaska
Lowe River Flood outside of Valdez, Alaska
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Red-faced Cormorant flying over the Aleutian Islands in 2013.
Glaucous-winged Gull flying near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Glaucous-winged Gull flying near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Scenic sunrise over a lake at the Chipp South research camp on the north slope of Alaska.
Scenic sunrise over a lake at the Chipp South research camp on the north slope of Alaska.
In the Fox Islands of Alaska, Driftwood Bay on Umnak Island faces the deep-sea trench formed by the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone.
In the Fox Islands of Alaska, Driftwood Bay on Umnak Island faces the deep-sea trench formed by the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone.
A handful of adult ninespine stickleback ready to be measured for total body length. These fish are ubiquitous in freshwater habitats of the Arctic Coastal Plain, outnumbering other fish species by as many as 800 individuals to one.
A handful of adult ninespine stickleback ready to be measured for total body length. These fish are ubiquitous in freshwater habitats of the Arctic Coastal Plain, outnumbering other fish species by as many as 800 individuals to one.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.
Degrading ice wedges on the Ikpikpuk River Delta on the North Slope of Alaska.
Degrading ice wedges on the Ikpikpuk River Delta on the North Slope of Alaska.
Along the northwestern shoreline of Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska, the Cabin Flat study site (left) occupies a coastal lowland that backs a vegetated, emergent beach. Much of Driftwood Bay’s shoreline is flanked by sea cliffs over 50 m high and an extensive bedrock platform (right) in the intertidal zone.
Along the northwestern shoreline of Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska, the Cabin Flat study site (left) occupies a coastal lowland that backs a vegetated, emergent beach. Much of Driftwood Bay’s shoreline is flanked by sea cliffs over 50 m high and an extensive bedrock platform (right) in the intertidal zone.
A geologist stands on a drift log stranded 23 m above mean tide level, overlooking the Cabin Flat study site and Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska.
A geologist stands on a drift log stranded 23 m above mean tide level, overlooking the Cabin Flat study site and Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska.
Geologists camped near an upland lake about 0.5 km from the shore of Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska. Vsevidof Volcano in the background.
Geologists camped near an upland lake about 0.5 km from the shore of Driftwood Bay, Umnak Island, Alaska. Vsevidof Volcano in the background.