Images

Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”

USGS staff inspecting monitoring equipment in Suicide Basin. Suicide Basin is a side basin of the Mendenhall Glacier above Juneau, Alaska.

A small group of Pacific walruses consider entering the water as they assess their surroundings.  A calf can be seen in the back of the group.  USGS and the U.S.

Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) nests in the northern Gulf of Alaska are monitored annually to determine the nest status, productivity, chick diet, and egg float stages.

A temperature logger (HOBO) affixed to a rocky outcrop in western Prince Wiliam Sound. Long-term change in intertidal invertebrate and algal communities is assessed by using temperature loggers.

Two scientists work to identify change in the density and size distribution of mussels (Mytilus trossulus) in mussel beds. Long-term data collected are used as an indicator of mussel prey availability for various predators, including Sea Otters, Black Oystercatchers, sea ducks and sea stars.

A scientist estimates percent cover and densities of intertidal invertebrates and algae to assess change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines in western Prince William Sound, Alaska.

Two cameras were installed in December of 2024 on the Anchor River to monitor flooding associated with river ice. Traditional hydrologic monitoring is often ineffective when rivers freeze and break up and the cameras provide information needed by our partners to verify water levels and issue flood forecasts.

This map depicts the permafrost zones across Alaska, overlain by project focus areas. The hashed turquoise region represents areas where pingo mapping is being prioritized. The lime green color outlines the 1002 area, where surficial geological maps are being used to generate more reliable predictors for ground ice content. 

An IfSAR DEM image (left) is highlighting the presence of several steep-sided pingos and thaw lake basins. IfSAR data was collected for Alaska between 2012-2020. 

An IfSAR DEM image of thaw lake basins (right) in an otherwise flat Arctic coastal plains topography. IfSAR data was collected for Alaska between 2012-2020. 

This map is showing data contributors and primary sampling methods for Alaska Forage Fish Database (AFFD).

Map of locations within the Alaska Forage Fish Database where forage species were encountered (color). Grey points represent sites where sampling occurred, but the specific forage species was not encountered.

USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. Sultana (Mt. Foraker) is visible in the background.

USGS uses small uncrewed aerial systems, also known as drones for science, to survey walrus herds and carcasses on remote Alaskan beaches. The USGS visual observer, Christina Ahlstrom, keeps her eyes on the survey drone while the remote pilot prepares it to survey the walrus herd that is visible in the distance behind her on the beach. 

Aerial survey drone prepared for flight positioned on the beach near walrus calf carcasses. When sea ice retreats from large regions of the Chukchi Sea large herds of female and young walruses come to shore to rest.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Sign along a wall adjacent to a parking lot in downtown Anchorage warn motorists and passersby about the hazard presented by unreinforced masonry walls. 

Streamflow measurement at the U.S. Geological Survey Chester Creek streamgage. U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician using an acoustic Doppler current profiler to measure streamflow.