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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.
A scientist holds a HOBO temperature logger that was recently retrieved from a sampling site at Katmai National Park and Preserve. The sensor end of the HOBO was partially covered by a small sea star (Leptasterias spp.) when recovered from the site. The temperature loggers record the water temperature.
A scientist holds a HOBO temperature logger that was recently retrieved from a sampling site at Katmai National Park and Preserve. The sensor end of the HOBO was partially covered by a small sea star (Leptasterias spp.) when recovered from the site. The temperature loggers record the water temperature.
A native bubble bee pollinates a wild celery. There are 22 species of bumblebees in Alaska and all are essential pollinators during the short growing season.
A native bubble bee pollinates a wild celery. There are 22 species of bumblebees in Alaska and all are essential pollinators during the short growing season.
A pair of scientists observe sea otter foraging behavior at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Questar telescopes are used to assist with prey identification.
A pair of scientists observe sea otter foraging behavior at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Questar telescopes are used to assist with prey identification.
A male Northern Sea Otter sleeps on his back after foraging for clams at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
A male Northern Sea Otter sleeps on his back after foraging for clams at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
A Black Oystercatcher watches over a few days-old chick at Katmai National Park and Preserve. These shorebirds are monitored on a yearly basis as part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program.
A Black Oystercatcher watches over a few days-old chick at Katmai National Park and Preserve. These shorebirds are monitored on a yearly basis as part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program.
A scientist examines the teeth from a sea otter skull found on a beach at Katmai Nation Park and Preserve. Teeth are collected in the field and each sea otter is aged using cementum annuli counts. Cementum annuli are the rings of collagen fibers in tooth roots.
A scientist examines the teeth from a sea otter skull found on a beach at Katmai Nation Park and Preserve. Teeth are collected in the field and each sea otter is aged using cementum annuli counts. Cementum annuli are the rings of collagen fibers in tooth roots.
Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (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.
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).
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.
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 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.
Emily Baker (USGS) sampling a snow-pit on Kahiltna Glacier at 3,055 m (10,023 feet).
Emily Baker (USGS) sampling a snow-pit on Kahiltna Glacier at 3,055 m (10,023 feet).