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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 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
In 2018, biologists conducted a second population survey to reassess the population status and habitat associations of Pribilof rock sandpipers breeding on St. Matthew and Hall Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Previous work estimated the population size at approximately 19,800 birds (Ruthrauff et al. 2012).
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Bull Seal Point on St. Matthew Island, Alaska.
Christina Ahlstrom holding a gull tagging with a satellite transmitter.
Christina Ahlstrom holding a gull tagging with a satellite transmitter.
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
Black-legged Kittiwakes forage on Pacific sand lance and capelin near their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on June 28, 2018.
Common Murres with visibly protruding keels flush from Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Common Murres with visibly protruding keels flush from Gull Island, Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres flush from a Bald Eagle at their breeding colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
A spawning Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) captured near Pilot Station, Alaska, in June 2018 as part of an experimental temperature manipulation study to validate heat stress biomarkers.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Female McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo
USGS and NPS scientists measuring discharge and collecting water chemistry in small tributary to the Cutler River in the early summer. This work is part of the Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Hydrology project that takes place in the Arctic Netwo
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
Scientists setting up a weatherport for shelter while conducting research on St. Matthew Island Alaska.
An experimental tank used in a thermal challenge experiment for adult salmonids. The upper lobe of an adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) caudal fin is visible in the center of the water surface.
An experimental tank used in a thermal challenge experiment for adult salmonids. The upper lobe of an adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) caudal fin is visible in the center of the water surface.
Lesser Yellowlegs typically consume insects, such as flies, beetles, and mayflies, small fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, mollusks, spiders, and seeds. Lesser Yellowlegs are active foragers and are commonly observed walking rapidly through shallow wetlands while pursuing prey.
Lesser Yellowlegs typically consume insects, such as flies, beetles, and mayflies, small fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, mollusks, spiders, and seeds. Lesser Yellowlegs are active foragers and are commonly observed walking rapidly through shallow wetlands while pursuing prey.
Ocean bottom seismometers being loaded onto the R/V Sikuliaq to be deployed on the sea floor in the Gulf of Alaska.
Ocean bottom seismometers being loaded onto the R/V Sikuliaq to be deployed on the sea floor in the Gulf of Alaska.
Stratigraphic contact marking uplift of Montague Island, caused by slip on the Patton Bay fault system during the 1964 M9.2 Great ALaska Earthquake.
Stratigraphic contact marking uplift of Montague Island, caused by slip on the Patton Bay fault system during the 1964 M9.2 Great ALaska Earthquake.
Approaching the Taku River via helicopter to perform fieldwork.
Approaching the Taku River via helicopter to perform fieldwork.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.
Lesser Yellowlegs typically consume insects, such as flies, beetles, and mayflies), small fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, mollusks, spiders, and seeds. Lesser Yellowlegs are active foragers and are commonly observed walking rapidly through shallow wetlands while pursuing prey.
Lesser Yellowlegs typically consume insects, such as flies, beetles, and mayflies), small fish, crustaceans, aquatic worms, mollusks, spiders, and seeds. Lesser Yellowlegs are active foragers and are commonly observed walking rapidly through shallow wetlands while pursuing prey.
USGS and Geological Survey of Canada scientists sample sediment cores collected from the sea floor along the Queen Charlotte Fault. This was taken while they were working with (or in) the Geological Survey of Canada.
USGS and Geological Survey of Canada scientists sample sediment cores collected from the sea floor along the Queen Charlotte Fault. This was taken while they were working with (or in) the Geological Survey of Canada.
(Left to right) Danny Brothers (USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center [PCMSC]), Peter Haeussler (USGS Alaska Science Center), Maureen Walton (PCMSC), and Jamie Conrad (PCMSC) select seafloor sediment samples from cores collected along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault.
(Left to right) Danny Brothers (USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center [PCMSC]), Peter Haeussler (USGS Alaska Science Center), Maureen Walton (PCMSC), and Jamie Conrad (PCMSC) select seafloor sediment samples from cores collected along the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault.
Researchers use ground penetrating radar to determine the depth of the snow on Wolverine Glacier. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, one of the "benchmark glaciers" in Alaska.
Researchers use ground penetrating radar to determine the depth of the snow on Wolverine Glacier. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, one of the "benchmark glaciers" in Alaska.