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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 Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
A Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Lemon Creek Glacier is located in the high-latitude maritime region of Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953.
Lemon Creek Glacier is located in the high-latitude maritime region of Alaska, at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield. Glacier observations began at this site in 1953.
USGS scientist Karyn Rode and USFWS biologist Michelle St Martin collect body condition data on a polar bear on the Chukchi Sea spring sea ice. USGS and FWS have collaborated on polar bear research in the Chukchi Sea since 2008 providing new insights into the status and health of the population and responses to changing sea ice conditions.
USGS scientist Karyn Rode and USFWS biologist Michelle St Martin collect body condition data on a polar bear on the Chukchi Sea spring sea ice. USGS and FWS have collaborated on polar bear research in the Chukchi Sea since 2008 providing new insights into the status and health of the population and responses to changing sea ice conditions.
A Blue-winged Teal flying over an sampling area in Texas. Researchers were taking genetic samples for the Alaska Science Center.
A Blue-winged Teal flying over an sampling area in Texas. Researchers were taking genetic samples for the Alaska Science Center.
Tufted Puffin with a meal flying over the Aleutian Islands
Tufted Puffin with a meal flying over the Aleutian Islands
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Tatqiq, an adult female polar bear at the San Diego Zoo, wearing an accelerometer collar being used to develop a method to remotely identify wild polar bear behaviors.
Crested Auklets take flight near Kasatochi Island
Crested Auklets take flight near Kasatochi Island
Layson Albatross flying in the Aleutian Islands
Layson Albatross flying in the Aleutian Islands
Viaduct bridge to access the port of Anchorage, Alaska. This is the only bridge instrumented with seismometers in Alaska.
Viaduct bridge to access the port of Anchorage, Alaska. This is the only bridge instrumented with seismometers in Alaska.
Northern lights in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. Copyright: Photo taken by Miles B Tihansky
Northern lights in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. Copyright: Photo taken by Miles B Tihansky
Scientist collection samples on South Cascade Glacier, northwestern Washington State. South Cascade Glacier located in a north-northwest facing valley near the crest of the Cascade Range in northwest Washington state. In 1959 scientists with the USGS began collecting mass balance data on South Cascade Glacier, now one of five "benchmark glaciers" in the US.
Scientist collection samples on South Cascade Glacier, northwestern Washington State. South Cascade Glacier located in a north-northwest facing valley near the crest of the Cascade Range in northwest Washington state. In 1959 scientists with the USGS began collecting mass balance data on South Cascade Glacier, now one of five "benchmark glaciers" in the US.
A managed wildfire burns in a Ponderosa pine stand, New Mexico
A managed wildfire burns in a Ponderosa pine stand, New Mexico
A Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
A Black-capped Chickadee with a normal beak captured at an Anchorage banding station.
A Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
A Black-capped Chickadee with an upper beak slightly longer than the lower beak. Avian keratin disorder (AKD) is a disease characterized by debilitating beak overgrowth and other abnormalities of keratinized tissues. Affected birds have difficulty feeding and preening and may suffer high rates of mortality.
Sheridan River flood
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
A Slate-colored Junco on Middleton Island, Alaska.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
USGS researchers collecting a soil sample for rare earth elements at the Roy Creek prospect, Alaska. Jamey Jones is holding the bag while Erin Todd shovels soil into the bag.
Archaeologists and fire scientists collaborate to assess impacts of wildfires on archaeological sites in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Archaeologists and fire scientists collaborate to assess impacts of wildfires on archaeological sites in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
Pre- and post-fire measurements of fire effects can help archaeologists and fire scientists determine how wildfires and prescribed fires impact cultural resources, and how management actions may reduce likelihood of damage
Pre- and post-fire measurements of fire effects can help archaeologists and fire scientists determine how wildfires and prescribed fires impact cultural resources, and how management actions may reduce likelihood of damage
Fuel treatments and prescribed fires can be used to reduce the likelihood that archaeological resources will be damaged by high severity fires
Fuel treatments and prescribed fires can be used to reduce the likelihood that archaeological resources will be damaged by high severity fires