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Images

Peruse our selection of remote sensing and Earth science imagery below.

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Animations side by side, one showing land and one showing representative colors of land cover types
Landsat and Annual NLCD animations of the Powder River Basin area from 1985 to 2024
Landsat and Annual NLCD animations of the Powder River Basin area from 1985 to 2024
Landsat and Annual NLCD animations of the Powder River Basin area from 1985 to 2024

Landsat and Annual NLCD animations of the Powder River Basin area in eastern Wyoming from 1985 to 2024 show areas where mining has begun and has shifted over time.

Landsat Benefits webpage banner
Landsat Benefits Webpage Banner
Landsat Benefits Webpage Banner
Landsat Benefits Webpage Banner

The Landsat Benefits Webpage Banner displays some ways of how Landsat data benefits the United States. 

Visit the Landsat Benefits, State by State webpage to see how Landsat benefits your favorite State! 

The Landsat Benefits Webpage Banner displays some ways of how Landsat data benefits the United States. 

Visit the Landsat Benefits, State by State webpage to see how Landsat benefits your favorite State! 

A graphic showing the cumulative download volume of Landsat products
Landsat Product Downloads by Volume
Landsat Product Downloads by Volume
Landsat Product Downloads by Volume

This graphic displays the cumulative volume of all operational Landsat products downloaded from the USGS EROS Landsat archive since December 2008 (FY2009). The release of Landsat Collection 2 products in 2020, which improved data quality and accessibility, helped drive downloads upward. 

This graphic displays the cumulative volume of all operational Landsat products downloaded from the USGS EROS Landsat archive since December 2008 (FY2009). The release of Landsat Collection 2 products in 2020, which improved data quality and accessibility, helped drive downloads upward. 

Landsat 4 Mission Infographic
Landsat 4 Mission Infographic
Landsat 4 Mission Infographic
Landsat 4 Mission Infographic

The Landsat 4 satellite was launched July 16, 1982, and ushered in many “firsts” that propelled the Landsat missions that followed. 

The Landsat 4 satellite was launched July 16, 1982, and ushered in many “firsts” that propelled the Landsat missions that followed. 

A portion of a large globe with scientific displays on a wall in the background
A portion of the atrium at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
A portion of the atrium at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
A portion of the atrium at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

A portion of the atrium at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, including the large revolving globe and science displays about Landsat satellites in the background. USGS photo

A satellite image of the Apalachicola River watershed and bay
Apalachicola River Watershed and Bay
Apalachicola River Watershed and Bay
Apalachicola River Watershed and Bay

This Landsat 9 image shows the Apalachicola River and the Apalachicola Bay in Florida’s Panhandle. The river —Florida’s largest in terms of water volume discharge— follows the western boundary of heavy forest and is home to great diversity of freshwater fish species. 

This Landsat 9 image shows the Apalachicola River and the Apalachicola Bay in Florida’s Panhandle. The river —Florida’s largest in terms of water volume discharge— follows the western boundary of heavy forest and is home to great diversity of freshwater fish species. 

A Landsat satellite image showing bands of snow
Landsat Sees Where the Snow Lands
Landsat Sees Where the Snow Lands
Landsat Sees Where the Snow Lands

November’s  final weekend brought snowfall to much of the northern United States. This Landsat 9 image, acquired on December 1st, highlights an area along the South Platte River near the point where the Missouri, Nebraska, and Colorado borders meet. 

November’s  final weekend brought snowfall to much of the northern United States. This Landsat 9 image, acquired on December 1st, highlights an area along the South Platte River near the point where the Missouri, Nebraska, and Colorado borders meet. 

Landsat Missions Timeline
Landsat Missions Timeline
Landsat Missions Timeline
Landsat Missions Timeline

In a September 21, 1966 press release, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced that the DOI was launching "Project EROS (Earth Resources Observation Satellites)." Udall's vision was to observe the Earth for the benefit of all. 

In a September 21, 1966 press release, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall announced that the DOI was launching "Project EROS (Earth Resources Observation Satellites)." Udall's vision was to observe the Earth for the benefit of all. 

A map of the United States with a black background and colorful spots scattered throughout, 2 zoomed in areas and a legend
Annual NLCD showing growth in urban areas across the United States
Annual NLCD showing growth in urban areas across the United States
Annual NLCD showing growth in urban areas across the United States

This map, produced with Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.1 data from 1985 to 2024, shows the growth in urban areas (development) across the United States. Various colors represent the year that new growth occurred in a particular spot.

This map, produced with Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.1 data from 1985 to 2024, shows the growth in urban areas (development) across the United States. Various colors represent the year that new growth occurred in a particular spot.

A map of the borders of several states above a map of the border of Williams County, North Dakota, with Williston marked
Williston, North Dakota, locator map
Williston, North Dakota, locator map
Williston, North Dakota, locator map

Williston, North Dakota, is located just north of the Missouri River in Williams County (northwestern North Dakota). Locator map by USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.

Williston, North Dakota, is located just north of the Missouri River in Williams County (northwestern North Dakota). Locator map by USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.

A map of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota showing the Bakken Formation and Williston Basin
Map of the Bakken Formation and Williston Basin
Map of the Bakken Formation and Williston Basin
Map of the Bakken Formation and Williston Basin

Williston, North Dakota, sits very close to the center of the Williston Basin, which is a leading domestic oil- and gas-producing region. Williston also sits atop the Bakken Formation, a vast deposit of shale deep in the ground within the Williston Basin. 

Williston, North Dakota, sits very close to the center of the Williston Basin, which is a leading domestic oil- and gas-producing region. Williston also sits atop the Bakken Formation, a vast deposit of shale deep in the ground within the Williston Basin. 

Three animations showing a city's change over 40 years, side by side with a title above
Annual NLCD Products and Landsat Images for the Williston, ND, area
Annual NLCD Products and Landsat Images for the Williston, ND, area
Annual NLCD Products and Landsat Images for the Williston, ND, area

These three animations, including Land Cover (left), Landsat (center) and Fractional Impervious Surface (right), show the changes on the ground in the Williston, North Dakota, area over time between 1984 and 2024. 

These three animations, including Land Cover (left), Landsat (center) and Fractional Impervious Surface (right), show the changes on the ground in the Williston, North Dakota, area over time between 1984 and 2024. 

A map of several with selected areas shaded and a key of sorts down the right side and on the lower left
The prevalence of tillage conservation practices in select areas
The prevalence of tillage conservation practices in select areas
The prevalence of tillage conservation practices in select areas

This Regrow Ag map gives an idea of the amount of acres of low-till or no-till practices in certain regions of the Midwest/Northern Plains. Map used with permission from Regrow Ag.

Two animations, side by side, with different color schemes but showing the same landscape area
Annual NLCD and Landsat animations of the Boise, Idaho, area
Annual NLCD and Landsat animations of the Boise, Idaho, area
Annual NLCD and Landsat animations of the Boise, Idaho, area

This animation shows Treasure Valley, part of the Snake River Valley and home to the Boise, Idaho, metro area. The Boise Mountains lie to the east, and cropland and pasture/hay land lie to the west. The area’s population has seen significant growth in recent decades, far more than doubling between 1990 and now to above 800,000.

This animation shows Treasure Valley, part of the Snake River Valley and home to the Boise, Idaho, metro area. The Boise Mountains lie to the east, and cropland and pasture/hay land lie to the west. The area’s population has seen significant growth in recent decades, far more than doubling between 1990 and now to above 800,000.

Two side-by-side animations of fire and recovery on the landscape in various greens and browns
Animations (Annual NLCD and Landsat) of the 1992 Fountain Fire in California
Animations (Annual NLCD and Landsat) of the 1992 Fountain Fire in California
Animations (Annual NLCD and Landsat) of the 1992 Fountain Fire in California

This animation shows Annual NLCD land cover data on the left that was derived from Landsat imagery on the right. It illustrates the effects of the 1992 Fountain Fire in northern California and much of the forested area’s eventual recovery. The Fountain Fire burned about 64,000 acres, almost all of it privately owned.

This animation shows Annual NLCD land cover data on the left that was derived from Landsat imagery on the right. It illustrates the effects of the 1992 Fountain Fire in northern California and much of the forested area’s eventual recovery. The Fountain Fire burned about 64,000 acres, almost all of it privately owned.

Map of the western United States with state outlines and a variety of colors, with a legend
RCMAP 2024 Bare Ground Departure Ecological Potential image
RCMAP 2024 Bare Ground Departure Ecological Potential image
RCMAP 2024 Bare Ground Departure Ecological Potential image

An image of the Rangeland Condition Monitoring Assessment and Projection (RCMAP) 2024 Bare Ground Departure Ecological Potential (EP). Full 2024 EP dataset: https://www.mrlc.gov/rangeland-viewer/ 

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