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Images

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

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A map of the United States with shades of browns, greens and blues and small splotches of reds
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map

Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map of 2025 data, produced at USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center based on Landsat satellite data.

Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map of 2025 data, produced at USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center based on Landsat satellite data.

A map of the United States with shades of browns, greens and blues and small splotches of reds
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map
Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map

Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map of 2025 data, produced at USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center based on Landsat satellite data.

Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Collection 1.2 map of 2025 data, produced at USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center based on Landsat satellite data.

GIF showing the cumulative number of Landsat Scenes
Cumulative Number of Landsat Scenes
Cumulative Number of Landsat Scenes
Cumulative Number of Landsat Scenes

The USGS Landsat archive holds over fifty years of Earth-Observing satellite data. This animation displays the cumulative number of Landsat scenes since 1972. The colors on the maps show the density of the number of Landsat Level-1 products. 

The USGS Landsat archive holds over fifty years of Earth-Observing satellite data. This animation displays the cumulative number of Landsat scenes since 1972. The colors on the maps show the density of the number of Landsat Level-1 products. 

an image showing the Landsat 1-10 missions along a timeline labeled 1972-1940
Continuing the Landsat Legacy
Continuing the Landsat Legacy
Continuing the Landsat Legacy

Timeline of the Landsat program, beginning with the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972. Landsat 10 is expected to launch in 2031. As the tenth Landsat mission, it will continue the legacy of the Landsat program.

Visit the Landsat Missions webpage to learn more.

Timeline of the Landsat program, beginning with the launch of Landsat 1 in 1972. Landsat 10 is expected to launch in 2031. As the tenth Landsat mission, it will continue the legacy of the Landsat program.

Visit the Landsat Missions webpage to learn more.

An image showing a grid and a Landsat image
Worldwide Reference System-3 (WRS-3)
Worldwide Reference System-3 (WRS-3)
Worldwide Reference System-3 (WRS-3)

A new Worldwide Reference System, WRS-3, was developed for Landsat 10 due to the change in orbital parameters. The WRS-3 will provide a method to acquire, index, and catalog Landsat 10 scenes.

A new Worldwide Reference System, WRS-3, was developed for Landsat 10 due to the change in orbital parameters. The WRS-3 will provide a method to acquire, index, and catalog Landsat 10 scenes.

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 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. 

satellite image of McCartney Mountain, Montana
Landsat 9 Image of McCartney Mountain
Landsat 9 Image of McCartney Mountain
Landsat 9 Image of McCartney Mountain

Landsat 9 captured this image of heart-shaped McCartney Mountain on September 20, 2025. At an elevation of over 8,300 feet, the mountain is the high point of a small sub-range of the Highland Mountains in southwestern Montana. 

Landsat 9 captured this image of heart-shaped McCartney Mountain on September 20, 2025. At an elevation of over 8,300 feet, the mountain is the high point of a small sub-range of the Highland Mountains in southwestern Montana. 

Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 2 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 2 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 2 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 2 Scenes

This map displays the scenes acquired by Landsat 4, Landsat 5, and Landsat 7 satellites, on the World Reference System (WRS-2). These scenes were initially downlinked and stored at Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations

Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 1 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 1 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 1 Scenes
Landsat Global Archive Consolidation WRS 1 Scenes

This map displays the scenes acquired by Landsat 1, Landsat 2, and Landsat 3 satellites, on the World Reference System (WRS-1). These scenes were initially downlinked and stored at Landsat International Cooperator Ground Stations

EROS User Experience Webinar Series Banner
EROS User Experience Webinar Series Banner
EROS User Experience Webinar Series Banner
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! 

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. 

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 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. 

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.

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