Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

It’s possible to map vegetation type with Landsat, but getting the maps right requires more than satellites alone.

The teams at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center behind the LANDFIRE program’s mapping products use an extensive network of ground control points to check their work, thereby bolstering the reliability,...

The USGS Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP) initiative has released the first update to its Conterminous United States (CONUS) science products, adding two years of data to a satellite-derived product suite already-unparalleled in its temporal density.

Landsat data have long been recognized for the quality and reliability of their calibration. A recent report puts a spotlight on that commitment to accuracy.

Happy Earth Day! As we celebrate our wonderful planet and the fascinating things we learn about it every year, we wanted to share a unique view of the Earth, provided by the longest continuously running Earth-observing satellite program: Landsat.

USGS Landsat satellite data and imagery are the key foundation for the newly released Google Earth 3D Timelapse tool. The upgraded Timelapse presents a global, zoomable time-lapse video of the planet from 1984 to 2020.

Hunting for an insect the size of a poppy seed in a forest of trees that can soar 100 feet high is, admittedly, a tall task.

But after seeing the “gray ghosts” of dead eastern hemlock trees haunt forests farther south, officials in New York have been intent on preventing the same fate for the state’s eastern hemlocks as the aphid-like hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) creeps north.

Finding connections and a sense of community help make work more fulfilling. But a feeling of belonging can be harder for some people to find than others. A remote-sensing-focused Twitter group is trying to do something about that.

USGS social scientists use qualitative research methods to better understand Landsat imagery use and the benefits and challenges perceived by Landsat users. These Landsat user case studies provide in-depth information about users, uses, user value, and societal benefits.  

The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center has released a new online tool to help the public better visualize county-by-county land change across the United States.

Deforestation is a significant concern for many parts of the globe, particularly in places like the rainforests of the Amazon or the Congo. Scientists, governments, and non-governmental organizations turn to satellite data to track deforestation, as well as to set targets for improvement.

Each week, the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center releases VegDRI and QuickDRI maps that show the moisture content of the Nation’s vegetation. Those maps help build the U.S. Drought Monitor map, which in turn helps guide agriculture decisions and policy across the U.S.