Images

Santa Cruz Main Beach and Boardwalk just before a "Super Soaker" winter storm hit with 2.5 inches of rain in just a few hours' time.

A digital still image can be overlaid onto the lidar “point cloud” data to give it a realistic 3D look.

USGS Geographer Josh Logan sets up the lidar scanner near Capitola before the December 11, 2014 "Super Soaker" storm.

PCMSC scientists maneuver the camera sled for deployment off R/V Parke Snavely in Monterey Bay. They will navigate the camera sled just above the seafloor to get a close-up view. Video, photographs, and real-time observations of seafloor geology and biological cover help develop and verify the maps created from sonar data.

USGS Pacific Ocastal and Marine Science Center's research vessel R/V Parke Snavely motors into Santa Cruz Harbor. The lighthouse, also known as the Santa Cruz Breakwater Lighthouse, was remodeled and renamed the Walton Lighthouse on June 9, 2002.

Jenny White driving the USGS research vessel (R/V) Parke Snavely in November 2014 near the entrance to the Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz, California.

Seismic reflection streamer (long blue hose) gets a depth-control bird and bird float attached.

View looks down from a bridge as USGS research vessel R/V Parke Snavely passes beneath.

USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center's research vessel Parke Snavely motors slowly up into the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor where she docks.

The USGS research vessel, R/V Parke Snavely, passes under a bridge near the Santa Cruz Harbor where she docks. Snavely is owned and operated by the USGS Pacific Coastal and Mairne Science Center in Santa Cruz, California.

USGS scientist Alex Snyder gathers topographic data by walking beach transects northwest of Moss Landing to help researchers understand how Monterey Bay will respond to changing environmental conditions.

Antonio Espejo Hermosa uses a handheld computer and GPS equipment to record beach topography data near Sunset State Beach in Santa Cruz.

Photograph shows a USGS scientist navigating an all-terrain vehicle equipped with GPS, collecting topographic data on Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos, California. Gathering this type of information helps USGS scientists to document the changes in beach and nearshore morphology (or form and structure), caused by seasonal variations and storms.

A USGS scientist guides a personal watercraft toward Seabright Beach near the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance during bathymetric surveys.

USGS acting Marine Operations Manager Tim Elfers navigates a personal watercraft toward Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz to record bathymetric (depth) data along a transect.

Panoramic view from the cliffs above the San Lorenzo River and east of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach. Santa Cruz municipal pier and other buildings are visible in the background.

USGS scientist surveying the ocean floor in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, October 20, 2014.

USGS scientist Jackson Currie navigates a personal watercraft towards Santa Cruz's Main Beach, to record bathymetric data along a transect.

A USGS technician surveys the seafloor bathymetry using a personal watercraft outfitted with global positioning systems (GPS) and echo sounders.

Location: Santa Cruz, California (near Wharf).

A USGS technician surveys the seafloor bathymetry using a personal watercraft outfitted with global positioning systems (GPS) and echo sounders.

Location: Santa Cruz, California (near Steamers Lane).

Photograph of a USGS technician on a USGS coastal survey vessel that maps seafloor bathymetry using global positioning systems (GPS) and echo sounders.

Location:Santa Cruz, California (near Wharf).