Images

Graphic showing Earth observation inputs found in the 2023 USGEO Earth observation assessment for agriculture and forestry.

 Cover image for Elevation gain | Wetland loss animation. stylized water with a berm and wind cloud

USGS water data expert Garret Welsh measures water flow in the pouring rain at the Straight River near Faribault, Minnesota. This measurement recorded the 6th highest flow in the station's 59-year history, highlighting the severity of current flood conditions. Such data is crucial for emergency managers and forecasters to protect communities at risk.

Rock detentions structures installed as natural infrastructure in dryland streams (NIDS); photo by Laura M. Norman, USGS

Screenshot showing the use of the topoBuilder application to create on demand topographic maps. Step one select a map.

Screenshot showing the use of the topoBuilder application to create on demand topographic maps, customize map.

Screenshot showing the use of the topoBuilder application to create on demand topographic maps. Edit cart.

Screenshot showing the use of the topoBuilder application to create on demand topographic maps, edit map.

A 7.5-Minute Topo or 1:24,000 scale map of the Arizona National Scenic Trail runs through the Gila River Canyons west of the town of Kelvin. This map shows shaded relief, contour lines, hydrography, land cover, place names, and roads. 

This is a 1:2,000,000-scale map of Arizona with the entire Arizona National Scenic Trail shown in red. The basemap is the USGS Topo basemap taken from USGS The National Map. 

This is a close-up of a 1:100,000-scale topographic map (100K Topo) of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZ NST) from the Kaibab Plateau at top to the Grand Canyon North Rim at bottom. The AZ NST is highlighted in red. This map shows contour lines, hydrography, landform names, land cover, federal lands, roads, and structures. 

Rock Core 12 sample in Carbonate Aquifer Characterization Lab.

Photographed by Chrishera Smith.

Infographic description features and function of micro ocean-bottom seismometers.

There are three fire-related triangles used to explain fire growth and expansion. The smallest scale "Fire Triangle" factors in oxygen, heat, and fuel. The "Fire Behavior Triangle" factors in topography, fuel, and weather. While the large-scale "Fire Regime Triangle" factors in ignition source, vegetation, and climate.

How hot do wildfires get? 

• 570 F degrees - TEMPERATURE AT WHICH WOOD WILL BURST INTO FLAMES
• 2,200 F degrees - TEMPERATURE WILDFIRES COULD REACH IN EXTREME CONDITIONS

MEET A FIRE SCIENTIST: Rachel A Loehman, Ph.D.

I study the complexities between people and nature, particularly the impacts of wildfires on landscapes, habitats, and natural resources

USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage. 

Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California.

USGS Water and Fire Technicians team members, Jorge Gonzalez and Efren Alvarado, made repairs to the Buck Mountain precipitation gage during the Blue 2 Fire near Alto, New Mexico on June 7, 2024. This station, along with similar gages, provides critical real-time rainfall data to the National Weather Service and local emergency managers.

A new eruption began along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone on June 3, 2024, and this map depicts activity on the eruption's first day. New lava flows are shown in red, only covering about 88 acres (36 hectares) of ground within relatively short distances of the eruptive fissures.

A map showing estimated lithium concentrations in groundwater that can supply public and private drinking water wells across the nation. The estimates are from a study led by the USGS.