Images

Collection of a suspended-sediment sample by hydrologic technicians at U.S. Geological Survey station 08185000 Cibolo Creek at Selma, Texas, on May 25, 2013.

The quality of pallid sturgeon eggs is verified under the microscope prior to fertilization. 

As schools close for the year and summer weather beckons, many recreationalists head to the Great Lakes' public beaches. However, these coastal areas can become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria that threaten public health, disrupt water recreation, and pay a toll on the Great Lakes economies that depend on summer tourism.

Fertilized pallid sturgeon eggs become sticky and adhere to gravel substrate.  

Fertilized pallid sturgeon eggs are gently dispersed over the gravel substrate.  The PVC pipes are used to support a canopy of shade cloth to more closely mimic the muddy depths of the Missouri River. 

Biologist Sabrina Davenport with a reproductive male pallid sturgeon. 

Wetlands in an arid western landscape.

A research technician holding vial of the sea lamprey sex pheromone, 3kPZS

This image, which shows the tropical estuary of the Ord River in Australia, is part of the Earth as Art 4 series. 

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, the USGS has been helping with earthquake awareness and monitoring in the country, with continued support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Images of the remotely operated vehicle Jason2 sampling a sea urchin in a deep sea mussel community found near a gas seep on the U.S. outer continental shelf. Images courtesy Deepwater Canyons 2013 - Pathways to the Abyss expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS.

Methane gas bubbles rise from the seafloor—this type of activity, originally noticed by NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in 2012 on a multibeam sonar survey, is what led scientists to the area. Image courtesy of Deepwater Canyons 2013 – Pathways to the Abyss expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS.

A species of rockling (Family Lotidae), related to hakes and cods, rests among the mussels. Images courtesy Deepwater Canyons 2013 - Pathways to the Abyss expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS.

A lithodid crab seen on a bed of deep sea mussels living near a gas seep 1,600 meters below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Images courtesy Deepwater Canyons 2013 - Pathways to the Abyss expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS.

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, the USGS has been helping with earthquake awareness and monitoring in the country, with continued support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Johnson County water intake weir on the Kansas River.

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, the USGS has been helping with earthquake awareness and monitoring in the country, with continued support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

A U.S. Geological Survey technician collecting water monitoring data at Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, the USGS has been helping with earthquake awareness and monitoring in the country, with continued support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake, the USGS has been helping with earthquake awareness and monitoring in the country, with continued support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Children from a village near Kathmandu greet visitors on May 2, 2013