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Map from the Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard from July 27th, 2022 showing the extent of the Great Salt Lake watershed.
Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard
Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard
Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard

Map from the Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard from July 27th, 2022 showing the extent of the Great Salt Lake watershed. Markers are stream flow gages colored by flow status with warmer colors indicating below normal flow status, green as normal, and blue to black as above normal.

Map from the Great Salt Lake Water Dashboard from July 27th, 2022 showing the extent of the Great Salt Lake watershed. Markers are stream flow gages colored by flow status with warmer colors indicating below normal flow status, green as normal, and blue to black as above normal.

Researchers sampling native clams in a forested stream
Stream Sampling
Stream Sampling
Stream Sampling

USGS technicians sample for fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) environmental-DNA in the Little Calumet River for a native mussel restoration project at Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana. Photo credit: Ashley Spoljaric, USGS (contractor).

USGS technicians sample for fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) environmental-DNA in the Little Calumet River for a native mussel restoration project at Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana. Photo credit: Ashley Spoljaric, USGS (contractor).

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 6
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 6
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 6

AS THE OCEAN WARMS AND FILLS WITH EXCESS NUTRIENTS FROM SURFACE RUNOFF, CERTAIN TYPES OF ALGAE CAN GROW OUT OF CONTROL AND PRODUCE DANGEROUS TOXINS.

TYPICALLY, THE HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. THE WARMER TEMPERATURES KEEP WATER FROM MIXING, ALLOWING THE ALGAE TO GROW MUCH FASTER.

AS THE OCEAN WARMS AND FILLS WITH EXCESS NUTRIENTS FROM SURFACE RUNOFF, CERTAIN TYPES OF ALGAE CAN GROW OUT OF CONTROL AND PRODUCE DANGEROUS TOXINS.

TYPICALLY, THE HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. THE WARMER TEMPERATURES KEEP WATER FROM MIXING, ALLOWING THE ALGAE TO GROW MUCH FASTER.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 9
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 9
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 9

ALASKA HAS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF REMOTE COASTLINE. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR FOR ALGAL TOXINS, ALERT THE PUBLIC, AND TRACK IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE.

ALASKA HAS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF REMOTE COASTLINE. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR FOR ALGAL TOXINS, ALERT THE PUBLIC, AND TRACK IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 8
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 8
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 8

NOT ONLY ARE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE OCEAN DANGEROUS FOR ARCTIC TERNS, THEY CAN ALSO IMPACT HUMAN FOOD SOURCES AND HEALTH.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 2
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 2
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 2

DURING THE SUMMER OF 2019, DOZENS OF ARCTIC TERNS WERE FOUND DEAD. RESEARCHERS WONDERED, "WHAT HAPPENED?"

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 1
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 1
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 1

ARCTIC TERNS SPEND THEIR SUMMERS NESTING IN ALASKA AND PARTS OF THE ARCTIC. WHEN THE SEASON ENDS, THEY FLY SOUTH TO ANTARCTICA, EMBARKING ON THE LONGEST MIGRATION OF ANY ANIMAL ON EARTH!

ARCTIC TERNS SPEND THEIR SUMMERS NESTING IN ALASKA AND PARTS OF THE ARCTIC. WHEN THE SEASON ENDS, THEY FLY SOUTH TO ANTARCTICA, EMBARKING ON THE LONGEST MIGRATION OF ANY ANIMAL ON EARTH!

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 3
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 3
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 3

ALTHOUGH OTHER BIRD DIE-OFFS HAD BEEN SEEN RECENTLY IN ALASKA, THERE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE TERNS. THEY HAD BEEN POISONED.

ALTHOUGH OTHER BIRD DIE-OFFS HAD BEEN SEEN RECENTLY IN ALASKA, THERE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE TERNS. THEY HAD BEEN POISONED.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 5
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 5
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 5

BRIGHT GREEN ALGAE CAN OFTEN BE SPOTTED FLOATING IN THE OCEAN NEAR THE SURFACE. THEY CONSUME NUTRIENTS, LIKE NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS. IN A BALANCED ECOSYSTEM, THEY GROW AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR MANY SEA CREATURES, INCLUDING KRILL, SNAILS, AND JELLYFISH.

BRIGHT GREEN ALGAE CAN OFTEN BE SPOTTED FLOATING IN THE OCEAN NEAR THE SURFACE. THEY CONSUME NUTRIENTS, LIKE NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS. IN A BALANCED ECOSYSTEM, THEY GROW AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR MANY SEA CREATURES, INCLUDING KRILL, SNAILS, AND JELLYFISH.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 7
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 7
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 7

TERNS EAT KRILL AND FORAGE FISH LIKE HERRING AND SAND LANCE. USUALLY, THAT'S A NUTRITIOUS DIET. BUT WHEN HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS OCCUR, TOXINS CAN TAINT THE FOOD WEB FOR THE BIRDS.

TERNS EAT KRILL AND FORAGE FISH LIKE HERRING AND SAND LANCE. USUALLY, THAT'S A NUTRITIOUS DIET. BUT WHEN HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS OCCUR, TOXINS CAN TAINT THE FOOD WEB FOR THE BIRDS.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 4
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 4
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 4

SEABIRD DIE-OFFS IN ALASKA ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. ALTHOUGH RESEARCHERS BELIEVE MOST BIRDS STARVE DURING THESE EVENTS, THERE MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE CONTRIBUTING TO SOME OF THE DEATHS -- HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

SEABIRD DIE-OFFS IN ALASKA ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. ALTHOUGH RESEARCHERS BELIEVE MOST BIRDS STARVE DURING THESE EVENTS, THERE MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE CONTRIBUTING TO SOME OF THE DEATHS -- HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

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A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 10
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 10
A Long-Suspected Culprit is Caught - Panel 10

HOWEVER, IF WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THINGS SAFER. THE ALASKA HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM NETWORK ASSEMBLES PARTNERS TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT HUMAN, WILDLIFE, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.

HOWEVER, IF WE WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE THINGS SAFER. THE ALASKA HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM NETWORK ASSEMBLES PARTNERS TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT HUMAN, WILDLIFE, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.

Photo of helicopter towing large sensor that looks like hula hoop.
Helicopter towing large sensor
Helicopter towing large sensor
Helicopter towing large sensor

This helicopter will fly along pre-planned flight paths in the Coalinga area at a relatively low to the ground at 100-200 feet above the surface. A sensor that resembles a large hula-hoop will be towed beneath the helicopter to measure small electromagnetic signals that can be used to map geologic features below Earth’s surface.

This helicopter will fly along pre-planned flight paths in the Coalinga area at a relatively low to the ground at 100-200 feet above the surface. A sensor that resembles a large hula-hoop will be towed beneath the helicopter to measure small electromagnetic signals that can be used to map geologic features below Earth’s surface.

Thermal image of the Washburn Fire, southern part of Yosemite National Park, July 7, 2022.
Landsat 8 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022
Landsat 8 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022
Landsat 8 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022

The Landsat 8 thermal image of the Washburn fire was acquired at night to pinpoint the location (bright white) of heat from the fire as it began. Firefighters immediately focused on suppressing the wildfire to minimize any effects on the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. As of July 18, 2022, the fire covered nearly 5,000 acres.

The Landsat 8 thermal image of the Washburn fire was acquired at night to pinpoint the location (bright white) of heat from the fire as it began. Firefighters immediately focused on suppressing the wildfire to minimize any effects on the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. As of July 18, 2022, the fire covered nearly 5,000 acres.

Landsat image of the Washburn Fire, southern part of Yosemite National Park, July 7, 2022
Landsat 9 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022
Landsat 9 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022
Landsat 9 Image of Washburn Fire, Yosemite National Park - July 7, 2022

The Washburn Fire started July 7, 2022 in the southern part of Yosemite National Park. Landsats 8 and 9 both captured imagery of it a day later. The Landsat 9 image uses shortwave infrared and near-infrared bands to show the active burning.

The Washburn Fire started July 7, 2022 in the southern part of Yosemite National Park. Landsats 8 and 9 both captured imagery of it a day later. The Landsat 9 image uses shortwave infrared and near-infrared bands to show the active burning.

Image of a western meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark

Image of a western meadowlark, a grassland-dwelling bird species. Credit: USFWS, public domain

Image of a western meadowlark, a grassland-dwelling bird species. Credit: USFWS, public domain

A map showing the earthquake swarm in South Carolina. a star marks the epicenter with rough outlines for expected shaking.
Map of the M 3.5 - 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina on June 29,2022
Map of the M 3.5 - 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina on June 29,2022
Map of the M 3.5 - 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina on June 29,2022

A map showing the epicenter of the M 3.5 quake that occurred 3.7 miles (6 km) east of Elgin, South Carolina on June 29, 2022. The quake is part of an ongoing sequence in central South Carolina. The sequence started on December 27, 2021, with an M3.3 earthquake near Lugoff, South Carolina.

A map showing the epicenter of the M 3.5 quake that occurred 3.7 miles (6 km) east of Elgin, South Carolina on June 29, 2022. The quake is part of an ongoing sequence in central South Carolina. The sequence started on December 27, 2021, with an M3.3 earthquake near Lugoff, South Carolina.

A group of people on a canoe on a river with fishing poles
Montana trout fishing
Montana trout fishing
Montana trout fishing

Boaters fly fishing on the Missouri River in Montana                                                                                       

Boaters fly fishing on the Missouri River in Montana                                                                                       

Cartoon portrays how installing natural infrastructure can impact the water and carbon budgets of dryland streams and watersheds.
Installing natural infrastructure can impact the water and carbon budgets of dryland streams and watersheds
Installing natural infrastructure can impact the water and carbon budgets of dryland streams and watersheds
Installing natural infrastructure can impact the water and carbon budgets of dryland streams and watersheds

An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.

An illustration of a mountain with water flowing from the top down to a river with smaller rivers flowing off the sides. Multiple items appear along the various rivers including leaky weirs, one rock dams, log dams, gabions, check dams, trincheras, and earthen berms. Informational bubbles appear alongside these various item in the illustration.

Three USGS scientists are holding a pipe and standing in knee-deep water in a river.
USGS scientists test new method for microplastics analysis
USGS scientists test new method for microplastics analysis
USGS scientists test new method for microplastics analysis

USGS hydrologists and hydrologic technicians test a new method for collecting water from the Millstone River in Blackwells Mills, New Jersey. The new method helps measure microplastics concentrations using representative cross-section sampling. In the background, USGS staff maneuver a stainless-steel pump and tubing at pre-determined points along the river.

USGS hydrologists and hydrologic technicians test a new method for collecting water from the Millstone River in Blackwells Mills, New Jersey. The new method helps measure microplastics concentrations using representative cross-section sampling. In the background, USGS staff maneuver a stainless-steel pump and tubing at pre-determined points along the river.

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