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Tall net set up with sunset on Half Dome, a striking cliff with a rounded top and sheer face, in the background
Triple-high mist net in front of Half Dome
Triple-high mist net in front of Half Dome
Triple-high mist net in front of Half Dome

Triple-high mist net in front of Half Dome. The net is used to capture bats as part of a study tracking bat movements in Yosemite National Park.

Triple-high mist net in front of Half Dome. The net is used to capture bats as part of a study tracking bat movements in Yosemite National Park.

a drone flies overhead as a scientist inspects the landscape filled with brown dirt and sparse trees
geothermal monitoring.jpg
geothermal monitoring.jpg
geothermal monitoring.jpg

Photo of the drone performing a low-altitude gas survey to monitor gas emissions near Mammoth Lakes, CA. In the foreground (the white outcrops) is a fumarole. The dead trees in the background are due to tree-kill from heated ground temperatures

Photo of the drone performing a low-altitude gas survey to monitor gas emissions near Mammoth Lakes, CA. In the foreground (the white outcrops) is a fumarole. The dead trees in the background are due to tree-kill from heated ground temperatures

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Critical Minerals in Landsat 9
Critical Minerals in Landsat 9
Critical Minerals in Landsat 9

Landsat 9 is the latest in a prestigious line of satellites that have been watching our planet for nearly 50 years. They have monitored changes on land and made that information freely available to users around the world.

Landsat 9 is the latest in a prestigious line of satellites that have been watching our planet for nearly 50 years. They have monitored changes on land and made that information freely available to users around the world.

Aerial view blue skies of southern California land, green marshes, trees and ocean
Marsh Migration Southern California
Marsh Migration Southern California
Marsh Migration Southern California

To adapt to rising sea levels, coastal wetlands can migrate landward at the expense of adjacent freshwater wetlands and upland ecosystems, but migration can be hindered by natural and anthropogenic barriers. This photo shows marsh migration constrained by topographic and urban barriers in southern California. 

To adapt to rising sea levels, coastal wetlands can migrate landward at the expense of adjacent freshwater wetlands and upland ecosystems, but migration can be hindered by natural and anthropogenic barriers. This photo shows marsh migration constrained by topographic and urban barriers in southern California. 

USGS storm tide sensor installed on a beach access pier in Grand Isle, Louisiana, for Hurricane Ida in 2021. The highest wave documented by this sensor during the hurricane was 13.48 feet on August 29. Photograph credit: James Fountain, USGS.
Storm Tide Sensor
Storm Tide Sensor
Storm Tide Sensor

USGS storm tide sensor installed on a beach access pier in Grand Isle, Louisiana, for Hurricane Ida in 2021. The highest wave documented by this sensor during the hurricane was 13.48 feet on August 29. 

USGS storm tide sensor installed on a beach access pier in Grand Isle, Louisiana, for Hurricane Ida in 2021. The highest wave documented by this sensor during the hurricane was 13.48 feet on August 29. 

Screenshot of the EarthExplorer (EE)
Screenshot — USGS EarthExplorer (EE)
Screenshot — USGS EarthExplorer (EE)
Screenshot — USGS EarthExplorer (EE)

The EarthExplorer (EE) user interface is an online search, discovery, and ordering tool developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). EE supports the searching of satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. 

The EarthExplorer (EE) user interface is an online search, discovery, and ordering tool developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). EE supports the searching of satellite, aircraft, and other remote sensing inventories through interactive and textual-based query capabilities. 

Image: Kenduskeag Stream Gaging Station
Kenduskeag Stream Gaging Station
Kenduskeag Stream Gaging Station
Kenduskeag Stream Gaging Station

USGS gaging station on the Kenduskeag Stream near Bangor, Maine, station 01037000. This station is downstream of Six Mile Falls, a popular spot during the Kenduskeag Canoe Race.

Landsat thermal image of the California Caldor Fire, August 29, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 29, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 29, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 29, 2021

Landsat's thermal and infrared bands also expose the Caldor fire's advancing edge at night time. This image is from August 29, 201, 15 days after ignition.

Photo of Pack Creek at Pack Creek Road Bridge river gage looking downstream Pack Creek in Utah
Pack Creek at Pack Creek Road Bridge river gage
Pack Creek at Pack Creek Road Bridge river gage
Pack Creek at Pack Creek Road Bridge river gage

Photo looking downstream from the Pack Creek Road Bridge shows the rain gage on top with a USGS sticker. Below is a solar panel for power. The other white round object contains the data logger and satellite antenna.

Photo looking downstream from the Pack Creek Road Bridge shows the rain gage on top with a USGS sticker. Below is a solar panel for power. The other white round object contains the data logger and satellite antenna.

Landsat image of the California Caldor Fire, August 14, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 14, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 14, 2021
Landsat Image of California Caldor Fire - August 14, 2021

The Caldor Fire in California started on August 14, 2021 and quickly spread in high winds. The fire expanded toward the Lake Tahoe area as residents evacuated. Landsat image was captured on August 21, the 8th day. Landsat 8's near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands reveal active fire, burn scars, and smoke.

The Caldor Fire in California started on August 14, 2021 and quickly spread in high winds. The fire expanded toward the Lake Tahoe area as residents evacuated. Landsat image was captured on August 21, the 8th day. Landsat 8's near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands reveal active fire, burn scars, and smoke.

Infographic on the 2011 Virginia Earthquake and East Coast Earthquake Hazards
2011 Virginia Earthquake - Infographic
2011 Virginia Earthquake - Infographic
2011 Virginia Earthquake - Infographic

USGS infographic on the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck central Virginia August 23, 2011, east coast earthquake hazards and how the USGS is helping inform critical decisions to protect lives and property. 

Full Text Description:

10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE M5.8 EARTHQUAKE IN VIRGINIA
America’s Most Widely Felt Earthquake

USGS infographic on the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck central Virginia August 23, 2011, east coast earthquake hazards and how the USGS is helping inform critical decisions to protect lives and property. 

Full Text Description:

10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE M5.8 EARTHQUAKE IN VIRGINIA
America’s Most Widely Felt Earthquake

Landsat image after Dixie Fire, CA, taken on August 12, 2021
Landsat After Dixie Fire, CA - August 12, 2021
Landsat After Dixie Fire, CA - August 12, 2021
Landsat After Dixie Fire, CA - August 12, 2021

Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire has become the largest single fire in California's recorded history. State fire officials don't list it at the top, however. The record is held by the massive August Complex Fire of 2020 which burned over one million acres. The term "complex" is used when multiple fires in the same area ignite separately.

Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire has become the largest single fire in California's recorded history. State fire officials don't list it at the top, however. The record is held by the massive August Complex Fire of 2020 which burned over one million acres. The term "complex" is used when multiple fires in the same area ignite separately.

USGS research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample from a watershed burned by wildfire
USGS research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample from a watershed burned by wildfire
USGS research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample from a watershed burned by wildfire
USGS research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample from a watershed burned by wildfire

U.S. Geological Survey research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample near Meadow Creek, Washington, for mercury analysis. Baldwin and USGS colleagues conducted a study of mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest burned by wildfire.

U.S. Geological Survey research hydrologist Austin Baldwin collects a soil sample near Meadow Creek, Washington, for mercury analysis. Baldwin and USGS colleagues conducted a study of mercury mobilization, methylation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic insects in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest burned by wildfire.

USGS hydrologic technician Travis Gibson confirms Great Salt Lake water levels at the SaltAire gauge.
Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low
Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low
Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low

USGS hydrologic technician Travis Gibson confirms Great Salt Lake water levels at the SaltAire gauge.

USGS scientist with yellow visibility safety vest on talking to the camera with people working in the background.
Joanne Chan - Seismic Survey
Joanne Chan - Seismic Survey
Joanne Chan - Seismic Survey

Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault. 

Joanne Chan conducting a seismic survey in San Carlos, California, looking for traces of the Serra Fault. 

Landsat image before Dixie Fire, CA, taken on July 11, 2021
Landsat Before Dixie Fire, CA - July 11, 2021
Landsat Before Dixie Fire, CA - July 11, 2021
Landsat Before Dixie Fire, CA - July 11, 2021

Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire has become the largest single fire in California's recorded history. State fire officials don't list it at the top, however. The record is held by the massive August Complex Fire of 2020 which burned over one million acres. The term "complex" is used when multiple fires in the same area ignite separately.

Dixie Fire The Dixie Fire has become the largest single fire in California's recorded history. State fire officials don't list it at the top, however. The record is held by the massive August Complex Fire of 2020 which burned over one million acres. The term "complex" is used when multiple fires in the same area ignite separately.

Decreasing water levels in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake expose microbialite communities that are normally underwater.
Great Salt Lake May Reach Historic Low Soon
Great Salt Lake May Reach Historic Low Soon
Great Salt Lake May Reach Historic Low Soon

Decreasing water levels in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake expose microbialite communities that are normally underwater.  

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