Images

The White Tern is one of eight seabird species whose population density and susceptibility to sea-level rise was studied on the French Frigate Shoals' Tern Island by biologists with the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center's Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Climate Change Project. 

El Yunque Peak as seen across the Mameyes River valley. El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.

The Mameyes River in flood. Eastern Puerto Rico.

A Cessna Grand Caravan airplane took measurements over Virginia's Louisa, Goochland and Fluvanna counties. The data collected will help USGS scientists locate buried geologic features associated with the August 23, 2011 earthquake and its aftershocks. Surveys were conducted from 7/15- 7/25.

A Cessna Grand Caravan airplane took measurements over Virginia's Louisa, Goochland and Fluvanna counties. The data collected will help USGS scientists locate buried geologic features associated with the August 23, 2011 earthquake and its aftershocks. Surveys were conducted from 7/15- 7/25.

Chimney damage to a house in Louisa County, Virginia, after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake on August 23, 2011.

The images reveal significant erosion of the island, likely due to inundation by waves and surge.This erosion resulted in the disappearance of an oil-protection berm constructed follow the BP oil spill.  Due to this island's cumulative damage from previous storms like Hurricane Katrina, it remains in question whether this beach system will ever be able to fully

These photos show the kind of massive forest die-off that is projected to occur more frequently in the Southwest. Piñon pines, normally evergreen, have reddish-brown foliage in October 2002 (left). By May 2004 (right), the dead piñon pines have lost all their needles, exposing gray trunks and branches.

Previously undiscovered photo of undocumented Russian Crown Jewels were recently discovered in the USGS library. The photo appear in a 1922 album called "Russian Diamond Fund," that was uncovered in the rare book room of the library. This bracelet was one of the four undocumented jewels.

Water Holes Canyon — checking out David Toppings Sediment monitoring gauges. 

Previously undiscovered photo of undocumented Russian Crown Jewels were recently discovered in the USGS library. The photo appear in a 1922 album called "Russian Diamond Fund," that was uncovered in the rare book room of the library. This diadem was one of the four undocumented jewels.

This gatehouse is made of Aquia Creek sandstone, the same material used to build much of the U.S. Capitol building. It stands at the intersection of 17th Street, NW, and Constitution Avenue.

Scientists from AIST, JOGMEC, Georgia Tech, and the USGS prepare to analyze pressure cores as part of a multi-year gas hydrates research project in Japan.

Photograph of the international team studying gas hydrates in Japan. Front row, kneeling: Jun Yoneda (AIST).

Scientists from AIST, JOGMEC, Georgia Tech, and the USGS prepare to analyze pressure cores as part of a multi-year gas hydrates research project in Japan. Left to right: Junbong Jang (Georgia Tech), David Mason (USGS), Carlos Santamarina (Georgia Tech), and Emile Bergeron (USGS).

Cover-collapse sinkhole in limestone near Frederick, Maryland (September 2003). Many sinkholes occur along highways where rainwater runoff is concentrated into storm drains and ditches increasing the rate of sinkhole development (note the sewer drain pipe beneath roadway).

Temphra sampling done by Kristi Wallace.

USGS technician Jenny White and co-chief scientist Patrick Hart on the fantail of the research vessel Pelican during a cruise to explore gas hydrates in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico from April to May, 2013.

USGS technicians Jenny White and Tom O'Brien prepare lead weight to be added for proper ballasting of the seismic streamer on the fantail of the research vessel Pelican during a cruise to explore gas hydrates in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico from April to May, 2013.

The view of the river from the USGS gaging station on the Kennebec River at The Forks, station 01042500. 

Sunrise on the shore of Spednic Lake before heading out on the lake to collect data for a study.