Images

The nighttime Oakland city skyline as seen from San Francisco with the Bay Bridge in the foreground

Looking up at a drone hovering near an open-path methane analyzer mounted on a flux tower. Instruments mounted on both the towers and on the drones are measuring gases emitted from the soil.

GeoGirls analyze volcanic sediment at the Coldwater Lake outlet.

GeoGirls take core samples at a pond near the Hummocks Trail to study groundwater transport.

The GeoGirls examined tephra (ash and pumice) deposits from Mount St. Helens’ eruptive past and learned how to create a stratigraphic column.

Many bumble bee species have declined in recent decades due to changes in habitat, climate, and pressures from pathogens, pesticides and introduced species. The western bumble bee, once common throughout western North America, is a species of concern and is being considered for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act.

Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN

A modern coral reef in Dry Tortugas National Park. There is little living coral and high rates of bioerosion. Photo taken under research permit number DRTO-2018-SCI-0005. Credit: Lauren Toth, USGS

USGS scientist Nick Voichick rafted about 150 miles in nine days on the Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado River to collect groundwater samples from springs in remote locations. 

 

USGS scientists Tom Porter and Joel Unema warm up in the sun as the scientific expedition moves downstream to the next sample location.

USGS scientists Kim Besiner, John Solder and Kate Wilkins collect groundwater samples at Grapevine Main Spring. 

Scientists traveled to the remote locations along the south rim of the Grand Canyon to assess the potential effects of mining along the Coconino Plateau and groundwater withdrawals associated with increasing populations.

A group of USGS and National Park Service scientists above Granite Gorge on route for 56 miles and 20,000 vertical feet along the south rim of the Grand Canyon to collect groundwater samples from three springs. 

Scientists in this photo (left to right) are Christina Bryant, Kim Beisner, John Solder and Kate Wilkins.

 

USGS scientist Joel Unema hikes to National Canyon Spring to collect groundwater samples from a remote location near the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Joel Unema was part of a group of USGS and National Park Service scientists that rafted 150 miles in nine days to better understand natural resources.

A black carp collected from a lake in the middle Mississippi River in Alexander County, Illinois. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

An animated GIF showing lava bubbling out of fissure 8 at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii. Clip is taken from the full b-roll video listed as the source.

Map as of 10:00 a.m. HST, June 15, 2018.

U.S. Geological Survey laboratory technician at the Baton Rouge Sediment Laboratory processing a water sample with the modified riffle splitter used to analyze cooperative program samples (photograph by Aimee Downs, U.S. Geological Survey).

SIR 2018-5147

Sam Parker, Kevin Molongoski and Steve Walk, USGS scientists, use nets to guide American shad into a study area during a shad fishway entrance gate study at the S.O. Conte Research Laboratory in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, June 1, 2018. USGS photo by Andrea Miehls.

Sam Parker and Kevin Molongoski, USGS scientists, transfer American shad from the study area to a tank on a fish truck before being released in the Connecticut River following a shad fishway entrance gate study at the S.O. Conte Research Laboratory in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, June 1, 2018. USGS photo by Andrea Miehls.

This long thin, strand of volcanic glass is called Pele's hair. Named for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele's hair is formed from lava fountains and rapidly moving lava flows. This strand of Pele’s hair was found on Kupono Street in Leilani Estates, Hawaii, during the Kīlauea volcano eruption.

U.S. Geological Survey Volcanologist Matthew Patrick photographs and observes a lava fountain in the Leilani Estates near Hilo, Hawai`i on Sunday, May 27, 2018.