Images

USGS scientist Chelsea Stalk stands on a floating sled that enables sub‐bottom surveying in shallow water, nearshore, and shore‐face environments. The sled is equipped with an EdgeTech SB‐512i CHIRP system and single‐beam sonar. This equipment is used to collect seismic sub‐bottom profiles and single‐beam bathymetry.

Example of a high-oblique photograph taken with an unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, of the coastal bluffs of Barter Island on North Slope of Alaska. The photographs from different time periods can be compared, using a technique called structure-from-motion photogrammetry, to measure changes in the coastal bluffs.

Large blocks of coastal bluff tumble down onto the beach of Barter Island, on the North Slope of Alaska.

Along the stretch of coastal bluffs of Barter Island, North Slope of Alaska, a new drainage gully developed between September 2018 and September 2019. USGS scientists have been measuring permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, and flooding hazards on and around Barter Island for the last decade.

Example of a thermal photograph of Barter Island's bluffs, on the North Slope of Alaska. Two USGS scientists stand waving on the right side of the photo. Lighter areas are warmer, darker areas are colder. Thermal photography makes it easy to detect areas of permafrost, or the lack thereof.

Alongshore view of the Barter Island permafrost bluffs, along the north coast of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean.

Gigantic chunks of perafrost coastal bluffs tumbled down onto the beach along Barter Island on the North Slope of Alaska. A USGS scientist drives past them, seeking good locations to place instruments and markers that will be used in photographic analysis.

This timelapse video covers about 30 minutes of activity at the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Water appears to be flowing into the pond from several locations, including the southern boundary (right side in this image). A small amount of material is also seen floating on the surface at the eastern end of the pond (top of image).

This timelapse video covers about 25 minutes and shows the circulation in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u. There appears to be an influx of water along the southern shoreline (right side in this image). A broader eastward flow of water (towards the top of the image) is evident. The video is shown twice.

HVO field engineers and staff conducted quarterly work at a deep borehole, known as the Keller Well, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano today (Sept. 24). They lowered a sensor into the well to measure the distance between the ground surface and the top of the water table, which was 505 m (1657 ft) below the ground surface today.

USGS technicial Scott Lydeen climbing the tower at the Strawberry Peak seismic station tower, part of the Southern California Seismic Network.

This video is shown at 30x speed and highlights the changing activity on the surface of the water pond. Steaming shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries.

Images taken on September 10 and 14 show the slight rise in water level, most obvious by comparing the rock marked with an arrow in each photo. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

An early morning view looking north across Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, from a spot near the summit cabin on the volcano's south caldera rim. Frost covered much of the caldera floor that was still shadowed, and weak steaming issued from the usual areas. Overall, there were no significant changes observed at the summit.

YVO scientist showing a GPS receiver and monitoring station in Yellowstone Natio

A near-vertical view into Halema‘uma‘u, with the water pond at the bottom still in the shadow of early morning. USGS photo by D. Becker.

This video sequence begins with a close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u, then widens to show a broader view of the crater, with the water pond at the bottom. The video then shows a close-up of the water surface, with steaming and ripples.

This photo shows an outcrop of pyroclastic flow deposits near Willow Creek on the Pumice Plain at Mount St. Helens. The dramatic lines crossing the outcrop indicate contacts between different layers of pyroclastic flow deposits. Two participants of the 2019 GeoGirls program are shown studying the outcrop, using it to understand the eruptive history of the volcano.

View looking east showing the large perched lava channel on the Fissure 8 flow. Puna Geothermal Venture is in the upper left. USGS photo by D. Becker.

View looking east, showing the narrow lava channels from Fissures 6, 13, 20 and 22. These channel carried lava south to the ocean in May 2018. USGS photo by D. Becker.

The ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u has continued to slowly rise. This wide view shows much of Halema‘uma‘u and the fumaroles on the upper walls of the pit.