Images

The USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted outreach at the Localtopia Event held in February 2020. Staff demonstrated a simulation of how storms can impact sandy coastlines through processes such as erosion.

Scanning electron microprobe images show the complexity of tiny Icelandic ash grains (150 micron, or 0.006 inch). Image (a) shows a dense and blocky grain, and (b) shows a foamy grain. Photos by J. Schmith.

Question: what's that in the shrubs?

The SQUID-5, or a Structure-from-Motion (SfM) Quantitative Underwater Imaging Device with 5 cameras is a towed surface vehicle with an onboard Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and 5 downward-looking cameras with overlapping views of the seafloor.

Answer: a GPS capable of accurately measuring elevations to within 10 cm (~4 in). In the summer of 2019, USGS organized a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey of the Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone, including both the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and 2018 lower Puna lava flows.

A group of participants at the Coastal Change Hazards State of Our Nation’s Coast stakeholder engagement workshop at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Falmouth, MA. Here participants are pictured writing the names of tools they use on sticky notes.

Participants of the Coastal Change Hazards State of Our Nation’s Coast stakeholder engagement workshop at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Falmouth, MA. Participants are pictured here talking in small groups.

A beautiful sun set over the Gulf of Mexico from the stern of the R/V Pelican.

A CTD-rosette is a commonly used instrument that measures conductivity (that can inform scientists about salinity), temperature, and depth (CTD). As the instrument is lowered into the water--sometimes down to great depths--the cylinders around will open at various depths to collect water samples at discrete locations throughout the water column.

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory News Media Management Guide—General Protocols and Templates, USGS Circular 1462 (https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/cir1462) provides protocols and templates for (1) normal conditions when CVO has an opportunity to be proactive with its messages and to raise general awaren

Stormy weather moved through the islands over the past day, producing snow at the higher elevations of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. This sequence shows the webcam images at the summit of Mauna Loa, and the variable weather throughout the day.

On December 30, 2015, an HVO geologist wore protective gear during collection of a fresh lava sample for chemical analysis from a Pāhoehoe breakout along scattered Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flows. Inset image caption: Metadata is written on a bag that holds a sample taken from Pāhoehoe that was collected on August 18, 2006.

The water pond at Kīlauea's summit continues to gradually deepen. The pond surface remains variable in color, with a brownish hue in the northern portion, evident through the gaps in steam. USGS photo by D. Swanson.

The sampling mechanism (on blue tarp) is prepared and the Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS) is inspected just before take off to collect water from the Halema‘uma‘u crater lake. Brightly colored flagging tape tied to a cable attached to the UAS indicated depth as the sampling tool was lowered into the water. 

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the silicified microbial mats that form Castle Geyser. USGS image by Dakota Churchill.

USGS researchers Chris Moore and Mitchell Lemon took a trip on the R/V Weatherbird in January of 2020 with the University of South Florida College of Marine Science as part of a study on carbon dioxide in the Gulf of Mexico. Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, is a greenhouse gas that can be absorbed by the ocean.

The U.S. Geological Survey has released a report on the potential duration of aftershocks of the 2020 Southwest Puerto Rico earthquake sequence (series) to guide public policy decisions, other actions, and help people stay safe and care for themselves and each other.

El Servicio Geológico de los EE. UU. ha publicado un informe sobre la duración potencial de las réplicas de la secuencia (serie) del terremoto del Suroeste de Puerto Rico en el 2020 que puede ser usado como guía en las decisiones de política pública, otras acciones y ayudar a las personas a mantenerse seguras y cuidarse a sí mismas y a los demás.

Dianne López-Trujillo with Lynne Carrier, FEMA translator.

The USGS Recognizes Dianne Lopez-Trujillo During Hispanic Heritage Month

What happens when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Puerto Rico and the public needs critical information? How does a mostly English-speaking science agency reach a mostly Spanish-speaking public?

The 1880-1881 eruption of Mauna Loa produced lava flows that came within about 2 kilometers of the town of Hilo. This painting by Charles Furneaux, "Night View 1880-1881, Eruption from Hilo Bay," illustrates the flows as they would have been in November 1880.

Overview of the Congressional event following the 6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico. Bottom of picture: congressmen. Center: Dianne Lopez, Lindsay Davis, Donyelle Davis