Images

Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is prepared for laboratory analyses at the USGS California Volcano Observatory. Results thus far reveal chemistry indicative of complex reactions between the water, magmatic gases, and Kīlauea's basaltic rocks. USGS photo by S. Peek, October 2019.

The "Short-term Sulfur Dioxide Advisory Level Information" table (http://www.hiso2index.info/assets/FinalSO2Exposurelevels.pdf) uses a six-tiered color-coded system to depict sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations and provide guidance for different groups of people exposed to SO2.

Scientists collected marine vibracores from a research vessel in Mississippi Sound to study shelf geology as part of a collaboration between Mississippi State University and the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132 on August 7, 2019. One geologist is taking visual photographs while another geologist is taking thermal photographs to make a tandem pair for comparison. The temperature of the solidified lava was measured to 425 ° C (800 ° F) at the digging site. Photograph by USGS geologist K.

Still image from November 1, 2019, YVO video monthly update.

Belle Philibosian field mapping the M7.1 Ridgecrest, California Earthquake Rupture, July 9, 2019.

Looking south along the creeping section of the San Andreas Fault near Bitterwater, California, September 23, 2019.

Transportation takes many forms; this horse trek to GPS station HVWY in Hayden Valley complies with wilderness regulations, reduces impact to sensitive areas, and enables teams to upgrade equipment to keep the site operational year-round. Site maintenance was completed under permit YELL-2019-SCI-5546, in close coordination with Park staff, on September 18, 2019.

Map of monitoring instruments in and around Yellowstone National Park as of October 31, 2019. To view the interactive version of this map, go to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory website.

This video shows a close-up of the unmanned aerial system collecting a water sample in Halema‘uma‘u. USGS video by M. Patrick, 26 Oct 2019.

This video shows the unmanned aerial system collecting a water sample from Halema‘uma‘u. This wider view shows the scale of the UAS relative to the water pond. USGS video by M. Patrick, 26 Oct 2019.

Jim Smith working on cabling inside of Lucchetti dam in Puerto Rico, assisting the Puerto Rico Strong Motion Program with Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. 

Fire Island is a barrier island off the coast of Long Island, New York that hosts several protected areas, nesting habitat for shorebirds, and beachgoers looking for a relaxing place for recreation. USGS studies how the island changes over time - in both the past and present - to better understand how the island may evolve in the future. 

USGS and OAS team prepares the sampling mechanism and inspects the unmanned aerial system a few minutes before mission start and takeoff. All safety precautions were taken to ensure the aircraft and sampling mechanism were sterile, and would return safely from the pond.

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

Civil Air Patrol captured this aerial image of Mauna Loa's summit caldera, Moku‘āweoweo, on Sunday, October 20, 2019. The true summit of Mauna Loa is located just to the right of the center of the image, at the highest location above the caldera wall in the background.

Environmental geoscience fieldwork

Sulphur Cone (left), viewed toward southwest, from 3,480 m (11,420 ft) above sea level on Mauna Loa's southwest rift zone. At right, an HVO geoscientist and technician rebuild volcanic gas monitoring equipment installed near an outgassing fissure.

The water level at Kīlauea summit continues to slowly rise, with the size of the pond gradually enlarging. The pond today was at least 140 m (460 ft) in the east-west direction (from bottom to top of image). This length is a minimum estimate as the west end of the pond is now partially blocked from view by the crater walls. USGS photo by D. Swanson.

Black Dog breccia pipe is the remnant of an inactive hydrothermal vent system fo

Material filling the dissolved voids includes clasts of wall rock as well as beach sediments being washed into the voids. The lower structure on the left is about 0.7 m (2 ft) wide and 1.5 m (5 ft) high. Note the fracture alignment above the void structure on the right.