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Explore a wide variety of videos that highlight natural hazards, the risks they pose and the science we conduct to better understand and prepare for them.
Learn about the natural hazards you might face and how science can help us be better prepared.
Earthquake hazards are a national risk, with nearly half of Americans living in areas prone to potentially damaging earthquakes. Learn about tools and resources that can help us all be better prepared.
The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).
The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).
The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).
The global ocean is a significant carbon sink, absorbing about a third of all atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (Gruber et al., 2019).
You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.
You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.
Most of the world’s beaches have regular cycles of erosion and recovery, but new USGS research is showing that these cycles may be considerably different from common perceptions.
Most of the world’s beaches have regular cycles of erosion and recovery, but new USGS research is showing that these cycles may be considerably different from common perceptions.
This presentation by Dr. Jake Lowenstern was prepared for the AGU 2024-2025 Distinguished Lecture Series. It discusses the challenges of volcano monitoring, eruption forecasting, and protecting vulnerable populations.
This presentation by Dr. Jake Lowenstern was prepared for the AGU 2024-2025 Distinguished Lecture Series. It discusses the challenges of volcano monitoring, eruption forecasting, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
Coral reef restoration can protect hundreds of millions of dollars of coastal property and business activity annually from storm-driven flooding.
It can protect thousands of people, especially children, the elderly, minorities, and those below the poverty line. Thus, coral reef restoration is a mechanism to provide environmental equity.
In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024.
In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024.
USGS Scientist, Bob deGroot, briefly explains what happened during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred offshore of Mendocino, CA, on December 5, 2024.
The event occurred in an area called the Triple Junction, where the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, and North American tectonic plates meet.
USGS Scientist, Bob deGroot, briefly explains what happened during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred offshore of Mendocino, CA, on December 5, 2024.
The event occurred in an area called the Triple Junction, where the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, and North American tectonic plates meet.
USGS Scientist, Bob deGroot, briefly explains what happened during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred offshore of Mendocino, CA, on December 5, 2024.
The event occurred in an area called the Triple Junction, where the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, and North American tectonic plates meet.
USGS Scientist, Bob deGroot, briefly explains what happened during the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred offshore of Mendocino, CA, on December 5, 2024.
The event occurred in an area called the Triple Junction, where the Pacific, Juan de Fuca, and North American tectonic plates meet.
The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.
The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.
Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Volcanoes tend to have seismicity that waxes and wanes over time. That’s considered normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. Let’s check on Mount Adams to see what USGS scientists are doing to learn more about its recent earthquake activity and what it could mean for this Cascade Range volcano.
Obsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.
Obsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
Did you feel that?
The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide.
Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024.
Read Caldera Chronicles
Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024.
Read Caldera Chronicles
Natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and floods impact millions of Americans every year. The U.S. Geological Survey monitors these hazards in realtime, giving communities early warnings and critical information. In some cases, forecasting where the threat is greatest and helping reduce the risk to people, homes, and infrastructure.
Natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and floods impact millions of Americans every year. The U.S. Geological Survey monitors these hazards in realtime, giving communities early warnings and critical information. In some cases, forecasting where the threat is greatest and helping reduce the risk to people, homes, and infrastructure.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.9, was the strongest to hit the San Francisco Bay Area since the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Although it provided extensive data on ground shaking, the available observations don’t fully capture all the quake's important features.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.9, was the strongest to hit the San Francisco Bay Area since the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Although it provided extensive data on ground shaking, the available observations don’t fully capture all the quake's important features.
Is it true that there's oil in Yellowstone? Watch this month's Yellowstone Monthly update and find out.
Is it true that there's oil in Yellowstone? Watch this month's Yellowstone Monthly update and find out.
At the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), our team locates and researches earthquakes to provide information on how to reduce risk from earthquakes.
At the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), our team locates and researches earthquakes to provide information on how to reduce risk from earthquakes.
At the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), our team locates and researches earthquakes to provide information on how to reduce risk from earthquakes.
At the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), our team locates and researches earthquakes to provide information on how to reduce risk from earthquakes.