Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
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.
Lava spines continue to emerge onto the crater floor of Mount St. Helens in 2005. By April 2005, spine 4 is broken and pushed away by spine 5. The nearly vertical spine 5 has a smooth, gouge-covered surface, growing at an average rate of 4.3 meters per day.
Lava spines continue to emerge onto the crater floor of Mount St. Helens in 2005. By April 2005, spine 4 is broken and pushed away by spine 5. The nearly vertical spine 5 has a smooth, gouge-covered surface, growing at an average rate of 4.3 meters per day.
Growth and disintegration of lava spines continued at Mount St. Helens through the first 8 months of 2005. Rather than building a single dome-shaped structure, the new dome grew initially as a series of recumbent, smoothly surfaced spines that extruded to lengths of almost 500 m.
Growth and disintegration of lava spines continued at Mount St. Helens through the first 8 months of 2005. Rather than building a single dome-shaped structure, the new dome grew initially as a series of recumbent, smoothly surfaced spines that extruded to lengths of almost 500 m.
Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.
Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.
Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.
Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.
By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.
By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.
Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich. Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.
Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich. Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.
On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.
On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.
After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.
After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.
On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.
On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.
Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.
Video Presentation and Discussion
Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist
See-
Video Presentation and Discussion
Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist
See-
New Estimates of Earthquake Hazard and Risk Across the Bay Region
By Michael Blanpied, Geophysicist
New Estimates of Earthquake Hazard and Risk Across the Bay Region
By Michael Blanpied, Geophysicist
Fluid lava leaks from inside crusted front of cascade.
Fluid lava leaks from inside crusted front of cascade.
Breaking and tumbling crust on slabby flow front.
Breaking and tumbling crust on slabby flow front.
20 Years of Eruption at Kilauea and Waiting for Mauna Loa
by Don Swanson,Volcanologist, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
20 Years of Eruption at Kilauea and Waiting for Mauna Loa
by Don Swanson,Volcanologist, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Deep Drilling to Test Fundamental Theories About Faulting and Earthquakes
By Stephen H. Hickman, Geophysicist
Deep Drilling to Test Fundamental Theories About Faulting and Earthquakes
By Stephen H. Hickman, Geophysicist
New Mapping Techniques Reveal Potential Seismic Sources Beneath Seattle
By Richard J. Blakely, Geophysicist and Ralph A. Haugerud, Geologist
New Mapping Techniques Reveal Potential Seismic Sources Beneath Seattle
By Richard J. Blakely, Geophysicist and Ralph A. Haugerud, Geologist
USGS scientists C. Dan Miller, Don Mullineaux, Mike Doukas, Norm Banks, Don Swanson, and Richard Waitt talk about their experiences at Mount St.
USGS scientists C. Dan Miller, Don Mullineaux, Mike Doukas, Norm Banks, Don Swanson, and Richard Waitt talk about their experiences at Mount St.
This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.
This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.
Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.