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.
Access all multimedia to include images, video, audio, webcams, before-after imagery, and more. Filter and explore with filtering options to refine search.
The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.
The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.
A section of the Porcelain Basin Loop boardwalk in the Norris Geyser Basin was removed because the ground below sections of the boardwalk became too hot and made charcoal of the wood footings that support the structure. Luckily enough in this case, the boardwalk was shifted about 3 feet to avoid the new hot ground.
A section of the Porcelain Basin Loop boardwalk in the Norris Geyser Basin was removed because the ground below sections of the boardwalk became too hot and made charcoal of the wood footings that support the structure. Luckily enough in this case, the boardwalk was shifted about 3 feet to avoid the new hot ground.
Illustration shows the cross-section of a barrier island progressing from ocean (on the right) to marsh and then lagoon (on the left).
Illustration shows the cross-section of a barrier island progressing from ocean (on the right) to marsh and then lagoon (on the left).
Image collage of USGS Ecosystems Mission Area scientists in the field.
Image collage of USGS Ecosystems Mission Area scientists in the field.
For more than 15 years, the USGS has actively studied natural and human changes to the shoreline, beaches, and dunes at Fire Island.
For more than 15 years, the USGS has actively studied natural and human changes to the shoreline, beaches, and dunes at Fire Island.
Industrial water use in 2015
Irrigation water use withdrawals in 2015
USGS wildlife biologists holding a juvenile salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris). The species is listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
USGS wildlife biologists holding a juvenile salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris). The species is listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 summit collapse, shown here on July 28 (left), and the lower East Rift Zone fissure 8 lava flow, shown here on July 2 (right), will be the focus of “Volcano Awareness Month” talks offered in January 2019.
Kīlauea Volcano’s 2018 summit collapse, shown here on July 28 (left), and the lower East Rift Zone fissure 8 lava flow, shown here on July 2 (right), will be the focus of “Volcano Awareness Month” talks offered in January 2019.
Image of Landsat ARD tiles used for USGS Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP).
Landslide near Potter Hill, Anchorage, Alaska, after 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
Landslide near Potter Hill, Anchorage, Alaska, after 2018 Anchorage earthquake.
This preliminary thickness map of Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flows was calculated by subtracting pre-eruption ground surface elevations from post-eruption ground surface elevations mapped with USGS Unmanned Aerial System (drone) flights.
This preliminary thickness map of Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flows was calculated by subtracting pre-eruption ground surface elevations from post-eruption ground surface elevations mapped with USGS Unmanned Aerial System (drone) flights.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
By processing lidar point clouds (left) to bare earth DEMs (right), the vegetation is stripped away to reveal past landslides and steep slopes at risk of failure masked by forested canopies. In dense forests, landslides--especially old landslides--might be invisible on aerial images and hard to detect from the ground.
Livestock water withdrawals in 2015
The alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) is an introduced species common to Southwest Idaho. They originate from the old world, most likely from northeastern Africa or the Middle East. These bees are successful pollinators of various crops and have been imported to North America for use in agriculture and beekeeping.
The alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) is an introduced species common to Southwest Idaho. They originate from the old world, most likely from northeastern Africa or the Middle East. These bees are successful pollinators of various crops and have been imported to North America for use in agriculture and beekeeping.
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay.
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay.
Mangroves grow along the outside of a playa, one of may in the Florida Bay area.
Mangroves grow along the outside of a playa, one of may in the Florida Bay area.
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay.
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay.
Study site map for the Massachusetts Shoreline Change Project, 2018 Update: A GIS Compilation of Shoreline Change Rates Calculated Using Digital Shoreline Analysis System Version 5.0, With Supplementary Intersects and Baselines for Massachusetts
Study site map for the Massachusetts Shoreline Change Project, 2018 Update: A GIS Compilation of Shoreline Change Rates Calculated Using Digital Shoreline Analysis System Version 5.0, With Supplementary Intersects and Baselines for Massachusetts
Map of selected earthquakes beneath a portion of southeast Hawai`i from May 4, 2018 to March 14, 2019, showing principally aftershocks following May 4, 2018 M6.9 earthquake. Black dots indicate epicenters of 13,083 earthquakes located during this time interval; yellow stars show locations of the M6.9 earthquake and the March 13, 2019 M5.5 earthquake.
Map of selected earthquakes beneath a portion of southeast Hawai`i from May 4, 2018 to March 14, 2019, showing principally aftershocks following May 4, 2018 M6.9 earthquake. Black dots indicate epicenters of 13,083 earthquakes located during this time interval; yellow stars show locations of the M6.9 earthquake and the March 13, 2019 M5.5 earthquake.
Map of the Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket study sites outlined in red.
Map of the Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket study sites outlined in red.