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Color photograph of lava lake and vent
Western fissure area in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit (3/11/2021)
Western fissure area in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit (3/11/2021)
Western fissure area in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit (3/11/2021)

View looking to the northwest of western fissure area of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the Kīlauea summit on March 11, 2021. There is a small incandescent opening at the top of the main (southern) west vent spatter cone (middle-left), and a few smaller incandescent openings at the top of the northern west vent spatter cone (right of the main cone).

View looking to the northwest of western fissure area of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the Kīlauea summit on March 11, 2021. There is a small incandescent opening at the top of the main (southern) west vent spatter cone (middle-left), and a few smaller incandescent openings at the top of the northern west vent spatter cone (right of the main cone).

Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse
Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse
Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse

This time-lapse sequence shows the growth of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The sequence starts on December 28, about a week after the start of the eruption and ends on March 10, 2021. The lake rises rapidly at first but then eventually slows down as the eruption rate gradually declines.

This time-lapse sequence shows the growth of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The sequence starts on December 28, about a week after the start of the eruption and ends on March 10, 2021. The lake rises rapidly at first but then eventually slows down as the eruption rate gradually declines.

Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980
Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980
Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980

How did the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens change peoples’ lives? Carolyn Driedger talks about events that led up to the 1980 eruption and influenced scientists’ response to it, as well as what happened on May 18, and how the eruption changed people's lives and professions.

How did the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens change peoples’ lives? Carolyn Driedger talks about events that led up to the 1980 eruption and influenced scientists’ response to it, as well as what happened on May 18, and how the eruption changed people's lives and professions.

Repeat photo of Grinnell Glacier (1910, 2016)
Repeat photo of Grinnell Glacier (1910, 2016)
Repeat photo of Grinnell Glacier (1910, 2016)
Repeat photo of Grinnell Glacier (1910, 2016)

Grinnell Glacier in 1910 (Elrod photo, U of M Collection) and 2016 (McKeon photo, USGS).  Retreat resulted in glacier fragmentation, so the 2016 scene shows both Grinnell Glacier, hugging the base of the cliff, and The Salamander Glacier, perched above, along the right edge of the photograph.

Grinnell Glacier in 1910 (Elrod photo, U of M Collection) and 2016 (McKeon photo, USGS).  Retreat resulted in glacier fragmentation, so the 2016 scene shows both Grinnell Glacier, hugging the base of the cliff, and The Salamander Glacier, perched above, along the right edge of the photograph.

Shepard Glacier in 1913 and 2005
Shepard Glacier in 1913 and 2005
Shepard Glacier in 1913 and 2005
Shepard Glacier in 1913 and 2005

Shepard Glacier:  9/6/1913, WC Alden, USGS Photo Library – 8/21/2005, B. Reardon, USGS

Sperry Glacier in about 1930 and 2008
Sperry Glacier in about 1930 and 2008
Sperry Glacier in about 1930 and 2008
Sperry Glacier in about 1930 and 2008

Sperry Glacier: circa 1930, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/17/2008, L McKeon, USGS 

Repeating this photo from the same photo point was impossible since the historic photo was shot from the elevated perspective of the glacier’s surface.

Sperry Glacier: circa 1930, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/17/2008, L McKeon, USGS 

Repeating this photo from the same photo point was impossible since the historic photo was shot from the elevated perspective of the glacier’s surface.

An aerial view of several thin, sandy barrier islands lining a populated coastline behind an embayment
Aerial view of northern Pinellas County barrier islands
Aerial view of northern Pinellas County barrier islands
Aerial view of northern Pinellas County barrier islands

Barrier islands off the coast of northern Pinellas County, Florida including Anclote Key, Three Rooker Island, and the northern tip of Honeymoon Island. These barriers protect a highly populated coastline. 

Barrier islands off the coast of northern Pinellas County, Florida including Anclote Key, Three Rooker Island, and the northern tip of Honeymoon Island. These barriers protect a highly populated coastline. 

Grinnell Glacier from 1938 and 2019
Grinnell Glacier from 1938 and 2019
Grinnell Glacier from 1938 and 2019
Grinnell Glacier from 1938 and 2019

Grinnell and The Salamander Glaciers from the summit of Mt. Gould: 1938, TJ Hileman, GNP Archives – 9/4/2019, L McKeon, USGS

Upper Grinnell Lake has formed as the glacier has retreated.  The change in height of Grinnell Glacier along the cliff face hints at  volume loss during this timespan. 

Grinnell and The Salamander Glaciers from the summit of Mt. Gould: 1938, TJ Hileman, GNP Archives – 9/4/2019, L McKeon, USGS

Upper Grinnell Lake has formed as the glacier has retreated.  The change in height of Grinnell Glacier along the cliff face hints at  volume loss during this timespan. 

Jackson Glacier in 1912 and 2009
Jackson Glacier in 1912 and 2009
Jackson Glacier in 1912 and 2009
Jackson Glacier in 1912 and 2009

Jackson Glacier: 1912, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/3/2009, L McKeon, USGS

Trees and vegetation continue to establish themselves at the base of Jackson Glacier as the glacier retreats.

Jackson Glacier: 1912, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/3/2009, L McKeon, USGS

Trees and vegetation continue to establish themselves at the base of Jackson Glacier as the glacier retreats.

Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers in 1914 and 2009
Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers in 1914 and 2009
Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers in 1914 and 2009
Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers in 1914 and 2009

Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers: Aug. 1914, EC Stebinger, USGS Photo Library – 9/2/2009, L McKeon, USGS

These glaciers were once a continuous glacier, but became separate glaciers as retreat progressed.

Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers: Aug. 1914, EC Stebinger, USGS Photo Library – 9/2/2009, L McKeon, USGS

These glaciers were once a continuous glacier, but became separate glaciers as retreat progressed.

Swiftcurrent Glacier in 1910 and 2016
Swiftcurrent Glacier in 1910 and 2016
Swiftcurrent Glacier in 1910 and 2016
Swiftcurrent Glacier in 1910 and 2016

Swiftcurrent Glacier: circa 1910, M. Elod, GNP Archives - 9/27/2016, L McKeon, USGS

During the timespan between these photos, it is evident that Swiftcurrent Glacier has retreated and wildfire has consumed a patch of trees at the base of Swiftcurrent Mountain, the broad, beige slope in the background. 

Swiftcurrent Glacier: circa 1910, M. Elod, GNP Archives - 9/27/2016, L McKeon, USGS

During the timespan between these photos, it is evident that Swiftcurrent Glacier has retreated and wildfire has consumed a patch of trees at the base of Swiftcurrent Mountain, the broad, beige slope in the background. 

Color image of Jeff Masek and Brian Freitag with logo for USGS EROS podcast Eyes on Earth
Eyes on Earth - Harmonized Landsat Sentinel
Eyes on Earth - Harmonized Landsat Sentinel
Eyes on Earth Episode 45 - Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel
Eyes on Earth Episode 45 - Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel
Color image of Jeff Masek and Brian Freitag with logo for USGS EROS podcast Eyes on Earth
Eyes on Earth - Harmonized Landsat Sentinel
Eyes on Earth - Harmonized Landsat Sentinel
Eyes on Earth Episode 45 - Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel

Landsat satellites have monitoring the Earth’s surface for nearly 50 years, providing critical information for countless areas of study and real-world applications. But with observations only collected every 8-16 days, there are limits to what can be tracked.

Landsat satellites have monitoring the Earth’s surface for nearly 50 years, providing critical information for countless areas of study and real-world applications. But with observations only collected every 8-16 days, there are limits to what can be tracked.

Pictures spliced together showing collecting bottom sediments
Lake bottom sediment collection from Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Mass.
Lake bottom sediment collection from Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Mass.
Lake bottom sediment collection from Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Mass.

USGS scientists Jason Sorenson and Andrea Tokranov (out of the image) collecting lake-bottom sediments from Ashumet Pond on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for use in laboratory experiments on the fate of PFAS at groundwater/surface-water boundaries.  The sediments are collected by pushing a tube into the lake bottom and transferring the sediment and pore water in

USGS scientists Jason Sorenson and Andrea Tokranov (out of the image) collecting lake-bottom sediments from Ashumet Pond on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for use in laboratory experiments on the fate of PFAS at groundwater/surface-water boundaries.  The sediments are collected by pushing a tube into the lake bottom and transferring the sediment and pore water in

Color photograph of lava lake and vent
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea

A close-up of the western fissure on Sunday, March 7, within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The photos shows a minor change in the vent configuration over the preceding few days. A new lava stream was active north of the normal lava stream entering the lake. This new lava stream was perched above the lake surface, and fed a narrow channel entering the lake.

A close-up of the western fissure on Sunday, March 7, within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The photos shows a minor change in the vent configuration over the preceding few days. A new lava stream was active north of the normal lava stream entering the lake. This new lava stream was perched above the lake surface, and fed a narrow channel entering the lake.

Color photograph of lava lake and vent
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea
March 7, 2021 — Kīlauea

A wider view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea on Sunday, March 7. The lake has developed a subtle levee on its south margin (just below the center of the photo), with several lava streams cascading down onto the lower level on the eastern end of the levee. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A wider view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea on Sunday, March 7. The lake has developed a subtle levee on its south margin (just below the center of the photo), with several lava streams cascading down onto the lower level on the eastern end of the levee. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)
Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)
Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)

This timelapse sequence shows several hours of activity in the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Between March 5-7 a small lava pond developed near the vent. At approximately 1 pm on March 7, the levee of the pond collapsed, allowing the pond lava to drain into the main lake.

This timelapse sequence shows several hours of activity in the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Between March 5-7 a small lava pond developed near the vent. At approximately 1 pm on March 7, the levee of the pond collapsed, allowing the pond lava to drain into the main lake.

USGS scientist in winter clothing is inserting tool into groundwater well in the middle of a snowy field. A utility terrain vehi
Groundwater Science in the Snow
Groundwater Science in the Snow
Groundwater Science in the Snow

No matter the season, groundwater science continues! In this March photo, Hydrologic Technician Jeremiah Pomerleau is making groundwater measurements and inspecting the USGS groundwater site monitoring equipment. Due to snowy terrain, Pomerleau used a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to access the well, requiring a trek of about 15 miles from the main road.

No matter the season, groundwater science continues! In this March photo, Hydrologic Technician Jeremiah Pomerleau is making groundwater measurements and inspecting the USGS groundwater site monitoring equipment. Due to snowy terrain, Pomerleau used a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to access the well, requiring a trek of about 15 miles from the main road.

HVO geologists observed a breakout from the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 5, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 5, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 5, 2021

On Friday, HVO geologists observed a breakout from the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. This photo shows the vent about an hour before the breakout occurred on the northern side of the cone.

On Friday, HVO geologists observed a breakout from the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. This photo shows the vent about an hour before the breakout occurred on the northern side of the cone.

Photograph looking at a sandy beach with waves lapping the shoreline.
Marconi Beach shoreline
Marconi Beach shoreline
Marconi Beach shoreline

Two video cameras are mounted on a bluff above Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, MA. Every half hour during daylight hours, the video camera collects imagery for 10 minutes and processes it. This is the snapshot image, like a photo, taken at the beginning of the 10-minute window and looking northeast.

Two video cameras are mounted on a bluff above Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, MA. Every half hour during daylight hours, the video camera collects imagery for 10 minutes and processes it. This is the snapshot image, like a photo, taken at the beginning of the 10-minute window and looking northeast.

Beach ridges at Caladesi Island, FL
Succession of beach ridges, Caladesi Island, Gulf of Mexico coast, FL
Succession of beach ridges, Caladesi Island, Gulf of Mexico coast, FL
Succession of beach ridges, Caladesi Island, Gulf of Mexico coast, FL

Mendenhall postdoctoral fellow Daniel Ciarletta captured this view of the modern beach ridge system at Caladesi Island, along the Gulf coast of central Florida. Ciarletta and colleagues are studying the island as part of a project to explore barrier island response to long-term changes in sediment availability.

Mendenhall postdoctoral fellow Daniel Ciarletta captured this view of the modern beach ridge system at Caladesi Island, along the Gulf coast of central Florida. Ciarletta and colleagues are studying the island as part of a project to explore barrier island response to long-term changes in sediment availability.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater remains active.
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 4 2021
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 4 2021
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 4 2021

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater remains active. This view looking to the northwest on Wednesday, March 4, 2021, focuses on the active portion of the lake; the eastern stagnant portion is out of view to the right. Lava enters the lake at the base of the western vent spatter cone (left).

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater remains active. This view looking to the northwest on Wednesday, March 4, 2021, focuses on the active portion of the lake; the eastern stagnant portion is out of view to the right. Lava enters the lake at the base of the western vent spatter cone (left).

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