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The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center's new inflatable boat equipped with a portable, single beam, shallow-water echo sounder used for nearshore surveys. USGS scientists collect such data seasonally, to study sediment input and movement in and around Monterey Bay area beaches.

USGS scientist watches over the many samples collected during the red-dye study trial run in Desoto, Kansas while he awaits the next sample.

Panoramic photo of Pocket Basin, a hydrothermal explosion crater in Yellowstone National Park's Lower Geyser Basin, taken from the northeast rim looking southwest into the crater. Pocket Basin is a U-shaped crater that is dissected on the SW edge by the Firehole River, visible on the far-right of the photo.

In September 2020 USGS tested ground-penetrating radar (GPR) mounted on a cableway over the Gunnison River in Colorado. USGS has been testing use of the GPR to map river bathymetry (profiles of water depth along the river), measurements often made by personnel in the water or on boats.

Small patches of light-colored floating material were seen drifting on the surface of Kīlauea's summit water lake on September 23, 2020. The composition of this material is unknown, but future water sampling missions may provide insight. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Technicians set up equipment to monitor atmospheric deposition on Elephant Head on a bluebird day, looking north across the Great Salt Lake.

Spectacular view of Great Salt Lake on relatively clear day. Lake is lost in the distance as it meets the blue of the sky at the horizon. USGS research scientists in foreground setting up atmospheric deposition collection frame on Elephant Head.

A gravimeter makes a measurement at a benchmark situated among lava flows erupted in 1919. The strength of gravity varies with both elevation and the amount of mass beneath the instrument. Changes in mass can indicate changes in the amount of magma entering Kīlauea's magma reservoirs. USGS photo by A. Flinders.

On September 23, 2020, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists and a geologist conducted a gravity survey of Kīlauea summit, as part of HVO's regular monitoring program. In this photo, scientists are carrying survey equipment westward along the remnants of the Halema‘uma‘u Trail on the down-dropped block of Kīlauea caldera.

During a gravity survey, HVO scientists measure the relative strength of gravity (gravimeter, bottom left corner of photo) between benchmarks. High-precision vertical positions from kinematic Global Positioning System (GPS, tripod and antenna middle of photo) help correct the gravity measurement for the effects of elevation changes.

An HVO geophysicist takes a gravity measurement at a benchmark near a continuous gravimeter (inside hutch). The continuous gravimeter takes gravity measurements once per second and relays the data via radio back to HVO. During the gravity survey on September 23, 2020, HVO scientists took measurements at multiple locations on the floor of Kīlauea caldera.

HVO geologists made observations of Kīlauea's summit water lake from the east rim of Halema‘uma‘u. This view point is on the large downdropped block that subsided during the 2018 collapse events. From this spot, a view of the entire lake is possible, providing a new perspective on the growth of the lake.

This view shows Kīlauea's water lake from the east side of the crater. On September 23, 2020, the western portion of the lake (top of image) was the most varied in color, with patches of greenish and brown water. The majority of the lake surface, however, was the typical tan hue. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Portions of Crater Rim Drive, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, appear cracked, offset, and down-dropped in this photo, taken during an overflight of Kīlauea’s summit on September 23, 2020. To the north, Kīlauea’s summit water lake, within Halema‘uma‘u, is visible. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

Low streamflow in late September, 2020 at USGS streamgage Young Womans Creek near Renovo, Pennsylvania (01545600).

Low streamflow in late September, 2020 at USGS streamgage Young Womans Creek near Renovo, Pennsylvania (01545600).

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists flew over the Sulphur Banks area and Ha‘akulamanu trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on September 23, 2020. Fumaroles in the Sulphur Banks area are sampled approximately every three months by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas geochemists to track long-term changes in volcanic gas chemistry at Kīlauea.

The weather was overcast during an overflight of Kīlauea's summit on September 23, 2020. This view shows Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Steam Vents area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Extensive cracks in the area allow heated groundwater to escape from underground.