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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.
A closer look at the water surface. While most of the surface has a yellow-green color, portions along the shoreline have a blue color and seem to correspond to areas of water upwelling. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A closer look at the water surface. While most of the surface has a yellow-green color, portions along the shoreline have a blue color and seem to correspond to areas of water upwelling. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Material filling the dissolved voids includes clasts of wall rock as well as beach sediments being washed into the voids. The lower structure on the left is about 0.7 m (2 ft) wide and 1.5 m (5 ft) high. Note the fracture alignment above the void structure on the right.
Material filling the dissolved voids includes clasts of wall rock as well as beach sediments being washed into the voids. The lower structure on the left is about 0.7 m (2 ft) wide and 1.5 m (5 ft) high. Note the fracture alignment above the void structure on the right.
Flooded mangrove forest in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Flooded mangrove forest in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | Sept 2019 | Where We Work
Kayaking on the Potomac River
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | Sept 2019 | Where We Work
Kayaking on the Potomac River
Mangrove forest in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Mangrove forest in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Close-up on roots of a mangrove tree in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Close-up on roots of a mangrove tree in Micronesia.
The USGS and partners are studying how mangrove forests in the Federated States of Micronesia may respond to sea-level rise over the coming century. Their projections will help Micronesian communities plan for the future.
Solitary walrus calf with skin lesions resting on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea, Alaska (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Solitary walrus calf with skin lesions resting on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea, Alaska (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Solitary walrus calf with skin lesions resting on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea, Alaska (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Solitary walrus calf with skin lesions resting on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea, Alaska (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Aerial photo of Cape Cod coast taken by the USGS WHCMSC AIM team.
Aerial photo of Cape Cod coast taken by the USGS WHCMSC AIM team.
Alongshore view of the Barter Island permafrost bluffs, along the north coast of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean.
Alongshore view of the Barter Island permafrost bluffs, along the north coast of Alaska in the Arctic Ocean.
Gigantic chunks of perafrost coastal bluffs tumbled down onto the beach along Barter Island on the North Slope of Alaska. A USGS scientist drives past them, seeking good locations to place instruments and markers that will be used in photographic analysis.
Gigantic chunks of perafrost coastal bluffs tumbled down onto the beach along Barter Island on the North Slope of Alaska. A USGS scientist drives past them, seeking good locations to place instruments and markers that will be used in photographic analysis.
Along the stretch of coastal bluffs of Barter Island, North Slope of Alaska, a new drainage gully developed between September 2018 and September 2019. USGS scientists have been measuring permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, and flooding hazards on and around Barter Island for the last decade.
Along the stretch of coastal bluffs of Barter Island, North Slope of Alaska, a new drainage gully developed between September 2018 and September 2019. USGS scientists have been measuring permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, and flooding hazards on and around Barter Island for the last decade.
A global positioning system (GPS) sits on a tripod and is used to accurately pinpoint the center of a target that itself is used for photo rectification with aerial photos.
A global positioning system (GPS) sits on a tripod and is used to accurately pinpoint the center of a target that itself is used for photo rectification with aerial photos.
USGS scientists measure biological soil crust cover in the study grassland.
USGS scientists measure biological soil crust cover in the study grassland.
Large blocks of coastal bluff tumble down onto the beach of Barter Island, on the North Slope of Alaska.
Large blocks of coastal bluff tumble down onto the beach of Barter Island, on the North Slope of Alaska.
National Geographic photographer, Keith Ladzinski (right), and assistant, Angie Payne (left), hold live sea lamprey while visiting the GLSC’s Hammond Bay Biological Station during September 2019. An interview of Keith aired on Good Morning America on November 21, 2020, which included footage from their visit to the station. GLSC communications associate, Dr.
National Geographic photographer, Keith Ladzinski (right), and assistant, Angie Payne (left), hold live sea lamprey while visiting the GLSC’s Hammond Bay Biological Station during September 2019. An interview of Keith aired on Good Morning America on November 21, 2020, which included footage from their visit to the station. GLSC communications associate, Dr.
Example of a low-oblique photograph taken with an unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, of the coastal bluffs of Barter Island on North Slope of Alaska. The photographs from different time periods can be compared, using a technique called structure-from-motion photogrammetry, to measure changes in the coastal bluffs.
Example of a low-oblique photograph taken with an unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, of the coastal bluffs of Barter Island on North Slope of Alaska. The photographs from different time periods can be compared, using a technique called structure-from-motion photogrammetry, to measure changes in the coastal bluffs.