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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.
USGS scientists visit Garden Wall Weather Station in Glacier National Park. This high elevation weather station, just below the Continental Divide near Logan Pass, collects weather data that is used each spring to forecast avalanche hazard for the road crew plowing Going to the Sun Road. The data is also used by USGS avalanche scientists to study the con
USGS scientists visit Garden Wall Weather Station in Glacier National Park. This high elevation weather station, just below the Continental Divide near Logan Pass, collects weather data that is used each spring to forecast avalanche hazard for the road crew plowing Going to the Sun Road. The data is also used by USGS avalanche scientists to study the con
The relationship between Δ30 and N2/3He ratios in hydrothermal gases from Iceland and Yellowstone. Δ30 and N2/3He ratios are shown for samples collected from gases in Iceland (yellow circles) and Yellowstone (red circles). The Yellowstone mantle-endmember is arguably indistinguishable in terms of N2/3He from the convecting upper mantle (grey diamonds).
The relationship between Δ30 and N2/3He ratios in hydrothermal gases from Iceland and Yellowstone. Δ30 and N2/3He ratios are shown for samples collected from gases in Iceland (yellow circles) and Yellowstone (red circles). The Yellowstone mantle-endmember is arguably indistinguishable in terms of N2/3He from the convecting upper mantle (grey diamonds).
Kevin Kirlin making an ADCP (streampro) measurement off a cableway at stream gage 12411000 North Fork Coeur D' Alene River above Shoshone Creek near Prichard, ID.
Kevin Kirlin making an ADCP (streampro) measurement off a cableway at stream gage 12411000 North Fork Coeur D' Alene River above Shoshone Creek near Prichard, ID.
With ice off the Wind River near Kinnear, we headed out to make a streamflow measurement in open water. Flows were a bit higher than average for the date (35 years of record) and can be found real-time at: http://ow.ly/eSXS50zcGLF
With ice off the Wind River near Kinnear, we headed out to make a streamflow measurement in open water. Flows were a bit higher than average for the date (35 years of record) and can be found real-time at: http://ow.ly/eSXS50zcGLF
Scientists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team have seen the first female grizzly bear with cubs of the year for 2020 in Yellowstone National Park. The radio-collared female was seen with 3 cubs during a telemetry tracking flight on 4/10. One of the 3 cubs is hard to see between the 2 obvious siblings, but you can just make out its
Scientists with the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team have seen the first female grizzly bear with cubs of the year for 2020 in Yellowstone National Park. The radio-collared female was seen with 3 cubs during a telemetry tracking flight on 4/10. One of the 3 cubs is hard to see between the 2 obvious siblings, but you can just make out its
The USGS Hammond Bay Biological Station, a field station of the Great Lakes Science Center, located near Millersburg, Michigan.
The USGS Hammond Bay Biological Station, a field station of the Great Lakes Science Center, located near Millersburg, Michigan.
On April 10, USGS hydrographer Josh Sundberg measures Red River water flowing over the road in East Grand Forks, Minnesota as flood protection walls prevent further flooding.
On April 10, USGS hydrographer Josh Sundberg measures Red River water flowing over the road in East Grand Forks, Minnesota as flood protection walls prevent further flooding.
Measuring tilt in Timberline parking lot in early April 1980 during lightly falling snow. USGS photo by Don Swanson.
Measuring tilt in Timberline parking lot in early April 1980 during lightly falling snow. USGS photo by Don Swanson.
Capitalizing on nice spring weather to visit sites and make streamflow measurements. Dinwoody Creek above Lakes was right at the 52-year average.
Capitalizing on nice spring weather to visit sites and make streamflow measurements. Dinwoody Creek above Lakes was right at the 52-year average.
One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW Based Conjunctive-Use Simulation Software (Boyce and others, 2020).
One-Water Hydrologic Flow Model: A MODFLOW Based Conjunctive-Use Simulation Software (Boyce and others, 2020).
Phytoplankton, including diatoms, viewed under a microscope. Phytoplankton occupy the lower levels of the food web.
Phytoplankton, including diatoms, viewed under a microscope. Phytoplankton occupy the lower levels of the food web.
Photo of orange/red sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Park
Photo of orange/red sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Park
Diagram showing that water flow and use is interconnected through physically-based processes and management processes.
Diagram showing that water flow and use is interconnected through physically-based processes and management processes.
Diagram the MODFLOW-2005 framework and its descendants (Boyce and others, 2020)
Diagram the MODFLOW-2005 framework and its descendants (Boyce and others, 2020)
Clear weather allowed HVO geologists to make observations and take measurements of the water pond at Kīlauea's summit. No major changes were observed, and the water level continues to slowly rise. Note the former HVO observation tower can be seen above the geologist's helmet.
Clear weather allowed HVO geologists to make observations and take measurements of the water pond at Kīlauea's summit. No major changes were observed, and the water level continues to slowly rise. Note the former HVO observation tower can be seen above the geologist's helmet.
This compilation shows the appearance of the water pond at Kīlauea's summit over the past two weeks. Day to day changes in the color of the pond are common, with portions of the pond shifting from a green hue to brown. A sharp color boundary has been common for several months in the same general area of the pond.
This compilation shows the appearance of the water pond at Kīlauea's summit over the past two weeks. Day to day changes in the color of the pond are common, with portions of the pond shifting from a green hue to brown. A sharp color boundary has been common for several months in the same general area of the pond.
USGS employee Sam Banas adjusting a solar panel and installing real-time equipment onto a groundwater well.
USGS employee Sam Banas adjusting a solar panel and installing real-time equipment onto a groundwater well.
On April 6, USGS hydrographer Spencer Wheeling carries equipment out to measure high water on the Tongue River near Akra, North Dakota.
On April 6, USGS hydrographer Spencer Wheeling carries equipment out to measure high water on the Tongue River near Akra, North Dakota.
USGS hydrographer Chris Broz gets on the cold ground to measure the high-water mark of the Pembina River at Neche, North Dakota.
USGS hydrographer Chris Broz gets on the cold ground to measure the high-water mark of the Pembina River at Neche, North Dakota.
USGS employee Spencer Wheeling is forced to get creative on April 5, 2020, in the positioning of the crane used for collecting water-quality samples thanks to 6-8 inches of new snow at station 05053500 Wild Rice River near St. Benedict, ND.
USGS employee Spencer Wheeling is forced to get creative on April 5, 2020, in the positioning of the crane used for collecting water-quality samples thanks to 6-8 inches of new snow at station 05053500 Wild Rice River near St. Benedict, ND.