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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.
Crustal Overturning (4x speed of original video)
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
Crustal Overturning (4x speed of original video)
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
December 2020 USGS Active Groundwater Level Network Animation
The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for December 2020.
Refer to the
...Lava Erupting from a Fissure
Animated GIF of lava erupting from a fissure at Kīlauea Volcano at night time on December 27, 2020.
Lava Erupting from a Fissure
Animated GIF of lava erupting from a fissure at Kīlauea Volcano at night time on December 27, 2020.
Lava Spewing from Fissure; Lavanado — Kīlauea
This animated GIF is captured from a USGS video which shows both lava erupting from a fissure and a wind vortex (lavanado) over the lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano.
Lava Erupting at Kīlauea (Dec 2020)
This animation shows lava erupting from Kīlauea Volcano on Dec 20, 2020.
Ash cloud simulation for a small eruption of Mount St. Helens
If Mount St. Helens were to have a small eruption today (similar in size to its July 22, 1980 eruption), this simulation shows the ash cloud extent.
Ash cloud simulation for moderate sized eruption of Mount St. Helens
If Mount St. Helens were to have a moderate sized eruption today (similar to Mount Spurr, Alaska, August 18, 1992), this model shows the ash cloud extent.
Ash cloud simulation for an eruption size of 5/18/1980 Mount St Helens
If Mount St. Helens (Washington) were to have an eruption today the same size as that of May 18, 1980, this model simulation shows the ash cloud reach.
November 2020 Active Groundwater Level Network Animation
The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for November 2020.
Refer to the
...October 2020 Active Groundwater Level Network Animation
The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for October 2020. Please note: starting around October 22nd
...Wave animation
Waves are the motion of the water's surface, usually caused by the transfer of energy from wind. Wave energy causes the water to move in a circular motion. The height and length of these waves combined with the slope of the beach influence how high the water can reach up on the coast. Waves are an important component of the total water level, which is how high the water
...September 2020 Active Groundwater Level Network Animation
The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for September 2020.
Refer to the
...Hurricane Sally Water Footprint Data Visualization
Watch Hurricane Sally move through the southeast U.S. in this data visualization, and see USGS streamgage measurements spike as the storm’s extreme rainfall leads to intense flooding. USGS streamgages provide critical information during storms to flood forecasters and emergency managers as they make decisions that contributes to protecting lives and property. Understanding
...Cumulative number of scenes in the Landsat Archive
This graphic shows the cumulative number of scenes by path and row in the Landsat archive from 1972 - 2020. This graphic was created on the anniversary of the 9 millionth scene addition to the USGS Landsat Archive.
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of The Upper Part of Mauna Loa [M3cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of The Upper Part of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from [M3cam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on a cone in Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks northeast (upslope), focusing on the upper part of the Southwest Rift Zone. The upper flank of Mauna Loa forms the skyline.
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of The Middle Part of Mauna Loa [M2cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of The Middle Part of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from [M2cam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on a cone in Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks northeast (upslope), focusing on the middle part of the Southwest Rift Zone. The volcano's summit is at upper right.
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift [M1cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone from HVO Observation Tower [M1cam]
This image is from a research camera positioned in the observation tower at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The camera looks northwest toward the summit and Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera [MLcam]
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned on the north rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa volcano by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. If you look carefully around early morning or late evening, you may see a few thermal areas emitting steam.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of South Pit from South Rim [SPcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of South Pit from South Rim [SPcam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on the south rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks west-southwest, across South Pit, focusing on the south part of Mauna Loa's summit region and upper Southwest Rift Zone.
Disclaimer
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera [MOcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera from South Rim [MOcam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on the south rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks north-northwest, focusing on the southern part of the caldera. The 1940 cone is just right of center; the 1949 cone is on the
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera Thermal [MTcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera Thermal from the Northwest Rim [MTcam]
This image is from a temporary thermal camera located on the north rim of Mauna Loa's summit caldera. The temperature scale is in degrees Celsius up to a maximum of 500 degrees (932 degrees Fahrenheit) for this camera model, and scales automatically based on the maximum and
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Alaʻili Steaming [L1cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Alaʻili Steaming [L1cam]
This is an eastward looking view from 'I'ilewa Crater in the Ala'ili neighborhood. Steam continues to expand north and west, slowly killing the vegetation.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights.
...Last 24 Hours - Holei Pali from Holei Pali [HPcam]
Last 24 Hours - Holei Pali from Holei Pali [HPcam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on Holei Pali, looking east towards Kalapana.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Fissures in Leilani Estates [PGcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Fissures in Leilani Estates Puʻu Honuaula [PGcam].
This image is from atop Puʻu Honuaula looking southwest towards Leilani Estates. Fissure 22 is on the far left, and Puʻu Kaliu is the cone left of center on the skyline. The fissure 8 channel wraps from the center of the image to the lower right side of the image.
Disclaimer:
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mauna Ulu Cam from [MUcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mauna Ulu Cam from [MUcam]. This image is from a temporary research camera located on Mauna Ulu, looking northeast.
Disclaimer: he webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mobile Cam 3 from [R3cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Mobile Cam 3 from [R3cam]
This image is from a research camera positioned on the southeast flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking toward the northeast and lower east rift zone.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Puʻu ʻŌʻō West Flank [PWcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Puʻu ʻŌʻō West Flank from Puʻu ʻŌʻō [PWcam].
This image is from a research camera positioned on the northwest flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking southwest. On the morning of May 24, 2016, this camera was rotated to be pointed northeast to follow a new breakout on the east flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Puʻu ʻŌʻō East Flank [PEcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Puʻu ʻŌʻō East Flank from East of Puʻu ʻŌʻō [PEcam].
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned northeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, on Puʻu Halulu, looking southwest toward the northeast flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Kīlauea Caldera - [KEcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Kīlauea Caldera - East Wide Angle from HVO Observation Tower [KEcam].
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and rain obscure
...Last 24 Hours - Live wide angle of Halemaʻumaʻu [KW2cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live wide angle of Halemaʻumaʻu from HVO Observation Tower [KW2cam].
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and rain obscure
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Halemaʻumaʻu [KWcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Halemaʻumaʻu and down-dropped caldera floor from the west rim of the new summit collapse features [KWcam].
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic
...Last 24 Hours - Live image of Halemaʻumaʻu from the west rim [K3cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live image of Halemaʻumaʻu from the west rim of Kīlauea Caldera [K3cam].
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and rain obscure visibility.
...Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Kīlauea Caldera from HVO [KIcam]
Last 24 Hours - Live Panorama of Kīlauea Caldera from HVO Observation.
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and rain obscure visibility. The cameras are
...Last 24 Hours - [F1cam]
Last 24 Hours - Live thermal image of Halemaʻumaʻu from the west rim of the new summit collapse features [F1cam]
Disclaimer: The webcams are operational 24/7 and faithfully record the dark of night if there are no sources of incandescence or other lights. Thermal webcams record heat rather than light and get better views through volcanic gas. At times, clouds and
...August 2020 Active Groundwater Level Network Animation
The USGS Active Groundwater Level Network includes about 20,000 wells that have been measured by the USGS or USGS cooperators at least once within the past 13 months. The animation shows a daily snapshot of water-level statistics in the network for August 2020
...Kīlauea crater lake one year anniversary
ANIMATED GIF: Saturday, July 25, marks the one year anniversary since water was first spotted at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Over the past year, the summit water lake has grown to more than 270 m (885 ft) long and 131 m (430 ft) wide, with a surface area over 2.5 hectares (6 acres). The lake is over 40 m (130 ft) deep with a volume of
...Modeled beach profile evolution at Parramore Island, Virginia
Animation displays modeled beach profile elevation as it has evolved at Parramore Island, Virginia. These data are based on geomorphic investigation and measure distance (in kilometers) of cross-shore accretion. QS is the flux of sand to the beach, and QD is the flux of sand from the beach to the active dune. Yellow represents sand, blue represents
...Modeled beach profile evolution at Fishing Point, Virginia
Animation displays modeled beach profile elevation as it has evolved at Fishing Point, Virginia. These data are based on historical charts and images and measure distance (in kilometers) of cross-shore accretion. QS is the flux of sand to the beach, and QD is the flux of sand from the beach to the active dune. Yellow represents sand, blue represents
...Late fall 2019 water availability data viz (IWAAs concept map)
The USGS National Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) concept map shows daily estimates of natural water storage (water present on the landscape such as standing water, snowpack, soil water, and shallow groundwater) for approximately 110,000
...Animated image showing grizzly bear range expansion in GYE: 1990-2018
Sequential estimates of occupied ranges for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem during 1990–2018. Range extents are based on methods described in Bjornlie et al. (2014). Verified grizzly bear locations from a variety of sources, including VHF and GPS telemetry locations, sightings, mortalities, and human-bear conflicts for consecutive 10-year period were
...Sierra marten caught on camera using underpass in Sierra NF
A Sierra Marten (Martes caurina sierra) caught on wildlife camera in October 2019 passing beneath an elevated road segment built to study usage of the underpass by the Yosemite toad.
Learn more about the project here:
...Spring 2019 Midwest flooding data visualization
This DataVisualization shows the severity of flooding in the Midwest . As of June 1, 2019, 17 USGS streamgage sites in red had the highest streamflow for the entire period of record available. Both the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers are seeing record breaking flows. USGS employees continue to work extensively deploying equipment and making measurements of streamflow
...U.S. River Conditions for Water Year 2018 carousel
This is an animation showing the changing conditions of USGS streamgages for Water Year 2018 (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018). The conditions shown range from the driest condition seen at a gage to the wettest. There is also an indicator for gages that are flooding, but it is noted that both USGS gage height and National Weather Service flood stage levels are
...NHM: simulated streamflow for April through June, 2011
Animation of streamflow classified by percentile of the simulated time series of streamflow for each segment from the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) as implemented in the U.S. Geological
...NHM: simulated runoff for April through June, 2011
Animation of lateral flow to the stream network from each hydrologic response unit (HRU) normalized by maximum of the simulated time series of lateral flow from the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) as implemented in the U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Model (NHM
...Deployment of the chirp seismic instrument from the beach
Most underwater seismic data is collected from large research vessels; however, the shoreface environment is shallower than areas in which most seismic surveys occur. To get the information we need to assess changes in shoreface geology, we mount our seismic instruments on pontoon floats and deploy the instrument from the beach. Once deployed, the seismic instrument is
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