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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.
This timelapse video covers about 25 minutes and shows the circulation in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u. There appears to be an influx of water along the southern shoreline (right side in this image). A broader eastward flow of water (towards the top of the image) is evident. The video is shown twice.
This timelapse video covers about 25 minutes and shows the circulation in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u. There appears to be an influx of water along the southern shoreline (right side in this image). A broader eastward flow of water (towards the top of the image) is evident. The video is shown twice.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has continued to spread rapidly. Bats with white-nose syndrome have been confirmed in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces as of August 2019.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) has continued to spread rapidly. Bats with white-nose syndrome have been confirmed in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces as of August 2019.
Windfarm at Quinhagak, Alaska. In this photo, the telephone poles are leaning due to permafrost thaw.
Windfarm at Quinhagak, Alaska. In this photo, the telephone poles are leaning due to permafrost thaw.
The USGS and partners study the effects of climate change on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This image shows a research raft on Spider Lake, Wind River Indian Reservation, Wind River Range, Wyoming.
The USGS and partners study the effects of climate change on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This image shows a research raft on Spider Lake, Wind River Indian Reservation, Wind River Range, Wyoming.
Taken on the last full day of the Cape Cod Bay 2019 Survey, from the wheel house of the boat at about 5:45 am.
Taken on the last full day of the Cape Cod Bay 2019 Survey, from the wheel house of the boat at about 5:45 am.
Taken on the last full day of the Cape Cod Bay 2019 Survey, from the wheel house of the boat at about 5:45 am.
Taken on the last full day of the Cape Cod Bay 2019 Survey, from the wheel house of the boat at about 5:45 am.
A scenic view of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area located in Colorado. The hike begins at the Long Lake Trail-head and guides to Lake Isabelle at 10,868 ft (3313 m).
A scenic view of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area located in Colorado. The hike begins at the Long Lake Trail-head and guides to Lake Isabelle at 10,868 ft (3313 m).
USGS technicial Scott Lydeen climbing the tower at the Strawberry Peak seismic station tower, part of the Southern California Seismic Network.
USGS technicial Scott Lydeen climbing the tower at the Strawberry Peak seismic station tower, part of the Southern California Seismic Network.
Images taken on September 10 and 14 show the slight rise in water level, most obvious by comparing the rock marked with an arrow in each photo. USGS photos by M. Patrick.
Images taken on September 10 and 14 show the slight rise in water level, most obvious by comparing the rock marked with an arrow in each photo. USGS photos by M. Patrick.
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | Sept 2019 | Honorable Mention
Sunrise from the bridge of the M/V Warren Jr. while surveying Cape Cod Bay, MA
Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | Sept 2019 | Honorable Mention
Sunrise from the bridge of the M/V Warren Jr. while surveying Cape Cod Bay, MA
This video is shown at 30x speed and highlights the changing activity on the surface of the water pond. Steaming shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries.
This video is shown at 30x speed and highlights the changing activity on the surface of the water pond. Steaming shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries.
Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019
Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019
USGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
USGS scientists never stop learning! In this photo USGS Hydrologic Technician Charles Hart (USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center) teaches USGS groundwater field personnel about measuring groundwater levels following USGS groundwater field procedures.
USGS scientists never stop learning!
The cyanobacteria Gleotrichia shown under a microscope from a water sample collected at Ek Lake Trail, a popular recreational area in Kabetogama Lake where algal blooms frequently occur. Gleotrichia can produce microcystin.
The cyanobacteria Gleotrichia shown under a microscope from a water sample collected at Ek Lake Trail, a popular recreational area in Kabetogama Lake where algal blooms frequently occur. Gleotrichia can produce microcystin.
An early morning view looking north across Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, from a spot near the summit cabin on the volcano's south caldera rim. Frost covered much of the caldera floor that was still shadowed, and weak steaming issued from the usual areas. Overall, there were no significant changes observed at the summit.
An early morning view looking north across Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, from a spot near the summit cabin on the volcano's south caldera rim. Frost covered much of the caldera floor that was still shadowed, and weak steaming issued from the usual areas. Overall, there were no significant changes observed at the summit.
An adult female Pacific walrus 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.)
An adult female Pacific walrus 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.)
Aerial view of the new thermal area, in the center left. The existing Tern Lake thermal area is the bright white patch of ground in the upper middle part of the image. West Tern Lake is in the lower right. Research conducted under NPS Geology Programs Milestones Permit 2016-9.
Aerial view of the new thermal area, in the center left. The existing Tern Lake thermal area is the bright white patch of ground in the upper middle part of the image. West Tern Lake is in the lower right. Research conducted under NPS Geology Programs Milestones Permit 2016-9.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.
Wayne Baldwin, Alex Nichols, and Brian Andrews get the 512i chirp subbottom profiler back on deck! The instrument weights ~500lbs. and requires the ships A-frame to lift it! We only take the chirp out of the water when we need to perform maintenance, transit rapidly, or for weather.