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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.

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Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

This photo shows a view of the western fissure, feeding the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet zone, where lava is entering the lake, is visible at the bottom of the photo. Near the center of the photo, an area of lava driblets can be seen running down the flank of the western fissure's cone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This photo shows a view of the western fissure, feeding the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet zone, where lava is entering the lake, is visible at the bottom of the photo. Near the center of the photo, an area of lava driblets can be seen running down the flank of the western fissure's cone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of island in  lava lake
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

This photo shows the main island, just west of the lake center, in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The recent drop in lake level, associated with ongoing summit deflation, is shown by the raised edge around much of the perimeter of the island. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This photo shows the main island, just west of the lake center, in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The recent drop in lake level, associated with ongoing summit deflation, is shown by the raised edge around much of the perimeter of the island. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic vent,  lava lake, and islands
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here. Ongoing summit deflation has been associated with a slight drop in the lake level, now a few meters below the rim of the levee.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here. Ongoing summit deflation has been associated with a slight drop in the lake level, now a few meters below the rim of the levee.

Color photograph of crater, lava lake, and rainbow
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

A pot of lava at the end of the rainbow? A rainbow formed over Halema‘uma‘u crater following an afternoon rain shower on February 22. Rainbows are often observed over Halema‘uma‘u, as mist and rain move across the caldera. This photo was taken from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

A pot of lava at the end of the rainbow? A rainbow formed over Halema‘uma‘u crater following an afternoon rain shower on February 22. Rainbows are often observed over Halema‘uma‘u, as mist and rain move across the caldera. This photo was taken from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

An HVO geologist uses a sketch in their fieldbook to note the location of laser rangefinder measurements of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea.

An HVO geologist uses a sketch in their fieldbook to note the location of laser rangefinder measurements of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea.

Click image for full description and details.
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)

\$71-\$246 BILLION
Net annual economic impact of wildland fire across the U.S.1

650 MILLION
Acres of public lands that are managed for wildland fire.2

16.1 FATALITIES
Average annual fatalities from wildland fire.3

\$71-\$246 BILLION
Net annual economic impact of wildland fire across the U.S.1

650 MILLION
Acres of public lands that are managed for wildland fire.2

16.1 FATALITIES
Average annual fatalities from wildland fire.3

central eastern U.S. states with boundary outline
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA

The Chesapeake Bay watershed, or draingage basin, encompasses six states - New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A drainage basin is a giant system of creeks, streams, and rivers that all flow into a common outlet, which in this case is the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed, or draingage basin, encompasses six states - New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A drainage basin is a giant system of creeks, streams, and rivers that all flow into a common outlet, which in this case is the Chesapeake Bay.

Two scientists operate a motorized cylindrical object as it penetrates a sandy marsh environment
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL

Dan Ciarletta (right) working alongside Julie Bernier (left) to collect a sediment core on Mullet Key, an island within Fort de Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. The core will be used to reconstruct the geologic history of the island.

Dan Ciarletta (right) working alongside Julie Bernier (left) to collect a sediment core on Mullet Key, an island within Fort de Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. The core will be used to reconstruct the geologic history of the island.

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, and other eruptive features, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. These lava lake measurements are used to help calculate the depth, volume, and how it has evolved throughout the eruption. The stagnant eastern portion of the lava lake is visible in the lower-left.

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, and other eruptive features, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. These lava lake measurements are used to help calculate the depth, volume, and how it has evolved throughout the eruption. The stagnant eastern portion of the lava lake is visible in the lower-left.

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage, to include; an electronic data logger, pressure transducer and GOES radio. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. The equipment used to collect data has changed significantly over the pas

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage, to include; an electronic data logger, pressure transducer and GOES radio. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. The equipment used to collect data has changed significantly over the pas

Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage included in USGS Water-Supply Paper
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage

Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage included in USGS Water-Supply Paper 530 "Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1921, Part X.

Lava continues to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea
Spatter visible at the west vent on Wednesday morning, February 17
Spatter visible at the west vent on Wednesday morning, February 17
Spatter visible at the west vent on Wednesday morning, February 17

Lava continues to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. On Wednesday morning, February 17, small pieces of spatter were occasionally ejected from the vent, landing on the slope below. This type of activity has decreased significantly over the past several weeks.

Lava continues to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. On Wednesday morning, February 17, small pieces of spatter were occasionally ejected from the vent, landing on the slope below. This type of activity has decreased significantly over the past several weeks.

Active surface lava has been limited to the western portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17

Active surface lava has been limited to the western portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo shows a large portion of this western zone. The surface is composed of a patchwork of small, angular crustal plates separated by darker spreading zones. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on February 17, 2021.

Active surface lava has been limited to the western portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo shows a large portion of this western zone. The surface is composed of a patchwork of small, angular crustal plates separated by darker spreading zones. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on February 17, 2021.

This photo shows a close-up of the inlet along the western margin of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17

This photo shows a close-up of the inlet along the western margin of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Lava originating at the small upwelling zone rapidly develops a thin flexible crust as it moves away from the source. A small island also has been present just south of the inlet. USGS photo taken by M.

This photo shows a close-up of the inlet along the western margin of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Lava originating at the small upwelling zone rapidly develops a thin flexible crust as it moves away from the source. A small island also has been present just south of the inlet. USGS photo taken by M.

The lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active.
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17
Views of Kīlauea's summit lava lake on February 17

The lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. The active lava was retained by a levee several meters (yards) high along the west margin. The levee is formed from numerous small rafted crustal plates that have stacked upon one another, and likely fused together. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on February 17, 2021.

The lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. The active lava was retained by a levee several meters (yards) high along the west margin. The levee is formed from numerous small rafted crustal plates that have stacked upon one another, and likely fused together. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on February 17, 2021.

Overflight photo of erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, February 16, 2021
Overflight photo of western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea summit
Overflight photo of western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea summit
Overflight photo of western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea summit

This photo of the erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured during a helicopter overflight on the morning of Tuesday, February 16. The degassing cone was not visibly spattering during the overflight, but the lava inlet near the base of the cone is evidence of continued effusion into the lava lake. USGS photo taken by M.

This photo of the erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured during a helicopter overflight on the morning of Tuesday, February 16. The degassing cone was not visibly spattering during the overflight, but the lava inlet near the base of the cone is evidence of continued effusion into the lava lake. USGS photo taken by M.

Photomicrographs from a big brown bat nasal cavity and hair follicle.
Photomicrographs from a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) from Wisconsi
Photomicrographs from a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) from Wisconsi
Photomicrographs from a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) from Wisconsi

Photomicrographs from a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) from Wisconsin, USA. H&E stain. (A) Low magnification of a cross section through the nares showing nasal cavity (*), oral mucosa (arrowhead), and haired skin (arrow). (B) Higher magnification showing a normal hair follicle (arrow) surrounded by sebaceous glands.

Photomicrographs from a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) from Wisconsin, USA. H&E stain. (A) Low magnification of a cross section through the nares showing nasal cavity (*), oral mucosa (arrowhead), and haired skin (arrow). (B) Higher magnification showing a normal hair follicle (arrow) surrounded by sebaceous glands.

A telephoto image of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit.
Close-up view of the west vent—Kīlauea summit eruption
Close-up view of the west vent—Kīlauea summit eruption
Close-up view of the west vent—Kīlauea summit eruption

A telephoto image of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit. Lava is being supplied to the active western lava lake through the inlet at the base of the vent (lower-center). This photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u, within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

A telephoto image of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit. Lava is being supplied to the active western lava lake through the inlet at the base of the vent (lower-center). This photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u, within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

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