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Images

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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Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour
Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour
Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour
Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour

Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour, hydrologic technician with the USGS IN WSC office, calibrating the water quality equipment.

Yellow Creek at Knox, IN - Myles Downhour, hydrologic technician with the USGS IN WSC office, calibrating the water quality equipment.

Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York
Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York
Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York
Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

Early evening view of the lava lake
Early evening view of the lava lake
Early evening view of the lava lake
Early evening view of the lava lake

Early evening view of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano on January 30, 2018, when the lake level was 27 m (88 ft) below the crater floor. The bright yellow area of spattering marks the location where the circulating lava descends into the lake, thereby releasing gases trapped beneath the solid black crust on the lake surface.

Early evening view of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano on January 30, 2018, when the lake level was 27 m (88 ft) below the crater floor. The bright yellow area of spattering marks the location where the circulating lava descends into the lake, thereby releasing gases trapped beneath the solid black crust on the lake surface.

rushing stream bordered by rocks and trees
Esopus River rapids
Esopus River rapids
Esopus River rapids

Esopus River rapids sediment sampling January 2018

Esopus River rapids sediment sampling January 2018

Ground-penetrating radar equipment being towed along the ground behind the dunes at Fire Island, New York
Ground-penetrating radar equipment being towed along the ground
Ground-penetrating radar equipment being towed along the ground
Ground-penetrating radar equipment being towed along the ground

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

Little White River near Rosebud
Little White River near Rosebud
Little White River near Rosebud
Little White River near Rosebud

This photograph was taken at Little White River near Rosebud, SD (USGS streamgage 06449500) when the streamflow was 139 cubic feet per second.

This photograph was taken at Little White River near Rosebud, SD (USGS streamgage 06449500) when the streamflow was 139 cubic feet per second.

Map of countries from which the US imports more than 50% of certain mineral commodities
The US relies on these countries for 50% or more of certain minerals
The US relies on these countries for 50% or more of certain minerals
Little White River near Rosebud, SD
USGS Personnel in Little White River
USGS Personnel in Little White River
USGS Personnel in Little White River

This photograph was taken at Little White River near Rosebud, SD (USGS streamgage 06449500) when the streamflow was 139 cubic feet per second.

This photograph was taken at Little White River near Rosebud, SD (USGS streamgage 06449500) when the streamflow was 139 cubic feet per second.

USGS team member on personal watercraft collecting single-beam bathymetry in the nearshore at Fire Island, New York
USGS researcher uses personal watercraft to collect nearshore data
USGS researcher uses personal watercraft to collect nearshore data
USGS researcher uses personal watercraft to collect nearshore data

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, NY. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value.

South African reservoirs, Western Cape Region, Landsat 2014
This Landsat 2014 image shows reservoirs in South Africa.
This Landsat 2014 image shows reservoirs in South Africa.
This Landsat 2014 image shows reservoirs in South Africa.

Water levels in large reservoirs in South Africa’s Western Cape province have been impacted by persistent drought in recent years. This Landsat 2014 image shows the Theewaterskloof reservoir, the largest in the province’s water supply system. In subsequent years, water levels have dropped significantly as seasonal rains have repeatedly failed.

Water levels in large reservoirs in South Africa’s Western Cape province have been impacted by persistent drought in recent years. This Landsat 2014 image shows the Theewaterskloof reservoir, the largest in the province’s water supply system. In subsequent years, water levels have dropped significantly as seasonal rains have repeatedly failed.

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