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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.
Route 66 was established in November 1926. Named "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck, the route is a cultural icon of America, symbolizing mobility and freedom.
We mark the route with this satellite mosaic and a combination of historical aerial photos and current aerial imagery from the USGS EROS Center archive.
Route 66 was established in November 1926. Named "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck, the route is a cultural icon of America, symbolizing mobility and freedom.
We mark the route with this satellite mosaic and a combination of historical aerial photos and current aerial imagery from the USGS EROS Center archive.
SEM image of a Globigerinoides ruber specimen from the Gulf of Mexico.
SEM image of a Globigerinoides ruber specimen from the Gulf of Mexico.
Shawn Harrison uses his new skills to check out the surf at Santa Cruz, California.
Shawn Harrison uses his new skills to check out the surf at Santa Cruz, California.
Siyeh Glacier (upper – 2015 satellite photo, lower - 2005 aerial photo). The glacier margin is more clearly identified in the 2015 image because seasonal snow is persisting on the ice and rock debris atop the ice can be more clearly seen than in the heavily shaded 2005 image.
Siyeh Glacier (upper – 2015 satellite photo, lower - 2005 aerial photo). The glacier margin is more clearly identified in the 2015 image because seasonal snow is persisting on the ice and rock debris atop the ice can be more clearly seen than in the heavily shaded 2005 image.
Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) on the seafloor along the northeastern coast of Buck Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, have died and collapsed into rubble. As coral reef structure degrades, habitat for marine life is lost and nearby coastlines become more susceptible to storms, waves, and erosion.
Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) on the seafloor along the northeastern coast of Buck Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, have died and collapsed into rubble. As coral reef structure degrades, habitat for marine life is lost and nearby coastlines become more susceptible to storms, waves, and erosion.
This image shows the perimeter of Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park in 1966,1998, 2005, and 2015.
This image shows the perimeter of Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park in 1966,1998, 2005, and 2015.
Staff processing a sample in the Microbiology laboratory
Staff processing a sample in the Microbiology laboratory
Steam-driven vents on the floor of Yellowstone Lake in the Deep Hole, east of Stevenson Island. Image acquired by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration ROV Yogi in August 2017.
Steam-driven vents on the floor of Yellowstone Lake in the Deep Hole, east of Stevenson Island. Image acquired by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration ROV Yogi in August 2017.
Steven Fuller making an ADCP streamflow measurement via a cable car
Steven Fuller making an ADCP streamflow measurement via a cable car
Steven Fuller making an flood measurement
Hydrologic Technicians from USGS offices across North and South Dakota took part in training on how to make flow measurements under ice using acoustic Doppler technology. This technology increases measurement quality, while decreasing time, effort, and risk to the individuals making the measurements.
Hydrologic Technicians from USGS offices across North and South Dakota took part in training on how to make flow measurements under ice using acoustic Doppler technology. This technology increases measurement quality, while decreasing time, effort, and risk to the individuals making the measurements.
Hydrologic Technicians from USGS offices across North and South Dakota took part in training on how to make flow measurements under ice using acoustic Doppler technology. This technology increases measurement quality, while decreasing time, effort, and risk to the individuals making the measurements.
Hydrologic Technicians from USGS offices across North and South Dakota took part in training on how to make flow measurements under ice using acoustic Doppler technology. This technology increases measurement quality, while decreasing time, effort, and risk to the individuals making the measurements.
USGS technicians prepare to board a boat to go out to the center of the channel in the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to get an accurate measurement of water flow during releases from the Dam for flood control.
USGS technicians prepare to board a boat to go out to the center of the channel in the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to get an accurate measurement of water flow during releases from the Dam for flood control.
The 3DR Solo with GoPro Hero4 camera and gimbal. Coming to a survey area near you soon.
The 3DR Solo with GoPro Hero4 camera and gimbal. Coming to a survey area near you soon.
The USGS conducted surveys on the inner continental shelf of the Delmarva Peninsula (shown in green) to complement related datasets previously collected in the area by partners NOAA and BOEM. The inset map shows location of the study area.
The USGS conducted surveys on the inner continental shelf of the Delmarva Peninsula (shown in green) to complement related datasets previously collected in the area by partners NOAA and BOEM. The inset map shows location of the study area.
Time series of the coral reef at Grecian Rocks (Key Largo, FL) illustrating an example of the dramatic decline in live coral on Florida Keys reefs in recent decades. From Shinn and Kuffner (2017).
Time series of the coral reef at Grecian Rocks (Key Largo, FL) illustrating an example of the dramatic decline in live coral on Florida Keys reefs in recent decades. From Shinn and Kuffner (2017).
Methane bubbles emerging from the seafloor at a seep site colonized by chemosynthetic mussels at ~1000 m water depth on the Virginia margin. Photograph taken by the Global Explorer operated by Oceaneering Inc.
Methane bubbles emerging from the seafloor at a seep site colonized by chemosynthetic mussels at ~1000 m water depth on the Virginia margin. Photograph taken by the Global Explorer operated by Oceaneering Inc.
Topographic-change image produced by comparing 3D map derived from May 27 air photos with that derived from June 13 air photos. Note that material has eroded from the seaward edge of the toe (yellow and orange tones), and material has built up on beaches to either side of the slide (blue tones).
Topographic-change image produced by comparing 3D map derived from May 27 air photos with that derived from June 13 air photos. Note that material has eroded from the seaward edge of the toe (yellow and orange tones), and material has built up on beaches to either side of the slide (blue tones).
Underwater photograph showing corals in Tāfeu Cove, National Park of American Samoa, north shore of Tutuila Island, American Samoa.
Underwater photograph showing corals in Tāfeu Cove, National Park of American Samoa, north shore of Tutuila Island, American Samoa.
This small unmanned aerial system with digital camera has been used to create digital elevation models to answer questions about erosion, bridge scour, and other hydraulics analyses.
This small unmanned aerial system with digital camera has been used to create digital elevation models to answer questions about erosion, bridge scour, and other hydraulics analyses.
Small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) collecting digital photos to create digital elevation models. UAS are an increasingly important tool for monitoring, assessing, and conducting targeted scientific research for the nation.
Small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) collecting digital photos to create digital elevation models. UAS are an increasingly important tool for monitoring, assessing, and conducting targeted scientific research for the nation.