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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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A boat sits along a dock on Paradox Lake. The autumn colored trees are reflected in the placid lake.
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains
Autumn colors reflected on Paradox Lake in the Adirondack Mountains

The Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project consists of scientists conducting geologic mapping and scientific research of complexly deformed crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Northeastern United States. Current mapping activities are focused in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York.

The Northeast Bedrock Mapping Project consists of scientists conducting geologic mapping and scientific research of complexly deformed crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Northeastern United States. Current mapping activities are focused in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York.

Assessing the effects of Stocked Rainbow Trout on Native Fishes
Assessing the effects of Stocked Rainbow Trout on Native Fishes
Assessing the effects of Stocked Rainbow Trout on Native Fishes
Assessing the effects of Stocked Rainbow Trout on Native Fishes

Rainbow trout are native only to the western United States but are stocked widely throughout the country to increase fishing opportunities for anglers. Competitive interactions have been shown to be condition specific (for example, water temperature) and, thus, may only occur seasonally or under certain environmental conditions.

Rainbow trout are native only to the western United States but are stocked widely throughout the country to increase fishing opportunities for anglers. Competitive interactions have been shown to be condition specific (for example, water temperature) and, thus, may only occur seasonally or under certain environmental conditions.

Phormidium
Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)
Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)
Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)

Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)

Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)

Erosion forecast map for Northern Gulf sandy shorelines
Tropical Storm Nate's Forecasted Effect on Gulf Beaches
Tropical Storm Nate's Forecasted Effect on Gulf Beaches
Tropical Storm Nate's Forecasted Effect on Gulf Beaches

Tropical Storm Nate's predicted effect on Northern Gulf sandy shorelines, based on landfall as a Category 1 hurricane,  is shown at three intensities. Outer band:  Dune erosion. Middle band: Dune overwash. Inner band: Dune inundation, with potential flooding behind the dune. Credit: USGS Coastal Change Hazard Portal.

Tropical Storm Nate's predicted effect on Northern Gulf sandy shorelines, based on landfall as a Category 1 hurricane,  is shown at three intensities. Outer band:  Dune erosion. Middle band: Dune overwash. Inner band: Dune inundation, with potential flooding behind the dune. Credit: USGS Coastal Change Hazard Portal.

Modeling Kīlauea Volcano a Century Ago...
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago

This view of Halema‘uma‘u as it appeared in the 1917 relief model by George Carroll Curtis shows fine details around the crater, including the first road for automobiles, which ended near the crater rim. The light-colored circular feature around Halema‘uma‘u is a nearly continuous escarpment along which subsidence occurred. Photo by Burr A. Church.

This view of Halema‘uma‘u as it appeared in the 1917 relief model by George Carroll Curtis shows fine details around the crater, including the first road for automobiles, which ended near the crater rim. The light-colored circular feature around Halema‘uma‘u is a nearly continuous escarpment along which subsidence occurred. Photo by Burr A. Church.

Modeling Kīlauea Volcano a Century Ago...
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago
Modeling Kīlauea a Century Ago

The 1917 Curtis relief model of Kīlauea Volcano's summit shows many well-known geologic features, including the summit caldera (large depression), Halema‘uma‘u (crater within the caldera), Kīlauea Iki (crater at far right), and elaborate drainage patterns (foreground). Photo by Burr A. Church.

The 1917 Curtis relief model of Kīlauea Volcano's summit shows many well-known geologic features, including the summit caldera (large depression), Halema‘uma‘u (crater within the caldera), Kīlauea Iki (crater at far right), and elaborate drainage patterns (foreground). Photo by Burr A. Church.

Effects of fire on desert tortoise habitat
Effects of fire on desert tortoise habitat
Effects of fire on desert tortoise habitat
Effects of fire on desert tortoise habitat

This old male tortoise was experimentally translocated to a site that had been previously burned in wildfire to understand how tortoise grow and survive in habitat that is disturbed by fires.

This old male tortoise was experimentally translocated to a site that had been previously burned in wildfire to understand how tortoise grow and survive in habitat that is disturbed by fires.

monazite grains SEM photo
SEM Photo of Monazite Grains with REE
SEM Photo of Monazite Grains with REE
SEM Photo of Monazite Grains with REE

Monazite grains with rare earth elements lanthenum, cerium and neodinium are associated with zirconium, pyrite and potassium feldspar. Mineral identification performed by a combination of scanning of electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe.

Monazite grains with rare earth elements lanthenum, cerium and neodinium are associated with zirconium, pyrite and potassium feldspar. Mineral identification performed by a combination of scanning of electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe.

Sonoran desert scene, complete with prickly pear, saguaro, and cholla cactus species.
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild
Sonoran Desert Cactus Guild

The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.

The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.

Sunset at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park
Sunset at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park
Sunset at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park
Sunset at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park

Sunset at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia with tree silhouettes.

2 women sitting on ground writing on notepad
Core Sampling - Shinnecock, Long Island, NY
Core Sampling - Shinnecock, Long Island, NY
Core Sampling - Shinnecock, Long Island, NY

Drilling and core sampling on the Shinnecock Tribal Lands, Long Island, NY

3 men leaning over big yellow metal grab bucket on the deck of a ship. Dark sediment is visible inside bucket
Examining bucket of seafloor sediment collected off southeast Alaska
Examining bucket of seafloor sediment collected off southeast Alaska
Examining bucket of seafloor sediment collected off southeast Alaska

USGS research geophysicist Danny Brothers (right) and colleagues examine the surface of a sediment grab sample just pulled onto the deck of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship John P. Tully. The sample was collected from the top of a mud volcano north of the border between southeast Alaska and British Columbia.

USGS research geophysicist Danny Brothers (right) and colleagues examine the surface of a sediment grab sample just pulled onto the deck of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship John P. Tully. The sample was collected from the top of a mud volcano north of the border between southeast Alaska and British Columbia.

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