Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
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.
On the evening of June 30, 2008, littoral explosions at Kīlauea Volcano's Waikupanaha ocean entry created a fireworks-like display as incandescent fragments of lava flew through the air. When molten lava entered the sea, the water flashed to steam, triggering explosions that hurled spatter and other lava fragments up to heights of 50 m (164 ft).
On the evening of June 30, 2008, littoral explosions at Kīlauea Volcano's Waikupanaha ocean entry created a fireworks-like display as incandescent fragments of lava flew through the air. When molten lava entered the sea, the water flashed to steam, triggering explosions that hurled spatter and other lava fragments up to heights of 50 m (164 ft).
This spectacular lava fountain, erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on June 30, 1984, lasted just over 7 hours and reached a height of 318 m (1043 ft). It was one of 44 high lava fountains erupted during the first 3.5 years of Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, which began in January 1983.
This spectacular lava fountain, erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on June 30, 1984, lasted just over 7 hours and reached a height of 318 m (1043 ft). It was one of 44 high lava fountains erupted during the first 3.5 years of Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, which began in January 1983.
This video clip shows Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from the front of the lava delta. Recent flows have covered the surface of the delta with fresh lava.
This video clip shows Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from the front of the lava delta. Recent flows have covered the surface of the delta with fresh lava.
On March 6, 2011, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were stationed along Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone to monitor the progression of erupting fissures that had opened west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō the day before. Lava spewing from this fissure (background) reached heights up to 30 m (100 ft) and produced a massive lava flow, visible behind the HVO scientist.
On March 6, 2011, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were stationed along Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone to monitor the progression of erupting fissures that had opened west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō the day before. Lava spewing from this fissure (background) reached heights up to 30 m (100 ft) and produced a massive lava flow, visible behind the HVO scientist.
A technician sits at a computer while running a sediment core through the Geotek.
A technician sits at a computer while running a sediment core through the Geotek.
A team of scientists prepare to collect cores from the Nomini Bay, VA.
A team of scientists prepare to collect cores from the Nomini Bay, VA.
A panoramic photo of King Creek near the Colonial Parkway in York County, Virginia.
A panoramic photo of King Creek near the Colonial Parkway in York County, Virginia.
Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.
Tom Sheehan, a lab technician at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, swirls a sample in a watch glass to assist in separating pollen from heavier mineral material.
Real-time well at Five Springs Creek southeast of Lovell, Wyoming
Real-time well at Five Springs Creek southeast of Lovell, Wyoming
USGS hydrologic technician obtaining water quality sample
USGS hydrologic technician obtaining water quality sample
The York River, looking across the bridge to York, Virginia.
The York River, looking across the bridge to York, Virginia.
Ohio River at Ironton OH - equipment in tower
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - gage equipment
Looking east past a typical Darby Mountain outcrop of quartz monzonite towards the contact between the pluton and Paleozoic marbles
Looking east past a typical Darby Mountain outcrop of quartz monzonite towards the contact between the pluton and Paleozoic marbles
USGS Geologist George Case examines granitic rocks in preparation for collecting samples for geochemistry and geochronology near the Boulder Creek prospect at the north end of the Darby pluton on the eastern Seward Peninsula.
USGS Geologist George Case examines granitic rocks in preparation for collecting samples for geochemistry and geochronology near the Boulder Creek prospect at the north end of the Darby pluton on the eastern Seward Peninsula.
NWQL Analytical Services Lab slider image
NWQL Analytical Services Lab slider image
USGS employee Josh Hoops measuring high flows near Emerald Lake Campground near Roscoe, MT
USGS employee Josh Hoops measuring high flows near Emerald Lake Campground near Roscoe, MT
Fishing Cone, a small thermal feature near the shore of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake.
Fishing Cone, a small thermal feature near the shore of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake.
Looking out over a red alder forest with evergreen trees at Cascade Head Preserve in Oregon.
Looking out over a red alder forest with evergreen trees at Cascade Head Preserve in Oregon.
A young boy fishing in a lake in Albemarle County, Virginia.
A young boy fishing in a lake in Albemarle County, Virginia.
PTT, or platform transmitter terminal, recovered from 22.83 year old male osprey.
PTT, or platform transmitter terminal, recovered from 22.83 year old male osprey.