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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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Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"
Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean"

Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.

Major John Wesley Powell's boat the "Emma Dean", Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 1871.

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor.
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871
Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor (Phoenix Art Museum).  The view is from northern Yellowstone Lake looking to the south.  In the foreground, one can see the Annie in the northern lake and the three largest of the lake’s islands: Stevenson Island, with Frank Island and the smaller Dot

Painting by Henry Wood Elliott (1846-1930), Yellowstone Lake, 1871, watercolor (Phoenix Art Museum).  The view is from northern Yellowstone Lake looking to the south.  In the foreground, one can see the Annie in the northern lake and the three largest of the lake’s islands: Stevenson Island, with Frank Island and the smaller Dot

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition
The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.

The first camp of Powell's Second Expedition. Shown from left to right are: Professor Almon Harris Thompson, Andrew Hattan, S.V. Jones, John F. Steward, W.C. Powell, Frank C.A. Richardson, Frederick Dellenbaugh, and F.M. Bishop. Green River, Wyoming. May 4, 1871.

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation
Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.

Lighthouse Rock in Canyon of Desolation, Green River. The three boats are anchored near shore on left side. Utah. August 11, 1871.

formal portrait of caucasian man with full beard, wearing a 19th century suit and bow tie
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870
Ferdinand V. Hayden, 1870

Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.

Portrait of Ferdinand V. Hayden, about the time of his directorship of the Geological Survey of the Territories. c. 1870. The Hayden Survey was a predecessor to the USGS.

Men sitting around a table beside a wagon in 1870 Wyoming
Hayden Survey 1870 Wyoming in camp at Red Buttes
Hayden Survey 1870 Wyoming in camp at Red Buttes
Hayden Survey 1870 Wyoming in camp at Red Buttes

U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.

U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories (Hayden Survey). Group of all the members of the Survey, made while in camp at Red Buttes at the junction of the North Platte and Sweetwater Rivers. Natrona County, Wyoming, 1870. Standing left to right: John "Potato John" Raymond and "Val," cooks; Sanford R. Gifford, landscape painter; Henry W.

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870
Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870.  Photo by William Henry Jackson.

Henry Wood Elliott during a geological expedition in 1870.  Photo by William Henry Jackson.

John Wesley Powell
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2.

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 2.

Major John Wesley Powell
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3
Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3.

Typed information on back of photograph: Major John Wesley Powell, a series of three photos, number 3.

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell
Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell during Colorado River expeditions. Utah. 1869

Area of map used by Major John Wesley Powell during Colorado River expeditions. Utah. 1869

John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell

John Wesley Powell and party in the Grand Canyon
John Wesley Powell and party in the Grand Canyon
John Wesley Powell and party in the Grand Canyon
John Wesley Powell and party in the Grand Canyon

Painting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.

Painting by Henry C. Pitz showing John Wesley Powell and his party going through the Grand Canyon, presumably during the historic 1869 Colorado River expedition. The 1869 expedition gave to Powell and his party the distinction of being the first to travel the entire distance of the Colorado River, a remarkable feat that many had formerly believed impossible.

Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian
Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian

Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.

Major John Wesley Powell talking to a Paiute Indian, northern Arizona Survey, Arizona. circa 1869.

Map of John Wesley Powell's Pioneer River Voyage
Map of John Wesley Powell's Pioneer River Voyage
Map of John Wesley Powell's Pioneer River Voyage
Map of John Wesley Powell's Pioneer River Voyage

Map of John Wesley Powell's Pioneer River Voyage. 1869.

old black and white photo of collapsed building, with inset image of the building before collapse
Alameda County Courthouse (Calif.) before and after 1868 Earthquake
Alameda County Courthouse (Calif.) before and after 1868 Earthquake
Alameda County Courthouse (Calif.) before and after 1868 Earthquake

Strong shaking during the 1868 Hayward Fault earthquake caused the second story of the Alameda County Courthouse in San Leandro to collapse (photo courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California). The inset photo shows the courthouse before the quake

Strong shaking during the 1868 Hayward Fault earthquake caused the second story of the Alameda County Courthouse in San Leandro to collapse (photo courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California). The inset photo shows the courthouse before the quake

Thirty men posed around a canvas tent
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Paral
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Paral
Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Paral

Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)

Camp scene. United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). Plate 80: Camp scene. n.d.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.)

Three men posed under a canvas tent
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah
Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah

Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.) 

Clarence King in camp, Salt Lake City, Utah. United StatesGeological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel (King Survey). 1868. Plate 96: Clarence King in camp, near Salt Lake City, Utah. October 1868.
(Photo by T.H. O'Sullivan.) 

quartz mill
Quartz mill at Virginia City, Nevada
Quartz mill at Virginia City, Nevada
Quartz mill at Virginia City, Nevada

Quartz mill at Virginia City, Nevada, in the Comstock mining district. Photograph by T.H. O’Sullivan was taken during the U.S. Geographical Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, which investigated the Virginia City area during the winter of 1867-68. From USGS photographic library collection.

Quartz mill at Virginia City, Nevada, in the Comstock mining district. Photograph by T.H. O’Sullivan was taken during the U.S. Geographical Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, which investigated the Virginia City area during the winter of 1867-68. From USGS photographic library collection.

William Bramwell Powell and Major John Wesley Powell
William Bramwell Powell and Major John Wesley Powell
William Bramwell Powell and Major John Wesley Powell
William Bramwell Powell and Major John Wesley Powell

Handwritten information on back of photograph, William Branwell (Bram) Powell (Bram) and Major J.W. (Wes) Powell. The two Powell brothers. Wheaton, Illinois. 1865.

Handwritten information on back of photograph, William Branwell (Bram) Powell (Bram) and Major J.W. (Wes) Powell. The two Powell brothers. Wheaton, Illinois. 1865.

Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881)
Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881)
Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881)
Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881)

Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881).  Published in Gaston's Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders, volume 1 (1911), image in the public domain.

Undated portrait of Jim Bridger (1804-1881).  Published in Gaston's Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders, volume 1 (1911), image in the public domain.

William Clark's 1814 map, John Colter route through Yellowstone
William Clark's 1814 map, John Colter route through Yellowstone
William Clark's 1814 map, John Colter route through Yellowstone
William Clark's 1814 map, John Colter route through Yellowstone

William Clark's 1814 map, indicating the route of John Colter during the winter of 1807-1808. (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.)

William Clark's 1814 map, indicating the route of John Colter during the winter of 1807-1808. (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.)