The explosive interaction of hot lava entering cool seawater throws spatter (clots of molten lava, visible at center of image) from the leading edge of the lava delta forming at Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry.
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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.
The explosive interaction of hot lava entering cool seawater throws spatter (clots of molten lava, visible at center of image) from the leading edge of the lava delta forming at Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry.
A river in Easton Kansas washes over a road.
A forest stream in Virginia with fall leaves.
A forest stream in Virginia with fall leaves.
USGS scientists Jonathan Warrick and Jeff Duda receiving Riverprize recognition in New Delhi, India. Image courtesy of International Riverfoundation.
USGS scientists Jonathan Warrick and Jeff Duda receiving Riverprize recognition in New Delhi, India. Image courtesy of International Riverfoundation.
Looking West To Old Rag Mountain in Madison County Virginia
Looking West To Old Rag Mountain in Madison County Virginia
A polar bear rests in a field on Barter Island, Alaska.
A polar bear rests in a field on Barter Island, Alaska.
Polar bear lounging on Alaska’s north coast.
A large infrastructure project has changed the shape of the coastline of the Netherlands while increasing the cargo capacity at Europe's largest port. This pair of Landsat images spanning 15 years shows the Maasvlakte 2 project, which is an expansion of the Port of Rotterdam.
A large infrastructure project has changed the shape of the coastline of the Netherlands while increasing the cargo capacity at Europe's largest port. This pair of Landsat images spanning 15 years shows the Maasvlakte 2 project, which is an expansion of the Port of Rotterdam.
A photo of a Johnson County stream flowing through rocks and greenery on both sides of the stream.
A photo of a Johnson County stream flowing through rocks and greenery on both sides of the stream.
USGS coral reef scientists, from left to right: Jill Bourque, Cheryl Morrison, Nancy Prouty, Katharine Coykendall, Amanda Demopoulos, and Christina Kellogg. All women presented their research at the 6th International Symposium of Deep Sea Corals, September 11-16, 2016.
USGS coral reef scientists, from left to right: Jill Bourque, Cheryl Morrison, Nancy Prouty, Katharine Coykendall, Amanda Demopoulos, and Christina Kellogg. All women presented their research at the 6th International Symposium of Deep Sea Corals, September 11-16, 2016.
The lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea remained at a high level today, about 18 m (60 ft) from the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the time of this photo.
The lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea remained at a high level today, about 18 m (60 ft) from the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the time of this photo.
The eastern (right) lava delta is the larger of the two, with a broad span of small lava flows entering the sea creating a wide ocean entry plume. Fewer flows on the smaller western (left) entry created a weaker plume.
The eastern (right) lava delta is the larger of the two, with a broad span of small lava flows entering the sea creating a wide ocean entry plume. Fewer flows on the smaller western (left) entry created a weaker plume.
View of Kīlauea's summit lava lake from the north rim of Halema‘uma‘u.
View of Kīlauea's summit lava lake from the north rim of Halema‘uma‘u.
A closer look at Kīlauea's summit lava lake on Wednesday evening, around 6:30 p.m., when the lake was just 8 meters (26 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.
A closer look at Kīlauea's summit lava lake on Wednesday evening, around 6:30 p.m., when the lake was just 8 meters (26 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.
A video clip showing spattering in Kīlauea's summit lava lake.
A video clip showing spattering in Kīlauea's summit lava lake.
Gage house at the Lick Run Monitoring site
Gage house at the Lick Run Monitoring site
This photo, taken by Thomas Jaggar on December 21 during the1935 Mauna Loa eruption, shows the Humuula pāhoehoe flow ponding and slowly expanding eastward. The image looks east-southeast toward Pu‘uhuluhulu from the southernmost Omaokoili cinder cone in the vicinity of today's Saddle Road and Mauna Kea Access Road juncture. USGS photo.
This photo, taken by Thomas Jaggar on December 21 during the1935 Mauna Loa eruption, shows the Humuula pāhoehoe flow ponding and slowly expanding eastward. The image looks east-southeast toward Pu‘uhuluhulu from the southernmost Omaokoili cinder cone in the vicinity of today's Saddle Road and Mauna Kea Access Road juncture. USGS photo.
On Wednesday evening (September 7), the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit reached a high level, about 8 m (26 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. This panorama shows the former Halema‘uma‘u Overlook (closed since 2008 due to volcanic hazards) at the far left.
On Wednesday evening (September 7), the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit reached a high level, about 8 m (26 feet) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. This panorama shows the former Halema‘uma‘u Overlook (closed since 2008 due to volcanic hazards) at the far left.
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
The Altamont Pass Wind Far is located in northern California.
Aerial photograph looking west along Dauphin Island, Alabama, taken in September 2016.
Aerial photograph looking west along Dauphin Island, Alabama, taken in September 2016.
Aerial photograph of Breton Island, Sept. 7, 2016. The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program studies changes to coastal landscapes such as barrier islands.
Aerial photograph of Breton Island, Sept. 7, 2016. The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program studies changes to coastal landscapes such as barrier islands.