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Images

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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The active lava flow on Kīlauea Volcano's south flank providing won...
The active lava flow on Kīlauea's south flank providing wonderful l...
The active lava flow on Kīlauea's south flank providing wonderful l...
The active lava flow on Kīlauea's south flank providing wonderful l...

The active lava flow on Kīlauea Volcano's south flank providing wonderful lava-viewing experiences for Park visitors. A section of the road can be seen here, with fume from the active lava tube in the far distance behind it, and the active flow front in the foreground. The flow front was less than 100 meters (yards) from the ocean when this photo was taken.

The active lava flow on Kīlauea Volcano's south flank providing wonderful lava-viewing experiences for Park visitors. A section of the road can be seen here, with fume from the active lava tube in the far distance behind it, and the active flow front in the foreground. The flow front was less than 100 meters (yards) from the ocean when this photo was taken.

Color photograph of person next to instrument, measuring gas
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea Volcano
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea Volcano
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea Volcano

USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light.

USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light.

USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fo...
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fo...
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fo...
USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fo...

USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light.

USGS HVO geochemist measuring gases released from Kīlauea with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light.

Buffalo sculpin camouflaged
Buffalo sculpin camouflaged
Buffalo sculpin camouflaged
Buffalo sculpin camouflaged

Buffalo sculpin camouflaged - Scuba divers from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center, Washington Sea Grant, EPA and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe collected data and images from a long-term study of the Elwha River dam removals and the resulting effects on the nearshore ecosystem.

Buffalo sculpin camouflaged - Scuba divers from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center, Washington Sea Grant, EPA and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe collected data and images from a long-term study of the Elwha River dam removals and the resulting effects on the nearshore ecosystem.

Sanddab
Sanddab
Sanddab
Sanddab

Sanddab - Scuba divers from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center, Washington Sea Grant, EPA and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe collected data and images from a long-term study of the Elwha River dam removals and the resulting effects on the nearshore ecosystem.

Sanddab - Scuba divers from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center, Washington Sea Grant, EPA and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe collected data and images from a long-term study of the Elwha River dam removals and the resulting effects on the nearshore ecosystem.

beaver
Beaver along bank of pond in Tualatin River Basin, OR
Beaver along bank of pond in Tualatin River Basin, OR
Beaver along bank of pond in Tualatin River Basin, OR

Beaver along bank of pond in Tualatin River Basin, OR

dragonfly
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Cardinal Meadowhawk

This dragonfly is called a Cardinal Meadowhawk.

This dragonfly is called a Cardinal Meadowhawk.

A flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on small fish in the water
A flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on small fish in the water
A flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on small fish in the water
A flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on small fish in the water

A flock of Black-legged Kittiwakes foraging on Pacific sand lance near Gull Island.

Common Murres in the water
Common Murres in the water
Common Murres in the water
Common Murres in the water

Large amount of Common Murres in the water 

Large amount of Common Murres in the water 

Four birds standing on a ledge of rock
Common Murres stand at the edge of their colony on Gull Island
Common Murres stand at the edge of their colony on Gull Island
Common Murres stand at the edge of their colony on Gull Island

Common Murres stand at the edge of their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on July 23, 2016.

Common Murres stand at the edge of their colony on Gull Island, Cook Inlet on July 23, 2016.

Satellite image depicting plumes containing sediments from wind towers.
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes
Landsat Confirms Spatial Extent of Wind Tower Sediment Plumes

Earth observation satellites help researchers confirm the presence of large plumes containing suspended sediments extending from hundreds of wind towers in the coastal waters of the North Sea southeast of England.

Earth observation satellites help researchers confirm the presence of large plumes containing suspended sediments extending from hundreds of wind towers in the coastal waters of the North Sea southeast of England.

Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea
Sunset on Mauna Kea

Research projects with the USGS take scientists to beautiful places and Mauna Kea volcano on Hawai‘i Island is no exception. Here is a palila field crew camping site on the north slope of Mauna Kea as the sun sets.  

Research projects with the USGS take scientists to beautiful places and Mauna Kea volcano on Hawai‘i Island is no exception. Here is a palila field crew camping site on the north slope of Mauna Kea as the sun sets.  

Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal
Young palila nestlings waiting for a meal

Palila nestlings, so young their eyes are not even open yet, wait open-mouthed for their parents to bring them food. Palila nestlings face many threats including rats, cats, and mongoose predators. 

Palila nestlings, so young their eyes are not even open yet, wait open-mouthed for their parents to bring them food. Palila nestlings face many threats including rats, cats, and mongoose predators. 

Kīlauea Volcano's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities...
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities

Map of Kīlauea's active lava flow as of July 19, 2016. Red shows the extent of new breakouts since July 8; pink shows the flow prior as of July 8, and gray shows areas covered by earlier Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flows (1983-2016).

Map of Kīlauea's active lava flow as of July 19, 2016. Red shows the extent of new breakouts since July 8; pink shows the flow prior as of July 8, and gray shows areas covered by earlier Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flows (1983-2016).

Kīlauea Volcano's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities...
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities
Kīlauea's eruptions offer picturesque viewing opportunities

The active lava flow continues to creep across the coastal plain on Kīlauea's south flank. Breakouts of pāhoehoe (foreground) are fed by lava traveling through lava tubes from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent and down Pūlama pali (top background). USGS photo.

The active lava flow continues to creep across the coastal plain on Kīlauea's south flank. Breakouts of pāhoehoe (foreground) are fed by lava traveling through lava tubes from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent and down Pūlama pali (top background). USGS photo.

A sea turtle swimming in clear blue water
Satellite tagged male green sea turtle
Satellite tagged male green sea turtle
Satellite tagged male green sea turtle

Satellite tagged male green sea turtle after release in the Dry Tortugas National Park.

Satellite tagged male green sea turtle after release in the Dry Tortugas National Park.

Color photograph of person in colorful shirt in front of rock wall
Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020
Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020
Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020

Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020 ends her tenure on June 19, 2020.

Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020 ends her tenure on June 19, 2020.

algal bloom willow creek reservoir
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon

Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.

Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.

Image shows a tall, triangular gray stone surrounded by grass and trees
Barre Granite
Barre Granite
Barre Granite

Granite is an igneous rock that we’ve used for building materials for thousands of years. It’s name comes from the Latin word “granum,” meaning “grain,” which refers to the grains of quartz and feldspar that define granite. This one is from the Barre formation in Vermont.

Granite is an igneous rock that we’ve used for building materials for thousands of years. It’s name comes from the Latin word “granum,” meaning “grain,” which refers to the grains of quartz and feldspar that define granite. This one is from the Barre formation in Vermont.

Image shows a large black stone with a silver sign in front
Cannel Coal
Cannel Coal
Cannel Coal

Cannel coal is a type of bituminous coal, which is the second-highest rank of coal (just behind anthracite). This particular sample has a high carbon content with high pollen and spore content as well. Unlike most bituminous coal, Cannel coal can be carved into ornaments. This sample came from the Eastern Interior Coalfield in Kentucky.

Cannel coal is a type of bituminous coal, which is the second-highest rank of coal (just behind anthracite). This particular sample has a high carbon content with high pollen and spore content as well. Unlike most bituminous coal, Cannel coal can be carved into ornaments. This sample came from the Eastern Interior Coalfield in Kentucky.

Image shows a large gray stone in shade, surrounded by gravel and grass
Coarse Diabase
Coarse Diabase
Coarse Diabase

Diabase is a mafic (meaning high in magnesium and iron), igneous rock that usually forms below the Earth’s surface. This particular one has large amounts of augite and labradorite minerals, and comes from the Lucke Quarry, which is southeast of Leesburg, VA.

Diabase is a mafic (meaning high in magnesium and iron), igneous rock that usually forms below the Earth’s surface. This particular one has large amounts of augite and labradorite minerals, and comes from the Lucke Quarry, which is southeast of Leesburg, VA.