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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.
U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 08098290 Brazos River near Highbank, Texas, looking downstream from FM 413 bridge, March 31, 1964.
SIR 2009–5174
U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 08098290 Brazos River near Highbank, Texas, looking downstream from FM 413 bridge, March 31, 1964.
SIR 2009–5174
Although large streamgage structures are no longer necessary, the USGS still uses some of them to contain modern streamgage equipment.
Although large streamgage structures are no longer necessary, the USGS still uses some of them to contain modern streamgage equipment.
USGS topographer Yukio Yamamoto in Littlefield, Texas with a theodolite and an Electrotape distance measuring unit.
USGS topographer Yukio Yamamoto in Littlefield, Texas with a theodolite and an Electrotape distance measuring unit.
Aftermath of the 1960 Chilean tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii, where the tsunami caused 61 deaths.
Aftermath of the 1960 Chilean tsunami in Hilo, Hawaii, where the tsunami caused 61 deaths.
View westward along the Kapoho fault scarp in the village of Kapoho following a swarm of earthquakes in the area. The ground cracking was caused by subsidence of a graben (down-dropped block) that spanned the community.
View westward along the Kapoho fault scarp in the village of Kapoho following a swarm of earthquakes in the area. The ground cracking was caused by subsidence of a graben (down-dropped block) that spanned the community.
This house fell into Hebgen Lake during the 1959 earthquake and floated along the shore until it came to rest here. The owner of the house, then-70-year-old Mrs. Grace Miller, escaped only after kicking out her front door and leaping a 5-foot-wide ground crack as her house dropped into the lake.
This house fell into Hebgen Lake during the 1959 earthquake and floated along the shore until it came to rest here. The owner of the house, then-70-year-old Mrs. Grace Miller, escaped only after kicking out her front door and leaping a 5-foot-wide ground crack as her house dropped into the lake.
Rockslide damage to the Golden Gate area near Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, as a result of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
Rockslide damage to the Golden Gate area near Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, as a result of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
Sapphire Pool, in the Upper Geyser Basin, erupting after the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
Sapphire Pool, in the Upper Geyser Basin, erupting after the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
Great quantities of lava pour from the base of a 480-m-tall (1,575 ft) fountain about 65 minutes after the start of episode 16. Lava discharge at this time was about 1.3 million cubic meters per hour (1.7 million cubic yards), which sent lava over the entire lake by 4:05 a.m.
Great quantities of lava pour from the base of a 480-m-tall (1,575 ft) fountain about 65 minutes after the start of episode 16. Lava discharge at this time was about 1.3 million cubic meters per hour (1.7 million cubic yards), which sent lava over the entire lake by 4:05 a.m.
Low-level oblique aerial view of Fairweather fault. Photo taken east of North Dome, looking northwest, August 26, 1958.
Low-level oblique aerial view of Fairweather fault. Photo taken east of North Dome, looking northwest, August 26, 1958.
Sand erupted from a fissure overlies the original surface of gravel and cobbles. Looking west, Crillon Lake in middleground, September 1, 1958
Sand erupted from a fissure overlies the original surface of gravel and cobbles. Looking west, Crillon Lake in middleground, September 1, 1958
Artesian well investigations in South Dakota (circa-July 1957).
Artesian well investigations in South Dakota (circa-July 1957).
Panoramic photographic mosaic of several glaciers on the northern slope of Gora Elbrus, a volcanic massif in the Central Caucasus Mountains. The photographic survey was done by N. Nikulin in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year. Photograph courtesy of V.M. Kotlyakov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Panoramic photographic mosaic of several glaciers on the northern slope of Gora Elbrus, a volcanic massif in the Central Caucasus Mountains. The photographic survey was done by N. Nikulin in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year. Photograph courtesy of V.M. Kotlyakov, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Bill Campbell operates an Electrical Survey Net Adjuster (ESNA). The ESNA was used for the adjustment of levels and traverse.
Bill Campbell operates an Electrical Survey Net Adjuster (ESNA). The ESNA was used for the adjustment of levels and traverse.
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
Using a swivel graver with a steel straight edge to scribe a road onto the culture plate of a topographic map.
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
Color separation scribing of the contour plate for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber. This handheld stylist was designed to hold a phonograph needle that was sharpened to engrave a .003" scribed line.
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
The application of transparent adhesive-backed type to the culture lettering separate of the Miller Peak, AZ 7.5-minute topographic map.
Stereoscopic control point check.
Stereoscopic control point check.
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
Performing color separation scribing of the culture separate of a USGS topographic map using a swivel graver.
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
Color separation scribing of the intermediate contours for a USGS topographic map using a freehand scriber.
Map editor Webb Greenup reviews an overlay of the Atwater, CA 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map.
Map editor Webb Greenup reviews an overlay of the Atwater, CA 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map.