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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.
Visible and thermal infrared images of Yellowstone acquired on July 17, 2021. In the visible image, Landsat 8 channels 4-3-2 are assigned red-green-blue colors (respectively) to simulate natural color. In thermal infrared image, bright pixels are warmer, and dark pixels are cooler. The full satellite images are clipped to the boundaries of Yellowst
Visible and thermal infrared images of Yellowstone acquired on July 17, 2021. In the visible image, Landsat 8 channels 4-3-2 are assigned red-green-blue colors (respectively) to simulate natural color. In thermal infrared image, bright pixels are warmer, and dark pixels are cooler. The full satellite images are clipped to the boundaries of Yellowst
This close-up view of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Friday, July 16, 2021. HVO scientists were making a routine observational visit to the crater rim; no changes to the inactive lava lake were detected.
This close-up view of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Friday, July 16, 2021. HVO scientists were making a routine observational visit to the crater rim; no changes to the inactive lava lake were detected.
Seismogram from station YTP in Yellowstone National Park showing earthquakes from the swarm beneath Yellowstone Lake that began late on July 15, 2021. Each row represents 30 minutes of seismic data.
Seismogram from station YTP in Yellowstone National Park showing earthquakes from the swarm beneath Yellowstone Lake that began late on July 15, 2021. Each row represents 30 minutes of seismic data.
The Mojave River is the largest of the streams and rivers that flow through southwestern San Bernardino County, CA. It extends more than 100 miles east from its source in the San Bernardino Mountains to the end east of Afton Canyon. This 3D animation takes the viewer on a tour of the entire length of the river.
The Mojave River is the largest of the streams and rivers that flow through southwestern San Bernardino County, CA. It extends more than 100 miles east from its source in the San Bernardino Mountains to the end east of Afton Canyon. This 3D animation takes the viewer on a tour of the entire length of the river.
Scientists RC Mickey and Dave Thompson from the USGS St.
Scientists RC Mickey and Dave Thompson from the USGS St.
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Gerry Hatcher controls SQUID-5 image acquisition over Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).
Once thought to be extinct, the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) was rediscovered in 1993 and is currently found at three population sites along the southern California coast.
Once thought to be extinct, the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) was rediscovered in 1993 and is currently found at three population sites along the southern California coast.
Scanning electron microscope image of elongate amphiboles, some of which are asbestiform, collected from attic insulation from Libby, Montana.
Scanning electron microscope image of elongate amphiboles, some of which are asbestiform, collected from attic insulation from Libby, Montana.
Marcus G. Langseth departs Newport, Oregon (Yaquina Bay) for Cascadia Project OBS Deployment Leg
Marcus G. Langseth departs Newport, Oregon (Yaquina Bay) for Cascadia Project OBS Deployment Leg
Geologic block-diagram and conceptual model of possible flow systems associated with thermal areas at Mammoth Hot Spring (MHS) area from Sorey (1991) (USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4052). Also shown are the Bear Creek Hot Springs (BC) and La Duke Hot Spring (LD).
Geologic block-diagram and conceptual model of possible flow systems associated with thermal areas at Mammoth Hot Spring (MHS) area from Sorey (1991) (USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4052). Also shown are the Bear Creek Hot Springs (BC) and La Duke Hot Spring (LD).
A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to survey points across the solidified lava lake surface in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. No significant changes in lake surface elevation have been observed in recent weeks. USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on July 9, 2021.
A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses a laser rangefinder to survey points across the solidified lava lake surface in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. No significant changes in lake surface elevation have been observed in recent weeks. USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on July 9, 2021.
Decreasing water levels in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake expose microbialite communities that are normally underwater.
Decreasing water levels in the southern arm of the Great Salt Lake expose microbialite communities that are normally underwater.
Little Snake River near Dixon low streamflow
Low Flows at Little Snake River near Dixon streamgage
Low Flows at Little Snake River near Dixon streamgage
Orange and black excluder device (left) will contain minerals, but intended to allow livestock access while excluding wildlife. Mineral block to the right of excluder device.
Orange and black excluder device (left) will contain minerals, but intended to allow livestock access while excluding wildlife. Mineral block to the right of excluder device.
Relative risk maps of combined Bsal risk, comparing (a) pre-action risk (2010–2015), to (b) risk after implementation of surveillance and of importation restrictions on over 200 salamander species. Relative risk scores were scaled to 2010–2015. (c) Change in relative risk score per county as proportion of pre-action risk.
Relative risk maps of combined Bsal risk, comparing (a) pre-action risk (2010–2015), to (b) risk after implementation of surveillance and of importation restrictions on over 200 salamander species. Relative risk scores were scaled to 2010–2015. (c) Change in relative risk score per county as proportion of pre-action risk.
Photo Contest Winner | July 2021 | Honorable Mention 1
Taking a water sample in Green River
Photo Contest Winner | July 2021 | Honorable Mention 1
Taking a water sample in Green River
A view looking north into Halema‘uma‘u on July 2, 2021. Although eruptive activity has paused at the summit of Kīlauea, HVO geologists still monitor the lava lake and summit area regularly. Lava lake surface depths remain the same over the past few weeks.
A view looking north into Halema‘uma‘u on July 2, 2021. Although eruptive activity has paused at the summit of Kīlauea, HVO geologists still monitor the lava lake and summit area regularly. Lava lake surface depths remain the same over the past few weeks.
Epicenters of 6,188 earthquakes in the Hebgen Lake region since 1990 determined by the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. All epicenters have horizontal uncertainties of 1.0 km or less.
Epicenters of 6,188 earthquakes in the Hebgen Lake region since 1990 determined by the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. All epicenters have horizontal uncertainties of 1.0 km or less.
