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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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Cartoon showing differences between magma- and water-driven earthquake swarms
Cartoon showing differences between magma- and water-driven swarms
Cartoon showing differences between magma- and water-driven swarms
Cartoon showing differences between magma- and water-driven swarms

Simplified cartoon showing differences between patterns of earthquakes expected for a swarm driven by a magma-filled crack (left) versus one driven by pressurized water in a fault (right).

Simplified cartoon showing differences between patterns of earthquakes expected for a swarm driven by a magma-filled crack (left) versus one driven by pressurized water in a fault (right).

Color photograph of volcano profile
Annotated Mauna Loa MKcam image
Annotated Mauna Loa MKcam image
Annotated Mauna Loa MKcam image

Annotated MKcam image, taken on May 29, 2021. The new MKcam is positioned on Mauna Kea with a south view of Mauna Loa summit and Northeast Rift Zone.

Annotated MKcam image, taken on May 29, 2021. The new MKcam is positioned on Mauna Kea with a south view of Mauna Loa summit and Northeast Rift Zone.

Phragmites plants growing in a greenhouse
Phragmites seedlings for Control Experiments
Phragmites seedlings for Control Experiments
Phragmites seedlings for Control Experiments

Phragmites australis seedlings in the GLSC (Ann Arbor, Michigan) greenhouse, planted over the course of two days in late May 2021. These seedlings will be used to test cutting strategies in management techniques. 

Phragmites australis seedlings in the GLSC (Ann Arbor, Michigan) greenhouse, planted over the course of two days in late May 2021. These seedlings will be used to test cutting strategies in management techniques. 

Color photograph of solidified lava lake surface
View of west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 28 2021
View of west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 28 2021
View of west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 28 2021

View looking to the east of the western part of the now inactive lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, taken on May 28th. The west vent area is at the bottom. The glowing vent area in the photo taken in the evening on May 24th is visible in the bottom right, with a white rim at the top of the now inactive vent.

View looking to the east of the western part of the now inactive lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, taken on May 28th. The west vent area is at the bottom. The glowing vent area in the photo taken in the evening on May 24th is visible in the bottom right, with a white rim at the top of the now inactive vent.

Close-up view of the now-inactive western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea captured on May 27, 2021
Close-up view of inactive western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—May 27, 2021
Close-up view of inactive western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—May 27, 2021
Close-up view of inactive western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u—May 27, 2021

This close-up view of the now-inactive western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 27, 2021. HVO scientists did not observe any incandescent lava or other signs of eruptive activity during a one-hour visit to the crater rim.

This close-up view of the now-inactive western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 27, 2021. HVO scientists did not observe any incandescent lava or other signs of eruptive activity during a one-hour visit to the crater rim.

Color photograph of volcano summit
KW webcam image taken on May 27, 2021, around 11 a.m. HST
KW webcam image taken on May 27, 2021, around 11 a.m. HST
KW webcam image taken on May 27, 2021, around 11 a.m. HST

Kīlauea Volcano is no longer erupting. Lava supply to the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake has ceased and sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased to near pre-eruption background levels.

Kīlauea Volcano is no longer erupting. Lava supply to the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake has ceased and sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased to near pre-eruption background levels.

The now inactive lava lake and west vent from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit
View of the inactive crusted over lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u
View of the inactive crusted over lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u
View of the inactive crusted over lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u

A wide view of the now inactive lava lake and west vent from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. The lava lake is entirely crusted over with no red, glowing lava at the surface. Diffuse volcanic gas plumes are still being emitted from the west vent and northern lake margin.

A wide view of the now inactive lava lake and west vent from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. The lava lake is entirely crusted over with no red, glowing lava at the surface. Diffuse volcanic gas plumes are still being emitted from the west vent and northern lake margin.

On May 25, HVO field crews did not observe any active surface lava or incandescent areas within Halema‘uma‘u crater
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021

During an eruption monitoring shift on May 25, HVO field crews did not observe any active surface lava or incandescent areas within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Since the eruption began on December 20, 2020, over 40 million cubic meters (over 10 billion gallons) of lava has been erupted.

During an eruption monitoring shift on May 25, HVO field crews did not observe any active surface lava or incandescent areas within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Since the eruption began on December 20, 2020, over 40 million cubic meters (over 10 billion gallons) of lava has been erupted.

Though no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u on May 25, Kīlauea summit continues to emit volcanic gases
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021

Though no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u on May 25, Kīlauea summit continues to emit volcanic gases. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate, measured on May 23, remains slightly elevated at 100 tonnes per day.

Though no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u on May 25, Kīlauea summit continues to emit volcanic gases. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate, measured on May 23, remains slightly elevated at 100 tonnes per day.

An overview of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, taken on May 25
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption on May 25, 2021

An overview of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, taken on May 25. Kīlauea’s summit collapse in 2018 deepened Halema‘uma‘u crater by over 500 meters (1640 feet).

An overview of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, taken on May 25. Kīlauea’s summit collapse in 2018 deepened Halema‘uma‘u crater by over 500 meters (1640 feet).

On the evening of May 24, no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u crater.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021

On the evening of May 24, no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Small spots of incandescent lava were visible beneath cracks in the lake surface crust (center) and at the west vent (left).

On the evening of May 24, no active surface lava was observed within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Small spots of incandescent lava were visible beneath cracks in the lake surface crust (center) and at the west vent (left).

A zoomed-in view of the western vent within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021

A zoomed-in view of the western vent within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, with a weak glow visible at dusk on Monday, May 24. USGS photo taken by B. Carr from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

A zoomed-in view of the western vent within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, with a weak glow visible at dusk on Monday, May 24. USGS photo taken by B. Carr from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

A zoomed-in view of the western lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 24, 2021

A zoomed-in view of the western lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, where two locations of faint incandescence are visible beneath the surface crust (upper right). Eruptive activity has decreased significantly in the past few weeks and the once active lava surface has cooled and crusted over. USGS photo taken by B. Carr at dusk on May 24, 2021.

A zoomed-in view of the western lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, where two locations of faint incandescence are visible beneath the surface crust (upper right). Eruptive activity has decreased significantly in the past few weeks and the once active lava surface has cooled and crusted over. USGS photo taken by B. Carr at dusk on May 24, 2021.

GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK
GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK
GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK
GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK

GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK

GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND
GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND
GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND
GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND

GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND

several people stand in front of a large research vessel wearing masks
Seismic science crew and the R/V Sproul
Seismic science crew and the R/V Sproul
Seismic science crew and the R/V Sproul

In the background is the Research Vessel (R/V) Robert Gordon Sproul, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).

In the background is the Research Vessel (R/V) Robert Gordon Sproul, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO).

Color images of lava lake surface
Active surface lava limited to a small pond in Halema‘uma‘u
Active surface lava limited to a small pond in Halema‘uma‘u
Active surface lava limited to a small pond in Halema‘uma‘u

Active surface lava in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, is now limited to a small lava pond near the western fissure. Normally the lava pond is covered in a stationary crust, as shown by the image on the left. Occasionally, the pond abruptly resurfaces with fluid lava, with foundering of crustal plates and abundant bubbling, shown by the image on the right.

Active surface lava in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, is now limited to a small lava pond near the western fissure. Normally the lava pond is covered in a stationary crust, as shown by the image on the left. Occasionally, the pond abruptly resurfaces with fluid lava, with foundering of crustal plates and abundant bubbling, shown by the image on the right.

Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech
Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech using ADCP for recon
Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech using ADCP for recon
Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech using ADCP for recon

Photo Contest Winner | June 2021 | USGS at Work
Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech using ADCP for recon of lower Anacostia River, 20210520

Photo Contest Winner | June 2021 | USGS at Work
Ashley Ryan and Jeff Kvech using ADCP for recon of lower Anacostia River, 20210520

Map showing earthquake activity
Map showing Island of Hawai‘i earthquake activity over the past week
Map showing Island of Hawai‘i earthquake activity over the past week
Map showing Island of Hawai‘i earthquake activity over the past week

Map and plot showing earthquakes at 20-40 km (12-25 miles) depth beneath the Island of Hawai‘i over the past week. Most of the earthquakes at this depth were clustered beneath the southern edge of the island near the town of Pāhala (blue dots).  USGS graphic.

Map and plot showing earthquakes at 20-40 km (12-25 miles) depth beneath the Island of Hawai‘i over the past week. Most of the earthquakes at this depth were clustered beneath the southern edge of the island near the town of Pāhala (blue dots).  USGS graphic.

Color photograph of lava lake
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea

No active surface lava was visible within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, during a field visit yesterday morning. F1cam thermal images from yesterday afternoon show hot surface crust, but no active lava. F1cam thermal images from the morning of May 21 showed at least one small resurfacing event.

No active surface lava was visible within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, during a field visit yesterday morning. F1cam thermal images from yesterday afternoon show hot surface crust, but no active lava. F1cam thermal images from the morning of May 21 showed at least one small resurfacing event.

Color photograph of lava lake and vent
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea
May 20, 2021 — Kīlauea

A close-up view of the western fissure vent complex and gas plume within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Gas emissions remain slightly elevated, with the most recent measurements on May 18 at 100 tonnes per day. The lava inlet from the base of the west vent, which no longer appears to be active, is visible on the right.

A close-up view of the western fissure vent complex and gas plume within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Gas emissions remain slightly elevated, with the most recent measurements on May 18 at 100 tonnes per day. The lava inlet from the base of the west vent, which no longer appears to be active, is visible on the right.