A groin at Seven Mile Island, New Jersey traps sand and contributes to widening of the barrier beach. This illustrates how human modification and wave processes shape the beach. In May 2021, Andrew Farmer, Chelsea Stalk, and Emily Wei conducted a multibeam bathymetry survey offshore of Seven Mile Island, along the southern coast of New Jersey.
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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.
A groin at Seven Mile Island, New Jersey traps sand and contributes to widening of the barrier beach. This illustrates how human modification and wave processes shape the beach. In May 2021, Andrew Farmer, Chelsea Stalk, and Emily Wei conducted a multibeam bathymetry survey offshore of Seven Mile Island, along the southern coast of New Jersey.
Invertebrates being collected at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Invertebrates being collected at a site on Cape Cod, MassachusettsInvertebrate being collected at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was contaminated by PFAS from fire-fighting foam used at the site.
Invertebrates being collected at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Invertebrates being collected at a site on Cape Cod, MassachusettsInvertebrate being collected at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was contaminated by PFAS from fire-fighting foam used at the site.
A UTV (utility task vehicle) parked in front of a beach scarp used to collect data that is used in cooperation with FWC, FWS, USGS, and USFSP to understand sea turtle nesting behavior in response to beach renourishment with the goal of advising engineers on how to develop more turtle friendly nourishment desig
A UTV (utility task vehicle) parked in front of a beach scarp used to collect data that is used in cooperation with FWC, FWS, USGS, and USFSP to understand sea turtle nesting behavior in response to beach renourishment with the goal of advising engineers on how to develop more turtle friendly nourishment desig
Close-up view of remaining lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, May 18, 2021
Close-up view of remaining lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, May 18, 2021This close-up view of the of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Tuesday, May 18. During an approximately one-hour visit to the crater rim, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists' only observation of active lava was the crustal foundering event captured here, which lasted approximately five minutes.
Close-up view of remaining lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, May 18, 2021
Close-up view of remaining lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, May 18, 2021This close-up view of the of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Tuesday, May 18. During an approximately one-hour visit to the crater rim, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists' only observation of active lava was the crustal foundering event captured here, which lasted approximately five minutes.
Field Photo Friday May 2021 - GNSS Surveying at 04273996
Field Photo Friday May 2021 - GNSS Surveying at 04273996Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Surveying at USGS 04273996 W BR AUSABLE R TRIB 1 ABV ST HW 86 NR LK PLACID NY (Credit: Isabella Lucia, USGS NY WSC, Public domain.)
Field Photo Friday May 2021 - GNSS Surveying at 04273996
Field Photo Friday May 2021 - GNSS Surveying at 04273996Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Surveying at USGS 04273996 W BR AUSABLE R TRIB 1 ABV ST HW 86 NR LK PLACID NY (Credit: Isabella Lucia, USGS NY WSC, Public domain.)
Learn About Water!
Photographs from a raccoon (Procyon lotor) from Arizona, US. (A) Large tan nematodes (arrowheads) are present within the subcutaneous tissue and muscle fascia in the distal right forelimb. (B) Closer view of the distal right forelimb showing the large tan nematodes (arrowheads).
Photographs from a raccoon (Procyon lotor) from Arizona, US. (A) Large tan nematodes (arrowheads) are present within the subcutaneous tissue and muscle fascia in the distal right forelimb. (B) Closer view of the distal right forelimb showing the large tan nematodes (arrowheads).
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist inspects the thermal camera at the summit of Mauna Loa on May 15, 2021.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist inspects the thermal camera at the summit of Mauna Loa on May 15, 2021.
On May 15, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists did a routine hike to the summit of Mauna Loa and inspected summit monitoring equipment. Clear weather provided good views across the floor of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, and nothing unusual was observed.
On May 15, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists did a routine hike to the summit of Mauna Loa and inspected summit monitoring equipment. Clear weather provided good views across the floor of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, and nothing unusual was observed.
Science crew from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center work on deployment of seismic streamer on deck of R/V Robert Gordon Sproul. Green cable is the hydrophone streamer and a "bird" is being attached to control depth in the water.
Science crew from the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center work on deployment of seismic streamer on deck of R/V Robert Gordon Sproul. Green cable is the hydrophone streamer and a "bird" is being attached to control depth in the water.
Can you find something around you that reminds you of a rock arch? www.usgs.gov/findafeature
Can you find something around you that reminds you of a rock arch? www.usgs.gov/findafeature
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in AustraliaThe Menindee Lakes in the Far West of New South Wales, Australia, are seen in this Landsat 8 Collection 2 image from May 14, 2021, and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in Australia
Landsat 8 Collection 2 image of the Menindee Lakes in AustraliaThe Menindee Lakes in the Far West of New South Wales, Australia, are seen in this Landsat 8 Collection 2 image from May 14, 2021, and is shown as a natural color composite using the red, green, and blue bands (Bands 4,3,2).
View of the active lava lake area in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea, May 14
View of the active lava lake area in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea, May 14The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, although surface incandescence (glowing red lava) has become less frequent over the last few days. In this view looking northwest, two elongated lobes oriented west (left) to east (right) with a relatively smooth shiny grey surface are visible in the center of the photo.
View of the active lava lake area in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea, May 14
View of the active lava lake area in Halema‘uma‘u—Kīlauea, May 14The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, although surface incandescence (glowing red lava) has become less frequent over the last few days. In this view looking northwest, two elongated lobes oriented west (left) to east (right) with a relatively smooth shiny grey surface are visible in the center of the photo.
More of Kīlauea's lava lake surface in Halema‘uma‘u crater has solidified in recent weeks, as is evident in this aerial view taken yesterday, May 13. However, gas emissions and small patches of active lava on the surface indicate that the eruption continues. Most recently, gas emissions were measured as 225 tonnes per day on May 12.
More of Kīlauea's lava lake surface in Halema‘uma‘u crater has solidified in recent weeks, as is evident in this aerial view taken yesterday, May 13. However, gas emissions and small patches of active lava on the surface indicate that the eruption continues. Most recently, gas emissions were measured as 225 tonnes per day on May 12.
A helicopter overflight on May 13, 2021, at approximately 11:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The visual images were used to create a digital elevation model (DEM) of the crater, shown here.
A helicopter overflight on May 13, 2021, at approximately 11:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The visual images were used to create a digital elevation model (DEM) of the crater, shown here.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues. Gas emissions, last measured on May 12, were 225 tonnes per day. This photo, taken on May 13, shows the bluish-tinged plume of volcanic gas being emitted from the western vent complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues. Gas emissions, last measured on May 12, were 225 tonnes per day. This photo, taken on May 13, shows the bluish-tinged plume of volcanic gas being emitted from the western vent complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021The area of solidified crust at the surface of Halema‘uma‘u's lava lake, at the summit of Kīlauea, has been growing over the past several weeks. This may make it seem that the eruption is over but lava continues to be supplied to the lava lake from below.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021The area of solidified crust at the surface of Halema‘uma‘u's lava lake, at the summit of Kīlauea, has been growing over the past several weeks. This may make it seem that the eruption is over but lava continues to be supplied to the lava lake from below.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed fluid lava on the surface of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, while monitoring the eruption on May 13. Two areas of ponded lava exhibited foundering, during which more-dense solidified crust sinks into the lava lake and is replaced by less-dense liquid lava from below.
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—May 13, 2021USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed fluid lava on the surface of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, while monitoring the eruption on May 13. Two areas of ponded lava exhibited foundering, during which more-dense solidified crust sinks into the lava lake and is replaced by less-dense liquid lava from below.
A low, oblique aerial view of the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit (upper right) taken during an overflight on May 13. The area of active lava has slowly been decreasing in recent weeks, but not all of the lava lake surface has stagnated. Portions of the lake surface continue to resurface via a process called foundering.
A low, oblique aerial view of the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit (upper right) taken during an overflight on May 13. The area of active lava has slowly been decreasing in recent weeks, but not all of the lava lake surface has stagnated. Portions of the lake surface continue to resurface via a process called foundering.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit on the morning of May 13. Though no incandescence was visible during the overflight, field crews monitoring the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u from the ground observed a small amount of fluid lava on the surface later in the day.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit on the morning of May 13. Though no incandescence was visible during the overflight, field crews monitoring the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u from the ground observed a small amount of fluid lava on the surface later in the day.
Near Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Ha‘akulamanu trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park passes through the Sulphur Banks area.
Near Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Ha‘akulamanu trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park passes through the Sulphur Banks area.