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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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A low, oblique aerial view of the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit
Kīlauea summit overflight - May 13
Kīlauea summit overflight - May 13
Kīlauea summit overflight - May 13

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.

A man captures insects using a net.
Powerlines & Pollinators
Powerlines & Pollinators
Powerlines & Pollinators

Connecting powerline rights-of-way vegetation management to improve pollinator habitat. A USGS RAMPS technician samples pollinating insects along the Salt River Project powerline that crosses through Apache-Sitgreaves and Tonto National Forests.

Connecting powerline rights-of-way vegetation management to improve pollinator habitat. A USGS RAMPS technician samples pollinating insects along the Salt River Project powerline that crosses through Apache-Sitgreaves and Tonto National Forests.

A close up view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit

A close up view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. A weak gas plume is emitted from the western fissure vent (left), with the most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measured at 150 tonnes per day on May 11. USGS photograph taken by D. Downs on May 12, 2021 from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

A close up view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. A weak gas plume is emitted from the western fissure vent (left), with the most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measured at 150 tonnes per day on May 11. USGS photograph taken by D. Downs on May 12, 2021 from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

A wide view of Halema‘uma‘u from the western crater rim, at the summit of Kīlauea
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit
Halema‘uma‘u eruption activity on May 12, 2021 — Kīlauea summit

A wide view of Halema‘uma‘u from the western crater rim, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent (lower left) continues to supply lava into the lake through a submerged inlet. Much of the western active lava lake surface has crusted over in the last few weeks as the effusion rate remains low. USGS photograph taken by D. Downs on May 12, 2021.

A wide view of Halema‘uma‘u from the western crater rim, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent (lower left) continues to supply lava into the lake through a submerged inlet. Much of the western active lava lake surface has crusted over in the last few weeks as the effusion rate remains low. USGS photograph taken by D. Downs on May 12, 2021.

A series of three images arranged side by side, one a map of an island, one zoomed to the island study area, and a plot of data.
Puerto Rico study area and Hurricane María path and data
Puerto Rico study area and Hurricane María path and data
Puerto Rico study area and Hurricane María path and data

(Left) Map of Puerto Rico showing study area location (red box), the oceanographic buoys (orange triangles), and the track of María with eye timing and locations (black dots) in 6-hour increments and the wind radii of 64-knot winds (gray circular outlines).

(Left) Map of Puerto Rico showing study area location (red box), the oceanographic buoys (orange triangles), and the track of María with eye timing and locations (black dots) in 6-hour increments and the wind radii of 64-knot winds (gray circular outlines).

During the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign, 33 campaign stations are occupied with GPS instruments for days to weeks
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021

During the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign, 33 campaign stations are occupied with GPS instruments for days to weeks. The stations are spread across the flanks of the volcano and provide a synoptic picture of deformation on the volcano over the past year.

During the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign, 33 campaign stations are occupied with GPS instruments for days to weeks. The stations are spread across the flanks of the volcano and provide a synoptic picture of deformation on the volcano over the past year.

GPS survey benchmark being occupied on Mauna Loa's north flank
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021

Another GPS survey benchmark being occupied on Mauna Loa's north flank, with clear views of Mauna Kea in the background. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface.

Another GPS survey benchmark being occupied on Mauna Loa's north flank, with clear views of Mauna Kea in the background. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface.

HVO geophysicists completed the annual high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa
Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa recently completed
Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa recently completed
Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa recently completed

Recently, HVO geophysicists completed the annual high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa. The annual survey supplements HVO's continuous GPS monitoring stations and provides information on vertical and horizontal deformation of the ground surface.

Recently, HVO geophysicists completed the annual high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Mauna Loa. The annual survey supplements HVO's continuous GPS monitoring stations and provides information on vertical and horizontal deformation of the ground surface.

On the west side of Mauna Loa summit, a campaign GPS (center-right) measures its location for a period of 2–3 days
Mauna Loa campaign GPS survey—May 11, 2021
Mauna Loa campaign GPS survey—May 11, 2021
Mauna Loa campaign GPS survey—May 11, 2021

On the west side of Mauna Loa summit, a campaign GPS (center-right) measures its location for a period of 2–3 days. This site has been occupied every year by helicopter since 1994. Mauna Kea, Hualālai and Haleakalā can be seen in the distance. USGS photo taken by S.

On the west side of Mauna Loa summit, a campaign GPS (center-right) measures its location for a period of 2–3 days. This site has been occupied every year by helicopter since 1994. Mauna Kea, Hualālai and Haleakalā can be seen in the distance. USGS photo taken by S.

RappahannockRiver Cableway Sampling
Rappahannock River Cableway Sampling
Rappahannock River Cableway Sampling
Rappahannock River Cableway Sampling

The Region 1, May 2021 "Honorable Mention #1" Winner (by Chelsea Delsack)

Scientists aboard research vessel conduct water-quality mapping in support of wastewater-derived nutrients project
Scientists aboard research vessel conduct water-quality mapping
Scientists aboard research vessel conduct water-quality mapping
Scientists aboard research vessel conduct water-quality mapping

Scientists aboard R/V Aiken conduct water-quality mapping in support of wastewater-derived nutrients project

Color photograph of lava lake
Lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 7 2021
Lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 7 2021
Lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, May 7 2021

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, as seen in this view looking northwest. The active surface lava area continues to decrease in size, and activity is weaker, with only occasional localized surface foundering.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, as seen in this view looking northwest. The active surface lava area continues to decrease in size, and activity is weaker, with only occasional localized surface foundering.

Color map of lava lake at volcano summit
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map

This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.

This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.

Scientific equipment, including a box and a cylindrical object, attached to a green platform on the deck of a boat
ADCP ready for deployment
ADCP ready for deployment
ADCP ready for deployment

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Color photograph of lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake

This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.

This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.

two people with SCUBA gear in the water next to a scientific instrument on the surface
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP

Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021

View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.

View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021

Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.

Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.

Aerial photo of a portion of Southern California, Palm Springs Landers.  A colored lidar hillshade outlines the mapping region.
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone

The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.

The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.

Examples of multi-parameter probes and temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors used for 2018-19 monitoring program
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors

(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.

(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.

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