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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.
Photo Contest Winner | June 2021 | Honorable Mention
Jin-Si Over and Jen Cramer from WHCMSC are trained to become new DOI pilots in Rifle, CO
Photo Contest Winner | June 2021 | Honorable Mention
Jin-Si Over and Jen Cramer from WHCMSC are trained to become new DOI pilots in Rifle, CO
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
USGS Research Geologist Jennifer Miselis will conduct shoreface geophysical surveys at the USACE Field Research Facility during DUNEX aboard the LARC, which is shown here being set up for the survey.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
A geophysical instrument (chirp) is towed in the water (yellow instrument) from a floating sled to acquire information about the geology below the seafloor in Duck, NC as part of DUNEX. The USACE Field Research Facility can be seen in the background in the upper left corner.
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).
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
GRAND CALUMET LAGOON AT MARQUETTE PARK
GRAND CALUMET RIVER AT SOHL AV AT HAMMOND
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).
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.
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