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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.
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.
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.
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.
A close-up view of the northeastern rim of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, at the summit of Kīlauea. This area of the lava lake has been degassing persistently for the past few months. Several large boulders, which fell from the crater walls, are visible near the perimeter of the northern lava lake crust (center).
A close-up view of the northeastern rim of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, at the summit of Kīlauea. This area of the lava lake has been degassing persistently for the past few months. Several large boulders, which fell from the crater walls, are visible near the perimeter of the northern lava lake crust (center).
The Region 1, May 2021 "USGS at Work" Winner (by Aaron Stephens)
The Region 1, May 2021 "USGS at Work" Winner (by Aaron Stephens)
USGS scientists Gregory D'Agostino and Katherine Wares collecting soil and worms at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was contaminated by PFAS from fire-fighting foam.
USGS scientists Gregory D'Agostino and Katherine Wares collecting soil and worms at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was contaminated by PFAS from fire-fighting foam.
This comparison of thermal images taken from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, show the diminishing area of active lava on the surface over the past month. Today, active lava was limited to a small pond, about 20 meters (yards) long, near the western fissure. USGS images by M. Patrick.
This comparison of thermal images taken from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, show the diminishing area of active lava on the surface over the past month. Today, active lava was limited to a small pond, about 20 meters (yards) long, near the western fissure. USGS images by M. Patrick.
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.
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.
Invertebrate being collected at a site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that was contaminated by PFAS from fire-fighting foam used at the site.
Invertebrate 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
This 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.
This 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.
Global 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.)
Global 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
The 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).
The 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).
The 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.
The 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.