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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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Lava continued to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit
Halema‘uma‘u Eruption Activity on 18 March 2021
Halema‘uma‘u Eruption Activity on 18 March 2021
Halema‘uma‘u Eruption Activity on 18 March 2021

On Thursday, March 18, lava continued to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. Two lava inlets near the base of the west vent (center) supply lava into the lava lake. This photo was taken around 7:15 a.m.

On Thursday, March 18, lava continued to erupt from the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. Two lava inlets near the base of the west vent (center) supply lava into the lava lake. This photo was taken around 7:15 a.m.

March 18, 2021—west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit
March 18, 2021—West vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea summit
March 18, 2021—West vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea summit
March 18, 2021—West vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea summit

On March 18, 2021, morning light illuminated the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. Small collapses of the cone have accumulated into a loose pile of rubble (left) on the stagnant crust at its base—adjacent to the active lava lake (lower-right). USGS photo by K. Lynn.

On March 18, 2021, morning light illuminated the west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. Small collapses of the cone have accumulated into a loose pile of rubble (left) on the stagnant crust at its base—adjacent to the active lava lake (lower-right). USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Active lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 17, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 17, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 17, 2021

On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2021, a rainbow was observed adjacent to the active lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. This photo was taken around 11:00 a.m. HST from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2021, a rainbow was observed adjacent to the active lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. This photo was taken around 11:00 a.m. HST from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

Chart recorder similar to one installed inside a centennial streamgage
Chart recorder similar to one installed inside a centennial streamgage
Chart recorder similar to one installed inside a centennial streamgage
USGS hydrologist cleans and inspects the water height reference staff at a USGS streamgage site in Utah.
Cleaning and inspecting water height reference staff at streamgage
Cleaning and inspecting water height reference staff at streamgage
Cleaning and inspecting water height reference staff at streamgage

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken cleans and inspects the water height reference staff at the USGS streamgage site on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah.  This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken cleans and inspects the water height reference staff at the USGS streamgage site on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah.  This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken prepares to measure streamflow on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah.
Measuring streamflow on the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah
Measuring streamflow on the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah
Measuring streamflow on the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken prepares to measure streamflow on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken prepares to measure streamflow on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems from seismic data
Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems from seismicity
Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems from seismicity
Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems from seismicity

Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems, with two viewing angles. The structure, color-coded by depth, delineates the observed seismically active area during eruption cycles of Steamboat Geyser. The solid star, solid square, and open triangles denote Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, and seismic station locations on the surface, respectively.

Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems, with two viewing angles. The structure, color-coded by depth, delineates the observed seismically active area during eruption cycles of Steamboat Geyser. The solid star, solid square, and open triangles denote Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, and seismic station locations on the surface, respectively.

colored areas showing seismic views
Seismic view of Steamboat Geyser and Cistern Spring
Seismic view of Steamboat Geyser and Cistern Spring
Seismic view of Steamboat Geyser and Cistern Spring

Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems. The structure, color-coded by depth, delineates the observed seismically active area during eruption cycles of Steamboat Geyser. The solid star, solid square, and open triangles denote Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, and seismic station locations on the surface, respectively.

Outline of the Steamboat and Cistern plumbing systems. The structure, color-coded by depth, delineates the observed seismically active area during eruption cycles of Steamboat Geyser. The solid star, solid square, and open triangles denote Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, and seismic station locations on the surface, respectively.

Map of U.S. mainland showing temperate, transitional and tropical temperature patterns
U.S. regions in the tropical-to-temperate transition
U.S. regions in the tropical-to-temperate transition
U.S. regions in the tropical-to-temperate transition

A map showing North America's tropical-to-temperate transition zone. Red, orange, and yellow depict the more tropical zones, and blues depict the more temperate zones, based on to the coldest recorded temperature for each area between 1980 and 2009.

A map showing North America's tropical-to-temperate transition zone. Red, orange, and yellow depict the more tropical zones, and blues depict the more temperate zones, based on to the coldest recorded temperature for each area between 1980 and 2009.

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken conducts equipment maintenance at the USGS streamgage on the South Fork of the Ogden River in Utah.
USGS hydrologist conducts equipment maintenance at streamgage
USGS hydrologist conducts equipment maintenance at streamgage
USGS hydrologist conducts equipment maintenance at streamgage

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken conducts equipment maintenance at the USGS streamgage on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

USGS hydrologist Adam Birken conducts equipment maintenance at the USGS streamgage on the South Fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville, Utah. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow

A U.S. Geological Survey streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the south fork of the Ogden River. The streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

A U.S. Geological Survey streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the south fork of the Ogden River. The streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

A USGS streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the Ogden River
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow
Utah Gauge Celebrates 100 Years of Monitoring Streamflow

A U.S. Geological Survey streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the south fork of the Ogden River. The streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

A U.S. Geological Survey streamgage near Hunstville, Utah is celebrating 100 years of monitoring streamflow on the south fork of the Ogden River. The streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. 

Aerial photo of Cold River in Maine
Aerial photo of Cold River in Maine
Aerial photo of Cold River in Maine
Aerial photo of Cold River in Maine

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | Where We Work
Aerial photo of Cold River in Maine

Please click on image for full description for all text.
Metals and Minerals in Medical Implants
Metals and Minerals in Medical Implants
Metals and Minerals in Medical Implants

Metals and minerals are vital components of medical devices that allow millions of people to enjoy healthy lifestyles. Devices implanted into the human body can replace, support, or enhance an existing body part. Other devices can diagnose, monitor, or treat clinical conditions, both saving lives and improving people’s quality of life.

Metals and minerals are vital components of medical devices that allow millions of people to enjoy healthy lifestyles. Devices implanted into the human body can replace, support, or enhance an existing body part. Other devices can diagnose, monitor, or treat clinical conditions, both saving lives and improving people’s quality of life.

The Research Vessel Peterson Underway in San Francisco Bay.
R/V Peterson Underway in San Francisco Bay
R/V Peterson Underway in San Francisco Bay
R/V Peterson Underway in San Francisco Bay

The Research Vessel Peterson Underway in San Francisco Bay.

A school of snook, large subtropical game fish, in a Florida spring
Subtropical snook gather at a warm Florida springhead in winter
Subtropical snook gather at a warm Florida springhead in winter
Subtropical snook gather at a warm Florida springhead in winter

 Winter temperature extremes control the distributions of subtropical fishes. Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis), aggregate at a spring in northern Florida during winter. Snook are warm saltwater game fish, common in Florida, that have been moving further northward as extreme cold spells become less frequent and less intense.

 Winter temperature extremes control the distributions of subtropical fishes. Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis), aggregate at a spring in northern Florida during winter. Snook are warm saltwater game fish, common in Florida, that have been moving further northward as extreme cold spells become less frequent and less intense.

View of the lava lake from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 15, 2021
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 15, 2021
View of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, March 15, 2021

View of the lava lake from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, looking north. The western (left) portion of the lava lake remains active, with small scale crustal foundering events. Lava enters the lake at two sources approximately 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 ft) apart at the base of the western vent spatter cone.

View of the lava lake from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, looking north. The western (left) portion of the lava lake remains active, with small scale crustal foundering events. Lava enters the lake at two sources approximately 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 ft) apart at the base of the western vent spatter cone.

Agassiz Glacier in 1913 and 2007
Agassiz Glacier in 1913 and 2007
Agassiz Glacier in 1913 and 2007
Agassiz Glacier in 1913 and 2007

Agassiz Glacier: 8/5/1913 WC Alden, USGS Photographic Library - 8/24/2007, D Fagre, USGS 

View the full collection at USGS Photographic Library 

Agassiz Glacier: 8/5/1913 WC Alden, USGS Photographic Library - 8/24/2007, D Fagre, USGS 

View the full collection at USGS Photographic Library 

Color map of lava lake at volcano summit
March 12, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
March 12, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
March 12, 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 221 m (725 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 737 m (2418 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 221 m (725 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 737 m (2418 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.

Boulder Ice Cave Glacier 1932 and 1988
Boulder Ice Cave Glacier 1932 and 1988
Boulder Ice Cave Glacier 1932 and 1988
Boulder Ice Cave Glacier 1932 and 1988

Boulder Glacier Ice Cave:  1932, TJ Hileman, GNP Archives – 1988, J DeSanto, U of M Library 

This photo pair inspired the USGS to document glacier and landscape change using oblique photography.

Boulder Glacier Ice Cave:  1932, TJ Hileman, GNP Archives – 1988, J DeSanto, U of M Library 

This photo pair inspired the USGS to document glacier and landscape change using oblique photography.

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