Images

A modern illustration of each state's landscape uses 3DEP data to showcase subtle beauty in their elevation differences like never before. Every state has been consistently adjusted and colorized using the seamless 3DEP 1/3rd arc-second data according to its highest and lowest elevations, which helps accentuate differences even in states with low relief.

A modern illustration of each state's landscape uses 3DEP data to showcase subtle beauty in their elevation differences like never before. Every state has been consistently adjusted and colorized using the seamless 3DEP 1/3rd arc-second data according to its highest and lowest elevations, which helps accentuate differences even in states with low relief.

A modern illustration of each state's landscape uses 3DEP data to showcase subtle beauty in their elevation differences like never before. Every state has been consistently adjusted and colorized using the seamless 3DEP 1/3rd arc-second data according to its highest and lowest elevations, which helps accentuate differences even in states with low relief.

During the 1926 Mauna Loa eruption, an ‘a‘ā flow about 457 m (1500 ft) wide and 9 m (30 ft) high headed straight for the village of Ho‘ōpūloa on April 17, as shown here. By the next day, the lava flow had destroyed a dozen houses, a church, and the wharf, and had nearly obliterated the bay. 

A majestic Great Blue Heron makes a dramatic front-facing landing at the Carson Sink wetlands in Nevada. This perfectly timed image was captured by a timelapse camera installed to observe changing water conditions for the Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment project.

Photo of broken pieces of reticulite, fine ash, and Pele's hair on a ginger leaf in the Volcano area, following episode 41 of lava fountaining on January 24, 2026. This photo was taken at a residence about 7.3 km (4.5 miles) away from the eruptive vents in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea.

Firehole Spring, located along Firehole Lake Drive in Yellowstone National Park's Lower Geyser Basin. The spring is characterized by a thumping behavior that is caused by the implosion of bubbles rising from the base of the pool due to changing temperature and pressure conditions within the pool.

Emerald Pool, in Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park.  In the late 1800s, the basin's was briefly referred to as the "Emerald Group" after this spring.  USGS photo by Mike Poland, September 2, 2024.

Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS image.

Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS image.

Frothy, glassy fragments of lava from the fountains of Kīlauea's June 3 eruption fissures were found scattered around newly-erupted lava flows. These tephra contain valuable geochemical information about the magma which fueled the eruption. USGS image by D. Downs. 

The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.

The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House. 

Scientists observed cracks in previous eruptive surfaces near the new fissure eruption southwest of Kīlauea's summit on June 3, 2024. These cracks ranged from a few centimeters (inches) to approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide.

Kīlauea's eruption plume illuminated during the early morning hours of June 3, 2024, visible from the Volcano Golf Course area. USGS image by D.A. Phillips. 

By approximately 3:30 a.m. HST on June 3, 2024, the glow from the eruption that started just hours prior at Kīlauea had significantly decreased. USGS image by D. Downs. 

Lemon Creek Glacier aerial view on May 16th, 2024.

Where the waters mix: the confluence of the Little Colorado River and Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo by Max Evans, USGS.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.