On August 7, HVO geologists measured temperatures and documented the rock layers exposed as sections of Highway 132 buried by lava during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption are "ripped" (shown here) to reopen the road. USGS photo by C. Parcheta, 08-07-2019.
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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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HVO geologist examine road cuts on Hwy 132
On August 7, HVO geologists measured temperatures and documented the rock layers exposed as sections of Highway 132 buried by lava during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption are "ripped" (shown here) to reopen the road. USGS photo by C. Parcheta, 08-07-2019.
USGS scientist adjusts antenna
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist, while assisting Alaska Volcano Observatory colleagues this summer, mounted a radio antenna on an upgraded seismic station at Great Sitkin Volcano in the western Aleutian Islands.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist, while assisting Alaska Volcano Observatory colleagues this summer, mounted a radio antenna on an upgraded seismic station at Great Sitkin Volcano in the western Aleutian Islands.
Working records in 2019 using printout from 1935
Working records in 2019 using printout from 1935
A Bald Eagle disturbs nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes
A Bald Eagle disturbs nesting Black-legged KittiwakesA Bald Eagle disturbs Black-legged Kittiwakes nesting on Gull Island, Alaska.
A Bald Eagle disturbs nesting Black-legged Kittiwakes
A Bald Eagle disturbs nesting Black-legged KittiwakesA Bald Eagle disturbs Black-legged Kittiwakes nesting on Gull Island, Alaska.
A Common Murre carries a Pacific sand lance
A Common Murre carries a Pacific sand lance, one of the most common prey items for murres, near its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
A Common Murre carries a Pacific sand lance, one of the most common prey items for murres, near its colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
A Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance near Gull Island in Alaska
A Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance near Gull Island in AlaskaA Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. The harmful algal bloom toxin saxitoxin was found in Common Murres killed during the 2014-2016 Pacific marine heatwave.
A Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance near Gull Island in Alaska
A Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance near Gull Island in AlaskaA Common Murre holds a Pacific sand lance in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. The harmful algal bloom toxin saxitoxin was found in Common Murres killed during the 2014-2016 Pacific marine heatwave.
Common Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, Alaska
Common Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, AlaskaCommon Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Common Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, Alaska
Common Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, AlaskaCommon Murres on the water near their colony at Gull Island, Alaska.
Digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well for a solar panel
Digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well for a solar panelShown in this photo is student intern Michael Upton digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well so a solar panel and cell phone modem antenna mast can be installed. The site ID is: 421240072490201 MA-M7W 19 located in Montgomery, Massachusetts.
Digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well for a solar panel
Digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well for a solar panelShown in this photo is student intern Michael Upton digging a hole next to a real-time groundwater well so a solar panel and cell phone modem antenna mast can be installed. The site ID is: 421240072490201 MA-M7W 19 located in Montgomery, Massachusetts.
Napa River marsh
Photo looking north at the Napa River marsh where USGS scientists collected sediment in 2019.
Photo looking north at the Napa River marsh where USGS scientists collected sediment in 2019.
Samples being analyzed on the Aqualog spectrometer
Samples being analyzed on the Aqualog spectrometerSamples being analyzed in a sealed quartz cuvette on the Aqualog spectrophotometer
Samples being analyzed on the Aqualog spectrometer
Samples being analyzed on the Aqualog spectrometerSamples being analyzed in a sealed quartz cuvette on the Aqualog spectrophotometer
Sediment Cores Reveal the History of the Pacific Ocean
Sediment Cores Reveal the History of the Pacific OceanUSGS scientist Summer Praetorius of the Geology, Minerals, Energy, & Geophysics (GMEG) Science Center collects samples from an ocean sediment core in the Pacific Ocean Paleoclimatology Lab at Menlo Park, CA. The sediment core is from Tanner Basin, located about 200 miles due west of San Diego in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Sediment Cores Reveal the History of the Pacific Ocean
Sediment Cores Reveal the History of the Pacific OceanUSGS scientist Summer Praetorius of the Geology, Minerals, Energy, & Geophysics (GMEG) Science Center collects samples from an ocean sediment core in the Pacific Ocean Paleoclimatology Lab at Menlo Park, CA. The sediment core is from Tanner Basin, located about 200 miles due west of San Diego in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Wildfire history in the mud
Marine geochemist Renee Takesue collects a sample of exposed mud in a marsh near Sonoma Creek, California. She will look here and in nearby San Pablo Bay for chemicals from the 2017 Nuns Wildfire that can harm wildlife. The stormy winter of 2018 may have transported these contaminants from the Sonoma Creek watershed into San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Marine geochemist Renee Takesue collects a sample of exposed mud in a marsh near Sonoma Creek, California. She will look here and in nearby San Pablo Bay for chemicals from the 2017 Nuns Wildfire that can harm wildlife. The stormy winter of 2018 may have transported these contaminants from the Sonoma Creek watershed into San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Paul Larmer viewing the Green River, UT
Powell 150 participant Paul Larmer, publisher of High County News, viewing the Green River, UT from the peak at School Section camp during the SCREE-USGS expedition, June 2019
Powell 150 participant Paul Larmer, publisher of High County News, viewing the Green River, UT from the peak at School Section camp during the SCREE-USGS expedition, June 2019
Streamflow measurement on Grouse Creek
Streamflow measurement on Grouse Creek
The strong polar bond between water molecules creates water cohesion.
The strong polar bond between water molecules creates water cohesion.Cohesion: Hydrogen Bonds Make Water Sticky
The strong polar bond between water molecules creates water cohesion.
The strong polar bond between water molecules creates water cohesion.Cohesion: Hydrogen Bonds Make Water Sticky
Algal blooms occur in many water bodies where there is too much "food"
Algal blooms occur in many water bodies where there is too much "food"Harmful Algal Blooms
Powell 150 boats in Desolation Canyon on the Green River, UT
Powell 150 boats in Desolation Canyon on the Green River, UTBoats in Desolation Canyon along the Green River, UT during the SCREE-USGS expedition, June 2019
Powell 150 boats in Desolation Canyon on the Green River, UT
Powell 150 boats in Desolation Canyon on the Green River, UTBoats in Desolation Canyon along the Green River, UT during the SCREE-USGS expedition, June 2019
A contemplative walk back to camp
Bill Burton follows the natural sand trail back to camp made by runnoff in a dry wash as the setting sun makes all the grasses glisten as they sway in the breeze.
Bill Burton follows the natural sand trail back to camp made by runnoff in a dry wash as the setting sun makes all the grasses glisten as they sway in the breeze.
A desert scene at sunset
In the desert, mother nature provides us with curved and sharp edged shapes, thorns and soft cottonny seeds, as well as brilliant and subdued colors side by side. The desert seems to have a bit of everything.
In the desert, mother nature provides us with curved and sharp edged shapes, thorns and soft cottonny seeds, as well as brilliant and subdued colors side by side. The desert seems to have a bit of everything.
Bill Burton Studies a Fossil
Bill Burton studies a fossil as the sun sets over the Uintah Basin.
Bill Burton studies a fossil as the sun sets over the Uintah Basin.
Bottomland View of Split Mountain
As Split Mountain slowly retreats from view, expedition leader Tom Minckley and Jaime Delano make their way steadily down river.
As Split Mountain slowly retreats from view, expedition leader Tom Minckley and Jaime Delano make their way steadily down river.