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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.
Areas on Kīlauea that will be covered by a helicopter lidar survey in June 2019. Red lines enclose areas over which the survey helicopter will fly at 396 m (1,300 ft) above ground level. Green lines enclose areas over which the helicopter will fly at 151 m (500 ft) above ground level. USGS map.
Areas on Kīlauea that will be covered by a helicopter lidar survey in June 2019. Red lines enclose areas over which the survey helicopter will fly at 396 m (1,300 ft) above ground level. Green lines enclose areas over which the helicopter will fly at 151 m (500 ft) above ground level. USGS map.
After Hurricane Michael obliterated Fish Inn, the sea turtle research team's field station, team members salvaged some of the building's floor tiles and made this sea turtle mosaic, which they plan to eventually install in a new field station.
After Hurricane Michael obliterated Fish Inn, the sea turtle research team's field station, team members salvaged some of the building's floor tiles and made this sea turtle mosaic, which they plan to eventually install in a new field station.
USGS Hydrologic Technician Chris Broz attempting to find flow at the Rush River at Amenia, ND (USGS streamgage 05060500). It took the technicians an hour to dig through the snow drift under the wire weight gage just to get to the ice. Then they drilled holes in the ice so they could see if there was any water to measure.
USGS Hydrologic Technician Chris Broz attempting to find flow at the Rush River at Amenia, ND (USGS streamgage 05060500). It took the technicians an hour to dig through the snow drift under the wire weight gage just to get to the ice. Then they drilled holes in the ice so they could see if there was any water to measure.
Mohawk River at Lock 9 at Rotterdam Junction, NY
Mohawk River at Lock 9 at Rotterdam Junction, NY
USGS hydrologist Erich Kessler prepares to measure the stream stage (the height of the water surface) of the Middle Fork Crow River near Spice, Minnestota.
USGS hydrologist Erich Kessler prepares to measure the stream stage (the height of the water surface) of the Middle Fork Crow River near Spice, Minnestota.
Winter fieldwork often requires a few extra steps in gaining access to collection sites. In this image, a USGS employee measures streamflow through holes drilled in the ice using an auger.
Winter fieldwork often requires a few extra steps in gaining access to collection sites. In this image, a USGS employee measures streamflow through holes drilled in the ice using an auger.
USGS EROS contractor Minsu Kim, left, and USGS Scientist Jeffrey Danielson stand with a GPS device in northern Idaho, where they were part of a research project to conduct topobathymetric research along the Kootenai River of northern Idaho.
USGS EROS contractor Minsu Kim, left, and USGS Scientist Jeffrey Danielson stand with a GPS device in northern Idaho, where they were part of a research project to conduct topobathymetric research along the Kootenai River of northern Idaho.
Using Doppler to peer under the ice and measure streamflow at New Fork River near Big Piney, Wyoming.
Using Doppler to peer under the ice and measure streamflow at New Fork River near Big Piney, Wyoming.
Map showing the three types of young faults in Yellowstone National Park. Courtesy of the Wyoming State Geological Survey.
Map showing the three types of young faults in Yellowstone National Park. Courtesy of the Wyoming State Geological Survey.
Mohawk RIver at Vischer Ferry Dam Ice Jam camera
Mohawk RIver at Vischer Ferry Dam Ice Jam camera
Unuk River sampling site.
Unuk River sampling site.
East Fork Whitewater River at Richmond IN - equipment on bridge
East Fork Whitewater River at Richmond IN - equipment on bridge
Adaptive Management Forum Brochure.This conference was held at the University of California, Davis on February 5-6, 2019.
Adaptive Management Forum Brochure.This conference was held at the University of California, Davis on February 5-6, 2019.
A USGS employee uses a motorized auger to drill a two-foot hole in the ice for the purpose of measuring streamflow on the Sweetwater River. This image shows the final stages of the drilling process for one hole out of the twelve drilled that day.
A USGS employee uses a motorized auger to drill a two-foot hole in the ice for the purpose of measuring streamflow on the Sweetwater River. This image shows the final stages of the drilling process for one hole out of the twelve drilled that day.
A USGS employee uses a motorized auger to drill a two-foot hole in the ice for the purpose of measuring streamflow on the Sweetwater River. This image shows the beginning stages of the drilling process for one hole out of the twelve drilled that day.
A USGS employee uses a motorized auger to drill a two-foot hole in the ice for the purpose of measuring streamflow on the Sweetwater River. This image shows the beginning stages of the drilling process for one hole out of the twelve drilled that day.
Many of the earthquakes in Hawaii that extend offshore and up the island chain are due to plate bending, or flexure. The upper panel shows magnitude-5 and greater earthquakes since 1861, with some notable events labeled.
Many of the earthquakes in Hawaii that extend offshore and up the island chain are due to plate bending, or flexure. The upper panel shows magnitude-5 and greater earthquakes since 1861, with some notable events labeled.
Visitors on the trail, Mt. St. Helens in the background
Visitors on the trail, Mt. St. Helens in the background
Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - Winter
USGS Hydrologic technician Sarah Davis measuring streamflow at the South Fork Grand River near Cash, SD (streamgage 06356500) on January 31, 2019. Measuring the streamflow under ice requires drilling holes across the width of the stream and then collecting data from each hole. At times streams can freeze solid but drilling holes are necessary to verify t
USGS Hydrologic technician Sarah Davis measuring streamflow at the South Fork Grand River near Cash, SD (streamgage 06356500) on January 31, 2019. Measuring the streamflow under ice requires drilling holes across the width of the stream and then collecting data from each hole. At times streams can freeze solid but drilling holes are necessary to verify t
Conducting field work after Hurricane Irma on Bob Allen Key in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, January 29, 2018. Lynn Wingard (left) and Miriam Jones (right) consult field notes from 2014 to decide where to take samples. Photo: B. Stackhouse, USGS
Conducting field work after Hurricane Irma on Bob Allen Key in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, January 29, 2018. Lynn Wingard (left) and Miriam Jones (right) consult field notes from 2014 to decide where to take samples. Photo: B. Stackhouse, USGS
