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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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Closeup of a person's hand taking a book off a library shelf
Collections in USGS Library in Reston
Collections in USGS Library in Reston
Collections in USGS Library in Reston

USGS Library's collections and services are used by USGS staff and other researchers across the world.

USGS Library's collections and services are used by USGS staff and other researchers across the world.

A man wearing a hard hat and waders sits on an all-terrain vehicle equipped with instruments that collect data.
Equipped and ready to collect data
Equipped and ready to collect data
Equipped and ready to collect data

USGS oceanographer Andrew Stevens, of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, sits on an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a precision GPS and other instruments. The GPS collects position data continuously, about 2 points per second, while an operator like Andrew drives the ATV over a beach.

USGS oceanographer Andrew Stevens, of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California, sits on an all-terrain vehicle equipped with a precision GPS and other instruments. The GPS collects position data continuously, about 2 points per second, while an operator like Andrew drives the ATV over a beach.

Hammond Bay Biological Station
Hammond Bay Biological Station
Hammond Bay Biological Station
Hammond Bay Biological Station

The Hammond Bay Biological Stationi. See our Locations page for more information.

The Hammond Bay Biological Stationi. See our Locations page for more information.

Lake Erie Biological Station
Lake Erie Biological Station
Lake Erie Biological Station
Lake Erie Biological Station

Arial view of the Lake Erie Biological Station.  See our Locations page for more information.

Arial view of the Lake Erie Biological Station.  See our Locations page for more information.

Arkansas map in library map drawer with other map cases in background
Maps in USGS Library in Reston
Maps in USGS Library in Reston
Maps in USGS Library in Reston

USGS Library has an expansive map collection with topographic maps, geologic maps, thematic maps, and more. The collection covers the United States, other countries around the world, and other planets.

USGS Library has an expansive map collection with topographic maps, geologic maps, thematic maps, and more. The collection covers the United States, other countries around the world, and other planets.

An all-terrain vehicle equipped with GPS and other devices sits on the beach and a personal watercraft is in background.
PWC and ATV for beach surveys
PWC and ATV for beach surveys
PWC and ATV for beach surveys

For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.

For typical beach surveys, USGS scientists drive an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) like the one shown here, equpped with precision GPS that collects location and elevation data. Driving along features such as high-water marks, and driving a grid pattern spaced by about 30 meters, enable the collection of a complete 3D representation of the beach surface.

Reading Areas and Public Computers at USGS Library in Reston
Reading Areas and Public Computers at USGS Library in Reston
Reading Areas and Public Computers at USGS Library in Reston
Reading Areas and Public Computers at USGS Library in Reston

USGS Library locations offer collections and services to USGS staff and public researchers.

USGS Library locations offer collections and services to USGS staff and public researchers.

A group stands on the stern of a ship preparing an instrument attached to a cabling system.
The chirp 512i on R/V Rainier
The chirp 512i on R/V Rainier
The chirp 512i on R/V Rainier

Science and ship crew on board NOAA research vessel Rainier prepare the Chirp 512i off south-central California.

Science and ship crew on board NOAA research vessel Rainier prepare the Chirp 512i off south-central California.

Lake Ontario Biological Station
The Lake Ontario Biological Station
The Lake Ontario Biological Station
The Lake Ontario Biological Station

The Lake Erie Biological Station in Oswego, NY. Go to our Stations page to learn more.

The Lake Erie Biological Station in Oswego, NY. Go to our Stations page to learn more.

The Lake Superior Biological Station
The Lake Superior Biological Station
The Lake Superior Biological Station
The Lake Superior Biological Station

The Lake Superior Biological Station. See our Location page for more information.

The Lake Superior Biological Station. See our Location page for more information.

Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science
Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science
Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science
Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science

The Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science. See our Locations page for more information.

The Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science. See our Locations page for more information.

USGS publications on a library shelf
USGS Bulletins at USGS Library in Reston
USGS Bulletins at USGS Library in Reston
USGS Bulletins at USGS Library in Reston

USGS Library has an extensive collection of USGS publications, including the bulletins pictured here.

USGS Library has an extensive collection of USGS publications, including the bulletins pictured here.

row of similarly bound books on a shelf
USGS Bulletins in USGS Library, Reston
USGS Bulletins in USGS Library, Reston
USGS Bulletins in USGS Library, Reston

Part of USGS Library collections is USGS publications, like the bulletins pictured here.

Part of USGS Library collections is USGS publications, like the bulletins pictured here.

Drainage area contributing to Big Creek below Lookout Creek, near Apgar
Drainage area contributing to Big Creek below Lookout Creek, nr Apgar
Drainage area contributing to Big Creek below Lookout Creek, nr Apgar
Drainage area contributing to Big Creek below Lookout Creek, nr Apgar

Drainage area contributing to Big Creek below Lookout Creek, near Apgar

looking at laptop on boat
Examining data aboard on boat
Examining data aboard on boat
Examining data aboard on boat

USGS scientist looking at laptop on boat

Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage

Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage

Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage
Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage

Hallowat Creek abv Kletomus Ck, nr Olney (12355342) streamgage

US Atlantic coast map 3 levels of forecast beach effects Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Florence will erode or overwash beaches
Hurricane Florence will erode or overwash beaches
Hurricane Florence will erode or overwash beaches

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards Storm Team has forecast coast-wide levels of beach erosion, inundation and overwash due to Hurricane Florence's expected path and landgfall.

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards Storm Team has forecast coast-wide levels of beach erosion, inundation and overwash due to Hurricane Florence's expected path and landgfall.

Chart shows high water at Duck, NC through Sept. 17
Sea water levels to go up, stay up as Florence affects coast
Sea water levels to go up, stay up as Florence affects coast
Sea water levels to go up, stay up as Florence affects coast

The Coastal Change Hazards Storm Team has forecast changing water levels at specific locations over time.

Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - downstream view
Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - downstream view
Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - downstream view
Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - downstream view

Yellow Creek near Oak Grove, IN - downstream view