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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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Color map of volcano summit
January 25, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
January 25, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
January 25, 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).

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).

Seismic data available from online Geology of Yellowstone Map
Seismic data available from online Geology of Yellowstone Map
Seismic data available from online Geology of Yellowstone Map
Seismic data available from online Geology of Yellowstone Map

Seismic stations (white triangles) around Yellowstone Lake as seen on the online Geology of Yellowstone Map. Inset shows a seismogram for station YLA that can be accessed by clicking on the feature and following the “Seismogram” link in the popup box.

Seismic stations (white triangles) around Yellowstone Lake as seen on the online Geology of Yellowstone Map. Inset shows a seismogram for station YLA that can be accessed by clicking on the feature and following the “Seismogram” link in the popup box.

Color photographs of volcanic vent
Cycles in Kīlauea's summit eruptive vigor
Cycles in Kīlauea's summit eruptive vigor
Cycles in Kīlauea's summit eruptive vigor

Cycles in Kīlauea's summit eruptive vigor were present on January 22 and 23, with the lava channel at Halema‘uma‘u's western fissure alternating between high and low flow rates over periods of 5-6 minutes. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

Cycles in Kīlauea's summit eruptive vigor were present on January 22 and 23, with the lava channel at Halema‘uma‘u's western fissure alternating between high and low flow rates over periods of 5-6 minutes. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of active lava
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021

Active lava reached as far as the central lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, on the east side of the main island, where crustal foundering was occasionally happening. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Active lava reached as far as the central lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, on the east side of the main island, where crustal foundering was occasionally happening. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of lava lake
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021
Active lava at Kīlauea Volcano's summit - 01/22/2021

Active lava was again limited to the western half of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. The western vent remained active with cycles of eruptive vigor in the open channel lasting 5-6 minutes. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Active lava was again limited to the western half of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. The western vent remained active with cycles of eruptive vigor in the open channel lasting 5-6 minutes. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22
Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22
Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22

Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22 included frequent spattering from multiple locations and an open lava channel which drops 20 meters (65 feet) from its source to the lava lake surface.

Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22 included frequent spattering from multiple locations and an open lava channel which drops 20 meters (65 feet) from its source to the lava lake surface.

Ultrasonic Flow Meter attached to a domestic water pipe
Flow_Meter
Flow_Meter
Flow_Meter

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter measuring total flow on a pipe at a private well monitoring site.

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter measuring total flow on a pipe at a private well monitoring site.

Transition between melanistic (left side) and normal areas of skin (right side).
Melanistic and normal areas of fish skin
Melanistic and normal areas of fish skin
Melanistic and normal areas of fish skin

Microscopic appearance of normal and melanistic skin in fish from Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u west vent on January 21, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u west vent on January 21, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u west vent on January 21, 2021

Between overcast and rainy weather, HVO field crews took this photo at 3:34 p.m. HST on January 21, 2021, from the south side of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The photo shows Halema‘uma‘u's active west vent, which overflowed its tubed-over lower half at 2:51 p.m.

Between overcast and rainy weather, HVO field crews took this photo at 3:34 p.m. HST on January 21, 2021, from the south side of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The photo shows Halema‘uma‘u's active west vent, which overflowed its tubed-over lower half at 2:51 p.m.

Photographs of mallard duck lungs with arrows pointing to white to tan nodules.
Photographs of lungs from a mallard duck found dead in Idaho
Photographs of lungs from a mallard duck found dead in Idaho
Photographs of lungs from a mallard duck found dead in Idaho

Photographs from a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found dead in Idaho, USA.  (A) The lungs are dark red and have multifocal 1-3 mm diameter white to tan nodules disseminated throughout (arrows).  (B) Cut section of the lung showing the nodules within the parenchyma (arrows).

Photographs from a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found dead in Idaho, USA.  (A) The lungs are dark red and have multifocal 1-3 mm diameter white to tan nodules disseminated throughout (arrows).  (B) Cut section of the lung showing the nodules within the parenchyma (arrows).

Photomicrographs of lung from a mallard duck showing fungal hyphae.
Photomicrographs of lung from a mallard duck
Photomicrographs of lung from a mallard duck
Photomicrographs of lung from a mallard duck

Photomicrographs from a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found dead in Idaho, USA.  (A) Multiple granulomas (*) with eosinophilic necrotic centers efface the lung. H&E stain.  (B) Granulomas contain many degenerate heterophils and a few multinucleated giant cells (arrows). H&E stain.

Photomicrographs from a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found dead in Idaho, USA.  (A) Multiple granulomas (*) with eosinophilic necrotic centers efface the lung. H&E stain.  (B) Granulomas contain many degenerate heterophils and a few multinucleated giant cells (arrows). H&E stain.

Color photograph of lava lake
Lava lake on the evening of January 19, 2021
Lava lake on the evening of January 19, 2021
Lava lake on the evening of January 19, 2021

This photo, taken at just after 6 p.m. HST on January 19, shows that the western fissure continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. The western side of the lava lake has an incandescent surface, while the eastern portion is more crusted over.

This photo, taken at just after 6 p.m. HST on January 19, shows that the western fissure continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. The western side of the lava lake has an incandescent surface, while the eastern portion is more crusted over.

Color photographs of volcanic vent
Small collapses of Kīlauea's western fissure continue
Small collapses of Kīlauea's western fissure continue
Small collapses of Kīlauea's western fissure continue

The western fissure at Kīlauea's summit continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. Around sunset on the evening of January 19, field crews observed a minor collapse event of the spatter rampart on its northern rim and the channel margins at 5:46 p.m. HST.

The western fissure at Kīlauea's summit continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. Around sunset on the evening of January 19, field crews observed a minor collapse event of the spatter rampart on its northern rim and the channel margins at 5:46 p.m. HST.

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake - 01/18/2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake - 01/18/2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake - 01/18/2021

A close up of the southwest portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, just south of the west fissure. The lava lake at Kīlauea's summit is perched, and is contained by a steep levee 2-3 meters (yards) high. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close up of the southwest portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, just south of the west fissure. The lava lake at Kīlauea's summit is perched, and is contained by a steep levee 2-3 meters (yards) high. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic vents
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021

A close up of the vent area at the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The two main vents were exhibiting low fountaining while a small vent in the middle had sporadic, weak spattering. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close up of the vent area at the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The two main vents were exhibiting low fountaining while a small vent in the middle had sporadic, weak spattering. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021
Recent change in Halema‘uma‘u vent configuration - 01/18/2021

On the evening of January 17, the vent on the north side of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit activated and seemed to become the dominant vent overnight. This vent is the one on the right in this photo. The vent on the left, which was the dominant vent over the past week, seemed less energetic today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

On the evening of January 17, the vent on the north side of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit activated and seemed to become the dominant vent overnight. This vent is the one on the right in this photo. The vent on the left, which was the dominant vent over the past week, seemed less energetic today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit

Sunlight interacts with volcanic gas from Kīlauea's summit lava lake and western fissure in this late afternoon view. The western fissure has built a spatter cone on the steep walls of Halema‘uma‘u, with lava spilling into the active lake, which forms the lower right portion of the photo.

Sunlight interacts with volcanic gas from Kīlauea's summit lava lake and western fissure in this late afternoon view. The western fissure has built a spatter cone on the steep walls of Halema‘uma‘u, with lava spilling into the active lake, which forms the lower right portion of the photo.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit

A closer view of the low fountaining at the western fissure in  Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The rim of the cone is built from accumulated deposits of spatter, and large chunks of the cone rim were observed to collapse from time to time. USGS photo by M. Patrick

A closer view of the low fountaining at the western fissure in  Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The rim of the cone is built from accumulated deposits of spatter, and large chunks of the cone rim were observed to collapse from time to time. USGS photo by M. Patrick

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure in Kīlauea's summit

Low fountaining continues at the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The vent has formed a spatter cone around the fountaining, with lava spilling into an open channel that plunges into the lake.

Low fountaining continues at the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The vent has formed a spatter cone around the fountaining, with lava spilling into an open channel that plunges into the lake.

USGS employee drilling through ice
Drilling through Ice
Drilling through Ice
Drilling through Ice

Drilling through ice on the Green River.

Mudpot located near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park
Mudpot located near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park
Mudpot located near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park
Mudpot located near Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park

Mudpot located in the Mud Volcano thermal area of Yellowstone National Park.  This type of thermal feature indicates an acid-sulfate system.

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