Images

Providing situational awareness at night, Elizabeth Pendleton, Sandy Brosnahan, and Emily Sturdivant prepare for a UAS take-off

After 100 years of restricted tidal activity to support agricultural use and salt harvesting, the tidal marshes around San Francisco Bay, like this one at Bair Island, are steadily rebuilding, returning to a stunning mosaic of marsh, mudflat, and channels.

Hydrologic technicians Sarah Davis and Jackie Eldredge preparing for a discharge measurement of the Moreau River near Faith, SD (streamgage 06359500).

Hydrologic technician Sarah Davis preparing for a discharge measurement of the Moreau River near Faith, SD (streamgage 06359500). Sarah is ensuring that the meter and weight enter into the river properly.

A UAS mission on June 24, 2018, filmed details of the dramatic changes occurring within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit since explosive eruptions of ash and gas and ongoing wall collapse began in mid-May. Clearly visible are the steep crater walls that continue to slump inward and downward with ongoing subsidence at Kīlauea's summit.

Comparison of photographs taken on June 13 and 26 from near Keanakāko'i Crater overlook in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park shows a subsidence scarp that formed as the Kīlauea Crater floor subsided. Scientists estimate the dramatic dropping of the crater floor in this area occurred sometime between June 23 and 26. The view is to the west.

Lava within the braided portion of the fissure 8 channel is flowing within its banks. View looking downstream toward the sunrise over the ocean entry.

Southward facing view of the point at which the fissure 8 lava channel bifurcates.

Lava from fissure 8 is entering the sea this morning on the southern portion of the flow front primarily through the open channel, but also along this 1 km (0.6 mi) wide area with multiple laze plumes from smaller oozing lobes.

North facing view of the 1 km (0.6 mi) long ocean entry with multiple lobes of lava flowing into the sea.

Recent explosive events haven't produced significant ash plumes from the summit, but downwind communities may still experience ashfall when previously erupted ash is remobilized. On authorized permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, our Unmanned Aircraft Systems crew is conducting gas measurements at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

At 10:41 p.m.

A modern coral reef in Dry Tortugas National Park. There is little living coral and high rates of bioerosion. Photo taken under research permit number DRTO-2018-SCI-0005. Credit: Lauren Toth, USGS

Lower Tubbs Island is a tidal marsh near Midshipman Point in northern San Pablo Bay, California, and is part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Historically, Tubbs Island was used as a club for duck hunters, protected by levees that could be opened with the tides to release salt water into the sloughs. In 1969, it was purchased by the Natu

USGS scientists Kim Besiner, John Solder and Kate Wilkins collect groundwater samples at Grapevine Main Spring. 

Scientists traveled to the remote locations along the south rim of the Grand Canyon to assess the potential effects of mining along the Coconino Plateau and groundwater withdrawals associated with increasing populations.

A group of USGS and National Park Service scientists above Granite Gorge on route for 56 miles and 20,000 vertical feet along the south rim of the Grand Canyon to collect groundwater samples from three springs. 

Scientists in this photo (left to right) are Christina Bryant, Kim Beisner, John Solder and Kate Wilkins.

 

USGS scientists Tom Porter and Joel Unema warm up in the sun as the scientific expedition moves downstream to the next sample location.

USGS scientist Joel Unema hikes to National Canyon Spring to collect groundwater samples from a remote location near the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Joel Unema was part of a group of USGS and National Park Service scientists that rafted 150 miles in nine days to better understand natural resources.

USGS scientist Nick Voichick rafted about 150 miles in nine days on the Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado River to collect groundwater samples from springs in remote locations. 

 

Summer Interns learning about sampling at the Bighorn River near Worland, Wyoming. The team used the bridge crane and heavy sampler to get water while streamflow was about twice average for the date.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geology field crews maintain watch over the eruptive activity in the lower East Rift Zone and at Kīlauea's summit. Here, a geologist documents the behavior of lava as it exits the Fissure 8 cone. Lava enters the upper channel traveling as fast as 30 km/hour (18 mi/hour).