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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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cableway view of dam and mountains upstream
Cableway Scenery
Cableway Scenery
Cableway Scenery

Using the cableway to measure streamflow in Snake River below the Jackson Lake Dam. With scenery like that, it's hard to keep your eye on the equipment in the water!

Using the cableway to measure streamflow in Snake River below the Jackson Lake Dam. With scenery like that, it's hard to keep your eye on the equipment in the water!

Captain Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel
Capt Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel
Capt Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel
Capt Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel

Captain Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel during the geophysical survey in May 2018.  Captain Evert is also director of the Stockton University Marine Field Station and mentor to several students who joined the team for various parts of the geophysical and sampling surveys.

Captain Steve Evert (Stockton University) at the helm of the R/V Petrel during the geophysical survey in May 2018.  Captain Evert is also director of the Stockton University Marine Field Station and mentor to several students who joined the team for various parts of the geophysical and sampling surveys.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 4, 2:00 ...
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 4, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 4, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 4, 2:00 p.m.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, June 4, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, June 4, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Ocean entry at Kapoho Bay
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry

Video from helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 4, 2018, shows lava from fissure 8 entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay. View to the north.

Video from helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 4, 2018, shows lava from fissure 8 entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay. View to the north.

Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018,...
Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019
Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019
Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019

Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

Steamboat Geyser in the steam-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018,...
Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019
Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019
Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption, Jun 4, 2019

Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

Steamboat Geyser in the water-phase of an eruption on June 4, 2018, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

Subbottom profiler system towed on pontoons behind the R/V Petrel during the geophysical survey in May 2018
Subbottom profiler system towed on pontoons
Subbottom profiler system towed on pontoons
Subbottom profiler system towed on pontoons

Subbottom profiler system towed on pontoons behind the R/V Petrel during the geophysical survey in May 2018

image related to volcanoes. See description
View of ongoing rockfalls on the southern walls of the summit crater and ground
View of ongoing rockfalls on the southern walls of the summit crater and ground
View of ongoing rockfalls on the southern walls of the summit crater and ground

View of ongoing rockfalls on the southern walls of the summit crater and ground cracks just to the north of Halema‘uma‘u.

View of ongoing rockfalls on the southern walls of the summit crater and ground cracks just to the north of Halema‘uma‘u.

View of a beach from up high on a cliff, with some boulders and rocky areas visible during low tide.
Whidbey Island video camera bright image
Whidbey Island video camera bright image
Whidbey Island video camera bright image

Bright image: the brightest pixel values throughout the video, useful for identifying the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

Bright image: the brightest pixel values throughout the video, useful for identifying the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

View of a beach from up high on a cliff, with some boulders and rocky areas visible during low tide.
Whidbey Island video camera dark image
Whidbey Island video camera dark image
Whidbey Island video camera dark image

Dark image: the darkest pixel values throughout the video, useful for tracking sediment plumes, tracking floating debris, and filtering out breaking waves.

Dark image: the darkest pixel values throughout the video, useful for tracking sediment plumes, tracking floating debris, and filtering out breaking waves.

View looks down at a rocky beach at low tide, from up high on cliff.
Whidbey Island video camera timex image
Whidbey Island video camera timex image
Whidbey Island video camera timex image

Timex (time-exposure) image: a time-averaged image of all frames, smoothing away surface waves and determining the location of persistent wave-breaking (indicative of shallow sandbars).

Timex (time-exposure) image: a time-averaged image of all frames, smoothing away surface waves and determining the location of persistent wave-breaking (indicative of shallow sandbars).

View looking down at a rocky beach at low tide, from up high on a cliff.
Whidbey Island video camera variance image
Whidbey Island video camera variance image
Whidbey Island video camera variance image

Variance image: the standard deviation of pixel intensity throughout the video, and it is useful for determining how much variation or movement is occurring at a given location.

Variance image: the standard deviation of pixel intensity throughout the video, and it is useful for determining how much variation or movement is occurring at a given location.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 3, 11:00...
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 3, 11:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 3, 11:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 3, 11:00 a.m.

Map as of 11:00 a.m. HST, June 3, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 11:00 a.m. HST, June 3, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Lava flow advancing, ocean in foreground
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Flow

Photo from 7AM helicopter overflight, hovering offshore and looking up the flowfront. Nearly all of the front was active and advancing; advance rates were estimated at an average of 250 feet/hour (76 m/hr), and as of 7AM the flow was 500 yards (457 m) from the ocean.

Photo from 7AM helicopter overflight, hovering offshore and looking up the flowfront. Nearly all of the front was active and advancing; advance rates were estimated at an average of 250 feet/hour (76 m/hr), and as of 7AM the flow was 500 yards (457 m) from the ocean.

Lava flow advancing
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lava Flow

Overflight photo at 7AM HST from offshore looking up the flowfront. Nearly all of the front was active and advancing/spreading.

Overflight photo at 7AM HST from offshore looking up the flowfront. Nearly all of the front was active and advancing/spreading.

Animated GIF showing change in crater over several days
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Crater Slumping Animation
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Crater Slumping Animation
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Crater Slumping Animation

This animated GIF shows a sequence of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Italian Space Agency's Cosmo-SkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the caldera area of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 5 and June 2 at 6:00 p.m. HST.

This animated GIF shows a sequence of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Italian Space Agency's Cosmo-SkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the caldera area of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 5 and June 2 at 6:00 p.m. HST.

Plume rising from a crater
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume

Summit plume at 8:40AM HST on June 3. A slight mist in the air softens the look of the plume, which is predominantly white steam with very minor amounts of ash.

Summit plume at 8:40AM HST on June 3. A slight mist in the air softens the look of the plume, which is predominantly white steam with very minor amounts of ash.

Sandy barrier island with dunes near a sandy beach on one side, low vegetation in the middle, and a bay of water on the other.
West view of Fire Island, New York from the Fire Island Lighthouse
West view of Fire Island, New York from the Fire Island Lighthouse
West view of Fire Island, New York from the Fire Island Lighthouse

The Coastal Sediment Availability and Flux project conducts research and monitoring of sediment movement and coastal change at several barrier islands around the U.S.

Child "candling" a chicken egg
Child "Candling" a Chicken Egg
Child "Candling" a Chicken Egg
Child "Candling" a Chicken Egg

A child peers at an unfertilized chicken egg at the USGS outreach booth, 2018 Suisun Marsh Field Day. USGS waterfowl ecologists use this method to check the development of a fetal duckling in the field.

*Note: photo taken with permission of parent.

A child peers at an unfertilized chicken egg at the USGS outreach booth, 2018 Suisun Marsh Field Day. USGS waterfowl ecologists use this method to check the development of a fetal duckling in the field.

*Note: photo taken with permission of parent.

Unique ID bands for waterfowl
ID Bands for Suisun Waterfowl
ID Bands for Suisun Waterfowl
ID Bands for Suisun Waterfowl

USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled. 

USGS scientists attach small metal bands, each with its own ID, to the ankles of adult waterfowl to identify where the animal was caught. When it is re-captured later in its migration, researchers can use that information to determine how far the animal traveled. 

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