Images

On November 5, 1967, a line of vigorous lava fountains erupted on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava soon covered the entire crater floor as volcanic gases billowed skyward (aerial view). Near the center, a pool of molten lava repeatedly overflowed a levee of crusted lava, spilling flows onto the lava-covered crater floor (inset).

Land subsidence in California - Approximate location of maximum subsidence in the United States identified by research efforts of Dr. Joseph F. Poland (pictured). Signs on pole show approximate altitude of land surface in 1925, 1955, and 1977. The site is in the San Joaquin Valley southwest of Mendota, California.

View along a bluff in Tanner Creek watershed following the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, Oregon (Columbia Gorge)

On November 5, 1967, a line of vigorous lava fountains erupted on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava soon covered the entire crater floor as volcanic gases billowed skyward (aerial view). Near the center, a pool of molten lava repeatedly overflowed a levee of crusted lava, spilling flows onto the lava-covered crater floor (inset).

USGS wildlife biologist Emma Kelsey searches for potential Ashy storm-petrel nesting habitat on Piedras Blancas rock, off the California coast. Ashy storm-petrels make their home in burrows and crevices on offshore rocks and islands, and only enter and leave nests under the cover of darkness.

Bird's eye view of the ISA 24th Council

The responses of pikas and marmots to weather and snowpack dynamics have been species-specific.   

Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) float in Morro Bay, CA.

Brielle Heflin noosing Common Murres off their colony at Gull Island, Alaksa.

Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.

Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.

Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.

USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.

Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.

Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.

Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.

USGS jeep on exposed river rocks, Baja California, Mexico.

Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.

USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.

USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations. 

The choice when issuing earthquake warnings is to: 1) issue alerts for weak shaking and potentially provide long warning times, but risk sending alerts for the many events that do not go on to produce damaging ground shaking, or 2) issue alerts only when ground shaking is expected to be damaging, with the tradeoff that the alert will be sent much later, reducing