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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.
Passive Sampling Research—Columbia, Missouri. The polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS - on the left) and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs - on the right) samplers are used for sampling hydrophilic organic chemicals from water. The SPMDs sampler can also be deployed for air sampling.
Passive Sampling Research—Columbia, Missouri. The polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS - on the left) and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs - on the right) samplers are used for sampling hydrophilic organic chemicals from water. The SPMDs sampler can also be deployed for air sampling.
Map interface of Cores, grabs, dredges, slides, and other samples, primarily of marine, estuarine, and lacustrine sediments, curated at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Map interface of Cores, grabs, dredges, slides, and other samples, primarily of marine, estuarine, and lacustrine sediments, curated at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Diagram showing antrhopods, fish, and other aquatic life in the area of an oil and gas spill.
Diagram showing antrhopods, fish, and other aquatic life in the area of an oil and gas spill.
Scientist participating in snowmobile training in Montana.
Scientist participating in snowmobile training in Montana.
Scientist preparing samples in a laboratory for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis
Scientist preparing samples in a laboratory for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis
Gerry Hatcher with the system he designed to record the precise time and geographic location of each air photo Van Wagenen shoots.
Gerry Hatcher with the system he designed to record the precise time and geographic location of each air photo Van Wagenen shoots.
Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Jon Borden at Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) training in Santa Cruz, California.
Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Jon Borden at Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) training in Santa Cruz, California.
This is a low elevation community in the Mormon Mountains that had burned at moderate severity 12 years before the picture was taken. Note that shrubs are returning but are not at preburn levels, and invasive grasses (red brome and Mediterranean split grass Schismus barbatus) dominate the ground cover.
This is a low elevation community in the Mormon Mountains that had burned at moderate severity 12 years before the picture was taken. Note that shrubs are returning but are not at preburn levels, and invasive grasses (red brome and Mediterranean split grass Schismus barbatus) dominate the ground cover.
This image shows a sea lamprey in its larvae phase.
This image shows a sea lamprey in its larvae phase.
This image shows a sea lamprey in its larvae phase.
This image shows a sea lamprey in its larvae phase.
Green sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered throughout their range. (Credit: Thierry Work, USGS)
Green sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered throughout their range. (Credit: Thierry Work, USGS)
Graphic showing geophysical and sampling systems used to define the seafloor topography, surface sediments, and underlying geology.
Graphic showing geophysical and sampling systems used to define the seafloor topography, surface sediments, and underlying geology.
Route 66 was established in November 1926. Named "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck, the route is a cultural icon of America, symbolizing mobility and freedom.
We mark the route with this satellite mosaic and a combination of historical aerial photos and current aerial imagery from the USGS EROS Center archive.
Route 66 was established in November 1926. Named "The Mother Road" by John Steinbeck, the route is a cultural icon of America, symbolizing mobility and freedom.
We mark the route with this satellite mosaic and a combination of historical aerial photos and current aerial imagery from the USGS EROS Center archive.
SEM image of a Globigerinoides ruber specimen from the Gulf of Mexico.
SEM image of a Globigerinoides ruber specimen from the Gulf of Mexico.
Shawn Harrison uses his new skills to check out the surf at Santa Cruz, California.
Shawn Harrison uses his new skills to check out the surf at Santa Cruz, California.
Siyeh Glacier (upper – 2015 satellite photo, lower - 2005 aerial photo). The glacier margin is more clearly identified in the 2015 image because seasonal snow is persisting on the ice and rock debris atop the ice can be more clearly seen than in the heavily shaded 2005 image.
Siyeh Glacier (upper – 2015 satellite photo, lower - 2005 aerial photo). The glacier margin is more clearly identified in the 2015 image because seasonal snow is persisting on the ice and rock debris atop the ice can be more clearly seen than in the heavily shaded 2005 image.
Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) on the seafloor along the northeastern coast of Buck Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, have died and collapsed into rubble. As coral reef structure degrades, habitat for marine life is lost and nearby coastlines become more susceptible to storms, waves, and erosion.
Elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) on the seafloor along the northeastern coast of Buck Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, have died and collapsed into rubble. As coral reef structure degrades, habitat for marine life is lost and nearby coastlines become more susceptible to storms, waves, and erosion.
This image shows the perimeter of Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park in 1966,1998, 2005, and 2015.
This image shows the perimeter of Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park in 1966,1998, 2005, and 2015.
Staff processing a sample in the Microbiology laboratory
Staff processing a sample in the Microbiology laboratory
Steam-driven vents on the floor of Yellowstone Lake in the Deep Hole, east of Stevenson Island. Image acquired by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration ROV Yogi in August 2017.
Steam-driven vents on the floor of Yellowstone Lake in the Deep Hole, east of Stevenson Island. Image acquired by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration ROV Yogi in August 2017.
Steven Fuller making an ADCP streamflow measurement via a cable car
Steven Fuller making an ADCP streamflow measurement via a cable car