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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.
Small arctic grayling hugging the bottom in the Imelyak River in the Brooks Range. This is part of the Hydro-Ecoloy of Arctic Thawing (HEAT) project.
Small arctic grayling hugging the bottom in the Imelyak River in the Brooks Range. This is part of the Hydro-Ecoloy of Arctic Thawing (HEAT) project.
The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.
The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
USGS Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) drone Testing at Kentucky River Lock 2 at Lockport KY. USGS gage 3290500
USGS Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV) drone Testing at Kentucky River Lock 2 at Lockport KY. USGS gage 3290500
Mount Adams viewed from Glenwood, Washington.
Mount Adams viewed from Glenwood, Washington.
Mount St. Helens, Washington seen from the flank of Mount Adams to the east.
Mount St. Helens, Washington seen from the flank of Mount Adams to the east.
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the sea near Gull Island in Lower Cook Inlet , Alaska
A Tufted Puffin swimming in the sea near Gull Island in Lower Cook Inlet , Alaska
Brielle Heflin and Brian Robinson capturing Black-legged Kittiwakes at the base of the colony in Cook Inlet, Alaska. These birds were used in adult physiology studies.
Brielle Heflin and Brian Robinson capturing Black-legged Kittiwakes at the base of the colony in Cook Inlet, Alaska. These birds were used in adult physiology studies.
Wing of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher nestling on band day in 2017.
Wing of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher nestling on band day in 2017.
Sample collection from cableway above Big Horn River near Kane, Wyoming as part of project evaluating pesticides in Wyoming.
Sample collection from cableway above Big Horn River near Kane, Wyoming as part of project evaluating pesticides in Wyoming.
As blooms of cyanobacteria die on the water surface of Upper Klamath Lake they turn blue-green.
As blooms of cyanobacteria die on the water surface of Upper Klamath Lake they turn blue-green.
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - downstream view
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - looking downstream
Instrument package mounted to the seaward slope of a coral reef off southwestern Puerto Rico.
Instrument package mounted to the seaward slope of a coral reef off southwestern Puerto Rico.
Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)
Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)
This mallard duckling was captured in Suisun Marsh. USGS scientists are weighing, measuring and banding waterfowl to understand how they are using the marsh and for capture-recapture data.
This mallard duckling was captured in Suisun Marsh. USGS scientists are weighing, measuring and banding waterfowl to understand how they are using the marsh and for capture-recapture data.
This is a view to the southwest from the top of the piedmont on the eastern side of the Avawatz Mountains, ~25 km northwest of Baker, CA.
This is a view to the southwest from the top of the piedmont on the eastern side of the Avawatz Mountains, ~25 km northwest of Baker, CA.
Researchers use wire mesh to construct traps for collecting waterfowl in Suisun Marsh, CA.
Researchers use wire mesh to construct traps for collecting waterfowl in Suisun Marsh, CA.
Moving from one site to the next requires hauling needed gear along with. These three have their hands full taking things back to the truck after processing waterfowl from a maintained site.
Moving from one site to the next requires hauling needed gear along with. These three have their hands full taking things back to the truck after processing waterfowl from a maintained site.
Measuring the groundwater level in a well near Lame Deer, Montana
Measuring the groundwater level in a well near Lame Deer, Montana
USGS gage 3197910 Unnamed Trib to Elk Twomile Creek near Charleston, WV
USGS gage 3197910 Unnamed Trib to Elk Twomile Creek near Charleston, WV