Large areas within the Amazon rain forest have undergone large-scale deforestation over the past few decades, and Landsat has helped record this widespread land change.
Images
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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Monitoring Deforestation in the Amazon
Large areas within the Amazon rain forest have undergone large-scale deforestation over the past few decades, and Landsat has helped record this widespread land change.
Snacker
An animated GIF of a ground squirrel appearing to eat repeatedly, really fast. The animated GIF was created from a clip within a USGS video entitled, "USGS Pollinator Research and Monitoring."
An animated GIF of a ground squirrel appearing to eat repeatedly, really fast. The animated GIF was created from a clip within a USGS video entitled, "USGS Pollinator Research and Monitoring."
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python coiled in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
A Burmese python stretched out in the grass in the Everglades.
Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
At the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Electronics Lab, technicians build, test, and prepare scientific instruments to be deployed for monitoring volcanoes worldwide.
Salmon River in Southeast Alaska
Salmon River is one of the transboundary watersheds of Southeast Alaska.
Salmon River is one of the transboundary watersheds of Southeast Alaska.
USGS Seismometer
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Seismometers (instruments for recording earthquakes) are tested and fitted at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory before going out into the field.
Volcano Monitoring Equipment Cache
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
The Volcano Distater Assistance Program (VDAP) maintains an equipment cache located at the USGSS Cascades Volcano Observatory. The volcano monitoring equipment can be rapidly deployed worldwide when needed.
USGS scientist setting up equipment for groundwater sampling
USGS scientist setting up equipment for groundwater sampling
USGS scientist setting up equipment for groundwater sampling
As Glaciers Worldwide Are Retreating, One Defies the Trend
Pio XI flows from the SPI toward the west then splits into two fronts. From 1998 to 2014, the southern front advanced 593 meters. The northern front, which flows into Lake Greve, advanced 107 meters in the same time period. This pair of Landsat images shows that all of the other glaciers that flow down from the SPI into Lake Greve are retreating.
Pio XI flows from the SPI toward the west then splits into two fronts. From 1998 to 2014, the southern front advanced 593 meters. The northern front, which flows into Lake Greve, advanced 107 meters in the same time period. This pair of Landsat images shows that all of the other glaciers that flow down from the SPI into Lake Greve are retreating.
Discussing corals as climate change recorders at an outreach event
USGS scientists Lauren Toth and Jen Flannery of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center discuss how they study corals to better understand past climate change. The Center participates in the St. Petersburg Science Festival each year.
USGS scientists Lauren Toth and Jen Flannery of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center discuss how they study corals to better understand past climate change. The Center participates in the St. Petersburg Science Festival each year.
Sea Otters
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Three of the nine wild sea otter populations in the U.S. are federally listed as threatened. In California, USGS biologists have lead an annual population census to assess the local populations' recovery, working closely with state agencies and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Sunset at Sage Lot Pond Salt Marsh Observatory
Sunset at Sage Lot Pond Salt Marsh Observatory marks the end of 16 hour field effort. During this sampling, USGS researchers captured the exchange of materials between the marsh and estuary. This field site provides infrastructure to keep sensors deployed nearly year-round so changes across seasons and extreme events, such as large storms, are captured.
Sunset at Sage Lot Pond Salt Marsh Observatory marks the end of 16 hour field effort. During this sampling, USGS researchers captured the exchange of materials between the marsh and estuary. This field site provides infrastructure to keep sensors deployed nearly year-round so changes across seasons and extreme events, such as large storms, are captured.
Pipe installation to monitor harmful algal blooms at Cheney Reservoir
John Rosendale installs a pipe to monitor harmful algal blooms at Cheney Reservoir in Kansas.
John Rosendale installs a pipe to monitor harmful algal blooms at Cheney Reservoir in Kansas.
Streamgage in Connecticut
A beautiful capture of a streamgage at Bunnell Brook near Burlington, CT.
Ohio River at Olmsted IL - dirty equipment
Ohio River at Olmsted IL - dirty equipment
Ohio River at Olmsted IL - dirty equipment
Devils Tower - Unmanned Aircraft System
This image of Devils Tower National Monument was created by combining elevation data and a digital photograph, captured over the landmark the same time by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in 2016.
This image of Devils Tower National Monument was created by combining elevation data and a digital photograph, captured over the landmark the same time by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in 2016.
Diatom mat used during a feeding experiment to study dietary uptake
Diatom mat used during a feeding experiment to study the dietary uptake of uranium by mayflies
Diatom mat used during a feeding experiment to study the dietary uptake of uranium by mayflies
High Tide
High tides are one challenge of working in tidal wetlands! Here the marsh platform is completely submerged during a spring tide. The boardwalk, which scientists use to access the site, is also under water during this extreme high tide, while the solar panels powering some instruments remain dry.
High tides are one challenge of working in tidal wetlands! Here the marsh platform is completely submerged during a spring tide. The boardwalk, which scientists use to access the site, is also under water during this extreme high tide, while the solar panels powering some instruments remain dry.
Jessica Cain and Ryan Rasmussen, Hydrologic Technicians, 2016.
Jessica Cain and Ryan Rasmussen, Hydrologic Technicians, measure water quality at Jordan Lake, 2016.
Jessica Cain and Ryan Rasmussen, Hydrologic Technicians, measure water quality at Jordan Lake, 2016.
Measuring water quality data, Cape Cod, MA
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)
Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)