A view of the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring from the vantage point of the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
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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.
A view of the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring from the vantage point of the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
The famous Old Faithful geyser begins an eruption as visitors watch in the distance. This view is looking from Beehive Geyser toward Old Faithful.
The famous Old Faithful geyser begins an eruption as visitors watch in the distance. This view is looking from Beehive Geyser toward Old Faithful.
A rainbow rises over Ledge Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Ledge is the second largest geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin, capable of shooting water 125 feet into the air. Because it erupts at an angle, however, the water will sometimes reach the ground 220 feet away." - NPS
A rainbow rises over Ledge Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Ledge is the second largest geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin, capable of shooting water 125 feet into the air. Because it erupts at an angle, however, the water will sometimes reach the ground 220 feet away." - NPS
A picturesque shot of the sun setting while driving through north Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
A picturesque shot of the sun setting while driving through north Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
An explosive eruption of silica water erupts from Beehive Geyser located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The Upper Geyser Basin is also home to the famous Old Faithful geyser which sits just behind Beehive Geyser in the distance.
An explosive eruption of silica water erupts from Beehive Geyser located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The Upper Geyser Basin is also home to the famous Old Faithful geyser which sits just behind Beehive Geyser in the distance.
This photo shows a river with thermal views below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
This photo shows a river with thermal views below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
A foggy, early morning view looking down the Gibbon River, off of Grand Loop Rd in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
A foggy, early morning view looking down the Gibbon River, off of Grand Loop Rd in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
This mudpot is located at the upper level of the trail at the Artists' Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Some people will smell rotten eggs, others might even pick up the scent of hickory-smoked ham.
This mudpot is located at the upper level of the trail at the Artists' Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Some people will smell rotten eggs, others might even pick up the scent of hickory-smoked ham.
"Tucked away in the Norris Geyser Basin is Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser. Its major eruptions shoot water more than 300 feet (91 m). Only Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has rocketed to greater heights—but not in more than one hundred years.
"Tucked away in the Norris Geyser Basin is Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser. Its major eruptions shoot water more than 300 feet (91 m). Only Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has rocketed to greater heights—but not in more than one hundred years.
Looking down from the lookout point at Brink of Lower Falls, over the Yellowstone River, as it flows south into the distance.
Looking down from the lookout point at Brink of Lower Falls, over the Yellowstone River, as it flows south into the distance.
Looking down from the lookout point at Brink of Lower Falls, over the Yellowstone River, as it flows eastward through the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone".
Looking down from the lookout point at Brink of Lower Falls, over the Yellowstone River, as it flows eastward through the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone".
Looking down on the lower portion of Artists' Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Artists' Paintpots is a hydrothermal area with many colorful mud pots, hot springs, and geysers.
Looking down on the lower portion of Artists' Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Artists' Paintpots is a hydrothermal area with many colorful mud pots, hot springs, and geysers.
Cinnamon Spouter is located on the Black Sand Basin Trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Cinnamon Spouter is located on the Black Sand Basin Trail in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Kepler Cascades in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Kepler Cascades is located just a couple miles away from Old Faithful within Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Kepler Cascades in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Kepler Cascades is located just a couple miles away from Old Faithful within Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
A view of Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Roaring Mountain is a large, acidic thermal area (solfatara) that contains many steam vents (fumaroles). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the number, size, and power of the fumaroles was much greater than today." (NPS)
A view of Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Roaring Mountain is a large, acidic thermal area (solfatara) that contains many steam vents (fumaroles). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the number, size, and power of the fumaroles was much greater than today." (NPS)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Rustic Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Rustic Falls is a few miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Rustic Falls in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Rustic Falls is a few miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
June 8, 2023 — Low lava fountaining continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea volcano
June 8, 2023 — Low lava fountaining continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea volcanoLow fountaining has been active where lava upwells into Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows a series of small fountains in the southern portion of the crater floor. Camera shake is due to high winds at the time.
June 8, 2023 — Low lava fountaining continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea volcano
June 8, 2023 — Low lava fountaining continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea volcanoLow fountaining has been active where lava upwells into Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows a series of small fountains in the southern portion of the crater floor. Camera shake is due to high winds at the time.
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern.
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern.
UAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public lands
UAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public landsUAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public lands
UAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public lands
UAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public landsUAS operations near Moab, Utah for carbon sequestration research on public lands
December 1, 2022 - View of the eruption plume from fissure 3
December 1, 2022 - View of the eruption plume from fissure 3December 1, 2022 - A view of the eruption plume from fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Geologist for scale on the left. USGS image by J. Schmith.
December 1, 2022 - View of the eruption plume from fissure 3
December 1, 2022 - View of the eruption plume from fissure 3December 1, 2022 - A view of the eruption plume from fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Geologist for scale on the left. USGS image by J. Schmith.
Fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on Dec. 1, 2022
Fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on Dec. 1, 2022View of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting during the morning of December 1, 2022. Fissure 3 continues to be the dominant of two erupting fissures on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.
Fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on Dec. 1, 2022
Fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on Dec. 1, 2022View of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting during the morning of December 1, 2022. Fissure 3 continues to be the dominant of two erupting fissures on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.