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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.

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a scientist sits on the edge of a boat on the ocean with an instrument submerged in a sample tube of water
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

a scientist sits on the edge of a boat on the ocean with an instrument submerged in a sample tube of water
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

a scientist sits on the edge of a boat on the ocean with an instrument submerged in a sample tube of water
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well
Examining Water From a Submarine Groundwater Well

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

Dr. Christopher G. Smith pumps water from a submarine groundwater well on the seafloor through tubing to the R/V Halimeda and uses an instrument called a YSI to measure salinity and ensure the wells are working properly and producing groundwater.

discover ecosystems by clicking on image for full description.
Discover Ecosystems
Discover Ecosystems
Discover Ecosystems

Ecosystems and the wild things that live in them are the foundation of our conservation heritage and an economic asset to current and future generations of Americans. Healthy ecosystems support living things and natural processes that bring prosperity and enjoyment for all Americans. 

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Ecosystems and the wild things that live in them are the foundation of our conservation heritage and an economic asset to current and future generations of Americans. Healthy ecosystems support living things and natural processes that bring prosperity and enjoyment for all Americans. 

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Tidal Marshland in the Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts
Tidal Marshland in the Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts
Tidal Marshland in the Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts
Tidal Marshland in the Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts

The marshes of Plum Island Estuary are among those predicted by scientists to submerge during the next century under conservative projections of sea-level rise.

The marshes of Plum Island Estuary are among those predicted by scientists to submerge during the next century under conservative projections of sea-level rise.

Color photograph looking into the west vent spatter cone with a small lava fountain in the center
Active west vent in Halema‘uma‘u—October 15, 2021
Active west vent in Halema‘uma‘u—October 15, 2021
Active west vent in Halema‘uma‘u—October 15, 2021

A telephoto image of the the west vent taken on the morning of October 15, during an HVO helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit. Low lava fountaining activity continues from the vent in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u.

A telephoto image of the the west vent taken on the morning of October 15, during an HVO helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit. Low lava fountaining activity continues from the vent in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u.

Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers
Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers
Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers
Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers

Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers. (a, c) Graphs showing water temperatures recorded by data loggers stationed near Beehive and Old Faithful Geysers, respectively. These data loggers were deployed by the Yellowstone Geology Program, configured to capture temperatures at one-minute intervals (indicated by blue dots).

Different views of an eruption from two predictable geysers. (a, c) Graphs showing water temperatures recorded by data loggers stationed near Beehive and Old Faithful Geysers, respectively. These data loggers were deployed by the Yellowstone Geology Program, configured to capture temperatures at one-minute intervals (indicated by blue dots).

Example initial analyses on the water temperature data
Example initial analyses on the water temperature data
Example initial analyses on the water temperature data
Example initial analyses on the water temperature data

Example initial analyses on the water temperature data. (a, c) Graphs showing the calculated time between eruptions. (b, d) Histograms demonstrating the distribution of eruption intervals.

Example initial analyses on the water temperature data. (a, c) Graphs showing the calculated time between eruptions. (b, d) Histograms demonstrating the distribution of eruption intervals.

Color photo of a lava lake in halema'uma'u crater with a gas plume emitted from a fissure vent
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—October 15, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—October 15, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—October 15, 2021

The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This photo of the lava lake was taken this morning, October 15, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight. The vent in the western crater wall (center) continues to supply lava into the lava lake.

The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This photo of the lava lake was taken this morning, October 15, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight. The vent in the western crater wall (center) continues to supply lava into the lava lake.

Color photograph of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u
Halema‘uma‘u Lave Lake—October 15, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u Lave Lake—October 15, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u Lave Lake—October 15, 2021

The eruption within Halema‘uma‘u continues. Lava fountaining from the western vent (center) feeds a rising lava lake. Activity has decreased over the past week and much of the eastern half of the lake surface (seen here in the foreground) has cooled and formed a solid crust.

The eruption within Halema‘uma‘u continues. Lava fountaining from the western vent (center) feeds a rising lava lake. Activity has decreased over the past week and much of the eastern half of the lake surface (seen here in the foreground) has cooled and formed a solid crust.

A wide view of a lava lake within Halemaumau crater
Kīlauea summit eruption - October 15, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - October 15, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - October 15, 2021

This overview photo of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake was captured around noon on Friday, October 15, 2021, from the northwest rim of the crater. The western fissure (lower right) continues to erupt lava into the west side of the lava lake (right). The east side of the lake (left) is mostly stagnated and solidified on the surface.

This overview photo of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake was captured around noon on Friday, October 15, 2021, from the northwest rim of the crater. The western fissure (lower right) continues to erupt lava into the west side of the lava lake (right). The east side of the lake (left) is mostly stagnated and solidified on the surface.

Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi
Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi
Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi
Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi

Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi.  a) R/V Annie on Yellowstone Lake operated by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration.  Image Rob Harris, OSU.  b) ROV Yogi with GFOE President Dave Lovalvo.  Image Todd Gregory, GFOE.  C) ROV Yogi and 1-m heat flow probe.  This pr

Research Vessel Annie and Remotely Operated Vehicle Yogi.  a) R/V Annie on Yellowstone Lake operated by the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration.  Image Rob Harris, OSU.  b) ROV Yogi with GFOE President Dave Lovalvo.  Image Todd Gregory, GFOE.  C) ROV Yogi and 1-m heat flow probe.  This pr

Color photo of a scientist taking photos from a helicopter
Scientist collects data—Kīlauea eruption overflight—Oct. 15, 2021
Scientist collects data—Kīlauea eruption overflight—Oct. 15, 2021
Scientist collects data—Kīlauea eruption overflight—Oct. 15, 2021

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists make observations and collect data during Kīlauea eruption overflights. The data collected is used to construct updated topographic and thermal maps of the lava lake surface and surrounding area.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists make observations and collect data during Kīlauea eruption overflights. The data collected is used to construct updated topographic and thermal maps of the lava lake surface and surrounding area.

Color photo of the Halema'uma'u lava lake and west vent fissure with a small lava fountain inside the cone
West vent and lava lake islands—October 15, 2021
West vent and lava lake islands—October 15, 2021
West vent and lava lake islands—October 15, 2021

In this photo taken during a helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater on October 15, lava can be seen fountaining within the western vent cone and flowing down a short spillway into the lava lake. The main island created in the initial stages of the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption is in the foreground and continues to rise with the lake surface.

In this photo taken during a helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater on October 15, lava can be seen fountaining within the western vent cone and flowing down a short spillway into the lava lake. The main island created in the initial stages of the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption is in the foreground and continues to rise with the lake surface.

Telephoto color image of a lava fountain within a black spatter cone
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021

A close-up view of the west vent on the western crater wall of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. Fountaining and lava spatter has built a cone around the vent. Lava pools in the cone and then pours into the lava lake through a small spillway. This photo was taken during a monitoring helicopter overflight on October 15, 2021. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

A close-up view of the west vent on the western crater wall of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. Fountaining and lava spatter has built a cone around the vent. Lava pools in the cone and then pours into the lava lake through a small spillway. This photo was taken during a monitoring helicopter overflight on October 15, 2021. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Color photo of a lava fountain within a black spatter cone at the edge of a lava lake
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021
West vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit eruption—Oct. 15 2021

A telephoto view of the west vent supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. In the bottom right, the western fissure complex from the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption is visible as a spiny dull dark brown and red feature.

A telephoto view of the west vent supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. In the bottom right, the western fissure complex from the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption is visible as a spiny dull dark brown and red feature.

Yellowstone Lake bathymetry showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field
Yellowstone Lake map showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field
Yellowstone Lake map showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field
Yellowstone Lake map showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field

Yellowstone Lake bathymetry showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field.  Inset shows locations of heat-flux measurements (red dots) in the Deep Hole vent field.

Yellowstone Lake bathymetry showing the location of the Deep Hole vent field.  Inset shows locations of heat-flux measurements (red dots) in the Deep Hole vent field.

Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River
Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River
Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River
Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River

Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Honorable Mention 1
Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River

Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Honorable Mention 1
Kenna Grubb measuring on the Holston River

A color photo looking down at a small lava fountain surrounded by a spatter cone
Lava fountaining at the west vent—October 14, 2021
Lava fountaining at the west vent—October 14, 2021
Lava fountaining at the west vent—October 14, 2021

A close-up photo of the vent in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u, taken during the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. The top of the 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall lava fountain could be seen from the west crater rim on October 14, at 2:05 p.m. The lava fountains continue to build up a spatter cone around the vent.

A close-up photo of the vent in the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u, taken during the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. The top of the 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall lava fountain could be seen from the west crater rim on October 14, at 2:05 p.m. The lava fountains continue to build up a spatter cone around the vent.

Daytime color photo of a lava fountain erupting into a lava lake
October 13, 2021 — Kīlauea summit eruption
October 13, 2021 — Kīlauea summit eruption
October 13, 2021 — Kīlauea summit eruption

A view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo, taken from the west crater rim, shows the active west vent (lower right), the main island (upper left), and the old west vent from the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption (lower left).

A view of the western portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo, taken from the west crater rim, shows the active west vent (lower right), the main island (upper left), and the old west vent from the Dec. 2020–May 2021 eruption (lower left).