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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 map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano showing the fissures and flow fields from the 1955 (blue) and 2018 (pink) eruptions. Portions of the 1955 lava flows that were covered during the 2018 eruption, are represented with a blue outline.
A map of the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano showing the fissures and flow fields from the 1955 (blue) and 2018 (pink) eruptions. Portions of the 1955 lava flows that were covered during the 2018 eruption, are represented with a blue outline.
A small rockslide occurred today on the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u, sending boulders into the water at the bottom of the crater. USGS video by M. Patrick.
A small rockslide occurred today on the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u, sending boulders into the water at the bottom of the crater. USGS video by M. Patrick.
A view from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u shows a lower collapsed block which has remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot. The white feature in the lower right is a stop sign that was present at the eastern exit of the parking lot.
A view from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u shows a lower collapsed block which has remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot. The white feature in the lower right is a stop sign that was present at the eastern exit of the parking lot.
Deena Green setting up WinRiver II to make a RioPro measurement at the Selway River near Lowell, ID.
Deena Green setting up WinRiver II to make a RioPro measurement at the Selway River near Lowell, ID.
Getting ready to collect sample number 378 at Green Riv blw Green Riv. Samples collected at regular intervals over a long period of time are critical for understanding current water-quality conditions and changes.
Getting ready to collect sample number 378 at Green Riv blw Green Riv. Samples collected at regular intervals over a long period of time are critical for understanding current water-quality conditions and changes.
HVO technician inspects power/communication station at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on on April 16, 2020. USGS photos by F. Younger.
HVO technician inspects power/communication station at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on on April 16, 2020. USGS photos by F. Younger.
USGS scientists collect field data at Gulkana Glacier in the eastern Alaska Range. The checkerboard sampling pattern in the foreground indicates where snow pit density measurements were collected.
USGS scientists collect field data at Gulkana Glacier in the eastern Alaska Range. The checkerboard sampling pattern in the foreground indicates where snow pit density measurements were collected.
Marine technician Dan Powers, from the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center's Marine Facility (PCMSC MarFac), wears all the required personal protective equipment: bib waders, personal floatation device, and mask.
Marine technician Dan Powers, from the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center's Marine Facility (PCMSC MarFac), wears all the required personal protective equipment: bib waders, personal floatation device, and mask.
View of the recently cleared Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River in Hilo. The pots, each about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, are eroded into a 10,000 year old Mauna Loa lava flow. When the water is low, the river does not flow over some of the pot rims but it continues to flow through them.
View of the recently cleared Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River in Hilo. The pots, each about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, are eroded into a 10,000 year old Mauna Loa lava flow. When the water is low, the river does not flow over some of the pot rims but it continues to flow through them.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
A USGS field team, to include Pat Bowen, Kate Bowen and John Trainor, uses specialized equipment to measure spring floodwaters at Chesapeake Bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River in Maryland.
USGS hydrologist Ken McGrath measures floodwaters off a cableway on Schoharie Creek in North Blenheim, New York.
USGS hydrologist Ken McGrath measures floodwaters off a cableway on Schoharie Creek in North Blenheim, New York.
Grand Prismatic Spring in Midway Geyser Basin Yellowstone National Park on October 19, 2017.
Grand Prismatic Spring in Midway Geyser Basin Yellowstone National Park on October 19, 2017.
Rich Kim works on giant gartersnake trap building.
Rich Kim works on giant gartersnake trap building.
Sunset lake in Black Sand Basin of Yellowstone National Park
Sunset lake in Black Sand Basin of Yellowstone National Park
USGS hydrographer Dave Thompson makes a near-peak flood measurement off a bridge at Tenmile River in Tusten, New York.
USGS hydrographer Dave Thompson makes a near-peak flood measurement off a bridge at Tenmile River in Tusten, New York.
HVO staff work together while maintaining social distancing as they install different parts of the new Mauna Loa summit MultiGAS station on April 27. In the left side of the image, an HVO field engineer connects solar panels to the batteries that will power the MultiGAS station.
HVO staff work together while maintaining social distancing as they install different parts of the new Mauna Loa summit MultiGAS station on April 27. In the left side of the image, an HVO field engineer connects solar panels to the batteries that will power the MultiGAS station.
Recent warm weather has increased flow in the North Platte River to above average for the date at the streamgage at Northgate, CO (just upstream of the WY-CO stateline). Real-time data online at: http://ow.ly/vodL50zt6YO
Recent warm weather has increased flow in the North Platte River to above average for the date at the streamgage at Northgate, CO (just upstream of the WY-CO stateline). Real-time data online at: http://ow.ly/vodL50zt6YO
When wetland plants in the northeast emerged this spring, USGS scientists were working from home and unable to start many planned research activities. However, many instruments were already deployed and continued to collect information critical to USGS research.
When wetland plants in the northeast emerged this spring, USGS scientists were working from home and unable to start many planned research activities. However, many instruments were already deployed and continued to collect information critical to USGS research.