Images

USGS Education paper models collection includes dinosaurs and other fossils, and geologic processes like volcanoes and sand dune formation.

For every major earthquake in the U.S., UNAVCO downloads high-rate data from all nearby GPS/GNSS stations. The downloads for the March 31, 2020, magnitude 6.5 Stanley, Idaho, earthquake include more than 20 stations in and around Yellowstone. Figure by Christine Puskas (UNAVCO).

Highly sensitive instruments installed deep below the ground surface yield great records of earthquakes near and far. The March 31, 2020, magnitude 6.5 Stanley, Idaho, earthquake shows up very clearly in borehole strainmeter station B944's four different sensors.

Photo of the Colorado River running through Marble Canyon near Nankoweap Creek (near River Mile 51.5) in the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Clear weather allowed another water pond measurement to be made this morning. Results show continued slow rise of the water level. No major changes were observed. Note the former HVO observation tower can be seen above the geologist's helmet.

Day to day changes in the color of the water pond are common. This morning the pond had a browner hue compared to the previous observation on April 1, when the pond color was slightly more greenish yellow (see photo below).

Scanning electron microprobe images show the complexity of tiny Icelandic ash grains (150 micron, or 0.006 inch). Image (a) shows a dense and blocky grain, and (b) shows a foamy grain.

Liquefaction-related features and cracks along the sandy shore next to Stanley Lake.

This section of brown Icelandic soil (top) contains 800 years of ash deposits erupted from five different volcanoes. The black layers, 5-10 cm (2-4 in) thick, are from Katla Volcano. A white arrow points to a closeup of the 1755 Katla ash deposit (lower left).

Field photograph taken for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) In Albuquerque Stormwater Channels Project, USGS - New Mexico Water Science Center

Cedar Island, Virginia is an uninhabited barrier that has migrated landward approximately 15-30 meters per year since 1984 due to its low sediment supply. The shoreface slope is gradual but almost entirely devoid of island sediment - both responses to its recent, rapid retreat. USGS scientists collect geologic and morphologic data from this island’s shoreface.

Fire Island, New York is sparsely populated and regularly nourished, but has few modifications that impede natural sediment exchanges. Shoreface geomorphology reflects past periods of seaward progradation and alongshore extension resulting in a relatively sediment-rich shoreface. USGS scientists collect geologic and morphologic data from this island’s shoreface.

Physical map of the western USA showing locations of strong earthquakes in March 2020 and Basin and Range extensional province. The Basin and Range stretches from the Sierra Nevada in the west to the Wasatch and Teton mountains in the east, and from central Idaho and southwest Montana in the north to Mexico in the south.

This photo was taken during an aerial photographic survey of seabirds and marine mammals along the California Coast. The project is supported by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and helps planning in advance of potential offshore wind energy development along the California Coast.

Rockaway Beach, New York is heavily developed, has seawalls and groins and is regularly nourished. It hasn’t changed much over 20 years. The shoreface is steep and sediment cover doesn’t extend far from shore—likely the result of being fixed in place for decades. USGS scientists collect geologic and morphologic data from this island’s shoreface.

An aerial view of landslide damage after Hurricane Maria in Utuado municipality, Puerto Rico.

USGS ground failure experts examine landslides after Hurricane Maria in the municipality of Las Marias, Puerto Rico.

Photo Contest Winner | March 2020 | Where We Work
Red-crowned cranes at USGS Wildlife Toxicology site visit to Kushiro Marsh, Japan

Supervisory Research Hydrologist, Mike McHale taking a volumetric flow measurement in a storm sewer at USGS 425520078535601 West Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, as part of the Green Infrastructure project. (Credit: Michael Antidormi, USGS. Public domain.)

Overview of Taan Fiord. Inset showing location of Taan Fiord, Alaska in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Taan Fiord is about 100 km from the nearest town, Yakutat, AK. Landsat 8 image of Taan Fiord acquired in 2016. Vegetation loss is clear near the water line.

:  A site visit to Puerto Rico’s Sierra de Luquillo mountains and El Yunque National Forest, 2020. (credit – M. Eaton)