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The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.
Learn about interesting stories of Yellowstone, and the past month's volcanic activity from Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO).
The USGS Sounds of Yellowstone series lets you listen to the natural sounds of geysers, hot springs, and mudpots found through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA.
A weekly series from the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center highlighting satellite image(s) featuring striking changes to the Earth's surface.
Two decades of drought are contributing to low water levels in reservoirs along the Colorado River, including Lake Powell.
Lake Powell’s highest recorded water level was in 1983. In this 1984 Landsat 5 image, the lake’s elevation was 3,702 feet above sea level.
Two decades of drought are contributing to low water levels in reservoirs along the Colorado River, including Lake Powell.
Lake Powell’s highest recorded water level was in 1983. In this 1984 Landsat 5 image, the lake’s elevation was 3,702 feet above sea level.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Footage of a channelized section of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa, captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Footage of a channelized section of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa, captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Footage of a geologist taking a sample of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa the morning of December 1, 2022.
Footage of a geologist taking a sample of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Aerial footage of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa captured the morning of December 1, 2022.
Video 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.
Video 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.
Just a few days ago, Mauna Loa, the tallest active volcano on the planet, started erupting for the first time in 38 years.
Just a few days ago, Mauna Loa, the tallest active volcano on the planet, started erupting for the first time in 38 years.
This video, taken during an early morning overflight on 30 November 2022, shows fissure 3, the dominant source of activity. The lava fountains are 20-25 meters in height (65-82 feet) and are feeding a lava flow that is moving to the northeast at ~130 meters per hour (0.08 miles per hour).
This video, taken during an early morning overflight on 30 November 2022, shows fissure 3, the dominant source of activity. The lava fountains are 20-25 meters in height (65-82 feet) and are feeding a lava flow that is moving to the northeast at ~130 meters per hour (0.08 miles per hour).
The eruption on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa continues. This video shows the dominant fissure 3 remains active and is supplying lava to the flow advancing north. Taken on November 30, 2022.
The eruption on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa continues. This video shows the dominant fissure 3 remains active and is supplying lava to the flow advancing north. Taken on November 30, 2022.
An overflight on November 30, 2022, provided aerial views of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. On the ground, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists deploy a new webcam and measure fissure 3. USGS video by K. Mulliken.
An overflight on November 30, 2022, provided aerial views of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. On the ground, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists deploy a new webcam and measure fissure 3. USGS video by K. Mulliken.
This video was taken by HVO field crews on the morning of November 29, 2022, and shows lava fountaining from a fissure vent high on Mauna Loa's northeast rift zone. Fissure heights of 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) were recorded at the time of the video.
This video was taken by HVO field crews on the morning of November 29, 2022, and shows lava fountaining from a fissure vent high on Mauna Loa's northeast rift zone. Fissure heights of 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) were recorded at the time of the video.
Video showing fissures erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of November 29, 2022. Fountains at this area (fissure 3) were measured up to 25 m (82 ft) in height.
Video showing fissures erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of November 29, 2022. Fountains at this area (fissure 3) were measured up to 25 m (82 ft) in height.
Video showing fissures erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of November 29, 2022. Fountains at this area (fissure 3) were measured up to 25 m (82 ft) in height.
Video showing fissures erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of November 29, 2022. Fountains at this area (fissure 3) were measured up to 25 m (82 ft) in height.
An ‘a‘ā lava flow on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa. This lava flow is several meters thick and moving to the northeast. 'A'ā flows have a rough rubbly surface composed of broken lava blocks called clinkers. The clinkery surface covers a massive dense core, which is the most active part of the flow.
An ‘a‘ā lava flow on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa. This lava flow is several meters thick and moving to the northeast. 'A'ā flows have a rough rubbly surface composed of broken lava blocks called clinkers. The clinkery surface covers a massive dense core, which is the most active part of the flow.
This video shows one of the fissures active on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. At approximately 11 a.m. on November 29, 2022, the fountains at this location were at measured 35-40 meters (115-148 ft) in height.
This video shows one of the fissures active on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. At approximately 11 a.m. on November 29, 2022, the fountains at this location were at measured 35-40 meters (115-148 ft) in height.
The eruption on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa Volcano continues. Today, the dominant fountain at fissure 3 was supplying lava to a flow advancing north of the rift zone.
The eruption on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa Volcano continues. Today, the dominant fountain at fissure 3 was supplying lava to a flow advancing north of the rift zone.
Video showing thermal imagery from the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption which began around 11:30pm HST.
Video showing thermal imagery from the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption which began around 11:30pm HST.
Lake Mead and the Mega Drought.
Image of the Week.
Drought over the past 20 years in the Colorado River Basin, and a growing demand for water, have brought Lake Mead to historically low levels.
In 1972, the year Landsat 1 captured its first images, Lake Mead’s elevation was 1,155 above sea level.
Lake Mead and the Mega Drought.
Image of the Week.
Drought over the past 20 years in the Colorado River Basin, and a growing demand for water, have brought Lake Mead to historically low levels.
In 1972, the year Landsat 1 captured its first images, Lake Mead’s elevation was 1,155 above sea level.
November is Native American Heritage Month. Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Indigenous peoples in the Yellowstone region and describes Yellowstone’s recent seismic, deformation, and geyser activity in this November 1, 2022 monthly update.
November is Native American Heritage Month. Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Indigenous peoples in the Yellowstone region and describes Yellowstone’s recent seismic, deformation, and geyser activity in this November 1, 2022 monthly update.