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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.

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Rapid salt-marsh erosion in Grand Bay, Mississippi
Rapid salt-marsh erosion in Grand Bay, Mississippi
Rapid salt-marsh erosion in Grand Bay, Mississippi

This time-lapse video shows lateral erosion of a salt marsh in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, part of an embayment near the city of Pascagoula, Mississippi, on the US Gulf coast. Wave action over the course of 6.5 months led to about 1.5 meters of erosion.

This time-lapse video shows lateral erosion of a salt marsh in the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, part of an embayment near the city of Pascagoula, Mississippi, on the US Gulf coast. Wave action over the course of 6.5 months led to about 1.5 meters of erosion.

An Introduction to MODIS Version 6 Data
An Introduction to MODIS Version 6 Data
An Introduction to MODIS Version 6 Data

This video focuses on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Version 6 land data distributed by NASA’s Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC).

This video focuses on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Version 6 land data distributed by NASA’s Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC).

Annual Progression of Global Vegetation with NASA MEaSUREs VIP
Annual Progression of Global Vegetation with NASA MEaSUREs VIP
Annual Progression of Global Vegetation with NASA MEaSUREs VIP

The seasonal progression of global vegetation is driven by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis and its annual orbit around the Sun. In turn, global seasonality drives major changes in important environmental factors such as global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

The seasonal progression of global vegetation is driven by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis and its annual orbit around the Sun. In turn, global seasonality drives major changes in important environmental factors such as global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

Changes in Canopy Cover with NASA MODIS Leaf Area Index Data
Changes in Canopy Cover with NASA MODIS Leaf Area Index Data
Changes in Canopy Cover with NASA MODIS Leaf Area Index Data

Did you know that tree canopy cover can be measured from space? The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites can do just that by providing data that are used to calculate Leaf Area Index (LAI).

Did you know that tree canopy cover can be measured from space? The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites can do just that by providing data that are used to calculate Leaf Area Index (LAI).

Establishing a Permanent Measuring Point and Reference Marks at a Well
Establishing a Permanent Measuring Point and Reference Marks at a Well
Establishing a Permanent Measuring Point and Reference Marks at a Well

This video demonstrates how to establish permanent reference points and markers at a well site.
 

Historic USGS Streamgage on the Wabash River at Lafayette Indiana
Historic USGS Streamgage on the Wabash River at Lafayette Indiana
Historic USGS Streamgage on the Wabash River at Lafayette Indiana

This video will provide a brief history and purpose for one of the oldest streamgages in Indiana. The gage is at the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana. The site number is 03335500. This video was produced at the request of the West Lafayette Parks Department where this historic gage is located.

This video will provide a brief history and purpose for one of the oldest streamgages in Indiana. The gage is at the Wabash River at Lafayette, Indiana. The site number is 03335500. This video was produced at the request of the West Lafayette Parks Department where this historic gage is located.

Measuring Total Well Depth Using a Steel Tape - YouTube
Measuring Total Well Depth Using a Steel Tape - YouTube
Measuring Total Well Depth Using a Steel Tape - YouTube

This video demonstrates how to measure total well depth below land surface using a weighted, graduated steel tape.

Resilient Voices: Adaptation Across Worldviews
Resilient Voices: Adaptation Across Worldviews
Resilient Voices: Adaptation Across Worldviews

The Department of the Interior Pacific Islands Climate Science Center and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo developed and hosted a Climate Change Boot Camp that showcased collaborative research efforts within UH Hilo’s Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science graduate program that are driven by local natural resource managers across Hawaiʻi Islan

The Department of the Interior Pacific Islands Climate Science Center and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo developed and hosted a Climate Change Boot Camp that showcased collaborative research efforts within UH Hilo’s Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science graduate program that are driven by local natural resource managers across Hawaiʻi Islan

USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool
USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool
USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool

This video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.

This video provides an overview of the USGS Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool. The Fractured Rock Geophysical Toolbox Method Selection Tool (FRGT-MST) is an Excel-based tool for identification of geophysical methods most likely to be appropriate for project goals and site conditions.

USGS Phosphorus Filter
USGS Phosphorus Filter
USGS Phosphorus Filter

Take a short look at a low cost phosphorus removal water filter the USGS has been working on for several years. 
 

Take a short look at a low cost phosphorus removal water filter the USGS has been working on for several years. 
 

Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

New Breach Allows Flow on the Great Salt Lake
New Breach Allows Flow on the Great Salt Lake
New Breach Allows Flow on the Great Salt Lake

The new Great Salt Lake breach was opened on Dec. 1 by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. This created a new opening between the north and the south arm of the lake, allowing water to flow between the two sides. This time-lapse video shows the breach opening, which took about two hours.

The new Great Salt Lake breach was opened on Dec. 1 by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. This created a new opening between the north and the south arm of the lake, allowing water to flow between the two sides. This time-lapse video shows the breach opening, which took about two hours.

Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Surface-Runoff Modules
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Surface-Runoff Modules
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Surface-Runoff Modules

Presents descriptions of the USGS Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Surface-Runoff modules, which compute Hortonian surface runoff, soil infiltration, and impervious surface and surface depression storage and flows.
 

Presents descriptions of the USGS Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Surface-Runoff modules, which compute Hortonian surface runoff, soil infiltration, and impervious surface and surface depression storage and flows.
 

CEOS Plenary 2017
CEOS Plenary 2017
CEOS Plenary 2017

An invitation and introduction to the 2017 CEOS Plenary being held in the Black Hills near Rapid City, SD.
 

An invitation and introduction to the 2017 CEOS Plenary being held in the Black Hills near Rapid City, SD.
 

Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

PubTalk 11/2016 — Ecological Stressors
PubTalk 11/2016 — Ecological Stressors
PubTalk 11/2016 — Ecological Stressors

Ecological Stressors: It's a Lot of 'WERC'
"There's is no place like California" by A. Keith Miles, Center Director, USGS Western Ecological Research Center

Highlights of the science of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center: 

Ecological Stressors: It's a Lot of 'WERC'
"There's is no place like California" by A. Keith Miles, Center Director, USGS Western Ecological Research Center

Highlights of the science of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center: 

Surprising Role of Trees in the Boreal Water Cycle
Surprising Role of Trees in the Boreal Water Cycle
Surprising Role of Trees in the Boreal Water Cycle

Approximately 25 to 50 percent of a living tree is made up of water, depending on the species and time of year. The water stored in trees has previously been considered just a minor part of the water cycle, but a study by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists with support from the DOI Alaska Climate Science Center shows otherwise.

Approximately 25 to 50 percent of a living tree is made up of water, depending on the species and time of year. The water stored in trees has previously been considered just a minor part of the water cycle, but a study by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists with support from the DOI Alaska Climate Science Center shows otherwise.

Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).