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Explore a diverse collection of engaging videos showcasing the latest research, discoveries, and educational content from the U.S. Geological Survey. Dive into the fascinating world of geology, hydrology, ecology, and natural hazards as we bring science to life. Stay informed and inspired by our visual storytelling that highlights the vital work of USGS scientists and their impact on the planet.

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thumbnail for (Some) Assembly Required: HT Sign up for Great ShakeOut thumbnail for (Some) Assembly Required: HT Sign up for Great ShakeOut
(Some) Assembly Required: HT Sign up for Great ShakeOut
(Some) Assembly Required: HT Sign up for Great ShakeOut

Did you feel that? 

The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture. 

Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide. 

Did you feel that? 

The annual Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is coming on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m. (local time, wherever you are). We never know where or when an earthquake may happen, but preparing is easier than assembling a piece of Scandinavian furniture. 

Don’t believe us? Take a look at this step-by-step guide. 

Biscuit Basin Update, Hydrothermal Explosion on July 23, 2024 Biscuit Basin Update, Hydrothermal Explosion on July 23, 2024
Biscuit Basin Hydrothermal Explosion Update (Yellowstone Monthly Update — October 2024)
Biscuit Basin Hydrothermal Explosion Update (Yellowstone Monthly Update — October 2024)

Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024. 

Read Caldera Chronicles

Color photograph of newly erupted lava and fume in the background Color photograph of newly erupted lava and fume in the background
September 19, 2024—New lava flows on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea
September 19, 2024—New lava flows on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea

On September 19, 2024, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists landed near the Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption site, where they viewed lava flowing through a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide. 

On September 19, 2024, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists landed near the Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption site, where they viewed lava flowing through a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide. 

Color photograph of eruption with white words Color photograph of eruption with white words
September 20, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption summary
September 20, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption summary

On the night of September 15, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysical data indicated that an eruption could be occurring a remote area of Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

On the night of September 15, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysical data indicated that an eruption could be occurring a remote area of Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Color photograph showing aerial view of crater floor that is mostly covered with black fresh lava Color photograph showing aerial view of crater floor that is mostly covered with black fresh lava
September 20, 2024—Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight and ground views
September 20, 2024—Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight and ground views

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field monitoring crews captured these videos during their visit to Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption site the morning of September 20, 2024. They reported minor spattering and small fountains at one end of the vent at 8:30 a.m. HST. By 10 a.m.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field monitoring crews captured these videos during their visit to Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption site the morning of September 20, 2024. They reported minor spattering and small fountains at one end of the vent at 8:30 a.m. HST. By 10 a.m.

September 19, 2024 — Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a reconnaissance overflight of the eruption near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed lava cascading over the rim of the crater from a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a reconnaissance overflight of the eruption near Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed lava cascading over the rim of the crater from a channel more than 50 meters (about 164 feet) wide.

September 19, 2024 —Kīlauea lava fountains erupting

On September 19, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were able to capture this video of the fissure vent eruption west of Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed a 150-m-long (nearly 500 feet) fissure west of the crater erupting lava in a curtain of lava 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) high. 

On September 19, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists were able to capture this video of the fissure vent eruption west of Nāpau Crater on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. They observed a 150-m-long (nearly 500 feet) fissure west of the crater erupting lava in a curtain of lava 10-20 meters (33-66 feet) high. 

Color photograph of eruption in crater Color photograph of eruption in crater
September 17, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight
September 17, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight

Kīlauea volcano is erupting in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park from a new fissure vent that opened within Nāpau Crater this morning, September 17, between 4:00 and 5:00 AM HST.  The eruption is occurring within a closed and remote area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Kīlauea volcano is erupting in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park from a new fissure vent that opened within Nāpau Crater this morning, September 17, between 4:00 and 5:00 AM HST.  The eruption is occurring within a closed and remote area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Color photograph of scientist near lava flow Color photograph of scientist near lava flow
September 17, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption sampling
September 17, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption sampling

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected a sample of the middle East Rift Zone Kīlauea eruption in Nāpau Crater, within a closed area Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Geologists put molten lava into a metal bucket and rapidly quench it with water.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected a sample of the middle East Rift Zone Kīlauea eruption in Nāpau Crater, within a closed area Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Geologists put molten lava into a metal bucket and rapidly quench it with water.

Color photograph of eruption site Color photograph of eruption site
September 16, 2024 — Overflight video of eruption site near Nāpau Crater, Kīlauea
September 16, 2024 — Overflight video of eruption site near Nāpau Crater, Kīlauea

A brief, small eruption occurred on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea late on September 15. The eruption produced two small pads of lava just west of Nāpau Crater, which is west (uprift) of the former Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption site. 

A brief, small eruption occurred on the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea late on September 15. The eruption produced two small pads of lava just west of Nāpau Crater, which is west (uprift) of the former Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption site. 

Color photograph of volcanic crater surrounded by forest and a fissure emitting volcanic gas Color photograph of volcanic crater surrounded by forest and a fissure emitting volcanic gas
September 16, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight
September 16, 2024 —Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption overflight

This video, taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory morning overflight of Kīlaueaʻs middle East Rift Zone on September 16, 2024, shows new lava flows erupted over about an hour during the evening on September 15, 2024.

This video, taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory morning overflight of Kīlaueaʻs middle East Rift Zone on September 16, 2024, shows new lava flows erupted over about an hour during the evening on September 15, 2024.

Looking down from a helicopter, this photo shows charred and brown trees surrounded by a new, steaming lava flow. Looking down from a helicopter, this photo shows charred and brown trees surrounded by a new, steaming lava flow.
September 16, 2024—Brief eruption near Nāpau Crater on Kīlauea Middle East Rift Zone
September 16, 2024—Brief eruption near Nāpau Crater on Kīlauea Middle East Rift Zone

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST on September 16, geologists observed freshly erupted lava west of Nāpau Crater on the remote middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This eruption likely occurred between approximately 9–10 p.m. HST on September 15.  

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST on September 16, geologists observed freshly erupted lava west of Nāpau Crater on the remote middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This eruption likely occurred between approximately 9–10 p.m. HST on September 15.  

A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts Thumbnail A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts Thumbnail
A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts
A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), began a series of studies in 2019 to develop a web-based statewide hydraulic modeling tool to provide preliminary culvert designs for stream-crossing projects in Massachusetts.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), began a series of studies in 2019 to develop a web-based statewide hydraulic modeling tool to provide preliminary culvert designs for stream-crossing projects in Massachusetts.

Card: USGS Office of International Programs Kenya Groundwater Project Card: USGS Office of International Programs Kenya Groundwater Project
USGS Office of International Programs Kenya Groundwater Project
USGS Office of International Programs Kenya Groundwater Project

This is an Office of International Programs (OIP) science highlight featuring groundwater remote sensing and optimizations in Kenya.

Update Biscuit Basin Update Biscuit Basin
Biscuit Basin Update; 65th Anniversary — M7.3 Hebgen Lake Quake (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Aug 2024)
Stream Crossings - Massachusetts Hydraulic Modeling Tool video thumbnail. Stream Crossings - Massachusetts Hydraulic Modeling Tool video thumbnail.
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool
Introducing the Massachusetts Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, have developed a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool for Massachusetts stream crossing replacement projects.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, have developed a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool for Massachusetts stream crossing replacement projects.

Record Wildfire in Texas (Image of the Week)

The Smokehouse Creek Fire started about 1 mile north of Stinnett, Texas on February 26th, 2024. Three days later, the fire had consumed over 1 million acres. With a total area of 1,654 square miles, it became the largest fire on record in Texas. That's larger than New York's Long Island.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire started about 1 mile north of Stinnett, Texas on February 26th, 2024. Three days later, the fire had consumed over 1 million acres. With a total area of 1,654 square miles, it became the largest fire on record in Texas. That's larger than New York's Long Island.

Swimming Pools at Yellowstone? Swimming Pools at Yellowstone?
Swimming Pools at Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - June 2024)
Swimming Pools at Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - June 2024)

Up until the 1950s, visitors to the Old Faithful area could take a dip. Not at a geyser, but in a real swimming pool. The full story is in this month’s video update. 

lava erupting from a fissure lava erupting from a fissure
Aerial video of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
Aerial video of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea

Aerial video of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS video.

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