Interactive Maps

Although only two Landsats were originally anticipated, the program’s principal scientists sought to launch a third satellite for continued coverage because they found a wide variety of applications for the data. There was also interest in advancing the sensors and improving the data.

A long string of Earth-observing orbiters began with NASA's Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS). Launched in July 1972, it was the first satellite explicitly designed to study our planet. Three years later, the satellite was renamed Landsat 1. Outlasting its one-year design, Landsat 1 retired in January 1978.

The USGS provides information and tools needed to help solve problems posed by invasive species across the country. Key components of USGS invasive species science include developing novel prevention, forecasting, early detection, decision support, and control tools.

Many USGS water-resource monitoring sites have webcams installed to allow remote visibility of current water and environmental conditions, identify technical issues, verify remote measurements, and gather data for visual analyses. The Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) provides access to still-frame images and timelapse videos from our active webcams.

After launch in 1975, Landsat 2 began to collect remote sensing data. Outliving its one-year design, Landsat 2 achieved seven years of operation. With two Landsats in orbit, scientists gleaned additional views of the planet. With this uninterrupted data, the record of the Earth's land surface could always be recorded, allowing for reliable imaging for scientists, policy makers, and land managers.

Species observations for the United States and Territories.

This year was huge for the Landsat Program. Here are three major Landsat events from 2021. Use the map to explore the stories we've shared with you this year.

topoView is an easy-to-use application for browsing the Historical Topographic Map Collection and US Topo maps

The Coastal Resilience Initiative geonarrative is a data-driven, interactive narrative that shares information about the USGS-led Coastal Resilience Initiative while allowing viewers to explore past and ongoing work and access coastal science tools. The Initiative's mission is to provide information to protect lives, property, resources, and the economic well-being of coastal communities in the No

View recent and historical chloride and specific conductance data for active water-quality monitoring stations on streams in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Wildfires pose significant threat in an increasingly arid California landscape, threatening life, property, and air quality, and having long-term impacts on the state's water. Knowing the location and extent of wildfire events that effect California may help scientists and resource managers predict and manage potential impacts burns may have upon water quality, availability and movement.

Dashboard presenting nor’easter storm events in coastal New England in January and March 2018.