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Explore images taken during Climate Research and Development Program fieldwork and research.

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Coastal ecosystems that store carbon and carbon flows within these ecosystems. Full alt text in caption.
Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon
Blue Carbon

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

USGS scientists preparing samples in the lab
Preparing sediment samples in the lab
Preparing sediment samples in the lab
Preparing sediment samples in the lab

Physical Scientist Michelle Leung and Research Geologist Natalie Kehrwald prepare sediment samples from Santa Fe Lake, New Mexico to analyze records of interactions between past fires and human activity over the last few thousand years. 

Physical Scientist Michelle Leung and Research Geologist Natalie Kehrwald prepare sediment samples from Santa Fe Lake, New Mexico to analyze records of interactions between past fires and human activity over the last few thousand years. 

light blue waters surrounding Sand Island of Palmyra Atoll
Sand Island, Palmyra Atoll
Sand Island, Palmyra Atoll
Sand Island, Palmyra Atoll

Sand Island, one of the first islands on the atoll to have successfully eradicated coconut palms, which were quickly replaced by a healthy Pisonia forest with abundant shorebird life.  

Sand Island, one of the first islands on the atoll to have successfully eradicated coconut palms, which were quickly replaced by a healthy Pisonia forest with abundant shorebird life.  

light blue water and palm trees along the Western Lagoon of Palmyra Atoll
Western Lagoon Shoreline, Palmyra Atoll
Western Lagoon Shoreline, Palmyra Atoll
Western Lagoon Shoreline, Palmyra Atoll

A view of the shoreline with palm trees above bright blue water in the Western Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll.

A view of the shoreline with palm trees above bright blue water in the Western Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll.

stand of dead coconut palms
Dead Coconut Palms, Palmyra Atoll
Dead Coconut Palms, Palmyra Atoll
Dead Coconut Palms, Palmyra Atoll

A recently treated stand of coconut palms, standing and dead, which will naturally convert back to Pisonia forest, on Palmyra Atoll. 

A recently treated stand of coconut palms, standing and dead, which will naturally convert back to Pisonia forest, on Palmyra Atoll. 

sandy north shore of Palmyra Atoll
North Shore of Palmyra Atoll
North Shore of Palmyra Atoll
North Shore of Palmyra Atoll

A view of the sandy north shore of Palmyra Atoll, with a forested edge. Recently killed coconut palm trunks poke out of the forested area.

A view of the sandy north shore of Palmyra Atoll, with a forested edge. Recently killed coconut palm trunks poke out of the forested area.

A White Tern flies near a Red-Footed Booby that is sitting under a tree
White Tern and Red-Footed Booby, Palmyra Atoll
White Tern and Red-Footed Booby, Palmyra Atoll
White Tern and Red-Footed Booby, Palmyra Atoll

A White Tern and a Red-Footed Booby share some shade under a tree. The White Tern flies while the Booby sits below. 

A White Tern and a Red-Footed Booby share some shade under a tree. The White Tern flies while the Booby sits below. 

scenic view of lagoon
Scenic Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll
Scenic Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll
Scenic Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll

Calm, clear and bright blue waters of a small shoreline lagoon on Palmyra Atoll.

Calm, clear and bright blue waters of a small shoreline lagoon on Palmyra Atoll.

palm lined coast of Palmyra Atoll
Palm-lined Coast, Palmyra Atoll
Palm-lined Coast, Palmyra Atoll
Palm-lined Coast, Palmyra Atoll

Crystal clear, turquoise waters surrounding a palm-lined beach on Palmyra Atoll. 

Crystal clear, turquoise waters surrounding a palm-lined beach on Palmyra Atoll. 

view away from Palmyra looking out to sea
Looking out to Sea, Palmyra Atoll
Looking out to Sea, Palmyra Atoll
Looking out to Sea, Palmyra Atoll

Calm, blue waters surround Palmyra Atoll. This view takes in the ocean scenery with a partial glimpse of lush green coastal vegetation on the landward side.

Calm, blue waters surround Palmyra Atoll. This view takes in the ocean scenery with a partial glimpse of lush green coastal vegetation on the landward side.

driftwood on Palmyra Atoll beach
Driftwood on Palmyra Atoll
Driftwood on Palmyra Atoll
Driftwood on Palmyra Atoll

Driftwood lays partially submerged in clear blue water on sandy shore of Palmyra Atoll. 

Driftwood lays partially submerged in clear blue water on sandy shore of Palmyra Atoll. 

Pisonia forest
Pisonia Forest, Palmyra Atoll
Pisonia Forest, Palmyra Atoll
Pisonia Forest, Palmyra Atoll

Pisonia forest where coconuts have already been eradicated on Palmyra Atoll. The forest is lush and green.

Pisonia forest where coconuts have already been eradicated on Palmyra Atoll. The forest is lush and green.

aerial view of Palmyra Atoll
Aerial View of Palmyra Atoll
Aerial View of Palmyra Atoll
Aerial View of Palmyra Atoll

Aerial view of the Palmyra Atoll, looking west. The forested island is surrounded by blue water.

Aerial view of the Palmyra Atoll, looking west. The forested island is surrounded by blue water.

Gulkana Glacier timelapse illustration
Gulkana Glacier area change, 1957 - 2021
Gulkana Glacier area change, 1957 - 2021
Gulkana Glacier area change, 1957 - 2021

Gulkana Glacier area change, from 1957 - 2021. Gulkana Glacier is located along the south flank of the eastern Alaska Range.

Gulkana Glacier area change, from 1957 - 2021. Gulkana Glacier is located along the south flank of the eastern Alaska Range.

Lemon Creek Glacier timelapse illustration
Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021
Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021
Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021

Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021. Lemon Creek Glacier is located at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska, USA, approximately 6.5 km northeast of the city of Juneau

Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021. Lemon Creek Glacier is located at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska, USA, approximately 6.5 km northeast of the city of Juneau

South Cascade Glacier timelapse
South Cascade Glacier area change, 1970 - 2021
South Cascade Glacier area change, 1970 - 2021
South Cascade Glacier area change, 1970 - 2021

South Cascade Glacier area change, 1970 - 2021.  South Cascade Glacier located in a north-northwest facing valley near the crest of the Cascade Range in northwest Washington state.

South Cascade Glacier area change, 1970 - 2021.  South Cascade Glacier located in a north-northwest facing valley near the crest of the Cascade Range in northwest Washington state.

Wolverine Glacier timelapse
Wolverine Glacier area change, 1950 - 2020
Wolverine Glacier area change, 1950 - 2020
Wolverine Glacier area change, 1950 - 2020

Wolverine Glacier area change, 1950 - 2020. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. 

Wolverine Glacier area change, 1950 - 2020. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. 

scientist examining snow sample while in snowpit
Examining a Snow Sample
Examining a Snow Sample
Examining a Snow Sample

Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center scientist examines snow crystal type, layer temperature, and density to understand snowpack characteristics leading to the formation of avalanche release.

Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center scientist examines snow crystal type, layer temperature, and density to understand snowpack characteristics leading to the formation of avalanche release.

A drawing of a crosscut sediment core depicting historic events from 1950 to 18,000 B.C
Sediment Core
Sediment Core
Sediment Core

Time to get our hands dirty! Paleoclimate researchers study sediment cores, which are accumulated layers of mud and dead plant material collected in a long tube, to learn about what the climate and environment of the past was like.

Time to get our hands dirty! Paleoclimate researchers study sediment cores, which are accumulated layers of mud and dead plant material collected in a long tube, to learn about what the climate and environment of the past was like.

A drawing of a crosscut section of a tree to display its rings and the potential events associated with their differences.
Tree Rings
Tree Rings
Tree Rings

The secret lives of... trees? Trees can live for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. As they grow, they add new layers of growth – or tree rings – that scientists can study to learn about the tree’s life. The width of tree rings often reflects the factor most influencing growth from one year to the next depending upon where the tree lives.

The secret lives of... trees? Trees can live for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. As they grow, they add new layers of growth – or tree rings – that scientists can study to learn about the tree’s life. The width of tree rings often reflects the factor most influencing growth from one year to the next depending upon where the tree lives.

A comic style infographic of USGS researchers studying ice cores.
Ice Cores
Ice Cores
Ice Cores

The cold never bothered our USGS scientists! They ask – do you want to collect an ice core?

The cold never bothered our USGS scientists! They ask – do you want to collect an ice core?

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