Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Images
Explore images taken during Climate Research and Development Program fieldwork and research.
Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Crystal clear, turquoise waters surrounding a palm-lined beach on Palmyra Atoll.
Crystal clear, turquoise waters surrounding a palm-lined beach on 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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?