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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program images.

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map of iPlover study sites
iPlover Study Sites
iPlover Study Sites
iPlover Study Sites

Locations of the 97 beaches and barrier islands where our partners used the iPlover app to collect and record information on landcover characteristics at piping plover nesting locations during the breeding seasons of 2014-2016.

Locations of the 97 beaches and barrier islands where our partners used the iPlover app to collect and record information on landcover characteristics at piping plover nesting locations during the breeding seasons of 2014-2016.

peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Island
Peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Is
Peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Is
Peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Is

A peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Island, Maryland. An inorganic-rich layer found at the top of the core was delivered to the marsh via Hurricane Sandy. Visual contrast in sediment down-core reveal similar layers as that observed at the top of the core (i.e., Hurricane Sandy layer).

A peat auger core collected from the back-barrier marsh of Assateague Island, Maryland. An inorganic-rich layer found at the top of the core was delivered to the marsh via Hurricane Sandy. Visual contrast in sediment down-core reveal similar layers as that observed at the top of the core (i.e., Hurricane Sandy layer).

Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles (green) in the water column at a seep site overlooking Baltimore Canyon
Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles
Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles
Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles

Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles (green) in the water column at a seep site overlooking Baltimore Canyon on the U.S. Atlantic margin. Although the bubbles appear to nearly reach the sea surface, the methane contained in the bubbles would have dissolved and been replaced by other gases by the time the bubbles rise several hundred meters.

Split-beam (EK60) sonar image of bubbles (green) in the water column at a seep site overlooking Baltimore Canyon on the U.S. Atlantic margin. Although the bubbles appear to nearly reach the sea surface, the methane contained in the bubbles would have dissolved and been replaced by other gases by the time the bubbles rise several hundred meters.

A large group of sea stars cling to rocks in a tide pool.
Vibrantly colored sea stars
Vibrantly colored sea stars
Vibrantly colored sea stars

Tidepool scenes of vibrantly colored sea stars could become a rarity as the Sea Star Wasting Disease spreads.

Tidepool scenes of vibrantly colored sea stars could become a rarity as the Sea Star Wasting Disease spreads.

Bottom simulating reflector
Bottom simulating reflector
Bottom simulating reflector
Bottom simulating reflector

Bottom simulating reflector imaged in 2014 by the USGS along a seismic line acquired south of Hudson Canyon during the Extended Continental Shelf cruise.  Image provided by D. Hutchinson and reproduced from USGS Fact Sheet 3080.

Bottom simulating reflector imaged in 2014 by the USGS along a seismic line acquired south of Hudson Canyon during the Extended Continental Shelf cruise.  Image provided by D. Hutchinson and reproduced from USGS Fact Sheet 3080.

Photo collage of 4 time periods of beach recovery
Photo collage of 4 time periods of beach recovery
Photo collage of 4 time periods of beach recovery
Photo collage of 4 time periods of beach recovery

Since Hurricane Sandy, we have developed techniques to monitor short-term changes to the upper beach where both storm impacts and subsequent beach recovery are easily observed and measured.

Since Hurricane Sandy, we have developed techniques to monitor short-term changes to the upper beach where both storm impacts and subsequent beach recovery are easily observed and measured.

3 researchers on the deck of a ship, with the sea in the background, are pulling on a thick black cable.
Researchers pull in a cable containing underwater microphones
Researchers pull in a cable containing underwater microphones
Researchers pull in a cable containing underwater microphones

Rob Thieler (left), Laura Brothers, and David Foster pull in a cable containing underwater microphones after completing a seismic survey in 2014.

Map shows the ocean and continents with color blocks in the ocean and arrows to show different ice data.
Polar bear ecoregions
Polar bear ecoregions
Polar bear ecoregions

Map of the four ecoregions that make up the polar bear's range, plus a depiction of seasonal patterns of ice motion and distribution.

Map of the four ecoregions that make up the polar bear's range, plus a depiction of seasonal patterns of ice motion and distribution.

Man standing in very shallow water holds a drill and is leaning over while he secures an instrument onto the reef flat.
Securing an instrument mount on reef flat, Roi-Namur Island
Securing an instrument mount on reef flat, Roi-Namur Island
Securing an instrument mount on reef flat, Roi-Namur Island

USGS researcher drills an instrument mount into a reef flat on Roi-Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. Photo by USGS.

Map illustration shows the seafloor surface in a 3-D fashion.
Shaded-relief bathymetry data
Shaded-relief bathymetry data
Shaded-relief bathymetry data

State-of-the-art multibeam and bathymetric sidescan sonar systems collect high-resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data.

State-of-the-art multibeam and bathymetric sidescan sonar systems collect high-resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data.

Perspective view of coastal bathymetry looking onshore, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Perspective lidar view of coastal bathymetry at St. Thomas, USVI
Perspective lidar view of coastal bathymetry at St. Thomas, USVI
Perspective lidar view of coastal bathymetry at St. Thomas, USVI

Perspective view of coastal bathymetry looking onshore, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, mapped using lidar and depicted with false-color, showing detailed submerged features, including coral reefs.

Photo from a time-lapse camera looking eastward along the north shore of Barter Island, Alaska, on June 15, 2014
Photo from a time-lapse camera of the north shore of Barter Island, AK
Photo from a time-lapse camera of the north shore of Barter Island, AK
Photo from a time-lapse camera of the north shore of Barter Island, AK

Photo from a time-lapse camera looking eastward along the north shore of Barter Island, Alaska, on June 15, 2014. A video-camera station would capture even more detail about the processes that shape this coast.

Computer-generated diagram made using lidar data shows beach, amusement park, river, and cliff with houses in a stippled pattern
Lidar image from point cloud
Lidar image from point cloud
Lidar image from point cloud

This is an example of a lidar image created from the “point cloud” that shows objects’ reflectivity near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

This is an example of a lidar image created from the “point cloud” that shows objects’ reflectivity near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the mouth of the San Lorenzo River.

River water mixes with ocean water on the beach, seagulls sitting on a sand bar, amusement park rides visible in background.
December 13, 2014, just after "Super Soaker" storm
December 13, 2014, just after "Super Soaker" storm
December 13, 2014, just after "Super Soaker" storm

Santa Cruz Main Beach and Boardwalk two days after a "Super Soaker" winter storm hit with 2.5 inches of rain in just a few hours' time.

Foamy ocean and river water mix on a beach near an amusement park.
December 10, 2014, Day before "Super Soaker" storm
December 10, 2014, Day before "Super Soaker" storm
December 10, 2014, Day before "Super Soaker" storm

Santa Cruz Main Beach and Boardwalk just before a "Super Soaker" winter storm hit with 2.5 inches of rain in just a few hours' time.

Man stands near and holds onto a large tripod with a lidar instrument mounted on top.
Lidar
Lidar
Lidar

USGS Geographer Josh Logan sets up the lidar scanner near Capitola before the December 11, 2014 "Super Soaker" storm.

USGS Geographer Josh Logan sets up the lidar scanner near Capitola before the December 11, 2014 "Super Soaker" storm.

Computer-generated diagram from lidar data shows beach, amusement park, river, and cliff with houses in a stippled pattern.
Lidar point cloud with digital still image overlay
Lidar point cloud with digital still image overlay
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