William T. Pecora, Director of the USGS from 1965 to 1971, is largely responsible for two major contributions to science in the public interest: the creation of a national earthquake research center at the USGS facility in Menlo Park, CA, and the Landsat series of Earth observing satellites.
Images
The National Land Imaging Program supports a variety of geospatial data programs and projects, including the USGS Landsat Program. Browse the images below to see some of the imagery produced using NLI-supported data sources.
William T. Pecora, Director of the USGS from 1965 to 1971, is largely responsible for two major contributions to science in the public interest: the creation of a national earthquake research center at the USGS facility in Menlo Park, CA, and the Landsat series of Earth observing satellites.
Landsat recently captured the most widespread meltwater pooling ever recorded on Antarctica's George VI Ice Shelf. Some melting is expected during the Antarctic summer, but the sheer extent of the stunning aqua ponds that have appeared amid the continent's warmest summer on record is remarkable.
Landsat recently captured the most widespread meltwater pooling ever recorded on Antarctica's George VI Ice Shelf. Some melting is expected during the Antarctic summer, but the sheer extent of the stunning aqua ponds that have appeared amid the continent's warmest summer on record is remarkable.
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest settlement of European origin in the United States. The Spanish fortress of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine was built from 1672-1695 and is made of coquina, a soft, impact-absorbing stone composed of sea shells.
Capital Tallahassee
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest settlement of European origin in the United States. The Spanish fortress of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine was built from 1672-1695 and is made of coquina, a soft, impact-absorbing stone composed of sea shells.
Capital Tallahassee
Georgia is home to Okefenokee Swamp, a unique area of primitive wetland that provides sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, including several endangered species.
Capital Atlanta
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 10,711,908
Georgia is home to Okefenokee Swamp, a unique area of primitive wetland that provides sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, including several endangered species.
Capital Atlanta
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 10,711,908
Idaho grows more potatoes than any other U.S. growing region, annually producing about 30 percent of U.S. fall production. Warm, sunny days, cool nights, and water from melting snow in nearby mountains make the perfect combination for growing them.
Capital Boise
Image Source Landsat 8
Idaho grows more potatoes than any other U.S. growing region, annually producing about 30 percent of U.S. fall production. Warm, sunny days, cool nights, and water from melting snow in nearby mountains make the perfect combination for growing them.
Capital Boise
Image Source Landsat 8
Iowa gets its name from an Indian word meaning “land between two rivers.” It is the only state whose east and west borders are entirely formed by water: the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Capital Des Moines
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,190,369
Iowa gets its name from an Indian word meaning “land between two rivers.” It is the only state whose east and west borders are entirely formed by water: the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Capital Des Moines
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,190,369
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky is the world’s longest cave system, with more than 400 miles explored. Tours of Mammoth Cave have been given since 1816.
Capital Frankfort
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 4,505,836
Number of Pixels 116,287,675
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky is the world’s longest cave system, with more than 400 miles explored. Tours of Mammoth Cave have been given since 1816.
Capital Frankfort
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 4,505,836
Number of Pixels 116,287,675
The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and spans five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.
Capital Lansing
Image Source Landsat 8
The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and spans five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.
Capital Lansing
Image Source Landsat 8
Although once described as the “Great American Desert,” Nebraska is now a breadbasket for the nation and much of the world. It ranks among the leading states in many agricultural production categories.
Capital Lincoln
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,961,504
Although once described as the “Great American Desert,” Nebraska is now a breadbasket for the nation and much of the world. It ranks among the leading states in many agricultural production categories.
Capital Lincoln
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,961,504
Utah mountain peaks, on average, are the tallest in the country. The average elevation of the tallest peaks in each of Utah’s counties is 11,222 feet–higher than the same average in any other state.
Capital Salt Lake City
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,271,616
Utah mountain peaks, on average, are the tallest in the country. The average elevation of the tallest peaks in each of Utah’s counties is 11,222 feet–higher than the same average in any other state.
Capital Salt Lake City
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 3,271,616
This Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image is an example of 3-dimensional data capture technology.
This Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image is an example of 3-dimensional data capture technology.
Before Abraham Lincoln was elected President, he served in the Illinois legislature and practiced law in Springfield. Lincoln is buried just outside Springfield at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site.
Capital Springfield
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 12,812,508
Before Abraham Lincoln was elected President, he served in the Illinois legislature and practiced law in Springfield. Lincoln is buried just outside Springfield at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site.
Capital Springfield
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 12,812,508
Located just southeast of Osborne, Kansas, is the Geodetic Center of North America. The Geodetic Center is the initial point upon which all North American surveys, deeds, and maps are based.
Capital Topeka
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 2,937,880
Located just southeast of Osborne, Kansas, is the Geodetic Center of North America. The Geodetic Center is the initial point upon which all North American surveys, deeds, and maps are based.
Capital Topeka
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 2,937,880
Forests cover approximately 2.6 million acres, or 41 percent, of Maryland’s land surface. Oak and hickory are the dominant hardwood or deciduous forest types, and loblolly pine is the most prevalent softwood.
Capital Annapolis
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 6,177,224
Forests cover approximately 2.6 million acres, or 41 percent, of Maryland’s land surface. Oak and hickory are the dominant hardwood or deciduous forest types, and loblolly pine is the most prevalent softwood.
Capital Annapolis
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 6,177,224
Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903. The actual flight took place four miles away at the Kill Devil Hills, now the site of Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Capital Raleigh
Image Source Landsat 8
Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903. The actual flight took place four miles away at the Kill Devil Hills, now the site of Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Capital Raleigh
Image Source Landsat 8
Sometimes called the “Mother State,” Virginia has produced eight U.S. presidents (more than any other state): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Capital Richmond
Image Source Landsat 8
Sometimes called the “Mother State,” Virginia has produced eight U.S. presidents (more than any other state): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Capital Richmond
Image Source Landsat 8
During the Cold War, the Emergency Relocation Center was built to house members of Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. It is located beneath the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Capital Charleston
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,793,716
During the Cold War, the Emergency Relocation Center was built to house members of Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. It is located beneath the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Capital Charleston
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 1,793,716
Alabama is the only state in the country that contains all of the major natural resources needed to make iron and steel. It is also the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products.
Capital Montgomery
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 5,024,279
Alabama is the only state in the country that contains all of the major natural resources needed to make iron and steel. It is also the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products.
Capital Montgomery
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 5,024,279
The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of each other in California: Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Death Valley (282 feet below sea level).
Capital Sacramento
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 39,538,223
The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of each other in California: Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Death Valley (282 feet below sea level).
Capital Sacramento
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 39,538,223
Plymouth Rock is the legendary stepping stone of the Pilgrims’ arrival in what is now Massachusetts. It sits on the shore of Plymouth Harbor at Pilgrim Memorial State Park and is actually no bigger than a coffee table.
Capital Boston
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 7,029,917
Plymouth Rock is the legendary stepping stone of the Pilgrims’ arrival in what is now Massachusetts. It sits on the shore of Plymouth Harbor at Pilgrim Memorial State Park and is actually no bigger than a coffee table.
Capital Boston
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 7,029,917
The largest earthquake ever recorded in the continental United States occurred near New Madrid, Missouri, in 1812. The quake shook more than one million square miles and was felt as far as 1,000 miles away.
Capital Jefferson City
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 6,154,913
The largest earthquake ever recorded in the continental United States occurred near New Madrid, Missouri, in 1812. The quake shook more than one million square miles and was felt as far as 1,000 miles away.
Capital Jefferson City
Image Source Landsat 8
Population 6,154,913