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National Geospatial Program

Your Source for Topographic Information

The National Map

Data Science: Converting Data into Actionable Knowledge

Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS)

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USGS Library

Online Catalog

Core Science Systems Mission Area

USGS CSS serves as the primary national civilian mapping agency, including topographic and geologic mapping for Federal and State requirements, national geospatial coordination, satellite operations and remote sensing. Our products and data are necessary to understand, monitor, and detect changes that affect the Nation’s natural and agricultural resources, the economy, public safety, and security.

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National Geospatial Program

Climbing Mount McKinley

The National Geospatial Program is the Federal civilian mapping agency and provides the digital geospatial foundation for the Nation. It engages partners and communities of use to collaboratively produce consistent and accurate topographic map data.

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Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program

Front side of the Denali and Tallgrass computer server racks.

The Science Synthesis Analysis, and Research (SSAR) Program provides analysis and synthesis of scientific data and information, interdisciplinary research to improve understanding of Earth system changes, and preservation of scientific data and samples and library collections.

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News

The USGS Library Celebrates 250 Years of Discovery and Exploration

The USGS Library Celebrates 250 Years of Discovery and Exploration

America at 250, Seen from Space

America at 250, Seen from Space

Annual NLCD Collection 1.2 Now Available

Annual NLCD Collection 1.2 Now Available

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Publications

Seeing is believing: Livestream video monitoring of Hawaiian eruptions Seeing is believing: Livestream video monitoring of Hawaiian eruptions

Livestream video has become a crucial tool for volcano monitoring in recent years, building upon the use of webcam snapshots that have been common for the past two decades. In Hawaii, livestream video was first tested in 2018, and today, livestream video is a vital tool for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and partner agencies (National Park Service and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense) as...
Authors
Matthew R. Patrick, Ken Hon, William Tollett, Thomas-Jon Kekoa Hiroaki Hoomanawanui, Katie Mulliken, Tim R. Orr, Michael P. Poland, Kevan Kamibayashi, S. Miki Warren, Seth Swaney, Edward F. Younger, Albert Kamakeʻeaina, Steven Fuke, R. Lopaka Lee, Michael H. Zoeller, Scott R Horvath
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Volcano Hazards Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS), Volcano Science Center, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, Communications and Publishing

Across-track tilt concept for sun glint mitigation in future Earth-observing missions Across-track tilt concept for sun glint mitigation in future Earth-observing missions

Sun glint is a major limitation for spaceborne optical remote sensing of aquatic environments, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. By dominating the at-sensor radiance, sun glint complicates atmospheric correction and reduces the quality of aquatic reflectance products derived across Earth observation missions. This study presents a machine learning framework to quantify...
Authors
Saeed Arab, Christopher J. Crawford, Benjamin Page, Kevin Turpie, Peter Gege, David Thompson, Kelly Luis
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Landsat Missions

ECCOE Landsat quarterly calibration and validation report—Quarter 4, 2025 ECCOE Landsat quarterly calibration and validation report—Quarter 4, 2025

Authors
Md Obaidul Haque, Nahid Hasan, Ashish Shrestha, Rajagopalan Rengarajan, Mark Lubke, Daniel Steinwand, Paul Bresnahan, Jerad L. Shaw, Kathryn Ruslander, Esad Micijevic, Michael J. Choate, Cody Anderson, Jeff Clauson, Kurt Thome, Amit Angal, Raviv Levy, Jeff Miller, Cibele Teixeira Pinto
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Landsat Missions
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Science

Collage of software mapper tools.

2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) is proud to host the 2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting June 23-25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our...
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS), 3D Elevation Program, 3D Hydrography Program, 3D National Topography Model, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center
2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting

The Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS) is proud to host the 2026 18th CEGIS Annual Research Meeting June 23-25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The annual research meeting is a special occasion to celebrate our accomplishments, explore ongoing projects, and foster collaboration for future endeavors. This year's gathering featured a broad range of presentations from our...
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las moras

Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

The Las Moras Wash, within the Santa Margarita Ranch, Altar Valley, AZ, exhibits channel incision, gully expansion, head‑cut migration, vegetation loss, and reduced hydrologic connectivity between upper watershed and floodplains.
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, Western Geographic Science Center
Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

Las Moras Wash Restoration: Integrated Geomorphic Assessment, Modeling, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

The Las Moras Wash, within the Santa Margarita Ranch, Altar Valley, AZ, exhibits channel incision, gully expansion, head‑cut migration, vegetation loss, and reduced hydrologic connectivity between upper watershed and floodplains.
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A convective smoke plume from a managed wildfire rises above Ponderosa pine trees, New Mexico

Fire Science

Wildfires shape landscapes and affect everything from water supplies to wildlife habitats. The USGS studies fire patterns and their effects using remote sensing data to map and characterize wildland fuels, monitor fire risks, model fire behavior, forecast fire danger, and assess post-fire recovery. This work tracks spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem disturbance including wildland-urban...
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Land Imaging Program, Wildland Fire Science
Fire Science

Fire Science

Wildfires shape landscapes and affect everything from water supplies to wildlife habitats. The USGS studies fire patterns and their effects using remote sensing data to map and characterize wildland fuels, monitor fire risks, model fire behavior, forecast fire danger, and assess post-fire recovery. This work tracks spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem disturbance including wildland-urban...
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