USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Earth's Pulse: Hazard Monitoring
Current Stream Conditions
USGS provides near real-time information for most of our Nation’s rivers and streams.
USGS provides near real-time information for most of our Nation’s rivers and streams.
Latest Earthquakes
Whether you feel them or not, earthquakes are an everyday occurrence.
Whether you feel them or not, earthquakes are an everyday occurrence.
U.S. Volcano Alert Level
See the current status of the 161 monitored volcanoes in the United States.
See the current status of the 161 monitored volcanoes in the United States.
Scientists rely on measurements and networks of sensors to monitor Earth’s movements. Like tracking someone’s pulse, these sensors check the ‘heartbeat’ of Earth’s surface, waters, and air. Hazard monitoring helps us understand where, when, why, and how much things change over time.
Earth's Pulse: Hazard Monitoring
Earth's Pulse: Hazard Monitoring
Hazard monitoring provides clues that help scientists forecast where, when, or how big an event might be. Depending on the hazard, there can be hundreds to thousands of monitoring sites within a monitoring network. Whether it’s earthquakes, flooding, landslides, coastal change, or climate change, the USGS has the tools to observe and record Earth’s pulse.
Examples of Monitoring Networks
Examples of Monitoring Networks
The USGS continuously monitors conditions before, during, and after potential disasters. See what is happening currently with our Nation’s volcanoes, rivers, faults, and other features with our online monitoring tools.
Robust Monitoring
The only accurate way to know what is happening in the world around us is to monitor the situation in real-time. To actively watch, measure, or determine how something is behaving and expertly assess what the current conditions show. As the premiere federal research agency in the Department of the Interior, our scientists monitor a variety of natural hazards from border to border and coast to coast…and sometimes beyond. How robust are our monitoring efforts?
Here’s a brief glimpse.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Working Well with Others
Monitoring natural conditions are fundamental to our national economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the Nation’s water resources. The USGS works with partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on the ‘heartbeat’ of Earth’s surface, waters, and air.
Earthquake Monitoring
Earthquake Monitoring
Earthquake Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Wildfire Conditions
Wildfire Conditions
Wildfire Conditions
Volcano Monitoring
Volcano Monitoring
Volcano Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Monitoring Coastlines
Monitoring Coastlines
Monitoring Coastlines
Landslide Monitoring
Landslide Monitoring
Landslide Monitoring
Landsat Observations
Landsat Observations
Landsat Observations
Science
Continuous Volcano Monitoring Using a Field-Portable Helium Isotope Detector
The injection of magma into subvolcanic magma reservoirs is one of the most significant triggers of volcanic eruptions. It is often manifested by an increase in CO2 emissions and in the helium isotopic ratio (3He/4He) measured in discharged gases. Temporal variations of helium isotope ratios in volcanic gases preceded eruptions at Ontake Volcano in Japan (September 2014) and at Etna Volcano in...
Monitoring Slow Slip
Recognition of the phenomena of slow slip is perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries in geophysics in the last decade.
Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring - CMWSC
The Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) includes three states: Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The water science center is responsible for providing information on discharge, water quality, water-use, and groundwater data. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) team is currently researching ways to better predict, analyze, and study HABs.
Improving Earthquake Monitoring with Deep Learning
Release Date: MARCH 12, 2021 On January 20, 2021 at 8:32am light shaking interrupted breakfast customers at a local coffee shop south of downtown Los Angeles, California. Everyone paused briefly while they waited to see if it was going to stop… or start shaking harder.
GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas.
Multimedia
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Lees Ferry - 100 Years of Streamflow Monitoring
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
USGS Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in New York
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
Monitoring Volcanoes Using ASTER Satellite Imagery
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
Filter Total Items: 17
Continuous Volcano Monitoring Using a Field-Portable Helium Isotope Detector
The injection of magma into subvolcanic magma reservoirs is one of the most significant triggers of volcanic eruptions. It is often manifested by an increase in CO2 emissions and in the helium isotopic ratio (3He/4He) measured in discharged gases. Temporal variations of helium isotope ratios in volcanic gases preceded eruptions at Ontake Volcano in Japan (September 2014) and at Etna Volcano in...
Monitoring Slow Slip
Recognition of the phenomena of slow slip is perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries in geophysics in the last decade.
Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring - CMWSC
The Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) includes three states: Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The water science center is responsible for providing information on discharge, water quality, water-use, and groundwater data. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) team is currently researching ways to better predict, analyze, and study HABs.
Improving Earthquake Monitoring with Deep Learning
Release Date: MARCH 12, 2021 On January 20, 2021 at 8:32am light shaking interrupted breakfast customers at a local coffee shop south of downtown Los Angeles, California. Everyone paused briefly while they waited to see if it was going to stop… or start shaking harder.
GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas.
Edge-of-field monitoring
Edge-of-field monitoring focuses on identifying and reducing agricultural sources of excess nutrients which can threaten the health of streams, rivers, and lakes. Edge-of-field monitoring assesses the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluates the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Hydrology Monitoring Tools
The U.S. Geological Survey provides local and national web-based tools so that policy makers and the public can easily access the information they need to enhance preparedness, response, and resilience.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) is an interagency program whose goal is to consistently map the burn severity and extent of large fires across all lands of the United States from 1984 to present. This includes all fires 1,000 acres or greater in the western United States and 500 acres or greater in the eastern Unites States. The extent of coverage includes the continental U.S., Alaska...
Storm-Tide Monitoring
It is important to understand how hurricanes and major storms affect coastal areas that are also subject to tidal flows. The only way to do this is to deploy many monitoring sites in the path of these storms, and collect data before, during, and after the storm passes. USGS often deploys this storm-tide monitoring equipment.
Real-Time Monitoring for Potential Landslides
The history of real-time monitoring for potential landslides from water and debris flows. Monitoring hillslopes with the goal of eventually establishing an early warning system for debris flows.
Hurricanes and Storm-Tide Monitoring
The USGS works in partnership with other federal and state agencies to provide scientific data about coastal flood hazards. The New Jersey Water Science Center (NJWSC) maintains a network of continuously operating tide gages along the back bays of New Jersey which provide publicly available water-level and meteorological data to monitor coastal flood conditions. The USGS NJWSC coordinates with our...
South Atlantic Water Science Center Drought Monitoring
When rainfall is less than normal for several weeks, months, or years, the flow of streams and rivers declines, water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells increases. If dry weather persists and water-supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought.
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Lees Ferry - 100 Years of Streamflow Monitoring
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
USGS Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in New York
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
Monitoring Volcanoes Using ASTER Satellite Imagery
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
There are 161 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. According to a 2018 USGS assessment , 57 volcanoes are a high threat or very high threat to public safety. Many of these volcanoes have erupted in the recent past and will erupt again in the foreseeable future. As populations increase, areas near volcanoes are being developed and aviation routes are increasing. As a result, more...
Does the USGS monitor global warming?
Not specifically. Our charge is to understand characteristics of the Earth, especially the Earth's surface, that affect our Nation's land, water, and biological resources. That includes quite a bit of environmental monitoring. Other agencies, especially NOAA and NASA, are specifically funded to monitor global temperature and atmospheric phenomena such as ozone concentrations. The work through...
How do scientists know what’s going on beneath the ground at Yellowstone? Is Yellowstone monitored for volcanic activity?
Yellowstone Volcano is monitored for signs of volcanic activity. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Yellowstone National Park, the University of Utah, the University of Wyoming, UNAVCO, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, the Idaho Geological Survey, and the Wyoming State Geological Survey. YVO closely monitors volcanic...
How are volcanic gases measured?
Instruments to measure sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide can be mounted in aircraft to determine the quantity of gas being emitted on a daily basis. Such instruments can also be used in a ground-based mode. An instrument that detects carbon dioxide can be installed on a volcano and configured to send data continuously via radio to an observatory. Sulfur dioxide in volcanic clouds can also be...
How can we tell when a volcano will erupt?
Most volcanoes provide warnings before an eruption. Magmatic eruptions involve the rise of magma toward the surface, which normally generates detectable earthquakes. It can also deform the ground surface and cause anomalous heat flow or changes in the temperature and chemistry of the groundwater and spring waters. Steam-blast eruptions, however, can occur with little or no warning as superheated...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
How are earthquakes recorded? How are earthquakes measured? How is the magnitude of an earthquake determined?
Earthquakes are recorded by a seismographic network . Each seismic station in the network measures the movement of the ground at that site. The slip of one block of rock over another in an earthquake releases energy that makes the ground vibrate. That vibration pushes the adjoining piece of ground and causes it to vibrate, and thus the energy travels out from the earthquake hypocenter in a wave...
How do seismologists locate an earthquake?
When an earthquake occurs, one of the first questions is "where was it?" The location may tell us what fault it was on and where damage (if any) most likely occurred. Unfortunately, Earth is not transparent and we can't just see or photograph the earthquake disturbance like meteorologists can photograph clouds. When an earthquake occurs, it generates an expanding wavefront from the earthquake...
What was the first instrument that actually recorded an earthquake?
The earliest seismoscope was invented by the Chinese philosopher Chang Heng in A.D. 132. This was a large urn on the outside of which were eight dragon heads facing the eight principal directions of the compass. Below each dragon head was a toad with its mouth opened toward the dragon. When an earthquake occurred, one or more of the eight dragon-mouths would release a ball into the open mouth of...
How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells?
Groundwater levels in wells can oscillate up and down when seismic waves pass. The water level might remain higher or lower for a period of time after the seismic waves end, but sometimes a long-term offset of groundwater levels follows an earthquake. The largest recorded earthquake-induced offset in a well is a one meter rise. Water quality can also be affected by earthquakes, typically in...
Scientists rely on measurements and networks of sensors to monitor Earth’s movements. Like tracking someone’s pulse, these sensors check the ‘heartbeat’ of Earth’s surface, waters, and air. Hazard monitoring helps us understand where, when, why, and how much things change over time.
Earth's Pulse: Hazard Monitoring
Earth's Pulse: Hazard Monitoring
Hazard monitoring provides clues that help scientists forecast where, when, or how big an event might be. Depending on the hazard, there can be hundreds to thousands of monitoring sites within a monitoring network. Whether it’s earthquakes, flooding, landslides, coastal change, or climate change, the USGS has the tools to observe and record Earth’s pulse.
Examples of Monitoring Networks
Examples of Monitoring Networks
The USGS continuously monitors conditions before, during, and after potential disasters. See what is happening currently with our Nation’s volcanoes, rivers, faults, and other features with our online monitoring tools.
Robust Monitoring
The only accurate way to know what is happening in the world around us is to monitor the situation in real-time. To actively watch, measure, or determine how something is behaving and expertly assess what the current conditions show. As the premiere federal research agency in the Department of the Interior, our scientists monitor a variety of natural hazards from border to border and coast to coast…and sometimes beyond. How robust are our monitoring efforts?
Here’s a brief glimpse.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Working Well with Others
Monitoring natural conditions are fundamental to our national economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the Nation’s water resources. The USGS works with partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on the ‘heartbeat’ of Earth’s surface, waters, and air.
Earthquake Monitoring
Earthquake Monitoring
Earthquake Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Flood Monitoring
Wildfire Conditions
Wildfire Conditions
Wildfire Conditions
Volcano Monitoring
Volcano Monitoring
Volcano Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Drought Monitoring
Monitoring Coastlines
Monitoring Coastlines
Monitoring Coastlines
Landslide Monitoring
Landslide Monitoring
Landslide Monitoring
Landsat Observations
Landsat Observations
Landsat Observations
Science
Continuous Volcano Monitoring Using a Field-Portable Helium Isotope Detector
The injection of magma into subvolcanic magma reservoirs is one of the most significant triggers of volcanic eruptions. It is often manifested by an increase in CO2 emissions and in the helium isotopic ratio (3He/4He) measured in discharged gases. Temporal variations of helium isotope ratios in volcanic gases preceded eruptions at Ontake Volcano in Japan (September 2014) and at Etna Volcano in...
Monitoring Slow Slip
Recognition of the phenomena of slow slip is perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries in geophysics in the last decade.
Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring - CMWSC
The Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) includes three states: Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The water science center is responsible for providing information on discharge, water quality, water-use, and groundwater data. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) team is currently researching ways to better predict, analyze, and study HABs.
Improving Earthquake Monitoring with Deep Learning
Release Date: MARCH 12, 2021 On January 20, 2021 at 8:32am light shaking interrupted breakfast customers at a local coffee shop south of downtown Los Angeles, California. Everyone paused briefly while they waited to see if it was going to stop… or start shaking harder.
GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas.
Multimedia
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Lees Ferry - 100 Years of Streamflow Monitoring
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
USGS Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in New York
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
Monitoring Volcanoes Using ASTER Satellite Imagery
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
Filter Total Items: 17
Continuous Volcano Monitoring Using a Field-Portable Helium Isotope Detector
The injection of magma into subvolcanic magma reservoirs is one of the most significant triggers of volcanic eruptions. It is often manifested by an increase in CO2 emissions and in the helium isotopic ratio (3He/4He) measured in discharged gases. Temporal variations of helium isotope ratios in volcanic gases preceded eruptions at Ontake Volcano in Japan (September 2014) and at Etna Volcano in...
Monitoring Slow Slip
Recognition of the phenomena of slow slip is perhaps one of the most exciting discoveries in geophysics in the last decade.
Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring - CMWSC
The Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC) includes three states: Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The water science center is responsible for providing information on discharge, water quality, water-use, and groundwater data. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs) team is currently researching ways to better predict, analyze, and study HABs.
Improving Earthquake Monitoring with Deep Learning
Release Date: MARCH 12, 2021 On January 20, 2021 at 8:32am light shaking interrupted breakfast customers at a local coffee shop south of downtown Los Angeles, California. Everyone paused briefly while they waited to see if it was going to stop… or start shaking harder.
GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas.
Edge-of-field monitoring
Edge-of-field monitoring focuses on identifying and reducing agricultural sources of excess nutrients which can threaten the health of streams, rivers, and lakes. Edge-of-field monitoring assesses the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluates the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Hydrology Monitoring Tools
The U.S. Geological Survey provides local and national web-based tools so that policy makers and the public can easily access the information they need to enhance preparedness, response, and resilience.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) is an interagency program whose goal is to consistently map the burn severity and extent of large fires across all lands of the United States from 1984 to present. This includes all fires 1,000 acres or greater in the western United States and 500 acres or greater in the eastern Unites States. The extent of coverage includes the continental U.S., Alaska...
Storm-Tide Monitoring
It is important to understand how hurricanes and major storms affect coastal areas that are also subject to tidal flows. The only way to do this is to deploy many monitoring sites in the path of these storms, and collect data before, during, and after the storm passes. USGS often deploys this storm-tide monitoring equipment.
Real-Time Monitoring for Potential Landslides
The history of real-time monitoring for potential landslides from water and debris flows. Monitoring hillslopes with the goal of eventually establishing an early warning system for debris flows.
Hurricanes and Storm-Tide Monitoring
The USGS works in partnership with other federal and state agencies to provide scientific data about coastal flood hazards. The New Jersey Water Science Center (NJWSC) maintains a network of continuously operating tide gages along the back bays of New Jersey which provide publicly available water-level and meteorological data to monitor coastal flood conditions. The USGS NJWSC coordinates with our...
South Atlantic Water Science Center Drought Monitoring
When rainfall is less than normal for several weeks, months, or years, the flow of streams and rivers declines, water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells increases. If dry weather persists and water-supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought.
Tracking uplift near Three Sisters volcanoes, using semi-permanent GPS instruments
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
USGS geologist Dan Dzurisin is near Sisters, in Central Oregon, to set up portable GPS monitoring equipment to track something that's been going on for 25 years and still goes on today. It’s uplift, a subtle rise in the ground’s surface, in an area west of South Sister volcano.
Lees Ferry - 100 Years of Streamflow Monitoring
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
On October 1, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River streamflow gaging site (USGS 09380000) at Lees Ferry will mark its 100-year anniversary of recording continuous streamflow data.
USGS Studies Harmful Algal Blooms in New York
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
USGS scientists are studying water-quality conditions and harmful algal blooms—known as HABs—in Owasco, Seneca and Skaneateles lakes in New York. The USGS monitoring effort will provide a better understanding of HAB growth and severity and allow for near instantaneous detection of changing water-quality conditions that might be indicative of HAB development.
Monitoring Volcanoes Using ASTER Satellite Imagery
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor is one of five sensors on board NASA's Terra satellite. ASTER data and imagery are crucial tools for monitoring volcanoes for any clues of imminent eruptions, for studying volcanoes during an eruption, and for analyzing impacts after an eruption.
Why is it important to monitor volcanoes?
There are 161 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. According to a 2018 USGS assessment , 57 volcanoes are a high threat or very high threat to public safety. Many of these volcanoes have erupted in the recent past and will erupt again in the foreseeable future. As populations increase, areas near volcanoes are being developed and aviation routes are increasing. As a result, more...
Does the USGS monitor global warming?
Not specifically. Our charge is to understand characteristics of the Earth, especially the Earth's surface, that affect our Nation's land, water, and biological resources. That includes quite a bit of environmental monitoring. Other agencies, especially NOAA and NASA, are specifically funded to monitor global temperature and atmospheric phenomena such as ozone concentrations. The work through...
How do scientists know what’s going on beneath the ground at Yellowstone? Is Yellowstone monitored for volcanic activity?
Yellowstone Volcano is monitored for signs of volcanic activity. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Yellowstone National Park, the University of Utah, the University of Wyoming, UNAVCO, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, the Idaho Geological Survey, and the Wyoming State Geological Survey. YVO closely monitors volcanic...
How are volcanic gases measured?
Instruments to measure sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide can be mounted in aircraft to determine the quantity of gas being emitted on a daily basis. Such instruments can also be used in a ground-based mode. An instrument that detects carbon dioxide can be installed on a volcano and configured to send data continuously via radio to an observatory. Sulfur dioxide in volcanic clouds can also be...
How can we tell when a volcano will erupt?
Most volcanoes provide warnings before an eruption. Magmatic eruptions involve the rise of magma toward the surface, which normally generates detectable earthquakes. It can also deform the ground surface and cause anomalous heat flow or changes in the temperature and chemistry of the groundwater and spring waters. Steam-blast eruptions, however, can occur with little or no warning as superheated...
Is there a way to get alerts about streamflow conditions?
Yes! The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service provides notifications to your email or phone for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose.
Where can I get real-time and historical streamflow information?
The best starting point for USGS streamflow data is the interactive National Water Information System (NWIS): Mapper website. Zoom in to your area of interest or use the search options in the left navigation window. The map displays active surface-water sites by default, but you can change the type of water site (surface-water, groundwater, springs, atmospheric) and select to show inactive sites...
How are earthquakes recorded? How are earthquakes measured? How is the magnitude of an earthquake determined?
Earthquakes are recorded by a seismographic network . Each seismic station in the network measures the movement of the ground at that site. The slip of one block of rock over another in an earthquake releases energy that makes the ground vibrate. That vibration pushes the adjoining piece of ground and causes it to vibrate, and thus the energy travels out from the earthquake hypocenter in a wave...
How do seismologists locate an earthquake?
When an earthquake occurs, one of the first questions is "where was it?" The location may tell us what fault it was on and where damage (if any) most likely occurred. Unfortunately, Earth is not transparent and we can't just see or photograph the earthquake disturbance like meteorologists can photograph clouds. When an earthquake occurs, it generates an expanding wavefront from the earthquake...
What was the first instrument that actually recorded an earthquake?
The earliest seismoscope was invented by the Chinese philosopher Chang Heng in A.D. 132. This was a large urn on the outside of which were eight dragon heads facing the eight principal directions of the compass. Below each dragon head was a toad with its mouth opened toward the dragon. When an earthquake occurred, one or more of the eight dragon-mouths would release a ball into the open mouth of...
How does an earthquake affect groundwater levels and water quality in wells?
Groundwater levels in wells can oscillate up and down when seismic waves pass. The water level might remain higher or lower for a period of time after the seismic waves end, but sometimes a long-term offset of groundwater levels follows an earthquake. The largest recorded earthquake-induced offset in a well is a one meter rise. Water quality can also be affected by earthquakes, typically in...