Schematic cross section showing examples of chemical, mechanical, and thermal geologic energy storage methods in potential underground settings in a sedimentary basin. This illustration is a higher resolution version of figure 2 of USGS Fact Sheet 2022-3084.
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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.
Schematic cross section showing examples of chemical, mechanical, and thermal geologic energy storage methods in potential underground settings in a sedimentary basin. This illustration is a higher resolution version of figure 2 of USGS Fact Sheet 2022-3084.
An animated GIF of a manatee looking at the camera and rubbing its belly at the same time.
An animated GIF of a manatee looking at the camera and rubbing its belly at the same time.
December 1, 2022 - A view of the eruption plume from fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Geologist for scale on the left. USGS image by J. Schmith.
December 1, 2022 - A view of the eruption plume from fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Geologist for scale on the left. USGS image by J. Schmith.
View of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting during the morning of December 1, 2022. Fissure 3 continues to be the dominant of two erupting fissures on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.
View of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting during the morning of December 1, 2022. Fissure 3 continues to be the dominant of two erupting fissures on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.
December 1, 2022 - USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists deploy buckets downwind of the erupting fissures to collect samples. These samples will be analyzed to learn about lava being erupted by Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.
December 1, 2022 - USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists deploy buckets downwind of the erupting fissures to collect samples. These samples will be analyzed to learn about lava being erupted by Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone.
View of fissure 3 erupting on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. View is from approximately 500 meters downrift.
View of fissure 3 erupting on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. View is from approximately 500 meters downrift.
This image, taken during an early morning overflight on 30 November 2022, shows Fissure 3, the dominant source of activity. As of 7 a.m. HST, the lava fountains are 20-25 meters in height (65-82 feet) and feed a lava flow moving to the northeast at ~130 meters per hour (0.08 miles per hour).
This image, taken during an early morning overflight on 30 November 2022, shows Fissure 3, the dominant source of activity. As of 7 a.m. HST, the lava fountains are 20-25 meters in height (65-82 feet) and feed a lava flow moving to the northeast at ~130 meters per hour (0.08 miles per hour).
Photograph of a high-definition video camera filming fissure 3. Field crews are out today monitoring the eruption of Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea is in the distance behind the fountaining fissure. Taken at about 7:15 AM on November 30, 2022.
Photograph of a high-definition video camera filming fissure 3. Field crews are out today monitoring the eruption of Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea is in the distance behind the fountaining fissure. Taken at about 7:15 AM on November 30, 2022.
Photo showing the front of the aʻa flow closest to Saddle Road, taken on Nov. 30, around 3:30 pm HST. The photo was taken looking south to southeastward from the Hilo-Kona Road, approximately 4 miles south of Saddle Road and one mile west of the Mauna Loa Observatory Road.
Photo showing the front of the aʻa flow closest to Saddle Road, taken on Nov. 30, around 3:30 pm HST. The photo was taken looking south to southeastward from the Hilo-Kona Road, approximately 4 miles south of Saddle Road and one mile west of the Mauna Loa Observatory Road.
A field crew was out documenting the location of the front of the flow closest to Saddle Road on Nov. 30, 2022, between 3:00 and 4:00 pm HST. This photo shows the front of the aʻa flow, with a helicopter for scale.
A field crew was out documenting the location of the front of the flow closest to Saddle Road on Nov. 30, 2022, between 3:00 and 4:00 pm HST. This photo shows the front of the aʻa flow, with a helicopter for scale.
Photo showing the front of the aʻa flow closest to Saddle Road, taken on Nov. 30, around 3:30 pm HST. The photo was taken looking south to southeastward from the Hilo-Kona Road, approximately 4 miles south of Saddle Road and one mile west of the Mauna Loa Observatory Road.
Photo showing the front of the aʻa flow closest to Saddle Road, taken on Nov. 30, around 3:30 pm HST. The photo was taken looking south to southeastward from the Hilo-Kona Road, approximately 4 miles south of Saddle Road and one mile west of the Mauna Loa Observatory Road.
The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its third full day. At this time two fissures are active, sending lava flows primarily to the north-northeast.
The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its third full day. At this time two fissures are active, sending lava flows primarily to the north-northeast.
Aerial image of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting the morning of November 30, 2022. Fissure 3 remains the dominant source of the largest lava flow being generated during the eruption. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Aerial image of fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting the morning of November 30, 2022. Fissure 3 remains the dominant source of the largest lava flow being generated during the eruption. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Aerial image of fissure 4 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting the morning of November 30, 2022. Fissure 4 is less active than fissure 3, but is generating lava flows moving toward the northeast and a small lobe moving to the east. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Aerial image of fissure 4 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone erupting the morning of November 30, 2022. Fissure 4 is less active than fissure 3, but is generating lava flows moving toward the northeast and a small lobe moving to the east. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Aerial image of the distal end of a lava flow from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone the morning of November 30, 2022. As of 12:30 HST p.m. on November 30, the flow front remained about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Aerial image of the distal end of a lava flow from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone the morning of November 30, 2022. As of 12:30 HST p.m. on November 30, the flow front remained about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). USGS image by K. Mulliken.
A helicopter overflight on November 30, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. Two active fissures on the Northeast Rift Zone are feeding lava flows to the north, northeast, and southeast.
A helicopter overflight on November 30, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. Two active fissures on the Northeast Rift Zone are feeding lava flows to the north, northeast, and southeast.
Fissure 3 of the Northeast Rift Zone Mauna Loa eruption with a plume of volcanic gases and fine volcanic ash and Pele's hair being wafted in a near vertical plume. Taken at about 7:15 AM on November 30, 2022.
Fissure 3 of the Northeast Rift Zone Mauna Loa eruption with a plume of volcanic gases and fine volcanic ash and Pele's hair being wafted in a near vertical plume. Taken at about 7:15 AM on November 30, 2022.
This image was taken on a helicopter overflight on the afternoon of November 29, 2022. It shows a lava flow cutting across the Mauna Loa Observatory Road in two places. USGS image by L. Gallant.
This image was taken on a helicopter overflight on the afternoon of November 29, 2022. It shows a lava flow cutting across the Mauna Loa Observatory Road in two places. USGS image by L. Gallant.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope toward Saddle Road. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
linkPhotograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope toward Saddle Road. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
linkPhotograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
linkPhotograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
linkPhotograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.
This image shows an erupting fissure high on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Fountain heights of 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) were measured by HVO field crews on the morning of November 29, 2022. USGS image by L. Gallant.
This image shows an erupting fissure high on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. Fountain heights of 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) were measured by HVO field crews on the morning of November 29, 2022. USGS image by L. Gallant.