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The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.

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Spatter Cone Collapse at MLK Vent
Spatter Cone Collapse at MLK Vent
Spatter Cone Collapse at MLK Vent

(May 2, 2005, 05:30:04 to 07:30:02) During spring 2005, activity at the MLK vent, on the southwestern flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone, changed from a period of construction to one of destruction. This was highlighted by the collapse of the main MLK spatter cone.

(May 2, 2005, 05:30:04 to 07:30:02) During spring 2005, activity at the MLK vent, on the southwestern flank of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone, changed from a period of construction to one of destruction. This was highlighted by the collapse of the main MLK spatter cone.

video thumbnail: Cone Collapse at MLK Vent (May 2, 2005) Cone Collapse at MLK Vent (May 2, 2005)
Cone Collapse at MLK Vent (May 2, 2005)
Cone Collapse at MLK Vent (May 2, 2005)

During Spring 2005, activity at the Martin Luther King (MLK) vent, an eruptive vent on the southwestern flank of the Pu'u 'O'o cone, changed from a period of construction to one of destruction. This was highlighted by the collapse of the main MLK spatter cone.

During Spring 2005, activity at the Martin Luther King (MLK) vent, an eruptive vent on the southwestern flank of the Pu'u 'O'o cone, changed from a period of construction to one of destruction. This was highlighted by the collapse of the main MLK spatter cone.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, April - July 2005.
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, April - July 2005.
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, April - July 2005.

Lava spines continue to emerge onto the crater floor of Mount St. Helens in 2005. By April 2005, spine 4 is broken and pushed away by spine 5.  The nearly vertical spine 5 has a smooth, gouge-covered surface, growing at an average rate of 4.3 meters per day.

Lava spines continue to emerge onto the crater floor of Mount St. Helens in 2005. By April 2005, spine 4 is broken and pushed away by spine 5.  The nearly vertical spine 5 has a smooth, gouge-covered surface, growing at an average rate of 4.3 meters per day.

PubTalk — Earthquakes at the USGS
PubTalk — Earthquakes at the USGS
PubTalk — Earthquakes at the USGS

Blowing the Lid off Seismic Science for 40 Years

Ross Stein, representing the USGS Earthquake Hazards Team 

Blowing the Lid off Seismic Science for 40 Years

Ross Stein, representing the USGS Earthquake Hazards Team 

PubTalk — Commotions in the Oceans
PubTalk — Commotions in the Oceans
PubTalk — Commotions in the Oceans

USGS Shipboard Research Sparked Scientific Advances

By William R. Normark, and

David W. Scholl, Marine Geologists

USGS Shipboard Research Sparked Scientific Advances

By William R. Normark, and

David W. Scholl, Marine Geologists

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Feb - Mar 15, 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Feb - Mar 15, 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Feb - Mar 15, 2005

Growth and disintegration of lava spines continued at Mount St. Helens through the first 8 months of 2005. Rather than building a single dome-shaped structure, the new dome grew initially as a series of recumbent, smoothly surfaced spines that extruded to lengths of almost 500 m.

Growth and disintegration of lava spines continued at Mount St. Helens through the first 8 months of 2005. Rather than building a single dome-shaped structure, the new dome grew initially as a series of recumbent, smoothly surfaced spines that extruded to lengths of almost 500 m.

PubTalk — When Rocks Fall and the Land Slides
PubTalk — When Rocks Fall and the Land Slides
PubTalk — When Rocks Fall and the Land Slides

Hear why California makes an ideal environment for landslides North face

By Gerald F. Wieczorek, Geological Engineer, and

Raymond C. Wilson, Landslide Geologist

Hear why California makes an ideal environment for landslides North face

By Gerald F. Wieczorek, Geological Engineer, and

Raymond C. Wilson, Landslide Geologist

Lava Fountaining from the MLK Vent
Lava Fountaining from the MLK Vent
Lava Fountaining from the MLK Vent

(February 9, 2005, 18:00:30 to February 10, 2005, 08:00:31) On February 9, 2005, an increase in lava discharge from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, part of a longer term increase in effusion rate (Miklius and others, 2006), resulted in vigorous spattering and low fountaining from the MLK vent.

(February 9, 2005, 18:00:30 to February 10, 2005, 08:00:31) On February 9, 2005, an increase in lava discharge from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, part of a longer term increase in effusion rate (Miklius and others, 2006), resulted in vigorous spattering and low fountaining from the MLK vent.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005

Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.

Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.

PubTalk 1/2005 — Deciphering an Estuarine Ecosystem
PubTalk 1/2005 — Deciphering an Estuarine Ecosystem
PubTalk 1/2005 — Deciphering an Estuarine Ecosystem

35 Years of San Francisco Bay Studies

By John Conomos, Scientist Emeritus

 

2004 Tsunami
2004 Tsunami
2004 Tsunami

A video on USGS EROS monitoring of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
 

A video on USGS EROS monitoring of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
 

Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005
Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005
Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005

Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.

Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004

By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.

By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.

video thumbnail: Glenwood Canyon, Colorado: Interstate 70 Rockslide of November 25, 2004 Glenwood Canyon, Colorado: Interstate 70 Rockslide of November 25, 2004
Glenwood Canyon, Colorado: Interstate 70 Rockslide of November 25, 2004
Glenwood Canyon, Colorado: Interstate 70 Rockslide of November 25, 2004

The rockslide occurred about nine miles east of Glenwood Springs in Glenwood Canyon (Colorado) at 7:42 am, November 25, 2004, according officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

The rockslide occurred about nine miles east of Glenwood Springs in Glenwood Canyon (Colorado) at 7:42 am, November 25, 2004, according officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels
PubTalk 11/2004 — From Plane Tables to Pixels

The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey

by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer

The Revolution in Mapping at the U.S. Geological Survey

by Susan P. Benjamin, Research Geographer

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005

Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich.  Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.

Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich.  Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004

On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.

On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.

Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004
Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004
Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004

After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.

After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.

PubTalk 10/2004 — Hot Oil, Frozen Ground, and Earthquakes
PubTalk 10/2004 — Hot Oil, Frozen Ground, and Earthquakes
PubTalk 10/2004 — Hot Oil, Frozen Ground, and Earthquakes

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline story-- so far, so good!

by George Gryc, Arthur Lachenbruch, and Robert Page, Scientists Emeriti

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline story-- so far, so good!

by George Gryc, Arthur Lachenbruch, and Robert Page, Scientists Emeriti

October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens
October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens
October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens

On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.

On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.

PubTalk 9/2004 — The Winemaker's Dance
PubTalk 9/2004 — The Winemaker's Dance
PubTalk 9/2004 — The Winemaker's Dance

Connecting Geology and Wine in Napa Valley

by David G. Howell, Geologist Emeritus

Connecting Geology and Wine in Napa Valley

by David G. Howell, Geologist Emeritus