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Browse images from a wide range of science topics covered by USGS. All items in this gallery are considered public domain unless otherwise noted.

Filter Total Items: 1458
Nine pacific walruses hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Walrus tusk showing on three of the walruses..
Nine pacific walruses hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea
Nine pacific walruses hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea
Nine pacific walruses hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea

Pacific walrus group hauled-out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea. The photo was captured during a survey of the age structure of the population to evaluate population status. Observers assign each animal in a group to an age/sex category according to published criteria. USFWS Permit No. 33776D. 

Pacific walrus group hauled-out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea. The photo was captured during a survey of the age structure of the population to evaluate population status. Observers assign each animal in a group to an age/sex category according to published criteria. USFWS Permit No. 33776D. 

Orange colored water flowing into the clear Kugaroruk River. Brown vegetation to the left of orange water. Mountains and sky.
An orange tributary mixing into the pristine Kugaroruk River
An orange tributary mixing into the pristine Kugaroruk River
An orange tributary mixing into the pristine Kugaroruk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Close up of orange water in Kugororuk River, Alaksa. Shrubs and mountains with blue sky.
Orange water from a tributary of the Kugororuk River
Orange water from a tributary of the Kugororuk River
Orange water from a tributary of the Kugororuk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Kugororuk River showing orange water on left side and clear water on right. Low shrubs with mountains and blue sky.
Limited mixing of orange water and the Kugororuk River
Limited mixing of orange water and the Kugororuk River
Limited mixing of orange water and the Kugororuk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

The confluence of the Anakok River, Sheep Creek, and the Salmon River. Sand bar in middle with spruce trees and snow.
The confluence of the Anakok River, Sheep Creek, and the Salmon River
The confluence of the Anakok River, Sheep Creek, and the Salmon River
The confluence of the Anakok River, Sheep Creek, and the Salmon River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

View of orange staining on snow of the Anaktok River, Alaska. The tributary is at bottom of valley with mountains.
An orange tributary of the Anaktok River
An orange tributary of the Anaktok River
An orange tributary of the Anaktok River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

The Anaktok River with orange staining. Snow on both sides of river with low vegetation. Snow covered mountains to left.
Orange staining along the Anaktok River
Orange staining along the Anaktok River
Orange staining along the Anaktok River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange staining of water and ground in river. Snow with low shrubs along bank of river with mountains and clear blue skies.
Mixing of an orange tributary with clearer waters of the Anaktok River
Mixing of an orange tributary with clearer waters of the Anaktok River
Mixing of an orange tributary with clearer waters of the Anaktok River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Riverbed with rocks. The water and riverbed are a brown orangish color. Orange staining on snow with shrubs along riverbank.
Orange flocullent on the bed of the Anaktok River
Orange flocullent on the bed of the Anaktok River
Orange flocullent on the bed of the Anaktok River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Aerial view of orange staining on snow and ice in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River, Alaska. Brown ground surrounds river.
Orange staining on snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River
Orange staining on snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River
Orange staining on snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

View of orange staining on snow of the Nakolikruk River, Alaska. Brown ground, snow patch, mountain, blue sky and clouds.
Orange staining on snow below a seep on the Nakolikruk River
Orange staining on snow below a seep on the Nakolikruk River
Orange staining on snow below a seep on the Nakolikruk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Aerial view of orange water and snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River, Alaska. Mountains in background.
Orange water and snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River
Orange water and snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River
Orange water and snow in a braidplain of the Nakolikruk River

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron, but also often indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations. Our ongoing study aims to document these occurrences and the timing of their onset.

Effects of the North Pacific Marine Heatwave on Ocean Food Webs infographic
Effects of the North Pacific Marine Heatwave on Ocean Food Webs infographic
Effects of the North Pacific Marine Heatwave on Ocean Food Webs infographic
Effects of the North Pacific Marine Heatwave on Ocean Food Webs infographic

Infograph describing the effects of North Pacific marine heatwave on ocean food webs.

Streamgage with USGS label next to a stream with grass, electric wires, bridge, and road in background.
Chester Creek streamgage along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail
Chester Creek streamgage along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail
Chester Creek streamgage along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail

Chester Creek streamgage along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail.

Person holding a plaque describing collaborative work with captive walrus and survey drones to monitor walrus body condition.
Walrus Plaque
Walrus Plaque
Walrus Plaque

The USGS Alaska Science Center is working with healthy, captive walruses in the U.S.

The USGS Alaska Science Center is working with healthy, captive walruses in the U.S.

Infographic describing the effects of North Pacific marine heatwave on seabirds
How do Marine Heatwaves Impact Seabirds
How do Marine Heatwaves Impact Seabirds
How do Marine Heatwaves Impact Seabirds

An infographic that highlights a study describing four main mechanisms by which marine heatwaves affect seabirds and marine ecosystems, i.e., (1) habitat modification, (2) physiological forcing, (3) behavioral responses, and (4) ecological processes or species interactions.  Study findings indicate that marine heatwaves can affect seabirds directly by creating

An infographic that highlights a study describing four main mechanisms by which marine heatwaves affect seabirds and marine ecosystems, i.e., (1) habitat modification, (2) physiological forcing, (3) behavioral responses, and (4) ecological processes or species interactions.  Study findings indicate that marine heatwaves can affect seabirds directly by creating

Crosshatching in map shows the general area along Alaska's west coast where the Norseman II may sail to observe walruses.
Map of area where USGS and USFWS may observe Pacific walrus during marine cruises of the Norseman II starting in summer of 2023
Map of area where USGS and USFWS may observe Pacific walrus during marine cruises of the Norseman II starting in summer of 2023
Map of area where USGS and USFWS may observe Pacific walrus during marine cruises of the Norseman II starting in summer of 2023

Crosshatching in the map shows the general area where the Norseman II may sail to observe walruses from June 5 to July 2, 2023, as part of a USGS and USFWS project to study Pacific walrus population dynamics.

Crosshatching in the map shows the general area where the Norseman II may sail to observe walruses from June 5 to July 2, 2023, as part of a USGS and USFWS project to study Pacific walrus population dynamics.

Figure shows the range of water flows over 44 years of data collection at the USGS Chester Creek streamgage in Anchorage, AK
Chester Creek streamgage
Chester Creek streamgage
Chester Creek streamgage

This figure shows flow rates in Chester Creek (Anchorage, Alaska) by month for 2022 (black line) and the range of water flow rates (above and below normal flows shown by different colors) for the entire 44 years of data collection at Chester Creek.

This figure shows flow rates in Chester Creek (Anchorage, Alaska) by month for 2022 (black line) and the range of water flow rates (above and below normal flows shown by different colors) for the entire 44 years of data collection at Chester Creek.

Graphic showing oil pipeline next to road with trucks and semi traffic. Caribou near road with Alaska oil field building.
Influence of Road Traffic Volume on Central Arctic Caribou Herd, Alaska
Influence of Road Traffic Volume on Central Arctic Caribou Herd, Alaska
Influence of Road Traffic Volume on Central Arctic Caribou Herd, Alaska

This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.

This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.

Exhibitor booth with green USGS tablecloth, full size walrus photo, seabird photo, and replica of polar bear den.
USGS booth at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium
USGS booth at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium
USGS booth at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium

The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader in marine ecosystems science with collaborations and projects that cover topics from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates – a source of food for Pacific walrus, sea otter, and marine birds – to polar bears, an apex predator in the Arctic. Each January, the 

The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader in marine ecosystems science with collaborations and projects that cover topics from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates – a source of food for Pacific walrus, sea otter, and marine birds – to polar bears, an apex predator in the Arctic. Each January, the 

Four photos in a line of two captive walruses lying flat in two different directions with white labels: example1 and 2.
Images of walruses used to measure body area
Images of walruses used to measure body area
Images of walruses used to measure body area

Comparison of the body area of walruses in human care in two positions (head up and flat) used for estimating body mass.

Comparison of the body area of walruses in human care in two positions (head up and flat) used for estimating body mass.