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Peruse our selection of remote sensing and Earth science imagery below.

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Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
Virginia Landsat State Mosaic

Sometimes called the “Mother State,” Virginia has produced eight U.S. presidents (more than any other state): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.

Capital Richmond

Image Source Landsat 8

Sometimes called the “Mother State,” Virginia has produced eight U.S. presidents (more than any other state): George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.

Capital Richmond

Image Source Landsat 8

Washington Landsat State Mosaic
Washington Landsat State Mosaic
Washington Landsat State Mosaic
Washington Landsat State Mosaic

Mount St. Helens in southeast Washington erupted on May 18, 1980. The volcano and 110,000 acres of surrounding land are now part of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Capital Olympia

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,705,281

Mount St. Helens in southeast Washington erupted on May 18, 1980. The volcano and 110,000 acres of surrounding land are now part of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Capital Olympia

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,705,281

Massachusetts Landsat State Mosaic
Massachusetts Landsat State Mosaic
Massachusetts Landsat State Mosaic
Massachusetts Landsat State Mosaic

Plymouth Rock is the legendary stepping stone of the Pilgrims’ arrival in what is now Massachusetts. It sits on the shore of Plymouth Harbor at Pilgrim Memorial State Park and is actually no bigger than a coffee table.

Capital Boston

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,029,917

Plymouth Rock is the legendary stepping stone of the Pilgrims’ arrival in what is now Massachusetts. It sits on the shore of Plymouth Harbor at Pilgrim Memorial State Park and is actually no bigger than a coffee table.

Capital Boston

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,029,917

Michigan Landsat State Mosaic
Michigan Landsat State Mosaic
Michigan Landsat State Mosaic
Michigan Landsat State Mosaic

The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and spans five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.

Capital Lansing

Image Source Landsat 8

The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. It connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan and spans five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.

Capital Lansing

Image Source Landsat 8

Minnesota Landsat State Mosaic
Minnesota Landsat State Mosaic
Minnesota Landsat State Mosaic
Minnesota Landsat State Mosaic

Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. It is sometimes called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it actually has 12,000 lakes, three-fourths of which are four hectares (10 acres) or more in size.

Capital St. Paul

Image Source Landsat 8

Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. It is sometimes called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but it actually has 12,000 lakes, three-fourths of which are four hectares (10 acres) or more in size.

Capital St. Paul

Image Source Landsat 8

Mississippi Landsat State Mosaic
Mississippi Landsat State Mosaic
Mississippi Landsat State Mosaic
Mississippi Landsat State Mosaic

Hernando DeSoto, a Spanish explorer, discovered the Mississippi River in 1540. It is the largest river in the United States and is the country’s chief waterway. Its nickname is “Old Man River.”

Capital Jackson

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 2,961,279

Hernando DeSoto, a Spanish explorer, discovered the Mississippi River in 1540. It is the largest river in the United States and is the country’s chief waterway. Its nickname is “Old Man River.”

Capital Jackson

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 2,961,279

West Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
West Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
West Virginia Landsat State Mosaic
West Virginia Landsat State Mosaic

During the Cold War, the Emergency Relocation Center was built to house members of Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. It is located beneath the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Capital Charleston

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 1,793,716

During the Cold War, the Emergency Relocation Center was built to house members of Congress in the event of a nuclear attack. It is located beneath the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Capital Charleston

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 1,793,716

Wisconsin Landsat State Mosaic
Wisconsin Landsat State Mosaic
Wisconsin Landsat State Mosaic
Wisconsin Landsat State Mosaic

Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes. It also has 7,446 streams and rivers, which if placed end to end would stretch nearly 27,000 miles–more than enough to circle the globe at the equator.

Capital Madison

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 5,893,718

Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes. It also has 7,446 streams and rivers, which if placed end to end would stretch nearly 27,000 miles–more than enough to circle the globe at the equator.

Capital Madison

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 5,893,718

Wyoming Landsat State Mosaic
Wyoming Landsat State Mosaic
Wyoming Landsat State Mosaic
Wyoming Landsat State Mosaic

Wyoming is home to the country’s first official national park–Yellowstone, the country’s first national forest–Shoshone, and the country’s first national monument–Devil’s Tower.

Capital Cheyenne

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 576,851

Wyoming is home to the country’s first official national park–Yellowstone, the country’s first national forest–Shoshone, and the country’s first national monument–Devil’s Tower.

Capital Cheyenne

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 576,851

Animation demonstrating urban heat in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Surface Temperature
Atlanta Surface Temperature
Atlanta Surface Temperature

Animation comparing a natural color Landsat 8 satellite image of Atlanta, GA with satellite-based surface temperatures. Buildings and impervious surfaces trap heat, leading to higher temperatures in urban areas - a phenomenon generally referred to as the Urban Heat Island effect.

Animation comparing a natural color Landsat 8 satellite image of Atlanta, GA with satellite-based surface temperatures. Buildings and impervious surfaces trap heat, leading to higher temperatures in urban areas - a phenomenon generally referred to as the Urban Heat Island effect.

Lidar Scan of South Dakota Capitol Building
Lidar Scan of South Dakota Capitol Building
Lidar Scan of South Dakota Capitol Building
Lidar Scan of South Dakota Capitol Building

This Lidar scan shows the South Dakota Capitol Building in Pierre, South Dakota. 

The EROS Cal/Val Center of Excellence (ECCOE) provides system and data quality research in support of the USGS National 3D Elevation Program.

Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image
Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image
Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image
Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image

This Uncrewed Aerial System Composite Image is an example of 3-dimensional data capture technology. 

Arizona Landsat State Mosaic
Arizona Landsat State Mosaic
Arizona Landsat State Mosaic
Arizona Landsat State Mosaic

Arizona is blessed with many natural wonders including the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell/Rainbow Bridge, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Meteor Crater, and Superstition Mountain.

Capital Phoenix

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,151,502

Arizona is blessed with many natural wonders including the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell/Rainbow Bridge, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Monument Valley, Meteor Crater, and Superstition Mountain.

Capital Phoenix

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 7,151,502

Example of the Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance Science Product
Example of the Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance Science Product
Example of the Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance Science Product
Example of the Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance Science Product

The United Kingdom’s Solway Firth is show in these images comparing a natural color Landsat 8 Collection 2 Level-1 product (Bands 4,3,2) acquired on October 2, 2019 (left), and the corresponding Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance science product using Rayleigh-corrected Reflectance (RHORC) Bands 4,3,2 (right).

The United Kingdom’s Solway Firth is show in these images comparing a natural color Landsat 8 Collection 2 Level-1 product (Bands 4,3,2) acquired on October 2, 2019 (left), and the corresponding Collection 2 Provisional Aquatic Reflectance science product using Rayleigh-corrected Reflectance (RHORC) Bands 4,3,2 (right).

Earth As Art 6 Satellite Image - "Facing the Tide"
Facing the Tide
Facing the Tide
Facing the Tide

Rupert Bay, an arm of James Bay, extends into Quebec, Canada. Many rivers carry sediment into the bay and combine with seawater coming in from the tide. A prominent sediment stream extends past Stag Island and a vortex curls off Stag Rock in the middle of the bay.

Rupert Bay, an arm of James Bay, extends into Quebec, Canada. Many rivers carry sediment into the bay and combine with seawater coming in from the tide. A prominent sediment stream extends past Stag Island and a vortex curls off Stag Rock in the middle of the bay.

Color photograph of Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Falls Park - Sioux Falls, SD
Falls Park - Sioux Falls, SD
Falls Park - Sioux Falls, SD

Nature always displays vibrant colors. It is only a matter of time until you get the chance to witness its beauty. Even more difficult is capturing this beauty through the lens. Here, we see the magnificent beauty of the falls on the Big Sioux River, from which Sioux Falls, SD takes its name, showing the vibrant colors of nature just before sunset.

Nature always displays vibrant colors. It is only a matter of time until you get the chance to witness its beauty. Even more difficult is capturing this beauty through the lens. Here, we see the magnificent beauty of the falls on the Big Sioux River, from which Sioux Falls, SD takes its name, showing the vibrant colors of nature just before sunset.

Color photo of Land Change interactive display at USGS EROS
Determining Land Change Display
Determining Land Change Display
Determining Land Change Display

An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.

An interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center highlighting land change research.

Color photo of Land Change interactive display at USGS EROS
Determining Land Change Display with Viewers
Determining Land Change Display with Viewers
Determining Land Change Display with Viewers

Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.

Viewers look through several years of change in an interactive display at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center.

Satellite image showing all the cropland not planted due to wet weather in 2019.
South Dakota's Unplanted Acres of 2019
South Dakota's Unplanted Acres of 2019
South Dakota's Unplanted Acres of 2019

Abnormally high spring rainfall and subsequent flooding in the Midwest in 2019 had a season-long impact on cropland production.

Abnormally high spring rainfall and subsequent flooding in the Midwest in 2019 had a season-long impact on cropland production.

Earth As Art 6 satellite image - "Re-Entry"
Re-Entry
Re-Entry
Re-Entry

Jebel Kissu, in northwestern Sudan, emerges abruptly like an island in the vast Sahara Desert. The plateau is the eroded remnant of a granite dome. The bright linear features are truck tracks, common in the Sahara where there are no paved roads.

Jebel Kissu, in northwestern Sudan, emerges abruptly like an island in the vast Sahara Desert. The plateau is the eroded remnant of a granite dome. The bright linear features are truck tracks, common in the Sahara where there are no paved roads.

Satellite image showing differences in flooding from 1969 to 2019.
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.