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Explore our planet and learn more about our work through photographs and imagery from scientists and support staff.

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USGS hydrologic technician holds a plastic tube over a metal pipe, preparing to collect a water sample.
Sampling at a Public Water System in Fayette County, West Virginia
Sampling at a Public Water System in Fayette County, West Virginia
Sampling at a Public Water System in Fayette County, West Virginia

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician prepares for sampling at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia.

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician prepares for sampling at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia.

A hydrologic technician records field parameters outside of a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia.
Recording field parameters at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia
Recording field parameters at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia
Recording field parameters at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician records field parameters at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Vi

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician records field parameters at a public water system in Fayette County, West Virginia. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Vi

A hydrologic technician on a boat, documenting water sampling information on an electronic tablet.
Preparing for sampling on the Ohio River near Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Preparing for sampling on the Ohio River near Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Preparing for sampling on the Ohio River near Point Pleasant, West Virginia

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician, Katherine Grindle, prepares for sampling on the Ohio River near Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

A Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician, Katherine Grindle, prepares for sampling on the Ohio River near Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Two hydrologic technicians collect a water sample outside of a public water system.
Sampling at a public water system in Wyoming County, West Virginia
Sampling at a public water system in Wyoming County, West Virginia
Sampling at a public water system in Wyoming County, West Virginia

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technicians collect water samples for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic analytes at a public water system that uses an underground coal mine as a source in Wyoming County, West Virginia. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distributi

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technicians collect water samples for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic analytes at a public water system that uses an underground coal mine as a source in Wyoming County, West Virginia. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distributi

A hydrologic technician prepares a water sample for testing, working within a protected lab space to prevent contamination.
Sampling for PFAS in a West Virginia Public Water System
Sampling for PFAS in a West Virginia Public Water System
Sampling for PFAS in a West Virginia Public Water System

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician Chelsea Delsak samples for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic analytes at a public water system in Greenbriar County, West Virginia.

Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center hydrologic technician Chelsea Delsak samples for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and inorganic analytes at a public water system in Greenbriar County, West Virginia.

Mitch McAdoo prepares an acoustic televiewer for borehole geophysical logging in Monroe County, WV.
Borehole Geophysics
Borehole Geophysics
Borehole Geophysics

Mitch McAdoo prepares an acoustic televiewer for borehole geophysical logging in Monroe County, WV.

Mitch McAdoo prepares an acoustic televiewer for borehole geophysical logging in Monroe County, WV.

Tinker Creek, heavily flooded after a storm.
Tinker Creek Flooding
Tinker Creek Flooding
Tinker Creek Flooding

Tinker Creek, above Glade Creek in Roanoke, Virginia (USGS Monitoring location 0205551614), experienced severe flooding after a storm in June of 2020.

Tinker Creek, above Glade Creek in Roanoke, Virginia (USGS Monitoring location 0205551614), experienced severe flooding after a storm in June of 2020.

USGS technician on a bridge with instruments and laptop
Adding a rapid deployment gauge to track Dorian's surge in Virginia
Adding a rapid deployment gauge to track Dorian's surge in Virginia
Adding a rapid deployment gauge to track Dorian's surge in Virginia

Hydrographer Keith Lambert installing a rapid deployment gage at New Mill Creek at Chesapeake, VA in advance of Hurricane Dorian. Photo: Blake Dudding, USGS September 5, 2019

Hydrographer Keith Lambert installing a rapid deployment gage at New Mill Creek at Chesapeake, VA in advance of Hurricane Dorian. Photo: Blake Dudding, USGS September 5, 2019

A white van is parked on the grass next to a groundwater well.
A USGS van outfitted for water quality sampling at an Ohio groundwater well
A USGS van outfitted for water quality sampling at an Ohio groundwater well
A USGS van outfitted for water quality sampling at an Ohio groundwater well

A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.

A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Ohio. This sampling was conducted as part of a larger effort to assess the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the source waters of public water systems across West Virginia.

USGS researchers use traditional wading rods and velocity meters to measure flow whenever possible.
Measuring flow velocity in a Hampton Roads, Virginia urban stream
Measuring flow velocity in a Hampton Roads, Virginia urban stream
Measuring flow velocity in a Hampton Roads, Virginia urban stream

USGS researcher Chelsea Vande Pol uses a traditional wading rod and velocity meter to measure flow in an urban stream in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

USGS researcher Chelsea Vande Pol uses a traditional wading rod and velocity meter to measure flow in an urban stream in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

A white USGS van, with water quality sampling supplies inside, provides a mobile laboratory for USGS staff.
Mobile water quality lab at a groundwater well in Wood County, West Virginia
Mobile water quality lab at a groundwater well in Wood County, West Virginia
Mobile water quality lab at a groundwater well in Wood County, West Virginia

A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Wood County, West Virginia.

A U.S. Geological System van, outfitted on the inside with supplies for extensive water quality sampling, parked next to a groundwater well in Wood County, West Virginia.

View of the Pamunkey River from sampling bridge.
Pamunkey River near Hanover, VA
Pamunkey River near Hanover, VA
Pamunkey River near Hanover, VA

View of the Pamunkey River from the sampling bridge near Hanover, Virginia

This site is the location of a River Input Monitoring (RIM) Station.

Station data: Pamunkey River Near Hanover, VA - USGS Water Data for the Nation

View of the Pamunkey River from the sampling bridge near Hanover, Virginia

This site is the location of a River Input Monitoring (RIM) Station.

Station data: Pamunkey River Near Hanover, VA - USGS Water Data for the Nation

The USGS Nansemond drilling site.
USGS Nansemond drilling site.
USGS Nansemond drilling site.
USGS Nansemond drilling site.

This photograph shows the drilling site for the USGS Nansemond extensometer. The site is located adjacent to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District's SWIFT pilot site. The drilling would extend 1,960 feet below the ground surface.

This photograph shows the drilling site for the USGS Nansemond extensometer. The site is located adjacent to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District's SWIFT pilot site. The drilling would extend 1,960 feet below the ground surface.

The USGS Nansemond research station.
The USGS Nansemond research station.
The USGS Nansemond research station.
The USGS Nansemond research station.

The USGS Nansemond research station, located adjacent to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District's SWIFT pilot site. The building contains the Nansemond extensometer.

The USGS Nansemond research station, located adjacent to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District's SWIFT pilot site. The building contains the Nansemond extensometer.

Virginia Extensometer Drilling Site
Virginia Extensometer Drilling Site
Virginia Extensometer Drilling Site
Virginia Extensometer Drilling Site

This photograph shows the initial drilling for the borehole extensometer installed at the Nansemond, Virginia research site.

This photograph shows the initial drilling for the borehole extensometer installed at the Nansemond, Virginia research site.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer with a total depth of 1,960 feet.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) with a total depth of 1,960 feet.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) with a total depth of 1,960 feet.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) showing the triangular table in green and the instrument bridge in yellow above the extensometer. The piers that support the table extend down 65 feet. The movement of the table relative to the extensometer is how land-surface movement is measured.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) showing the triangular table in green and the instrument bridge in yellow above the extensometer. The piers that support the table extend down 65 feet. The movement of the table relative to the extensometer is how land-surface movement is measured.

The USGS Nansemond research station.
The USGS Nansemond research station
The USGS Nansemond research station
The USGS Nansemond research station

The USGS Nansemond research station.

An analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right with blue barrel).
Analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right)
Analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right)
Analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right)

An analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right with blue barrel) used to measure land-surface movement in response to aquifer system deformation at the USGS Nansemond extensometer.

An analog dial gage (left) and a digital linear potentiometer (right with blue barrel) used to measure land-surface movement in response to aquifer system deformation at the USGS Nansemond extensometer.

Pivot block where the USGS Nansemond extensometer connects to the fulcrum arm.
USGS Nansemond extensometer Pivot Block.
USGS Nansemond extensometer Pivot Block.
USGS Nansemond extensometer Pivot Block.

Pivot block where the USGS Nansemond extensometer connects to the fulcrum arm.

Pivot block where the USGS Nansemond extensometer connects to the fulcrum arm.

Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer.
Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer
Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer
Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer

Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer. The linear potentiometer is used to measure land-surface movement in response to aquifer system deformation at the USGS Nansemond extensometer.

Installing the linear potentiometer on the USGS Nansemond extensometer. The linear potentiometer is used to measure land-surface movement in response to aquifer system deformation at the USGS Nansemond extensometer.