An aerial view looking southeast of the treated-wastewater infiltration beds at Joint Base Cape Cod. The wastewater disposal beds (source of the nitrogen contamination) appear in the foreground. In the background is a freshwater pond that is receiving discharge of some of the groundwater contaminants. Toxic waste disposal at the site ended in 1995.
All Multimedia
Access all multimedia to include images, video, audio, webcams, before-after imagery, and more. Filter and explore with filtering options to refine search.
An aerial view looking southeast of the treated-wastewater infiltration beds at Joint Base Cape Cod. The wastewater disposal beds (source of the nitrogen contamination) appear in the foreground. In the background is a freshwater pond that is receiving discharge of some of the groundwater contaminants. Toxic waste disposal at the site ended in 1995.
![Measurements of the magnetic field surrounding the Mount St. Helens...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img549.jpg?itok=WdvMzEuH)
The strength of the magnetic field increased as the dome cooled and magnetic minerals formed. During the eruptions the strength usually changed rapidly as magma heated and deformed the dome.
The strength of the magnetic field increased as the dome cooled and magnetic minerals formed. During the eruptions the strength usually changed rapidly as magma heated and deformed the dome.
A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i.
A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i.
Erupting vents on Mauna Loa’s northeast rift zone near Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) on Mar. 25, 1984, sent massive ‘a‘ā lava flows down the rift toward Kūlani.
Erupting vents on Mauna Loa’s northeast rift zone near Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) on Mar. 25, 1984, sent massive ‘a‘ā lava flows down the rift toward Kūlani.
![Harry's Ridge monitoring station, 8 km (5 mi) north of Mount St. He...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img986.jpg?itok=nnObNbHB)
Harry's Ridge monitoring station, 8 km (5 mi) north of Mount St. Helens' crater.
Harry's Ridge monitoring station, 8 km (5 mi) north of Mount St. Helens' crater.
![Castle Lake formed as a result of the Mount St. Helens' May 18, 198...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img553.jpg?itok=GTt57Lhk)
The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake (pictured here) and Coldwater Lake were created.
The May 18, 1980 debris avalanche from Mount St. Helens covered over 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) of the upper Toutle River valley and blocked tributaries of the North Fork Toutle River. New lakes such as Castle Lake (pictured here) and Coldwater Lake were created.
USGS topographers making an electronic distance measurement in a dry lake bed in Saline Valley in Death Valley, California.
USGS topographers making an electronic distance measurement in a dry lake bed in Saline Valley in Death Valley, California.
USGS topographer using a Topcon Guppy in the dunes of Saline Valley in Death Valley, California
USGS topographer using a Topcon Guppy in the dunes of Saline Valley in Death Valley, California
USGS topographer identifying a mine on a photograph in Death Valley.
USGS topographer identifying a mine on a photograph in Death Valley.
USGS topographer running a traverse in the Alabama Hills near Mt. Whitney, California.
USGS topographer running a traverse in the Alabama Hills near Mt. Whitney, California.
USGS topographer with plane table and alidade in the Alabama Hills near Mt. Whitney, California.
USGS topographer with plane table and alidade in the Alabama Hills near Mt. Whitney, California.
USGS topographers doing a helicopter photo reconnaissance in Saline Valley in Death Valley, California.
USGS topographers doing a helicopter photo reconnaissance in Saline Valley in Death Valley, California.
![Debris avalanche deposit with hummocky terrain resulting from the M...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img975.jpg?itok=f7kSieO2)
Debris avalanche deposit with hummocky terrain resulting from the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. View to the east toward Coldwater Lake.
Debris avalanche deposit with hummocky terrain resulting from the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. View to the east toward Coldwater Lake.
![Dome in Mount St. Helens crater; two USGS geologists (one in orange...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img543.jpg?itok=XPdwhpVy)
By 1987, the dome had replaced only three percent of the volume removed by the May 18, 1980 eruption. If that rate of growth had continued it would have taken over 200 years to rebuild Mount St. Helens to its pre-1980 size. Instead, Mount St. Helens entered a quiet period which continued until 2004.
By 1987, the dome had replaced only three percent of the volume removed by the May 18, 1980 eruption. If that rate of growth had continued it would have taken over 200 years to rebuild Mount St. Helens to its pre-1980 size. Instead, Mount St. Helens entered a quiet period which continued until 2004.
The April 1983 landslide at Thistle, Utah, created a 200-ft-high (60-m-high) blockage of Spanish Fork canyon that caused disastrous flooding of the Thistle creek and Soldier Creek valleys upstream. The flooding caused by the landslide required relocation of a major highway and railway. An emergency spillway and diversion tunnels were constructed to drain
The April 1983 landslide at Thistle, Utah, created a 200-ft-high (60-m-high) blockage of Spanish Fork canyon that caused disastrous flooding of the Thistle creek and Soldier Creek valleys upstream. The flooding caused by the landslide required relocation of a major highway and railway. An emergency spillway and diversion tunnels were constructed to drain
![Lava fountains erupting from fissures, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img3018.jpg?itok=iWQqR0cv)
Lava fountains erupt from fissures during the first week of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption south of Pu‘u Kahaualea, approximately 2.4 km (1.5 miles) northeast of where subsequent eruptions built the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. The early fissures cut through old forested lava flows in a remote section of Kīlauea's east rift zone.
Lava fountains erupt from fissures during the first week of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption south of Pu‘u Kahaualea, approximately 2.4 km (1.5 miles) northeast of where subsequent eruptions built the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. The early fissures cut through old forested lava flows in a remote section of Kīlauea's east rift zone.
![Early Warning Gage on Coldwater Lake at Mount St. Helens continuous...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img555.jpg?itok=APC-Qt6P)
One major concern to people living downstream of Mount St. Helens was a breakout of any of the impounded lakes, such as Coldwater or Castle Lakes, due to the instability of the debris dams blocking them. Flood waters from a breakout could be more catastrophic than the lahars of May 18, 1980.
One major concern to people living downstream of Mount St. Helens was a breakout of any of the impounded lakes, such as Coldwater or Castle Lakes, due to the instability of the debris dams blocking them. Flood waters from a breakout could be more catastrophic than the lahars of May 18, 1980.
View of Mt. St. Helens during minor eruption, two years after the major eruption on May 18, 1980.
View of Mt. St. Helens during minor eruption, two years after the major eruption on May 18, 1980.
![Plume rises from Mount St. Helens' dome, Spirit Lake in foreground;...](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img569.jpg?itok=lNSeGZhS)
Plume rises from Mount St. Helens' dome, Spirit Lake in foreground; view from the north. May 19, 1982.
Plume rises from Mount St. Helens' dome, Spirit Lake in foreground; view from the north. May 19, 1982.
A 1981 video on film handing from the USGS EROS Center.
A 1981 video on film handing from the USGS EROS Center.
![Glacier extent maps from before and after May 18, 1980....](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/vhp_img956.jpg?itok=LYzisgDt)
Glacier extent maps on Mount St. Helens from before and after the May 18, 1980 eruption.
Glacier extent maps on Mount St. Helens from before and after the May 18, 1980 eruption.