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Images

Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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False-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999
False-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999
False-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999
False-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999

This is a false-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999. Vegetation appears red.

This is a false-color-composite satellite image, Great Salt Lake, Sept 1999. Vegetation appears red.

Two men stand by an oil well pumping unit, one man is crouched over the well, all in a forested location.
Oil well pumping unit, south area of the La Honda oil field, CA
Oil well pumping unit, south area of the La Honda oil field, CA
Oil well pumping unit, south area of the La Honda oil field, CA

The south area of the La Honda oil field, California, was discovered during the late 1950s and produced an estimated 595,000 barrels of oil from about 12 wells, including the well in this photo.

The south area of the La Honda oil field, California, was discovered during the late 1950s and produced an estimated 595,000 barrels of oil from about 12 wells, including the well in this photo.

Cartoon depicting an earthquake along a subduction zone with big starburst symbol, shows how ocean water is displaced upward.
Earthquake starts tsunami
Earthquake starts tsunami
Earthquake starts tsunami

An earthquake along a subduction zone happens when the leading edge of the overriding plate breaks free and springs seaward, raising the sea floor and the water above it. This uplift starts a tsunami. Meanwhile, the bulge behind the leading edge collapses, thinning the plate and lowering coastal areas.

An earthquake along a subduction zone happens when the leading edge of the overriding plate breaks free and springs seaward, raising the sea floor and the water above it. This uplift starts a tsunami. Meanwhile, the bulge behind the leading edge collapses, thinning the plate and lowering coastal areas.

Streamflow-gaging station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas, left bank adjacent to U.S. Highway 190 bridge.
Station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas
Station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas
Station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas, photograph looking from left bank adjacent to U.S. Highway 190 bridge, May 30, 1999.

SIR 2009–5174

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 08028500 Sabine River near Bon Wier, Texas, photograph looking from left bank adjacent to U.S. Highway 190 bridge, May 30, 1999.

SIR 2009–5174

White tanks used to hold the tracer injection solutions with tubing going to injection wells
Antibiotics in Groundwater Tracer Injection
Antibiotics in Groundwater Tracer Injection
Antibiotics in Groundwater Tracer Injection

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted a unique study, which demonstrated that the ecology of natural groundwater bacteria changed after exposure of the bacteria to the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX).

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted a unique study, which demonstrated that the ecology of natural groundwater bacteria changed after exposure of the bacteria to the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX).

Grant Glacier - 1998
Grant Glacier - 1998
Grant Glacier - 1998
Grant Glacier - 1998

Grant Glacier - 1998

Poster with illustrations of the underwater part of a bay, with text about the work done in the area.
Mapping Shipping Hazards in San Francisco Bay, 1997-1998
Mapping Shipping Hazards in San Francisco Bay, 1997-1998
Mapping Shipping Hazards in San Francisco Bay, 1997-1998

Large-scale poster describing USGS work.

The USGS mapped western San Francisco Bay using sonar, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and C&C Technologies. Some parts of the Bay floor are so shallow that a large tanker or container ship could run aground at low tide and create a massive oil spill.

Large-scale poster describing USGS work.

The USGS mapped western San Francisco Bay using sonar, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and C&C Technologies. Some parts of the Bay floor are so shallow that a large tanker or container ship could run aground at low tide and create a massive oil spill.

Researcher in Mojave Desert
Researcher in Mojave Desert
Researcher in Mojave Desert
Researcher in Mojave Desert

One of 1,695 repeat photographs taken to provide context for the classification of the Central Mojave Desert into various vegetation classes.

One of 1,695 repeat photographs taken to provide context for the classification of the Central Mojave Desert into various vegetation classes.

Image: Measuring a Superheated Fumarole
Measuring a Superheated Fumarole
Measuring a Superheated Fumarole
Measuring a Superheated Fumarole

USGS geochemist Bill Evans measures the temperature of a superheated (hotter than the boiling point) fumarole in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

USGS geochemist Bill Evans measures the temperature of a superheated (hotter than the boiling point) fumarole in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Image: A Red-Faced Warbler in Arizona
A Red-Faced Warbler in Arizona
A Red-Faced Warbler in Arizona
A Red-Faced Warbler in Arizona

Red-faced warblers are one of the species affected by climate change in the form of reduced snowpack in the Arizona Mountains, according to a USGS Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit study.

Red-faced warblers are one of the species affected by climate change in the form of reduced snowpack in the Arizona Mountains, according to a USGS Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit study.

Image: Coastal Dune with Seaoats (Uniola paniculata) and Spanish Bayonets (Yucca Sp.)
Coastal Dune with Seaoats (Uniola paniculata) and Spanish Bayonets (Yucca Sp.)
Coastal Dune with Seaoats (Uniola paniculata) and Spanish Bayonets (Yucca Sp.)
Coastal Dune with Seaoats (Uniola paniculata) and Spanish Bayonets (Yucca Sp.)

Florida's Atlantic coastal dune with typical vegetation such as seaoats and Spanish bayonets. Trails to the beach cut through the dune. Photograph taken circa 1998.

Florida's Atlantic coastal dune with typical vegetation such as seaoats and Spanish bayonets. Trails to the beach cut through the dune. Photograph taken circa 1998.

Image: Red Mangrove Islands (Rhizophora mangle)
Red Mangrove Islands (Rhizophora mangle)
Red Mangrove Islands (Rhizophora mangle)
Red Mangrove Islands (Rhizophora mangle)

Several red mangrove "islands" in an intracoastal waterway. Photograph taken circa 1998.

Several red mangrove "islands" in an intracoastal waterway. Photograph taken circa 1998.

Image: Cecilioides Consobrinus
Cecilioides Consobrinus
Cecilioides Consobrinus
Cecilioides Consobrinus

Cecioides consobrinus shell viewed with a scanning electron microscope with aperture facing up.

Cecioides consobrinus shell viewed with a scanning electron microscope with aperture facing up.

Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of ...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of ...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of ...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of ...

Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of Hamakua Volcanics. Laupahoehoe Volcanics are inferred to overlie a vast area of Hamakua Volcanics on the upper flanks and summit.

Geologic map of Mauna Kea with generalized surface distribution of Hamakua Volcanics. Laupahoehoe Volcanics are inferred to overlie a vast area of Hamakua Volcanics on the upper flanks and summit.

Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava...
Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava...

Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava flows, cinder cones, and glacial deposits of the Laupahoehoe Volcanics.

Geologic map of Mauna Kea, showing generalized distribution of lava flows, cinder cones, and glacial deposits of the Laupahoehoe Volcanics.

landslide on the side of a cliff with a house at the top of the cliff, looking up at the house
Seattle Area Monitoring site
Seattle Area Monitoring site
Seattle Area Monitoring site

Photograph showing the scar left by a landslide on a hillside above the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Everett, Washington.

Photograph showing the scar left by a landslide on a hillside above the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Everett, Washington.

Landslide came across a road in Seattle, into a house on the side of a cliff
Seattle Area Monitoring site
Seattle Area Monitoring site
Seattle Area Monitoring site

Photograph showing a house that was damaged by a 1997 landslide along Perkins Lane in Seattle, Washington.

Photograph showing a house that was damaged by a 1997 landslide along Perkins Lane in Seattle, Washington.

Rock and ice debris avalanche (October 20, 1997) on the east side o...
Rock and ice debris (Oct. 20, 1997) on east side of Mount Adams
Rock and ice debris (Oct. 20, 1997) on east side of Mount Adams
Rock and ice debris (Oct. 20, 1997) on east side of Mount Adams

Rock and ice debris avalanche (October 20, 1997) on the east side of Mount Adams.

Image: Coso Volcanic Field Tumulus
Coso Volcanic Field Tumulus
Coso Volcanic Field Tumulus
Coso Volcanic Field Tumulus

A tumulus in the Coso Volcanic Field, California. This lava was probably more viscous than the lava found in the Hawaii tumuli.

A tumulus in the Coso Volcanic Field, California. This lava was probably more viscous than the lava found in the Hawaii tumuli.

Image: Measuring White Sturgeons
Measuring White Sturgeons
Measuring White Sturgeons
Measuring White Sturgeons

Juvenile white sturgeons on measuring board.

Juvenile white sturgeons on measuring board.

Image: A'a' Channel
A'a' Channel
A'a' Channel
A'a' Channel

An a'a' channel near the Royal Gardens subdivision on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. The flows in the background are from the 1980s. Note that the flow level is below the levees and the pahoehoe overflows emplaced on top of the a'a'. 

An a'a' channel near the Royal Gardens subdivision on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. The flows in the background are from the 1980s. Note that the flow level is below the levees and the pahoehoe overflows emplaced on top of the a'a'.