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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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On the north margin of the south sulfur bank light-colored deposits are evidence of ongoing alteration from volcanic gas
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021

On the north margin of the south sulfur bank, which was exposed during the Kīlauea summit collapse events in 2018, light-colored deposits are evidence of the ongoing alteration from volcanic gas emissions.

On the north margin of the south sulfur bank, which was exposed during the Kīlauea summit collapse events in 2018, light-colored deposits are evidence of the ongoing alteration from volcanic gas emissions.

An HVO scientist collects a carbon dioxide sample from an area within Kīlauea caldera emitting elevated levels of volcanic gas
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021

An HVO scientist uses a syringe to capture a sample from an area within Kīlauea caldera that was identified as emitting elevated levels of the volcanic gas carbon dioxide. The sample is transferred to a gas sample bag, which will later be taken to a lab for chemical analyses. USGS photo by K. Mulliken on August 3, 2021.

An HVO scientist uses a syringe to capture a sample from an area within Kīlauea caldera that was identified as emitting elevated levels of the volcanic gas carbon dioxide. The sample is transferred to a gas sample bag, which will later be taken to a lab for chemical analyses. USGS photo by K. Mulliken on August 3, 2021.

I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page
I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page
I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page
I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page

I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page.

I Am A...Climate Modeler coloring page.

A utility task vehicle on a beach with a calm ocean in the background at sunrise. A sea turtle track extends towards the water
UTV used to locate sea turtle crawls
UTV used to locate sea turtle crawls
UTV used to locate sea turtle crawls

Scientists RC Mickey and Dave Thompson from the USGS St.

During the gas survey of Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists walk transects in a grid-like pattern
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021

During the gas survey of Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists walk transects in a grid-like pattern. As they traverse, the MultiGAS instruments that they are carrying on their backs measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), water vapor (H2O), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

During the gas survey of Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists walk transects in a grid-like pattern. As they traverse, the MultiGAS instruments that they are carrying on their backs measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), water vapor (H2O), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Spatter ramparts from the April 30, 1982, Kīlauea summit eruption remain visible on the floor of Kīlauea caldera
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021

Spatter ramparts from the April 30, 1982, Kīlauea summit eruption remain visible on the floor of Kīlauea caldera. During this brief eruption, which lasted approximately 19 hours, lava erupted from a 1-km-long (0.6 mile) fissure that extended to the northeast of Halema‘uma‘u.

Spatter ramparts from the April 30, 1982, Kīlauea summit eruption remain visible on the floor of Kīlauea caldera. During this brief eruption, which lasted approximately 19 hours, lava erupted from a 1-km-long (0.6 mile) fissure that extended to the northeast of Halema‘uma‘u.

HVO scientists view the recently active lava lake from the northwest corner of the down-dropped block, Kīlauea caldera
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 10, 2021

From the northwest corner of the largest down-dropped block within Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists were able to spot the southern edge of the lava lake that was recently active, from December 2020 to May 2021. The ongoing Kīlauea caldera gas survey is being conducted with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

From the northwest corner of the largest down-dropped block within Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists were able to spot the southern edge of the lava lake that was recently active, from December 2020 to May 2021. The ongoing Kīlauea caldera gas survey is being conducted with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

On Tuesday, August 10, HVO scientists traversed the west and south rims of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea
Views of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea—August 10, 2021
Views of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea—August 10, 2021
Views of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea—August 10, 2021

On Tuesday, August 10, HVO scientists traversed the west and south rims of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, to collect photos of the inactive lava lake from many different angles. Such a collection of photos will enable the construction of a three-dimensional model of the crusted lake surface using structure-from-motion software.

On Tuesday, August 10, HVO scientists traversed the west and south rims of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, to collect photos of the inactive lava lake from many different angles. Such a collection of photos will enable the construction of a three-dimensional model of the crusted lake surface using structure-from-motion software.

Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture
Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture
Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture
Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture

Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | Where We Work
Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture

Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | Where We Work
Hoosick River near Williamstown, MA sculpture

A concrete block on the seafloor with a yellow line extending from it, connected to an instrument.
Anchor system for a smart mooring and spotter buoy
Anchor system for a smart mooring and spotter buoy
Anchor system for a smart mooring and spotter buoy

An anchor station in 20m water depth with a wave buoy and smart mooring attached. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

An anchor station in 20m water depth with a wave buoy and smart mooring attached. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

Scientist levels surveying instrument on lava flow
August 6, 2021 — Kīlauea GPS campaign
August 6, 2021 — Kīlauea GPS campaign
August 6, 2021 — Kīlauea GPS campaign

In recent weeks, HVO geophysicists have been undertaking a Global Positioning System (GPS) campaign across Kīlauea.

In recent weeks, HVO geophysicists have been undertaking a Global Positioning System (GPS) campaign across Kīlauea.

A table full of grasses in a greenhouse.
Greenhouse study comparing plant provenance for restoration
Greenhouse study comparing plant provenance for restoration
Greenhouse study comparing plant provenance for restoration

RestoreNet is partnering with the Gornish lab at the University of Arizona to better understand how a plant’s source location (provenance) influences its performance in a restoration setting. This greenhouse experiment will be conducted by PhD student, Sierra Lauman.

RestoreNet is partnering with the Gornish lab at the University of Arizona to better understand how a plant’s source location (provenance) influences its performance in a restoration setting. This greenhouse experiment will be conducted by PhD student, Sierra Lauman.

A yellow buoy with solar panels floats in the water with a boat in the background
Oceanographic buoy near the R/V Sallenger
Oceanographic buoy near the R/V Sallenger
Oceanographic buoy near the R/V Sallenger

A solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy floats in the water next to the R/V (Research Vessel) Sallenger.

A yellow buoy with solar panels floats in the water next to a research vessel
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy

A solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy floats in the water next to the R/V (Research Vessel) Sallenger.

A yellow buoy with solar panels floats in the water near a boat
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy
R/V Sallenger and an oceanographic buoy

A solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy floats in the water next to the R/V (Research Vessel) Sallenger.

Schematic showing collapse processes of Yellowstone Caldera
Schematic showing collapse processes of Yellowstone Caldera
Schematic showing collapse processes of Yellowstone Caldera
Schematic showing collapse processes of Yellowstone Caldera

Schematic displaying the general processes associated with collapse of Yellowstone Caldera.  (A) Pre-caldera volcanism includes the eruption of dome complexes from the underlying magma chambers.  (B) The caldera-forming eruption evacuates a significant amount of magma from the chamber, causing the overlying crustal block to subside into the void space.&nbs

Schematic displaying the general processes associated with collapse of Yellowstone Caldera.  (A) Pre-caldera volcanism includes the eruption of dome complexes from the underlying magma chambers.  (B) The caldera-forming eruption evacuates a significant amount of magma from the chamber, causing the overlying crustal block to subside into the void space.&nbs

A SCUBA diver holds a line while underwater
Scientific diver ascends after deploying oceanographic instruments
Scientific diver ascends after deploying oceanographic instruments
Scientific diver ascends after deploying oceanographic instruments

A scientific diver ascends safely towards the surface after deploying a wave buoy and smart mooring in 20m water depth. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

A scientific diver ascends safely towards the surface after deploying a wave buoy and smart mooring in 20m water depth. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

A SCUBA diver underwater next to a buoy extending from a concrete block on the seafloor
Scientific diver at an anchor station for oceanographic buoy
Scientific diver at an anchor station for oceanographic buoy
Scientific diver at an anchor station for oceanographic buoy

A scientific diver next to an anchor station in 20m water depth with a wave buoy and smart mooring attached. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

A scientific diver next to an anchor station in 20m water depth with a wave buoy and smart mooring attached. This instrument will deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data to scientists at the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center.

Geologists discuss the district-scale geology during a field visit at Pogo Mine, Alaska
Geologists discuss the district-scale geology at Pogo Mine, Alaska
Geologists discuss the district-scale geology at Pogo Mine, Alaska
Geologists discuss the district-scale geology at Pogo Mine, Alaska

Alaska Science Center geologist Doug Kreiner and University of Alaska, Fairbanks professor Sean Regan discuss the district-scale geology with the chief exploration geologist at Pogo Mine. This is a new collaborative study with USGS, UAF and Pogo Mine, to collaborate on unraveling the genesis of Pogo, an important producer of gold in Alaska with critical mi

Alaska Science Center geologist Doug Kreiner and University of Alaska, Fairbanks professor Sean Regan discuss the district-scale geology with the chief exploration geologist at Pogo Mine. This is a new collaborative study with USGS, UAF and Pogo Mine, to collaborate on unraveling the genesis of Pogo, an important producer of gold in Alaska with critical mi

Three geologists looking at igneous textures in granitic rocks hosting gold
Three geologists looking at igneous textures in granitic rocks
Three geologists looking at igneous textures in granitic rocks
Three geologists looking at igneous textures in granitic rocks

Alaska Science Center geologist Doug Kreiner and University of Alaska, Fairbanks professor Sean Regan look at igneous textures in granitic rocks hosting gold at the Pogo gold mine with Pogo exploration geologists.

Alaska Science Center geologist Doug Kreiner and University of Alaska, Fairbanks professor Sean Regan look at igneous textures in granitic rocks hosting gold at the Pogo gold mine with Pogo exploration geologists.