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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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Color map of lava lake at volcano summit
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
May 7, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map

This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.

This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.

Scientific equipment, including a box and a cylindrical object, attached to a green platform on the deck of a boat
ADCP ready for deployment
ADCP ready for deployment
ADCP ready for deployment

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Color photograph of lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Close-up view of active western portion of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake

This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.

This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.

two people with SCUBA gear in the water next to a scientific instrument on the surface
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP
Divers prepare to deploy ADCP

Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, May 6, 2021

View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.

View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021
Halema‘uma‘u eruptive activity on 05 May 2021

Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.

Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.

Aerial photo of a portion of Southern California, Palm Springs Landers.  A colored lidar hillshade outlines the mapping region.
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone
Hillshade of lidar acquired within the Pinto Mountain Fault Zone

The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.

The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.

Examples of multi-parameter probes and temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors used for 2018-19 monitoring program
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors
Multi-parameter probes, temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors

(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.

(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.

South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River

Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.

Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.

South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River
South Fork of the Little Wind River

Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.

Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.

Tree-ring sample from an avalanche path
Tree-ring sample from an avalanche path
Tree-ring sample from an avalanche path
Tree-ring sample from an avalanche path

This tree-ring sample from an avalanche path captures 256 years of data between the years 1777 and 2013. The scars in 1818 and 1974 are examples of mechanical damage caused by an avalanche. The pith is the center of the tree.

This tree-ring sample from an avalanche path captures 256 years of data between the years 1777 and 2013. The scars in 1818 and 1974 are examples of mechanical damage caused by an avalanche. The pith is the center of the tree.

Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park
Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park
Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park
Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park

Colorado River outside of Canyonlands National Park, La Sal Mountains in the background.

Colorado River outside of Canyonlands National Park, La Sal Mountains in the background.

 Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay UVVR
Jamaica Bay UVVR
Jamaica Bay UVVR

Within the busy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, is Jamaica Bay—a complex urban ecosystem almost the size of Manhattan that consists of salt marsh islands, various waterways, meadowlands and two freshwater ponds.

Within the busy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, is Jamaica Bay—a complex urban ecosystem almost the size of Manhattan that consists of salt marsh islands, various waterways, meadowlands and two freshwater ponds.

GPS campaign survey stations high on the flanks of Mauna Loa offer expansive views of neighboring volcanoes
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021
Annual Mauna Loa GPS Survey—2021

GPS campaign survey stations high on the flanks of Mauna Loa offer expansive views of neighboring volcanoes. From this station located west of Mauna Loa summit, Hualālai volcano is visible. Most Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since 1996, whereas less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.

GPS campaign survey stations high on the flanks of Mauna Loa offer expansive views of neighboring volcanoes. From this station located west of Mauna Loa summit, Hualālai volcano is visible. Most Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since 1996, whereas less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park UVVR
Everglades National Park UVVR
Everglades National Park UVVR

Everglades National Park in South Florida is the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America, consisting of about 1.5 million acres of mangrove forests and other coastal wetlands. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that thrive amidst the harsh growing conditions of the coast.

Everglades National Park in South Florida is the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America, consisting of about 1.5 million acres of mangrove forests and other coastal wetlands. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that thrive amidst the harsh growing conditions of the coast.

Examples of monitoring buoys used for 2018-19 monitoring program
Examples of monitoring buoys
Examples of monitoring buoys
Examples of monitoring buoys

Examples of monitoring buoys deployed in (A) 2018 and (B) 2019 and (C) example of a bottom cage containing a sensor.

Examples of monitoring buoys deployed in (A) 2018 and (B) 2019 and (C) example of a bottom cage containing a sensor.