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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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The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay, in the lower left corner of this image. Wave erosion of the 2018 lava flows along the coast contributes to sand accumulation that forms a beach at Pohoiki Bay. USGS image by K. Mulliken on March 4, 2021.

The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay, in the lower left corner of this image. Wave erosion of the 2018 lava flows along the coast contributes to sand accumulation that forms a beach at Pohoiki Bay. USGS image by K. Mulliken on March 4, 2021.

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021. Steam is normally visible as the vent—which was active for more than 35 years—continues to cool, following the 2018 Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapse.

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021. Steam is normally visible as the vent—which was active for more than 35 years—continues to cool, following the 2018 Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapse.

 Aerial view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Another view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) trail is visible in the foreground. The gas plume rising from Halema‘uma‘u in the background marks where the current eruption is taking place. Uēkahuna—the summit of Kīlauea—is visible in the upper right portion of the image. USGS image by K.

Another view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) trail is visible in the foreground. The gas plume rising from Halema‘uma‘u in the background marks where the current eruption is taking place. Uēkahuna—the summit of Kīlauea—is visible in the upper right portion of the image. USGS image by K.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and crater
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021

During a routine overflight of the Kīlauea East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists visited the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō area to check for any significant changes in recent months. Their most notable observation was further accumulation of talus—rock collapse debris—in the crater that formed on April 30, 2018, as seen in this wide-angle photo.

During a routine overflight of the Kīlauea East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists visited the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō area to check for any significant changes in recent months. Their most notable observation was further accumulation of talus—rock collapse debris—in the crater that formed on April 30, 2018, as seen in this wide-angle photo.

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u at 12:21 p.m. HST on March 3, 2021. The western portion of the lava lake is active with lava being fed from the west vent. The eastern surface of the lava lake remains crusted over. SO2 emission rates are elevated at approximately 1000 t/d, as measured on March 3, 2021.

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u at 12:21 p.m. HST on March 3, 2021. The western portion of the lava lake is active with lava being fed from the west vent. The eastern surface of the lava lake remains crusted over. SO2 emission rates are elevated at approximately 1000 t/d, as measured on March 3, 2021.

Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform

The photo shows a Belfort Weighing Bucket, Tipping Bucket,  Aerochem, Ott Pluvio , Hubbard Brook, and standard rain gage. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

The photo shows a Belfort Weighing Bucket, Tipping Bucket,  Aerochem, Ott Pluvio , Hubbard Brook, and standard rain gage. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Lava is entering the lake at a small inlet along the western lake margin, at the site of the western fissure. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake. Scattered crustal foundering and small overflows were present on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. USGS photo by M.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Lava is entering the lake at a small inlet along the western lake margin, at the site of the western fissure. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake. Scattered crustal foundering and small overflows were present on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. USGS photo by M.

The western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u remains active, with incandescence visible in two small vent openings
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

The western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u remains active, with incandescence visible in two small vent openings. The northeastern incandescent vent opening (right) has a narrow, drained lava channel extending down the flank of the cone. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 2, 2021.

The western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u remains active, with incandescence visible in two small vent openings. The northeastern incandescent vent opening (right) has a narrow, drained lava channel extending down the flank of the cone. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 2, 2021.

Close-up view of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, showing the incandescent lava upwelling at the inlet
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

Another close-up view of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, showing the incandescent lava upwelling at the inlet zone along the western lake margin. This photo was taken on March 2, 2021, in an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Another close-up view of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, showing the incandescent lava upwelling at the inlet zone along the western lake margin. This photo was taken on March 2, 2021, in an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The eastern portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u remains solidified at the surface
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

The eastern portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u remains solidified at the surface. Numerous islands, previously drifting in the lake currents, are now locked in place. The remnants of a section of Crater Rim Drive, from the 2018 summit collapse, is visible in the lower right corner of the photo. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 2, 2021.

The eastern portion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u remains solidified at the surface. Numerous islands, previously drifting in the lake currents, are now locked in place. The remnants of a section of Crater Rim Drive, from the 2018 summit collapse, is visible in the lower right corner of the photo. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 2, 2021.

A man holds a round, yellow object with a cord in front of a brick building
Dr. Mark Buckley holds a buoy used to collect oceanographic data
Dr. Mark Buckley holds a buoy used to collect oceanographic data
Dr. Mark Buckley holds a buoy used to collect oceanographic data

Dr. Mark Buckley of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center holds a new Sofar Smart Mooring and Spotter Buoy that will be used to deliver high-fidelity, real-time wave, water level, and wind data.

Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN
Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN
Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN
Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | Honorable Mention
03363500 Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN; established 1930

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | Honorable Mention
03363500 Flatrock River at St. Paul, IN; established 1930

Underwater photograph looking straight down on the bottom of a lake, with a rocky underwater ledge.
Floor of Lake Tahoe near Dollar Point
Floor of Lake Tahoe near Dollar Point
Recently retrieved frost tube
Frost tube
Frost tube
Frost tube

Photo of a recently retrieved frost tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.

Photo of a recently retrieved frost tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.

GEMSC supply distribution day
GEMSC supply distribution day
GEMSC supply distribution day
GEMSC supply distribution day

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | USGS at Work
GEMSC supply distribution day

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | USGS at Work
GEMSC supply distribution day

Photograph of USGS field technicians managing equipment on the beach
High Tech Beach Day
High Tech Beach Day
High Tech Beach Day

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center technicians programming remote field camera installations on Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore.

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center technicians programming remote field camera installations on Marconi Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore.

Seafloor tripod equipped with oceanographic equipment
Seafloor tripod equipped with oceanographic equipment
Seafloor tripod equipped with oceanographic equipment
Seafloor tripod equipped with oceanographic equipment

Seafloor tripod equipped with oceanographic equipment to be deployed offshore of Sandwich, MA , March 2021

USGS employees on boat
USGS employees on boat
USGS employees on boat
USGS employees on boat

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | People
USGS employees on boat

Photo Contest Winner | March 2021 | People
USGS employees on boat

man climbing on bridge support wall underneath a bridge next to a boat on a river
USGS staffer Kent Smith installing a CSG on the Genesee River
USGS staffer Kent Smith installing a CSG on the Genesee River
USGS staffer Kent Smith installing a CSG on the Genesee River

Kent Smith Installing a crest stage gage (CSG) on the Genesee River. (Credit: John Wernly, USGS NY WSC Public domain.)

Kent Smith Installing a crest stage gage (CSG) on the Genesee River. (Credit: John Wernly, USGS NY WSC Public domain.)

Adrian Garcia with the effective stress cell in the USGS Hydrate Pressure Core Analysis Laboratory i
Adrian Garcia in the Woods Hole pressure core analysis lab
Adrian Garcia in the Woods Hole pressure core analysis lab
Adrian Garcia in the Woods Hole pressure core analysis lab

Adrian Garcia with the effective stress cell in the USGS Hydrate Pressure Core Analysis Laboratory in Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Adrian Garcia with the effective stress cell in the USGS Hydrate Pressure Core Analysis Laboratory in Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Color photograph of lava lake
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea

On the afternoon of Friday February 26, 2021, the active west side of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, had numerous surface breakouts and foundering crust amid vigorous steaming due to the heavy rainfall. This view is looking to the east from the west side of the crater.

On the afternoon of Friday February 26, 2021, the active west side of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, had numerous surface breakouts and foundering crust amid vigorous steaming due to the heavy rainfall. This view is looking to the east from the west side of the crater.