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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 photograph of lava lake and rainbow
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 26, 2021 — Kīlauea

Heavy rains at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano (Hawaii) cleared on the afternoon of Friday, February 26, 2021, to show the steaming surface of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u viewed from the west.

Heavy rains at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano (Hawaii) cleared on the afternoon of Friday, February 26, 2021, to show the steaming surface of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u viewed from the west.

Color map of lava lake and volcano summit
February 26, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
February 26, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption contour map
February 26, 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 218 m (715 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 735 m (2411 ft) asl since the eruption began at approximately 9:30 p.m. HST 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 218 m (715 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 735 m (2411 ft) asl since the eruption began at approximately 9:30 p.m. HST on December 20, 2020.

Icy Alsek River in winter
Icy Alsek River in winter
Icy Alsek River in winter
Icy Alsek River in winter

Randy Host preparing to sample discharge and collect water quality samples on an icy Alsek River in winter.

Randy Host preparing to sample discharge and collect water quality samples on an icy Alsek River in winter.

color photograph of lava flow
Close-up view of active lava flow Halema‘uma‘u, February 24, 2021
Close-up view of active lava flow Halema‘uma‘u, February 24, 2021
Close-up view of active lava flow Halema‘uma‘u, February 24, 2021

In the morning of Tuesday, February 23, a new source of spatter appeared on flank of the active western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. It started to feed a short lava flow down the spatter cone and onto the crusted northwest margin of the lava lake.

In the morning of Tuesday, February 23, a new source of spatter appeared on flank of the active western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. It started to feed a short lava flow down the spatter cone and onto the crusted northwest margin of the lava lake.

Color photograph of lava flow
Eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021
Eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021
Eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021

A telephoto image of the small lava flow from the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Occasional incandescence was visible (center) from the weakly active flow on the northwestern lava lake levee. A portion of the active lava lake is visible in the lower-right.

A telephoto image of the small lava flow from the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Occasional incandescence was visible (center) from the weakly active flow on the northwestern lava lake levee. A portion of the active lava lake is visible in the lower-right.

Color photograph of lava lake
View of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake from the west, February 24, 2021
View of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake from the west, February 24, 2021
View of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake from the west, February 24, 2021

On Wednesday, February 24, HVO scientists observed the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u from the west rim of the crater. In this photo, the active western fissure is marked by an incandescent skylight on the near side of the lava lake.

On Wednesday, February 24, HVO scientists observed the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u from the west rim of the crater. In this photo, the active western fissure is marked by an incandescent skylight on the near side of the lava lake.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021
Western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021
Western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater - February 24, 2021

 A telephoto image of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the northern-most vent of the fissure was producing occasional weak bursts of spatter (center).

 A telephoto image of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the northern-most vent of the fissure was producing occasional weak bursts of spatter (center).

Color photograph of lava lake
View of active portion of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, Feb. 23
View of active portion of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, Feb. 23
View of active portion of lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea, Feb. 23

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here as seen from the south rim of the crater and looking towards the northwest. The western fissure cone is in the center of the photo.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here as seen from the south rim of the crater and looking towards the northwest. The western fissure cone is in the center of the photo.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

This photo shows a view of the western fissure, feeding the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet zone, where lava is entering the lake, is visible at the bottom of the photo. Near the center of the photo, an area of lava driblets can be seen running down the flank of the western fissure's cone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This photo shows a view of the western fissure, feeding the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet zone, where lava is entering the lake, is visible at the bottom of the photo. Near the center of the photo, an area of lava driblets can be seen running down the flank of the western fissure's cone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of island in  lava lake
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

This photo shows the main island, just west of the lake center, in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The recent drop in lake level, associated with ongoing summit deflation, is shown by the raised edge around much of the perimeter of the island. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This photo shows the main island, just west of the lake center, in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The recent drop in lake level, associated with ongoing summit deflation, is shown by the raised edge around much of the perimeter of the island. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of crater, lava lake, and rainbow
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

A pot of lava at the end of the rainbow? A rainbow formed over Halema‘uma‘u crater following an afternoon rain shower on February 22. Rainbows are often observed over Halema‘uma‘u, as mist and rain move across the caldera. This photo was taken from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

A pot of lava at the end of the rainbow? A rainbow formed over Halema‘uma‘u crater following an afternoon rain shower on February 22. Rainbows are often observed over Halema‘uma‘u, as mist and rain move across the caldera. This photo was taken from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

Color photograph of volcanic vent,  lava lake, and islands
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here. Ongoing summit deflation has been associated with a slight drop in the lake level, now a few meters below the rim of the levee.

The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active. Active surface lava remains limited to the western portion of the lake, shown here. Ongoing summit deflation has been associated with a slight drop in the lake level, now a few meters below the rim of the levee.

February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea
February 22, 2021 — Kīlauea

An HVO geologist uses a sketch in their fieldbook to note the location of laser rangefinder measurements of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea.

An HVO geologist uses a sketch in their fieldbook to note the location of laser rangefinder measurements of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea.

Click image for full description and details.
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)
USGS 21st Century Science - WILDLAND FIRE (portrait)

$71-$246 BILLION
Net annual economic impact of wildland fire across the U.S.1

650 MILLION
Acres of public lands that are managed for wildland fire.2

16.1 FATALITIES
Average annual fatalities from wildland fire.3

$71-$246 BILLION
Net annual economic impact of wildland fire across the U.S.1

650 MILLION
Acres of public lands that are managed for wildland fire.2

16.1 FATALITIES
Average annual fatalities from wildland fire.3

central eastern U.S. states with boundary outline
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA
Chesapeake Bay Watershed boundary, USA

The Chesapeake Bay watershed, or draingage basin, encompasses six states - New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A drainage basin is a giant system of creeks, streams, and rivers that all flow into a common outlet, which in this case is the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed, or draingage basin, encompasses six states - New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A drainage basin is a giant system of creeks, streams, and rivers that all flow into a common outlet, which in this case is the Chesapeake Bay.

Two scientists operate a motorized cylindrical object as it penetrates a sandy marsh environment
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL
Collecting sediment core with vibracore equipment at Mullet Key, FL

Dan Ciarletta (right) working alongside Julie Bernier (left) to collect a sediment core on Mullet Key, an island within Fort de Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. The core will be used to reconstruct the geologic history of the island.

Dan Ciarletta (right) working alongside Julie Bernier (left) to collect a sediment core on Mullet Key, an island within Fort de Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. The core will be used to reconstruct the geologic history of the island.

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake observations, Kīlauea summit February 19

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, and other eruptive features, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. These lava lake measurements are used to help calculate the depth, volume, and how it has evolved throughout the eruption. The stagnant eastern portion of the lava lake is visible in the lower-left.

HVO geologists use a laser rangefinder to measure the distance to the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, and other eruptive features, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. These lava lake measurements are used to help calculate the depth, volume, and how it has evolved throughout the eruption. The stagnant eastern portion of the lava lake is visible in the lower-left.

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River
Modern equipment currently in use at a streamgage on the Ogden River

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage, to include; an electronic data logger, pressure transducer and GOES radio. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. The equipment used to collect data has changed significantly over the pas

Modern equipment currently in use at the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage, to include; an electronic data logger, pressure transducer and GOES radio. This streamgage has been monitoring water levels and flow since March 21, 1921, making it one of 25 centennial gauges in Utah. The equipment used to collect data has changed significantly over the pas

Three scientists operate a vibracore - a metal cylinder that is pushed into the sediment on a barrier island
Sediment coring at Mullet Key, Florida along the Gulf of Mexico
Sediment coring at Mullet Key, Florida along the Gulf of Mexico
Sediment coring at Mullet Key, Florida along the Gulf of Mexico

Mendenhall postdoctoral fellow Daniel Ciarletta and geologists Julie Bernier and Nancy DeWitt of the St.

Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage included in USGS Water-Supply Paper
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage
Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage

Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage included in USGS Water-Supply Paper 530 "Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1921, Part X.

Description of the South Fork of the Ogden River streamgage included in USGS Water-Supply Paper 530 "Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1921, Part X.