Images

Rockfalls have been a frequent occurrence in Halema‘uma‘u crater, both before and during the current eruption. Debris from a recent rockfall can be seen sitting on the solidified lava lake crust (center). The crust on the southern edge of the lava lake is thick enough to support the weight of the boulders that have fallen. USGS photo taken by B.

Photo Contest Winner | February 2021 | People
Scouting Marconi Beach

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Center scientists prepare to deploy a seafloor tripod loaded with oceanographic equipment offshore of Sandwich, MA , March 2021

In February of 2021, scientists from the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) conducted near-shore bathymetric surveys on Cape Cod National Seashore. Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of ocean floors or lake floors.

The United States continues to rely on foreign sources for some raw and processed mineral materials, including some critical minerals. This map shows the countries that supply mineral commodities for which the United States was more than 50% net import reliant in 2020. 

A close-up view of the main island near the center of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. All the islands have been stationary since approximately January 10. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close-up view of the western fissure, which is supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A slow-moving lava stream marked the inlet where lava entered the lake. Several incandescent openings remain over the vent region. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A view of the central region of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u. On the left is the main island. In the center, a lobe of surface lava is moving south (towards the bottom of the photo) as surface crust founders along its leading edge.

A close-up view of the leading edge of the active lobe of surface lava slowly moving south in the central part of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Rilling and a shallow landslide in CZU Fire near Eagle Rock, California. Soil ~3 cm below surface was almost completely dry after the rain storm, highlighting soil water repellancy.  

Eruptive activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The active surface lava remains largely confined to the western (left) portion of the lava lake. As of the afternoon of January 31 lava had filled about 212 m (695 ft) of Halemaʻumaʻu in the active western portion of the lava lake. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

In August of 2020, the enormous CZU wildfire complex consumed over 85,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, leaving scarred landscapes in the hilly region. Runoff from large rainstorms in the winter months carry contaminants from the soils within these burned-out forests.

In August of 2020, the enormous CZU wildfire complex consumed over 85,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, leaving scarred landscapes in the hilly region. Runoff from large rainstorms in the winter months carry contaminants from the soils within these burned-out forests.

In August of 2020, the enormous CZU wildfire complex consumed over 85,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties, leaving scarred landscapes in the hilly region. Runoff from large rainstorms in the winter months carry contaminants from the soils within these burned-out forests.

A two-day rainstorm from January 26-28, 2021 caused numerous mudslides, debris flows, and other issues along California's coastal Highway 1 through Big Sur. This section is just north of Kirk Creek, at a drainage where mud was washed across the roadway. Plumes of the muddy runoff are clearly visible in the ocean.

The storm that hit California’s coast between Jan. 26 and 28, 2021, blew out a portion of Hwy 1 near Big Sur. On Saturday, a USGS reconnaissance flight snapped this dramatic photo above the Rat Creek drainage showing the debris flow.

A section of Highway 1 along the California coast in Big Sur with more examples of the numerous debris flows and mudslides that occur following a heavy rain. This section is just south of the Rat Creek debris flow that completely washed out a large chunk of the highway.

A two-day rainstorm from January 26-28, 2021 caused numerous mudslides, debris flows, and other issues along California's coastal Highway 1 through Big Sur. This section is just north of Wild Cattle Creek. Mud washed across the roadway from the cliffs in numerous locations along the 70+-mile stretch of this scenic coastal road.

A two-day rainstorm from January 26-28, 2021 caused numerous mudslides, debris flows, and other issues along California's coastal Highway 1 through Big Sur. This section is just north of Kirk Creek, at a drainage where mud was washed across the roadway. Plumes of the muddy runoff are clearly visible in the ocean.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collect tephra from the December 2020 deposit, found in the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano on January 29, 2021.

California's Highway 1 snakes its way along the steep terrain of the Big Sur coast. The bridge over Villa Creek can be seen in the left of the photo, as well as a retaining wall built under the freeway towards the center. These are just a few of the engineering feats by Caltrans to keep the roadway intact.