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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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A carousel photo of energy pads
Energy Pads
Energy Pads
Energy Pads

Engergy pads in an arid enverionment

Engergy pads in an arid enverionment

FN-9
In cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
In cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
In cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

In cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

A photo of a tidal forest of the Nisqually River Delta
Tidal Forest of the Nasqually River Delta
Tidal Forest of the Nasqually River Delta
Tidal Forest of the Nasqually River Delta

The tidal forests of the Nisqually River Delta become inundated to just below the trunk during the highest tides of the year.

The tidal forests of the Nisqually River Delta become inundated to just below the trunk during the highest tides of the year.

An island with sections of short grasses has been covered by a large sand fan that was washed landward by waves.
A large washover fan on Fire Island, New York in 2012 after Hurricane
A large washover fan on Fire Island, New York in 2012 after Hurricane
A large washover fan on Fire Island, New York in 2012 after Hurricane

Strong storms such as hurricanes can cause drastic changes to coastal environments. For example, this large washover fan was created on Fire Island, New York in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy by waves moving sediment from the dunes and beach towards the back-barrier environment. 

Strong storms such as hurricanes can cause drastic changes to coastal environments. For example, this large washover fan was created on Fire Island, New York in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy by waves moving sediment from the dunes and beach towards the back-barrier environment. 

Photograph of USGS staff in the marsh wearing masks
Social distancing in the field
Social distancing in the field
Social distancing in the field

Safety is a top priority. USGS staff recently improved access to field sites at the Herring River estuary within the Cape Cod National Seashore to provide safer paths through a phragmites wetland.

Safety is a top priority. USGS staff recently improved access to field sites at the Herring River estuary within the Cape Cod National Seashore to provide safer paths through a phragmites wetland.

Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts (USGS ID: 010965985)
Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts
Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts
Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts

Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts (USGS ID: 010965985).

The site is one of the Merrimack project water quality sampling and monitoring stations.

Merrimack River near Aiken St Bridge, Lowell, Massachusetts (USGS ID: 010965985).

The site is one of the Merrimack project water quality sampling and monitoring stations.

Illustration of the seafloor showing depth and locations of surveys.
Figure 4 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail
Figure 4 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail
Figure 4 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail

Colored shaded-relief bathymetry including submarine channels and pockmarks offshore Morro Bay, California. Map generated from AUV-based multibeam bathymetry data collected by MBARI both prior to and as a part of EXPRESS.

Colored shaded-relief bathymetry including submarine channels and pockmarks offshore Morro Bay, California. Map generated from AUV-based multibeam bathymetry data collected by MBARI both prior to and as a part of EXPRESS.

Illustration of the seafloor showing depth and locations of surveys.
Figure 5 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail
Figure 5 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail
Figure 5 offshore Morro Bay seafloor detail

Colored shaded-relief bathymetry including pockmarks offshore Morro Bay, California. Map generated from AUV-based multibeam bathymetry data collected by MBARI.

Colored shaded-relief bathymetry including pockmarks offshore Morro Bay, California. Map generated from AUV-based multibeam bathymetry data collected by MBARI.

Illustration of the seafloor off a coastal area, with lines and dots to show where data was collected.
Offshore central California bathymetry
Offshore central California bathymetry
Offshore central California bathymetry

Colored, shaded-relief bathymetry offshore central California. Data supported management of National Marine Sanctuaries and prospective renewable energy decisions. Black ovals are locations of AUV-based multibeam surveys. Close-up views of two AUV surveys are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Colored, shaded-relief bathymetry offshore central California. Data supported management of National Marine Sanctuaries and prospective renewable energy decisions. Black ovals are locations of AUV-based multibeam surveys. Close-up views of two AUV surveys are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park
Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone National Park

Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.

Simplified Geologic Map of Yellowstone, modified from USGS I-711 by Marli Miller, University of Oregon. All rock material resulting from the major caldera-forming eruptions are labelled at Qt, where the dashed caldera boundary highlights the scale of these events. Older volcanic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are found outside of this boundary.

Illustration of the seafloor that shows depth, and where data was collected.
Trinidad submarine canyon bathymetry
Trinidad submarine canyon bathymetry
Trinidad submarine canyon bathymetry

Colored, shaded-relief bathymetry of Trinidad Submarine Canyon northwest of Humboldt Bay in northern California. Area is in the vicinity of a potential offshore renewable energy development. See larger map for location.

Colored, shaded-relief bathymetry of Trinidad Submarine Canyon northwest of Humboldt Bay in northern California. Area is in the vicinity of a potential offshore renewable energy development. See larger map for location.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Extraordinary tenure ends for leader of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Extraordinary tenure ends for leader of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Extraordinary tenure ends for leader of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Tina Neal, HVO Scientist-in-Charge from 2015–2020 ends her tenure on June 19, 2020. USGS photo.

Man holds up a USGS hat with a lizard sitting on top
Orange-throated Whiptail lizard gets a ride
Orange-throated Whiptail lizard gets a ride
Orange-throated Whiptail lizard gets a ride

James Molden shows off an Orange-throated Whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythra) while conducting the monthly pitfall trap monitoring at Cabrillo National Monument. The traps were put in place over 20 years ago by researcher Robert Fisher. USGS is looking at the effects of fragmentation on the isolated amphibian and reptile community at the monument.

James Molden shows off an Orange-throated Whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythra) while conducting the monthly pitfall trap monitoring at Cabrillo National Monument. The traps were put in place over 20 years ago by researcher Robert Fisher. USGS is looking at the effects of fragmentation on the isolated amphibian and reptile community at the monument.

Photographs of a common eider liver and pancreas.
Photographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Photographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Photographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Photographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) from Massachusetts, USA. (A) There are scattered, small, pale foci in the liver. (B) Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages are present in the pancreas.

Photographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) from Massachusetts, USA. (A) There are scattered, small, pale foci in the liver. (B) Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages are present in the pancreas.

Photomicrographs from a Common Eider showing necrosis.
Photomicrographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Photomicrographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Photomicrographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Photomicrographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) from Massachusetts, USA. (A) Multiple pale foci of acute hepatic necrosis. (B) Multiple foci of acute pancreatic necrosis (arrow).

Photomicrographs from a Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) from Massachusetts, USA. (A) Multiple pale foci of acute hepatic necrosis. (B) Multiple foci of acute pancreatic necrosis (arrow).

Streamflow measurement in S Fk Spread Creek, WY (13012475)
Streamflow measurement in S Fk Spread Creek, WY (13012475)
Streamflow measurement in S Fk Spread Creek, WY (13012475)
Streamflow measurement in S Fk Spread Creek, WY (13012475)

Streamflow measurement in S Fk Spread Creek, WY (13012475)

Walruses resting on an ice floe
Walruses resting on an ice floe
Walruses resting on an ice floe
Walruses resting on an ice floe

A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea

A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea

cantilever staff plate
Cantilever Staff Plate at Muddy Creek
Cantilever Staff Plate at Muddy Creek
Cantilever Staff Plate at Muddy Creek

Cantilever staff plate at Muddy Creek near Hampton streamgage

Cantilever staff plate at Muddy Creek near Hampton streamgage

An image depiction how remote sensing is used to sense soil erosion
How Remote Sensing Was Used To Detect Soil Erosion
How Remote Sensing Was Used To Detect Soil Erosion
How Remote Sensing Was Used To Detect Soil Erosion

Information from satellite imagery helped to differentiate areas vulnerable to soil erosion from off-highway vehicle use. For this study we developed a “P-factor” by scaling ground measurements of soil compaction to vehicle disturbances mapped from aerial imagery.

Information from satellite imagery helped to differentiate areas vulnerable to soil erosion from off-highway vehicle use. For this study we developed a “P-factor” by scaling ground measurements of soil compaction to vehicle disturbances mapped from aerial imagery.

Graphic of invasives increases after wind turbine construction
Invasives Increases After Wind Turbine Construction
Invasives Increases After Wind Turbine Construction
Invasives Increases After Wind Turbine Construction

Invasives index values before and after turbine construction compared to surrounding control areas (top). Green indicates turbines with higher index values in the period after construction, and yellow indicates no change or lower invasive index values after construction.

Invasives index values before and after turbine construction compared to surrounding control areas (top). Green indicates turbines with higher index values in the period after construction, and yellow indicates no change or lower invasive index values after construction.