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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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land movement
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

land movement
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Inspecting boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

land movement
Landslide along road near Ponce, Puerto Rico
Landslide along road near Ponce, Puerto Rico
Landslide along road near Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. This landslide was discovered along a neighborhood road near Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. This landslide was discovered along a neighborhood road near Ponce, Puerto Rico.

land movement
Landslide near Ponce, Puerto Rico
Landslide near Ponce, Puerto Rico
Landslide near Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. This landslide was discovered along a neighborhood road near Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. This landslide was discovered along a neighborhood road near Ponce, Puerto Rico.

landslide
Landslide triggered by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Landslide triggered by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Landslide triggered by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

fissure
Lateral spread along road caused by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Lateral spread along road caused by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Lateral spread along road caused by M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

quake damage
Lateral spread and damage to boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral spread and damage to boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral spread and damage to boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. The boardwalk in Ponce, Puerto Rico was damaged by the quake.

land movement
Lateral Spread in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral Spread in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral Spread in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

land movement
Lateral spread near creek in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral spread near creek in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Lateral spread near creek in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists, like Dr. Alex Grant, were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a creek in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists, like Dr. Alex Grant, were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a creek in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

liquefaction
Liquefaction and lateral spread from M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Liquefaction and lateral spread from M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico
Liquefaction and lateral spread from M6.4 earthquake in Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

lateral spread
Liquefaction and lateral spread near stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Liquefaction and lateral spread near stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Liquefaction and lateral spread near stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

land movement
Researchers deployed in Puerto Rico after earthquake
Researchers deployed in Puerto Rico after earthquake
Researchers deployed in Puerto Rico after earthquake

Meet the team of USGS scientists who were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020.

Meet the team of USGS scientists who were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020.

land movement
Rockfall in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Rockfall in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Rockfall in Ponce, Puerto Rico

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of rockfall material in the yard of a house in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of rockfall material in the yard of a house in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

click on image for full description
Secuencia del Terremoto en Puerto Rico, 2020 (hasta enero 16, 2020)
Secuencia del Terremoto en Puerto Rico, 2020 (hasta enero 16, 2020)
Secuencia del Terremoto en Puerto Rico, 2020 (hasta enero 16, 2020)

Terremotos detectados entre diciembre 28, 2019 hasta enero 16, 2020. Sujeto a actualizaciones.

>300 M3+ terremotos* registrados

desde dic 28, 2019 (dentro de 40km) suficientemente fuerte como para ser sentido

10 M5+ terremotos* registrados

Terremotos detectados entre diciembre 28, 2019 hasta enero 16, 2020. Sujeto a actualizaciones.

>300 M3+ terremotos* registrados

desde dic 28, 2019 (dentro de 40km) suficientemente fuerte como para ser sentido

10 M5+ terremotos* registrados

image related to volcanoes. See description
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u continues to grow
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u continues to grow
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u continues to grow

Comparison of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u on November 20, 2019, and March 1, 2020. Camera and lens same for both photos. Since November 20, 2019, the pond deepened 10 m (33 ft) and widened more than 50 m (164 ft) east-west and 30 m (98 ft) north-south. Circled clusters of rocks did not move between photos, evidence of slope stability.

Comparison of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u on November 20, 2019, and March 1, 2020. Camera and lens same for both photos. Since November 20, 2019, the pond deepened 10 m (33 ft) and widened more than 50 m (164 ft) east-west and 30 m (98 ft) north-south. Circled clusters of rocks did not move between photos, evidence of slope stability.

HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake
HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake
HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake
HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake

Photo Contest Winner | Jan. 2020 | Where We Work
John Wernly and Andrew Kowalczk after HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake

Photo Contest Winner | Jan. 2020 | Where We Work
John Wernly and Andrew Kowalczk after HABS platform pull on Skaneateles Lake

Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano
Nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano

This image shows a false color (bands 7,6,5) nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano overlaid on a daytime Landsat panchromatic black and white image (band 8). The nighttime image from path 220/row194 was acquired on January 15, 2020, a few days after the volcano's eruption.

This image shows a false color (bands 7,6,5) nighttime Landsat 8 image of the Taal Volcano overlaid on a daytime Landsat panchromatic black and white image (band 8). The nighttime image from path 220/row194 was acquired on January 15, 2020, a few days after the volcano's eruption.

USGS team with Wanda Vazquez-Garced, governor of Puerto Rico
USGS Earthquake Response team with governor of Puerto Rico
USGS Earthquake Response team with governor of Puerto Rico
USGS Earthquake Response team with governor of Puerto Rico

USGS team with Wanda Vazquez-Garced, governor of Puerto Rico. From left to right: Lindsay Davis, Wanda Vazquez, Dianne Lopez-Trujillo, Jonathan Godt, Donyelle Davis, Alex Grant

USGS team with Wanda Vazquez-Garced, governor of Puerto Rico. From left to right: Lindsay Davis, Wanda Vazquez, Dianne Lopez-Trujillo, Jonathan Godt, Donyelle Davis, Alex Grant

USGS gage 410401112134801 Great Salt Lake Farmington Bay Outflow, UT
USGS gage 410401112134801 Great Salt Lake Farmington Bay Outflow, UT
USGS gage 410401112134801 Great Salt Lake Farmington Bay Outflow, UT
USGS gage 410401112134801 Great Salt Lake Farmington Bay Outflow, UT

Travis Gibson services the SonTek SW prior to making a discharge measurement on a chilly morning on the Great Salt Lake at USGS gage 410401112134801 Great Salt Lake Farmington Bay Outflow, UT.

Three people looking at instrumentation
Analyzing Earthquake Data in Puerto Rico
Analyzing Earthquake Data in Puerto Rico
Analyzing Earthquake Data in Puerto Rico

USGS scientists Thomas L. Pratt and Alena L. Leads, along with Dr. Elizabeth Vanacore, associate research professor at University of Puerto Rico, analyze data in earthquake monitoring and recording equipment amid aftershocks across the island's southern coast.

USGS scientists Thomas L. Pratt and Alena L. Leads, along with Dr. Elizabeth Vanacore, associate research professor at University of Puerto Rico, analyze data in earthquake monitoring and recording equipment amid aftershocks across the island's southern coast.

drilling holes through the ice
Drilling Holes Through the Ice
Drilling Holes Through the Ice
Drilling Holes Through the Ice

Stream stage is still accurately measured by equip under ice, and fluctuates a fair amount due to ice damming and accumulation. Streamflow, however, during most of the winter is typically quite stable.

Stream stage is still accurately measured by equip under ice, and fluctuates a fair amount due to ice damming and accumulation. Streamflow, however, during most of the winter is typically quite stable.