Images

Geochemists use platinum, silica, and ceramic crucibles, shown here in a glass container called a desiccator.  Silica is used because it is resistant to extremely high temperatures and because it is chemically inert. Silicon, linked up with a pair of oxygen molecules as silicon dioxide, is known as silica. 

The USGS Landsat Archive added its 9 millionth scene to the archive on September 18, 2020. The scene was acquired by Landsat 8 over Northern Paraguay and is shown using bands 6,5,4.

This graphic shows the cumulative number of scenes by path and row in the Landsat archive from 1972 - 2020. This graphic was created on the anniversary of the 9 millionth scene addition to the USGS Landsat Archive.

Landsat 8 image on the Utah-Arizona Border on the Navajo Nation acquired on September 18, 2020.

For more information about Landsat, please visit www.usgs.gov/Landsat

To download the data, visit earthexplorer.usgs.gov

Geiger mode 3DEP lidar point cloud over Chicago, IL from 3DEP Project USGS Lidar Point Cloud IL 4County Cook 2017

Example of the Landsat 7 ETM+ Collection 2 level-2 science products. Left: Landsat 7 level-2 surface reflectance image. Right: Landsat 7 level-2 surface temperature image. The data was acquired on August 19, 2020 (path 179 row 28).

Example of the Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS Collection 2 level-1 product. This Landsat 8 image was acquired on August 18, 2020 over Lake Everard and Lake Harry in southern Australia and is shown as a false color composite using the shortwave infrared, near infrared, and red bands (bands 6,5,4).

When you’re planning to explore someplace new, it’s always a good idea to bring a map so you can avoid dangerous terrain. This is true whether you’re heading out for a hike on Earth or you’re landing a rover on Mars!

Example of elevation derived hydrogrpahy data 

Example of hydrography derived from 3DEP lidar data for a section of the Marshyhope Creek near Federalsburg, Maryland

Bar graph showing total estimated program cost and funding gap to complete nationwide 3D Elevation Program data acquisition by 2023

Photo Contest Winner | Feb. 2020 | People
Shannon Fisher pulling sled at Moreau Lake area after measuring water levels in GW wells surrounding the lake

William T. Pecora, Director of the USGS from 1965 to 1971, is largely responsible for two major contributions to science in the public interest: the creation of a national earthquake research center at the USGS facility in Menlo Park, CA, and the Landsat series of Earth observing satellites.

3D geologic framework model from west-central New Mexico; graphic shows stratigraphic units in the model being sequentially removed to reveal the deeper units. Faults used in the model appear as vertical “ribbons” as geologic layers are removed.

The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of each other in California: Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) and Death Valley (282 feet below sea level).

Capital Sacramento

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 39,538,223

Denver, the capital of Colorado, is known as the “Mile High City.” The thirteenth step of the capitol building is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level.

Capital Denver

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 5,773,714

Number of Pixels 299,555,595

Groton, Connecticut is home to the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered ship and the first to reach the North Pole, a feat accomplished in 1958. The Nautilus is on display at the Submarine Force Museum.

Capital Hartford

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 3,605,944

Delaware is known as the “First State,” because it was the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.

Capital Dover

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 989,948

Number of Pixels 5,788,036

Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest settlement of European origin in the United States. The Spanish fortress of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine was built from 1672-1695 and is made of coquina, a soft, impact-absorbing stone composed of sea shells.

Capital Tallahassee

Georgia is home to Okefenokee Swamp, a unique area of primitive wetland that provides sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and wildlife, including several endangered species.

Capital Atlanta

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 10,711,908

Before Abraham Lincoln was elected President, he served in the Illinois legislature and practiced law in Springfield. Lincoln is buried just outside Springfield at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site.

Capital Springfield

Image Source Landsat 8

Population 12,812,508