Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Images intro.
Filter Total Items: 7146
Monitoring for volcanic gases at Newberry Volcano
A MultiGAS instrument measures gases at Newberry Volcano
A MultiGAS instrument measures gases at Newberry Volcano
A MultiGAS instrument measures gases at Newberry Volcano

Scientists use a MultiGAS instrument (gray, hard-shell case) to measure gas compositions from the East Lake hot spring in the Newberry caldera. The photo was taken on August 3, 2020 just after sunrise. The vapor above the hot spring and lake is typical for cool mornings and is not visible later in the day.

Scientists use a MultiGAS instrument (gray, hard-shell case) to measure gas compositions from the East Lake hot spring in the Newberry caldera. The photo was taken on August 3, 2020 just after sunrise. The vapor above the hot spring and lake is typical for cool mornings and is not visible later in the day.

Hurricane Isaias coastal change forecast map 8.1.2020
Hurricane Isaias Unlikely to Cause Widespread Atlantic Beach Erosion
Hurricane Isaias Unlikely to Cause Widespread Atlantic Beach Erosion
Hurricane Isaias Unlikely to Cause Widespread Atlantic Beach Erosion

USGS coastal change experts predict that storm waves kicked up by the Category 1 hurricane are likely to cause some erosion at the base of the dunes along about 11 percent of coastal beaches between Florida and Virginia.

USGS coastal change experts predict that storm waves kicked up by the Category 1 hurricane are likely to cause some erosion at the base of the dunes along about 11 percent of coastal beaches between Florida and Virginia.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Timelapse showing typical activity at Kīlauea's summit water lake
Timelapse showing typical activity at Kīlauea's summit water lake
Timelapse showing typical activity at Kīlauea's summit water lake

This timelapse video at Kīlauea's summit covers approximately 30 minutes and shows the dynamic nature of the water lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. Steam from the hot water surface is constantly shifting in the winds, while the migrating color boundaries on the water surface appear to show circulation in the lake. USGS video by M. Patrick.

This timelapse video at Kīlauea's summit covers approximately 30 minutes and shows the dynamic nature of the water lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. Steam from the hot water surface is constantly shifting in the winds, while the migrating color boundaries on the water surface appear to show circulation in the lake. USGS video by M. Patrick.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Kīlauea Volcano's summit water lake is one-year old
Kīlauea Volcano's summit water lake is one-year old
Kīlauea Volcano's summit water lake is one-year old

Plot showing rise of Kīlauea's summit crater lake over the past year, during which laser rangefinder measurements of lake level were made 2–3 times per week. Photos compare the lake on August 27, 2019, when it was ~22 ft (7 m) deep, to July 7, 2020, when it was ~130 ft (40 m) deep. USGS photos.

Plot showing rise of Kīlauea's summit crater lake over the past year, during which laser rangefinder measurements of lake level were made 2–3 times per week. Photos compare the lake on August 27, 2019, when it was ~22 ft (7 m) deep, to July 7, 2020, when it was ~130 ft (40 m) deep. USGS photos.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u

Kīlauea's summit water lake, in Halema‘uma‘u, continues to slowly rise. Today, the lake colors were vibrant, with a zone of aquamarine water in the west end (lower right in photo). These greenish zones tend to be slightly hotter, and appear to be zones of water influx. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Kīlauea's summit water lake, in Halema‘uma‘u, continues to slowly rise. Today, the lake colors were vibrant, with a zone of aquamarine water in the west end (lower right in photo). These greenish zones tend to be slightly hotter, and appear to be zones of water influx. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

jezero
Jezero crater, Mars
Jezero crater, Mars
Jezero crater, Mars

Description: This is a high-resolution oblique view of the northeastern edge of the delta deposit in Jezero crater, the landing site for the Perseverance Mars rover. In the foreground, buttes of delta material stand above the crater floor. On the left and in the middle of this image, the layered rocks of the delta deposit are visible.

Description: This is a high-resolution oblique view of the northeastern edge of the delta deposit in Jezero crater, the landing site for the Perseverance Mars rover. In the foreground, buttes of delta material stand above the crater floor. On the left and in the middle of this image, the layered rocks of the delta deposit are visible.

image related to volcanoes. See description
August 2019 to July 2020 summit lake comparison
August 2019 to July 2020 summit lake comparison
August 2019 to July 2020 summit lake comparison

Image comparison of Kīlauea summit lake on August 2, 2019 and July July 21, 2020

Image comparison of Kīlauea summit lake on August 2, 2019 and July July 21, 2020

image related to volcanoes. See description
No significant changes at Kīlauea's summit water lake
No significant changes at Kīlauea's summit water lake
No significant changes at Kīlauea's summit water lake

An HVO geologist collects GPS data on the western rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The geologist is standing upon a thick sequence of tephra deposits formed during explosive eruptions at Kīlauea's summit between about 1500 CE and the early 19th century.

An HVO geologist collects GPS data on the western rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The geologist is standing upon a thick sequence of tephra deposits formed during explosive eruptions at Kīlauea's summit between about 1500 CE and the early 19th century.

Photo of the Roosevelt Arch at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park at night with comet NEOWISE in the background
Comet NEOWISE and the Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone National Park
Comet NEOWISE and the Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone National Park
Comet NEOWISE and the Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone National Park

Comet NEOWISE is seen with the Roosevelt Arch in the foreground at the north Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.  The town of Gardiner, Montana, is in the background.

Comet NEOWISE is seen with the Roosevelt Arch in the foreground at the north Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.  The town of Gardiner, Montana, is in the background.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Another view of the Fissure 8 channel, looking upstream. On the right, a lower
Another view of the Fissure 8 channel, looking upstream. On the right, a lower
Another view of the Fissure 8 channel, looking upstream. On the right, a lower

Another view of the Fissure 8 channel, looking upstream. On the right, a lower ledge along the channel wall represents the level of lava in the channel during the later stages of the flow. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Another view of the Fissure 8 channel, looking upstream. On the right, a lower ledge along the channel wall represents the level of lava in the channel during the later stages of the flow. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Views of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow field along Highway 132
Views of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow field along Highway 132
Views of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow field along Highway 132

HVO geologists visited the lower East Rift Zone lava flow field this past week to make measurements and observations, to better understand and reconstruct the dynamics of the Fissure 8 lava flow. This photo shows the channel wall in the braided channel region of the flow.

HVO geologists visited the lower East Rift Zone lava flow field this past week to make measurements and observations, to better understand and reconstruct the dynamics of the Fissure 8 lava flow. This photo shows the channel wall in the braided channel region of the flow.

image related to volcanoes. See description
A Legendary part of the Wailuku River is again revealed
A Legendary part of the Wailuku River is again revealed
A Legendary part of the Wailuku River is again revealed

View of the recently cleared Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River in Hilo. The pots, each about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, are eroded into a 10,000 year old Mauna Loa lava flow. When the water is low, the river does not flow over some of the pot rims but it continues to flow through them. USGS photo.

View of the recently cleared Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River in Hilo. The pots, each about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, are eroded into a 10,000 year old Mauna Loa lava flow. When the water is low, the river does not flow over some of the pot rims but it continues to flow through them. USGS photo.

2-panel photo with large boulder on slope on left and parking lot with small impact hole
Flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 Whitney Portal Campground rockfall
Flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 Whitney Portal Campground rockfall
Flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 Whitney Portal Campground rockfall

Images showing the flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 rockfall (see previous figure). Rock impacts at the base of the talus slope split and moved boulders, launching a 0.5 cubic meter boulder 92 m into the lower parking lot at Whitney Portal.

Images showing the flyrock trajectory from the 24 June 2020 rockfall (see previous figure). Rock impacts at the base of the talus slope split and moved boulders, launching a 0.5 cubic meter boulder 92 m into the lower parking lot at Whitney Portal.

image related to volcanoes. See description
In the eastern portion of the lake, the dark brown zone had a slightly mottled a
In the eastern portion of the lake, the dark brown zone had a slightly mottled a
In the eastern portion of the lake, the dark brown zone had a slightly mottled a

In the eastern portion of the lake, the dark brown zone had a slightly mottled appearance, but this pattern was transient and gone within about ten minutes.

In the eastern portion of the lake, the dark brown zone had a slightly mottled appearance, but this pattern was transient and gone within about ten minutes.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u
Continued slow rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u

The water lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues to slowly rise, with no significant changes in recent weeks. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The water lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues to slowly rise, with no significant changes in recent weeks. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

image related to volcanoes. See description
The eastern end of the lake, shown here, is slightly warmer than the lake center
The eastern end of the lake, shown here, is slightly warmer than the lake center
The eastern end of the lake, shown here, is slightly warmer than the lake center

The eastern end of the lake, shown here, is slightly warmer than the lake center, and commonly has steam rising from the water surface. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The eastern end of the lake, shown here, is slightly warmer than the lake center, and commonly has steam rising from the water surface. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

a view of sandy dunes on a beach covered in green vegetation with a blue sky, ocean waves, and tall buildings in the background
Vegetated dunes on Cocoa Beach, Florida
Vegetated dunes on Cocoa Beach, Florida
Vegetated dunes on Cocoa Beach, Florida

A view looking north on Cocoa beach towards Kennedy Space Station. Coastal infrastructure and natural resources such as sediment and beach vegetation can all be affected by coastal change processes.

A view looking north on Cocoa beach towards Kennedy Space Station. Coastal infrastructure and natural resources such as sediment and beach vegetation can all be affected by coastal change processes.

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.

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.

image related to volcanoes. See description
During today's overflight of Kīlauea summit, both thermal and visual camera
During today's overflight of Kīlauea summit, both thermal and visual camera
During today's overflight of Kīlauea summit, both thermal and visual camera

During today's overflight of Kīlauea summit, both thermal and visual cameras were used to characterize activity. Comparing thermal (left) to visual (right) images of nearly the same view, you can see that the growing crater lake at Kīlauea's summit remains hot.

During today's overflight of Kīlauea summit, both thermal and visual cameras were used to characterize activity. Comparing thermal (left) to visual (right) images of nearly the same view, you can see that the growing crater lake at Kīlauea's summit remains hot.