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Explore a wide variety of videos that highlight natural hazards, the risks they pose and the science we conduct to better understand and prepare for them.

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scientists stand near a tower in heavily vegetated sandy dunes under a blue sky Installing Coastal Camera Tower
Installing Coastal Camera Tower
Installing Coastal Camera Tower

Time-lapse of USGS researchers raising a mechanical mast with a high-resolution camera mounted on top, which was deployed atop a dune in the U.S.

Time-lapse of USGS researchers raising a mechanical mast with a high-resolution camera mounted on top, which was deployed atop a dune in the U.S.

Water, sediment supply reqs—post-wildfire debris flows in western U.S.
Water, sediment supply reqs—post-wildfire debris flows in western U.S.
Water, sediment supply reqs—post-wildfire debris flows in western U.S.

We sometimes fall back on an implicit model that post-wildfire debris flows are only triggered once a certain level of saturation or rainfall is reached, and that the sediment supply is soon exhausted and future flows are unlikely until it recharges.

We sometimes fall back on an implicit model that post-wildfire debris flows are only triggered once a certain level of saturation or rainfall is reached, and that the sediment supply is soon exhausted and future flows are unlikely until it recharges.

Reducing Flood Risks by Restoring Coral Reefs (AD)
Reducing Flood Risks by Restoring Coral Reefs (AD)
Reducing Flood Risks by Restoring Coral Reefs (AD)

 

View the non-AD version.

The increasing risk of flooding along our coasts is driven by climate change, development and habitat loss.

Active landsliding and rock strength controls along Big Sur Coast, CA
Active landsliding and rock strength controls along Big Sur Coast, CA
Active landsliding and rock strength controls along Big Sur Coast, CA

The Santa Lucia Mountains of the Big Sur coast, California contain abundant active landslides.

Widespread landslides during the 2018 wet year in Pittsburgh
Widespread landslides during the 2018 wet year in Pittsburgh
Widespread landslides during the 2018 wet year in Pittsburgh

The record 2018 wet year in Pittsburgh resulted in widespread landslides throughout the region, many of which caused considerable damage to residential property and transportation infrastructure.

The record 2018 wet year in Pittsburgh resulted in widespread landslides throughout the region, many of which caused considerable damage to residential property and transportation infrastructure.

Pennsylvania Landslides, Pittsburgh and Beyond: A 40-year Perspective
Pennsylvania Landslides, Pittsburgh and Beyond: A 40-year Perspective
Pennsylvania Landslides, Pittsburgh and Beyond: A 40-year Perspective

A broad overview of landslide geology across Pennsylvania, and historical and current work on landslides by the Pennsylvania Survey and others. The diverse geology and topography of Pennsylvania's woods provides a variety of landslide problems beyond the well-known issues around Pittsburgh.

A broad overview of landslide geology across Pennsylvania, and historical and current work on landslides by the Pennsylvania Survey and others. The diverse geology and topography of Pennsylvania's woods provides a variety of landslide problems beyond the well-known issues around Pittsburgh.

Contrib. of Rock-Mass Strength to Topographic Form and Post-Fire Eros.
Contrib. of Rock-Mass Strength to Topographic Form and Post-Fire Eros.
Contrib. of Rock-Mass Strength to Topographic Form and Post-Fire Eros.

Rock-mass strength is typically assumed to influence geomorphic processes by setting the erodibility of landscapes. However, the contribution of rock-mass strength to topographic form is often overlooked, largely because rock-mass strength is challenging to quantify over the broad spatial scales relevant to geomorphology.

Rock-mass strength is typically assumed to influence geomorphic processes by setting the erodibility of landscapes. However, the contribution of rock-mass strength to topographic form is often overlooked, largely because rock-mass strength is challenging to quantify over the broad spatial scales relevant to geomorphology.

Close-up photograph showing a mechanical claw that is about to pick up a spherical rock off the seafloor. Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Exped. (AD)
Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Exped. (AD)
Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Exped. (AD)

During a recent dive on the New England Seamount chain off the North Atlantic coast, researchers aboard the NOAA Ocean Exploration Expedition, North Atlantic Stepping Stones, discovered a marine geological feature known as a ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodule field in the saddle between two peaks of Gosnold Seamount.

During a recent dive on the New England Seamount chain off the North Atlantic coast, researchers aboard the NOAA Ocean Exploration Expedition, North Atlantic Stepping Stones, discovered a marine geological feature known as a ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodule field in the saddle between two peaks of Gosnold Seamount.

Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition
Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition
Ferromanganese Nodules—2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition

During a recent dive on the New England Seamount chain off the North Atlantic coast, researchers aboard the NOAA Ocean Exploration Expedition, North Atlantic Stepping Stones, discovered a marine geological feature known as a ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodule field in the saddle between two peaks of Gosnold Seamount.

During a recent dive on the New England Seamount chain off the North Atlantic coast, researchers aboard the NOAA Ocean Exploration Expedition, North Atlantic Stepping Stones, discovered a marine geological feature known as a ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) nodule field in the saddle between two peaks of Gosnold Seamount.

Washington Geological Survey’s Landslide Hazard Program
Washington Geological Survey’s Landslide Hazard Program
Washington Geological Survey’s Landslide Hazard Program

In 2015, the Washington Geological Survey received legislative funding to start a Landslide Hazards Program (LHP). The LHP has three primary functions: landslide inventory mapping, post-wildfire debris flow assessments, and emergency response.

In 2015, the Washington Geological Survey received legislative funding to start a Landslide Hazards Program (LHP). The LHP has three primary functions: landslide inventory mapping, post-wildfire debris flow assessments, and emergency response.

NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition
NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition
NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition - AD
NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition - AD
NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition - AD

Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

Routine overflight of Halema`uma`u crater
Routine overflight of Halema`uma`u crater
Routine overflight of Halema`uma`u crater

The eruption in Halema`uma`u crater, at the summit of Kilauea, is no longer active. The lava lake that was active between December 2020 and May 2021 remains solidified at the surface. A routine summit overflight observed no signs of residual incandescence in cracks, and only a diffuse gas plume rising from the northern portion of the lake.
 

The eruption in Halema`uma`u crater, at the summit of Kilauea, is no longer active. The lava lake that was active between December 2020 and May 2021 remains solidified at the surface. A routine summit overflight observed no signs of residual incandescence in cracks, and only a diffuse gas plume rising from the northern portion of the lake.
 

Man speaking with trees in the background. YVO monthly activity update from rim of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon!
YVO monthly activity update from rim of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon!
YVO monthly activity update from rim of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon!

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.

Mauna Loa MKcam (New Webcam)
Mauna Loa MKcam (New Webcam)
Mauna Loa MKcam (New Webcam)

This video shows a typical day on Mauna Loa, captured from a new webcam looking south towards the volcano. The field of view covers the summit region and much of the Northeast Rift Zone.

This video shows a typical day on Mauna Loa, captured from a new webcam looking south towards the volcano. The field of view covers the summit region and much of the Northeast Rift Zone.

PubTalk 5/2021 - Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert
PubTalk 5/2021 - Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert
PubTalk 5/2021 - Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert

Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.

By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist

Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.

By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist

Resurfacing event on small lava pond in Halema`uma`u
Resurfacing event on small lava pond in Halema`uma`u
Resurfacing event on small lava pond in Halema`uma`u

The area of active surface lava has diminished over the past month in Halema`uma`u crater, at the summit of Kilauea. Today, active surface lava was limited to a small pond, about 20 meters (yards) long. The pond surface was normally covered with a stationary crust, but occasionally resurfaced. This video shows crustal foundering during a resurfacing event.

The area of active surface lava has diminished over the past month in Halema`uma`u crater, at the summit of Kilauea. Today, active surface lava was limited to a small pond, about 20 meters (yards) long. The pond surface was normally covered with a stationary crust, but occasionally resurfaced. This video shows crustal foundering during a resurfacing event.

USGS Coastal Change Hazards (AD)
USGS Coastal Change Hazards (AD)
USGS Coastal Change Hazards (AD)

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards team works to identify and address the Nation’s coastal change hazards problems.  By integrating research, technical capabilities and applications, and stakeholder engagement and communications, the Coastal Change Hazards team develops robust and accessible coastal change assessments, forecasts, and tools that help improve the lives,

The USGS Coastal Change Hazards team works to identify and address the Nation’s coastal change hazards problems.  By integrating research, technical capabilities and applications, and stakeholder engagement and communications, the Coastal Change Hazards team develops robust and accessible coastal change assessments, forecasts, and tools that help improve the lives,