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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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Sea otter skulls being prepared for archival
Sea otter skulls being prepared for archival
Sea otter skulls being prepared for archival
Sea otter skulls being prepared for archival

Skulls were collected in Spring 2018 & 2019 from coastlines throughout Alaska. It is assumed the animals died of natural causes over the preceding winters. They were collected under Marine Mammal Permit # 067925.

Skulls were collected in Spring 2018 & 2019 from coastlines throughout Alaska. It is assumed the animals died of natural causes over the preceding winters. They were collected under Marine Mammal Permit # 067925.

using doppler on the ice
Doppler through the ice
Doppler through the ice
Doppler through the ice

An intern uses Dopplar to gather streamflow data through the ice at the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

An intern uses Dopplar to gather streamflow data through the ice at the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

GPS station on Mauna Loa
GPS survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa
GPS survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa
GPS survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa

A high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa. This station was occupied for a period of three days to supplement the continuously operating GPS stations on the volcano. A beautiful view of Mauna Kea (in distance) could seen from this site during the GPS survey. 

A high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa. This station was occupied for a period of three days to supplement the continuously operating GPS stations on the volcano. A beautiful view of Mauna Kea (in distance) could seen from this site during the GPS survey. 

Recently retired hydrologic technician Doug Hutchinson services gage 10329500 MARTIN CK NR PARADISE VALLEY, NV, March of 2019.
Hydrologic technician services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek, NV
Hydrologic technician services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek, NV
Hydrologic technician services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek, NV

Recently retired hydrologic technician Doug Hutchinson services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek near Paradise Valley, NV, March of 2019. This gage is designated as a centennial gage for FY21! Happy birthday, Martin Creek near Paradise Valley!

Recently retired hydrologic technician Doug Hutchinson services gage 10329500 MARTIN Creek near Paradise Valley, NV, March of 2019. This gage is designated as a centennial gage for FY21! Happy birthday, Martin Creek near Paradise Valley!

ice measurement equipment
Ice Measurement Equipment
Ice Measurement Equipment
Ice Measurement Equipment

Doppler is used to peer under the ice to "see" the flow in the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

Doppler is used to peer under the ice to "see" the flow in the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

equipment and ice measurement looking across the channel
Intern Using Doppler
Intern Using Doppler
Intern Using Doppler

One of our interns uses Dopplar to gather streamflow data through the ice at the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

One of our interns uses Dopplar to gather streamflow data through the ice at the Little Wind River near Riverton, Wyoming.

Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge and wind shield
Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge and wind shield
Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge and wind shield
Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge and wind shield

Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge at a high elevation meteorological station. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

Belfort Weighing Bucket precipitation gauge at a high elevation meteorological station. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

Elk on National Elk Refuge, Wyoming.
Elk on National Elk Refuge, Wyoming.
Elk on National Elk Refuge, Wyoming.
Elk on National Elk Refuge, Wyoming.

Elk on National Elk Refuge, Wyoming.

Ohio River at Ironton OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton OH - wire weight gage

Ohio River at Ironton OH - wire weight gage

Ohio River at Ironton, OH
Ohio River at Ironton, OH
Ohio River at Ironton, OH
Ohio River at Ironton, OH

Ohio River at Ironton - super gage installation. The gage is located in the upper part of the tower shown in the background.

Ohio River at Ironton - super gage installation. The gage is located in the upper part of the tower shown in the background.

Ohio River at Ironton, OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - wire weight gage
Ohio River at Ironton, OH - wire weight gage

Ohio River at Ironton, OH - wire weight gage

A man wearing a baseball cap and badge around his neck is talking to other people about a piece of heavy machinery near him.
Giving a Tour of USGS Science Center
Giving a Tour of USGS Science Center
Giving a Tour of USGS Science Center

On March 25th, 2019, ocean engineer Rob Wyland of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center gave a tour and demonstration to roughly a dozen students from the engineering class he teaches at Cabrillo College, a local community college.

On March 25th, 2019, ocean engineer Rob Wyland of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center gave a tour and demonstration to roughly a dozen students from the engineering class he teaches at Cabrillo College, a local community college.

Trail at National Center
Trail at National Center
Trail at National Center
Trail at National Center

Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | March 2019 | Honorable Mention
Dreary dat at Reston's National Center

Northeast Region Photo Contest Winner | March 2019 | Honorable Mention
Dreary dat at Reston's National Center

Satellite image showing differences in flooding from 1969 to 2019.
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback
A 50-Year Flooding Flashback

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.

The high-water marks set by the Big Sioux River in cities across southeastern South Dakota have threatened to overtake records set 50 years ago, when the Army Corps of Engineers led missions to document the damage through hundreds of aerial photographs.

 small amounts of sulfur dioxide
small amounts of sulfur dioxide
small amounts of sulfur dioxide
small amounts of sulfur dioxide

Only small amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are currently being released from Kīlauea, but they chemically react with each other (oxidation-reduction reaction) to form the bright yellow sulfur deposits visible on the crater walls within Halema‘uma‘u.

Only small amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are currently being released from Kīlauea, but they chemically react with each other (oxidation-reduction reaction) to form the bright yellow sulfur deposits visible on the crater walls within Halema‘uma‘u.

image related to volcanoes. See description
Earthquake swarms at Mount St. Helens
Earthquake swarms at Mount St. Helens
Earthquake swarms at Mount St. Helens

Graphic shows the earthquake swarm from June-July, 2019, compared to previous swarms detected in March 2019, 2017, 2016, and in 2014. The activity is likely the result of small-scale underground movements of hydrothermal fluids or gas — a sign that Mount St. Helens remains an active volcano.

Graphic shows the earthquake swarm from June-July, 2019, compared to previous swarms detected in March 2019, 2017, 2016, and in 2014. The activity is likely the result of small-scale underground movements of hydrothermal fluids or gas — a sign that Mount St. Helens remains an active volcano.

An enormous rock in the ocean viewed from above, with the coast behind and sunlight on the water.
Morro Bay from the air
Morro Bay from the air
Morro Bay from the air

Passing Morro Bay during an aerial photographic survey.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

Passing Morro Bay during an aerial photographic survey.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

Photo of a frame with two long, tubular floats attached to trays in between them, supporting instruments with cables.
GeoPulse Boomer Plates
GeoPulse Boomer Plates
GeoPulse Boomer Plates

The boomer plate produces a repeatable pulse in the 1-6kHz frequency range using an electrodynamic transducer that can be powered by a capacitor discharge system.

The boomer plate produces a repeatable pulse in the 1-6kHz frequency range using an electrodynamic transducer that can be powered by a capacitor discharge system.

View of the ocean and coast from the air on a sunny day, with low clouds over land
Ocean and California coast from the air
Ocean and California coast from the air
Ocean and California coast from the air

Low clouds over land, but clears skies over the ocean during a test flight in March 2019.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

Low clouds over land, but clears skies over the ocean during a test flight in March 2019.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

A green landmass on the coast in the background behind the wing of a small airplane.
Passing Diablo Canyon Power Plant during aerial survey test flight
Passing Diablo Canyon Power Plant during aerial survey test flight
Passing Diablo Canyon Power Plant during aerial survey test flight

Passing Diablo Canyon Power Plant during a test flight in March 2019, in preparation for aerial photographic surveys.

Passing Diablo Canyon Power Plant during a test flight in March 2019, in preparation for aerial photographic surveys.

Three cameras in front of a small window, with closed door covering the window behind it.
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey
Camera set-up for an aerial photographic survey

Camera set-up in the plane before belly port doors are opened for an aerial photographic survey.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

Camera set-up in the plane before belly port doors are opened for an aerial photographic survey.

The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions.

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