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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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image related to volcanoes. See description
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory adapts to recent changes
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory adapts to recent changes
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory adapts to recent changes

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor volcanoes and earthquakes on the Island of Hawai‘i. On this map, which shows earthquakes that occurred beneath the island between August 6, 2018, and November 14, 2018, the size of each circle depicts earthquake magnitude and color indicates earthquake depth, relative to mean sea level. USGS map.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor volcanoes and earthquakes on the Island of Hawai‘i. On this map, which shows earthquakes that occurred beneath the island between August 6, 2018, and November 14, 2018, the size of each circle depicts earthquake magnitude and color indicates earthquake depth, relative to mean sea level. USGS map.

woman kneeling on boat putting yellow USGS buoy in lake
Water quality monitoring buoy deployed on Skaneateles Lake
Water quality monitoring buoy deployed on Skaneateles Lake
Water quality monitoring buoy deployed on Skaneateles Lake

USGS Hydrologist deploys water quality monitoring buoy on Skaneateles Lake

Cross section of deposited sediment in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Cross section of deposited sediment in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Cross section of deposited sediment in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Cross section of deposited sediment in the Grand Canyon, AZ

Cross section of deposited sediment in the Grand Canyon, AZ

image related to volcanoes. See description
GPS time series from station NRWY, near Norris Geyser Basin, as of November 15,
GPS time series from station NRWY, near Norris Geyser Basin, as of November 15,
GPS time series from station NRWY, near Norris Geyser Basin, as of November 15,

GPS time series from station NRWY, near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. The three plots show how the station is moving in a north-south direction (top), east-west direction (middle), and up-down direction (bottom).

GPS time series from station NRWY, near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. The three plots show how the station is moving in a north-south direction (top), east-west direction (middle), and up-down direction (bottom).

Grand Canyon bank Erosion.
Grand Canyon bank Erosion.
Grand Canyon bank Erosion.
Grand Canyon bank Erosion.

Comparing 2009 vs 2014 Bank surface after erosion, Grand Canyon AZ. 

Comparing 2009 vs 2014 Bank surface after erosion, Grand Canyon AZ. 

solar panel on pole on pier in lake
Pier water quality monitoring station at Skaneateles Lake
Pier water quality monitoring station at Skaneateles Lake
Pier water quality monitoring station at Skaneateles Lake

Pier water quality monitoring station at Skaneateles Lake

Rainbow over a canyon in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Rainbow over a canyon in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Rainbow over a canyon in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Rainbow over a canyon in the Grand Canyon, AZ

Rainbow over a canyon in the Grand Canyon, AZ

image related to volcanoes. See description
Routine overflight of the Lower East Rift Zone
Routine overflight of the Lower East Rift Zone
Routine overflight of the Lower East Rift Zone

Fissure 22 was active in late May near Lanipuna Gardens subdivision, which is now mostly buried by lava flows. During the later stages of Fissure 22 activity, small strombolian-style explosions built a symmetric cinder cone over the vent.

Fissure 22 was active in late May near Lanipuna Gardens subdivision, which is now mostly buried by lava flows. During the later stages of Fissure 22 activity, small strombolian-style explosions built a symmetric cinder cone over the vent.

Sediment Deposit in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Sediment Deposit in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Sediment Deposit in the Grand Canyon, AZ
Sediment Deposit in the Grand Canyon, AZ

Sediment Deposit in the Grand Canyon, AZ

USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone receivers on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp
USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone
USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone
USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone

USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone receivers on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp during the MATRIX cruise.  In foreground from left to right are Nathan Miller, Wayne Baldwin, and Eric Moore from the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.

USGS personnel configuring and deploying the streamer of hydrophone receivers on the R/V Hugh R. Sharp during the MATRIX cruise.  In foreground from left to right are Nathan Miller, Wayne Baldwin, and Eric Moore from the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.

USGS scientists on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, AZ
USGS scientists on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, AZ
USGS scientists on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, AZ
USGS scientists on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, AZ

USGS scientists on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, AZ

Photo of scientists operating small drone in the field
Using drones to study groundwater
Using drones to study groundwater
Using drones to study groundwater

Did you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.

Did you know that plants can help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can sometimes provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.

ADCP streamflow measurement from bridge
ADCP Bridge Measurement
ADCP Bridge Measurement
ADCP Bridge Measurement

An ADCP is used to measure streamflow from a bridge near Kelly, Wyoming. Even with smoke making the view hazy, the Tetons never fail to make measuring streamflow in the Gros Ventre a treat.

An ADCP is used to measure streamflow from a bridge near Kelly, Wyoming. Even with smoke making the view hazy, the Tetons never fail to make measuring streamflow in the Gros Ventre a treat.

Photograph of USGS drone pilots standing on a sand dune at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, MA
Dunes and Drone Pilots
Dunes and Drone Pilots
Dunes and Drone Pilots

Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Ellizabeth Pendleton (right), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots flying drones at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, MA.  

Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Ellizabeth Pendleton (right), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots flying drones at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, MA.  

Photograph of Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center UAS pilots walking on Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Aerial Imaging and Mapping (AIM) group on Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Aerial Imaging and Mapping (AIM) group on Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA

Photograph of USGS scientist setting a target in Great Marsh, Sandy Neck, Beach, Cape Cod, MA
Setting Targets in the Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Setting Targets in the Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA
Setting Targets in the Great Marsh, Cape Cod, MA

USGS Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilot, Elizabeth Pendleton, setting a target in Great Marsh, Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

USGS Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilot, Elizabeth Pendleton, setting a target in Great Marsh, Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Photo of scientist operating small drone in the field
Using drones to study groundwater
Using drones to study groundwater
Using drones to study groundwater

Did you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.

Did you know that plants can sometimes help us understand what is happening underground? Studying plants in an area can provide information about soil conditions, water availability, and water quality.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
 Aerial view of the fissure 8 cone
 Aerial view of the fissure 8 cone
 Aerial view of the fissure 8 cone

Aerial view of the fissure 8 cone and spillway captured by Civil Air Patrol during their overflight on August 7, 2018. View is toward the south.

Aerial view of the fissure 8 cone and spillway captured by Civil Air Patrol during their overflight on August 7, 2018. View is toward the south.

algal bloom
Algal Bloom in Willamette River
Algal Bloom in Willamette River
Algal Bloom in Willamette River

Algal bloom in the Ross Island Lagoon, Willamette River, Oregon.

Algal bloom in the Ross Island Lagoon, Willamette River, Oregon.

Dive camera system with attached scooter
Dive camera system with attached scooter
Dive camera system with attached scooter
Dive camera system with attached scooter

Dive camera system with attached scooter

Photograph of USGS drone pilots standing on a dune at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod
Drone flight at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod
Drone flight at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod
Drone flight at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Elizabeth Pendleton conduct a drone flight from atop a dune at Sandy Neck (Cape Cod).

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) pilots Sandy Brosnahan (left) and Elizabeth Pendleton conduct a drone flight from atop a dune at Sandy Neck (Cape Cod).

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