View of the active ocean entry in the vicinity of Vacationland. The interaction of hot lava with the ocean creates "laze", a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, but that dissipates quickly with distance.
Images
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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Kīlauea Volcano — Vacationland Ocean Entry
View of the active ocean entry in the vicinity of Vacationland. The interaction of hot lava with the ocean creates "laze", a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, but that dissipates quickly with distance.
Scientist shows off a tree core fresh out of the tree
Scientists use a tool called an increment borer to remove cyllindrical tree cores from living trees. The cores show the tree's rings and help scientists learn about its growth.
Scientists use a tool called an increment borer to remove cyllindrical tree cores from living trees. The cores show the tree's rings and help scientists learn about its growth.
WERC's Dr. Phil van Mantgem Cores Ponderosa Pine in Lassen NP
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem cores a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Lassen National Park, CA.
Dr. Phillip van Mantgem cores a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in Lassen National Park, CA.
Acetolysis Set-Up, Pollen Laboratory
Seen in this image is the acetolysis set up. Acetolysis is used to remove the genetic material from inside the pollen, which allows the scientists to better identify and count the pollen.
Seen in this image is the acetolysis set up. Acetolysis is used to remove the genetic material from inside the pollen, which allows the scientists to better identify and count the pollen.
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Fountain
Photograph taken during helicopter overflight captures fissure 8 lava fountain.
Photograph taken during helicopter overflight captures fissure 8 lava fountain.
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema`uma`u Crater Enlargement
This animated GIF shows a sequence of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana CosmoSkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the caldera area of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 5 and June 14 at about 6:00 a.m. HST.
This animated GIF shows a sequence of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana CosmoSkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the caldera area of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 5 and June 14 at about 6:00 a.m. HST.
Kīlauea Volcano — Ocean Entry
The ocean entry remains fairly broad with a white steam/laze plume blowing onshore. USGS image taken June 15, 2018.
The ocean entry remains fairly broad with a white steam/laze plume blowing onshore. USGS image taken June 15, 2018.
Kīlauea Volcano — Spatter Cone Building
Lava fountains from Fissure 8 reach heights of 200 ft overnight. The cinder and spatter cone that is building around the fissure is now about 165 ft at its highest point.
Lava fountains from Fissure 8 reach heights of 200 ft overnight. The cinder and spatter cone that is building around the fissure is now about 165 ft at its highest point.
Pollen Under a Microscope
This image was taken through the eyepiece of a microscope. Pollen is mixed in with a few larger pieces of organic material.
This image was taken through the eyepiece of a microscope. Pollen is mixed in with a few larger pieces of organic material.
Slide of Pollen, Pollen Laboratory
A lab technician holds up the finished product after processing: an almost pure slide of pollen.
A lab technician holds up the finished product after processing: an almost pure slide of pollen.
Weighing Sediment Samples from the Great Dismal Swamp, 2018
In the sample preperation room, a lab technician weighs sediments samples before placing them in a warming oven to dry.
In the sample preperation room, a lab technician weighs sediments samples before placing them in a warming oven to dry.
A Tetons sunrise in Antelope Flats
A Tetons sunrise in Antelope Flats, Wyoming.
A Tetons sunrise in Antelope Flats, Wyoming.
Collecting periphyton samples, Boise River, Idaho
Hydrologist Lauren Zinsser collects a periphyton sample from the lower Boise River in southwestern Idaho
Hydrologist Lauren Zinsser collects a periphyton sample from the lower Boise River in southwestern Idaho
Driftwood on the edge of a sandy beach on Fire Island
Driftwood on the edge of a sandy beach, against the background of the Fire Island breach, with the other edge of the breach in the background.
Driftwood on the edge of a sandy beach, against the background of the Fire Island breach, with the other edge of the breach in the background.
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Cone Building
The Fissure 8 viewed from the north at 7:50 AM. The cone is roughly 50 m (165 ft) high at is peak, and a plume of sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases rises as an orange tinge from the erupting lava fountains (hidden within the cone). Lava is still flowing out of the ventunabated as a full channel.
The Fissure 8 viewed from the north at 7:50 AM. The cone is roughly 50 m (165 ft) high at is peak, and a plume of sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases rises as an orange tinge from the erupting lava fountains (hidden within the cone). Lava is still flowing out of the ventunabated as a full channel.
Kīlauea Volcano — Laze Plumes
Several laze plumes rise along the ocean entry margin as break outs feed many small and large flows. The largest Pāhoehoe breakout area is on the northern margin of the flow.
Several laze plumes rise along the ocean entry margin as break outs feed many small and large flows. The largest Pāhoehoe breakout area is on the northern margin of the flow.
Kīlauea Volcano — Pāhoehoe Breakouts
A close up view of the pāhoehoe breakouts along the northern ocean entry.
A close up view of the pāhoehoe breakouts along the northern ocean entry.
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
Male McKay's Bunting on St. Matthew Island
technician processing a water sample
U.S. Geological Survey laboratory technician at the Baton Rouge Sediment Laboratory processing a water sample with the modified riffle splitter used to analyze cooperative program samples (photograph by Aimee Downs, U.S. Geological Survey).
SIR 2018-5147
U.S. Geological Survey laboratory technician at the Baton Rouge Sediment Laboratory processing a water sample with the modified riffle splitter used to analyze cooperative program samples (photograph by Aimee Downs, U.S. Geological Survey).
SIR 2018-5147
Wilderness breach at Fire Island in 2018
Breaching of Fire Island, NY occurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (Wilderness Breach). Wilderness Breach in 2018 as seen from a low angle, note the other side of breached island is in the distance.
Breaching of Fire Island, NY occurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (Wilderness Breach). Wilderness Breach in 2018 as seen from a low angle, note the other side of breached island is in the distance.
Halema`uma`u Crater - June 13, 2018
Halema`uma`u Crater - June 13, 2018
Halema`uma`u Crater - June 13, 2018