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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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Beach at the southern end of Long Beach Island in the town of Holgate, NJ.
Long Beach Island, Holgate, N.J.
Long Beach Island, Holgate, N.J.
Long Beach Island, Holgate, N.J.

Beach at the southern end of Long Beach Island in the town of Holgate, NJ.  Note the large eroded scarp on beach with person as scale. 

Beach at the southern end of Long Beach Island in the town of Holgate, NJ.  Note the large eroded scarp on beach with person as scale. 

Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field
Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field
Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field
Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field

Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field

Wind erosion in Kansas
Recently plowed crop field in Kansas suffering from wind erosion
Recently plowed crop field in Kansas suffering from wind erosion
Recently plowed crop field in Kansas suffering from wind erosion

Abandoned center-pivot irrigated cropland results in destabilized sandy soils that are badly eroded by wind. An example of a recently plowed field in Kansas. 

Abandoned center-pivot irrigated cropland results in destabilized sandy soils that are badly eroded by wind. An example of a recently plowed field in Kansas. 

Select CRP fields for on-site assessments
Select CRP fields for on-site assessments
Select CRP fields for on-site assessments
Select CRP fields for on-site assessments

This map shows the distribution of select Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields for on-site assessments. 

This map shows the distribution of select Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields for on-site assessments. 

USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field planted for pollinators
USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field planted for pollinators
USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field planted for pollinators
USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field planted for pollinators

USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field planted for pollinators

USGS scientist conducting agricultural research
USGS scientist conducting agricultural research
USGS scientist conducting agricultural research
USGS scientist conducting agricultural research

USGS scientist conducting agricultural research

Using telemetry to track movement, habitat use and dispersal of frogs in an Iowa wetland
Using telemetry to track movement, habitat use and dispersal of frogs
Using telemetry to track movement, habitat use and dispersal of frogs
Using telemetry to track movement, habitat use and dispersal of frogs

Using telemetry to track movement, habitat use and dispersal of frogs in an Iowa wetland.

Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Aerial photo of fissures
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8

Helicopter overflight shows advancing lobes from fissure 8 (fissure 8 is not pictured but located to the right, out of view). Advance rates were less than 100 yards per hour for the three lobes of the flow, as measured during the overnight hours.

Helicopter overflight shows advancing lobes from fissure 8 (fissure 8 is not pictured but located to the right, out of view). Advance rates were less than 100 yards per hour for the three lobes of the flow, as measured during the overnight hours.

Sunrise looking photo but created by lava fountaining in the early morning.
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity

Crews make visual observations of activity at fissure 8 around 5:30 a.m. HST. Fountain heights this morning continue to reach 70 to 80 m (230 to 260 ft) above ground level.

Crews make visual observations of activity at fissure 8 around 5:30 a.m. HST. Fountain heights this morning continue to reach 70 to 80 m (230 to 260 ft) above ground level.

Aerial photo of lava flows
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow

Lava from fissure 18 travels to the southeast (lower left of photo). The flow front that had approached the ocean yesterday has stalled. This view is looking uprift, with fissure 8 in the distance (upper right of photo).

Lava from fissure 18 travels to the southeast (lower left of photo). The flow front that had approached the ocean yesterday has stalled. This view is looking uprift, with fissure 8 in the distance (upper right of photo).

Lava on a street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street

Lava from fissure 8 advances on Kahukai Street. Lava in this area is as much as 3.5 yards in height.

Lava from fissure 8 advances on Kahukai Street. Lava in this area is as much as 3.5 yards in height.

Pele's Hair
Pele's Hair
Pele's Hair
Pele's Hair

This long thin, strand of volcanic glass is called Pele's hair. Named for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele's hair is formed from lava fountains and rapidly moving lava flows. This strand of Pele’s hair was found on Kupono Street in Leilani Estates, Hawaii, during the Kīlauea volcano eruption.

This long thin, strand of volcanic glass is called Pele's hair. Named for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele's hair is formed from lava fountains and rapidly moving lava flows. This strand of Pele’s hair was found on Kupono Street in Leilani Estates, Hawaii, during the Kīlauea volcano eruption.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted—and could have changed rapidly since that time.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted—and could have changed rapidly since that time.

Kīlauea summit activity ...
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Aerial of lava flow
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —

Lava flow erupted from fissure 8, photographed during HVO's early morning overflight today.

Lava flow erupted from fissure 8, photographed during HVO's early morning overflight today.

Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

USGS Scientist Chuck Henny Holds Osprey
USGS Scientist Chuck Henny Holds Osprey
USGS Scientist Chuck Henny Holds Osprey
USGS Scientist Chuck Henny Holds Osprey

USGS scientist Chuck Henny holds osprey

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