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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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A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates.
A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates.
A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates.
A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates.

 A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates at 09:32 am local time, on May 6, 2018.

 A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates at 09:32 am local time, on May 6, 2018.

Kīlauea East Rift Zone Fissure Map as of 6:00 a.m. HST, May 6...
Kīlauea ERZ Fissure Map as of 6:00 a.m. , May 7
Kīlauea ERZ Fissure Map as of 6:00 a.m. , May 7
Kīlauea ERZ Fissure Map as of 6:00 a.m. , May 7

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 6:00 a.m. HST today (May 6).

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 6:00 a.m. HST today (May 6).

Steepest descent paths and eruptive fissures, Kīlauea East Rift Zon...
Steepest descent paths and eruptive fissures, Kīlauea ERZ, May 6
Steepest descent paths and eruptive fissures, Kīlauea ERZ, May 6
Steepest descent paths and eruptive fissures, Kīlauea ERZ, May 6

This map shows the locations of eruptive fissures on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 6:00 a.m. HST today (May 6). The blue lines are paths of steepest descent that identify likely paths of a lava flow, if and when lava moves downhill from an erupting vent.

This map shows the locations of eruptive fissures on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 6:00 a.m. HST today (May 6). The blue lines are paths of steepest descent that identify likely paths of a lava flow, if and when lava moves downhill from an erupting vent.

eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District
eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District
eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District
eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District

An intrusion of magma into Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone resulted in an eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District on the Island of Hawai‘i. The first four fissures to erupt in the subdivision are shown here on May 4, emitting copious amounts of hazardous sulfur dioxide gas.

An intrusion of magma into Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone resulted in an eruption in Leilani Estates in the lower Puna District on the Island of Hawai‘i. The first four fissures to erupt in the subdivision are shown here on May 4, emitting copious amounts of hazardous sulfur dioxide gas.

Kīlauea East Rift Zone Map as of 10:00 a.m., May 5...
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 10:00 a.m., May 6
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 10:00 a.m., May 6
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 10:00 a.m., May 6

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 10:00 a.m. HST today (May 5).

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 10:00 a.m. HST today (May 5).

Map of steepest descent paths in area of eruptive fissures, Kīlauea...
Map of steepest descent paths in area of eruptive fissures, Kīlauea
Map of steepest descent paths in area of eruptive fissures, Kīlauea
Map of steepest descent paths in area of eruptive fissures, Kīlauea

This map shows the locations of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 10:00 a.m. HST today (May 5). The blue lines are paths of steepest descent that identify likely paths of a lava flow, if and when lava moves downhill from an erupting vent.

This map shows the locations of eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 10:00 a.m. HST today (May 5). The blue lines are paths of steepest descent that identify likely paths of a lava flow, if and when lava moves downhill from an erupting vent.

Members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team
Members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team
Members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team
Members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team

Pictured are members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team, a nonprofit organization that works with wildfire practitioners to help communities adapt to wildfires. (Public domain.)

Pictured are members of the Wildfire Research (WiRe) Team, a nonprofit organization that works with wildfire practitioners to help communities adapt to wildfires. (Public domain.)

plume of reddish-brown ash skyward
plume of reddish-brown ash skyward
plume of reddish-brown ash skyward
plume of reddish-brown ash skyward

With each large earthquake, ground shaking causes additional collapse within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, sending a plume of reddish-brown ash skyward. The size and vigor of a plume depends on the size of the earthquake and subsequent collapse. This roiling ash plume followed the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on May 4.

With each large earthquake, ground shaking causes additional collapse within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, sending a plume of reddish-brown ash skyward. The size and vigor of a plume depends on the size of the earthquake and subsequent collapse. This roiling ash plume followed the magnitude-6.9 earthquake on May 4.

Kīlauea East Rift Zone Map as of 8:00 a.m., May 4...
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 8:00 a.m., May 5
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 8:00 a.m., May 5
Kīlauea ERZ Map as of 8:00 a.m., May 5

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of the three eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 8:00 a.m. HST today (May 4). The fissures are jetting copious amounts of sulfur dioxide gas, which should be avoided.

This map shows the locations, mapped by USGS-HVO scientists, of the three eruptive fissures in the order that they occurred in the Leilani Estates Subdivision as of 8:00 a.m. HST today (May 4). The fissures are jetting copious amounts of sulfur dioxide gas, which should be avoided.

lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation
lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation
lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation
lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation

Kīlauea's summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u did not initially respond to the volcano's East Rift Zone activity (collapse of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor and magmatic intrusion into the rift zone) on April 30. But on May 2, the lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation, suggesting that magma was moving from the summit into the East Rift Zone.

Kīlauea's summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u did not initially respond to the volcano's East Rift Zone activity (collapse of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor and magmatic intrusion into the rift zone) on April 30. But on May 2, the lava lake level began to drop in concert with summit deflation, suggesting that magma was moving from the summit into the East Rift Zone.

The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption
The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption
The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption
The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption

The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption. Lava erupting to the surface cut across Kaupili Street around 7:00 a.m. on May 4, 2018.

The start of fissure 3 during Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption. Lava erupting to the surface cut across Kaupili Street around 7:00 a.m. on May 4, 2018.

 A Zone-tailed Hawk in flight.
Zone-tailed hawk in flight
Zone-tailed hawk in flight
Zone-tailed hawk in flight

Raptors in the Trans Pecos, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: State-Threatened, Riparian-Obligate Raptors in the Trans Pecos:  Desert riparian systems are distinct narrow drainages that provide environmental conditions for vegetation dependent on permanent or ephemeral surface and subsurface water.

Raptors in the Trans Pecos, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: State-Threatened, Riparian-Obligate Raptors in the Trans Pecos:  Desert riparian systems are distinct narrow drainages that provide environmental conditions for vegetation dependent on permanent or ephemeral surface and subsurface water.

helicopter overflight
helicopter overflight
helicopter overflight
helicopter overflight

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on May 3, 2018, as viewed from the helicopter overflight. The crater floor is collapsed, and a thin plume escapes from the gaping crater. The west flank cracked on April 30th around 2:30 pm HST, and minor amounts of lava oozed out of the crack (line of steaming features) just before the plumbing system catastrophically failed.

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on May 3, 2018, as viewed from the helicopter overflight. The crater floor is collapsed, and a thin plume escapes from the gaping crater. The west flank cracked on April 30th around 2:30 pm HST, and minor amounts of lava oozed out of the crack (line of steaming features) just before the plumbing system catastrophically failed.

lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit
lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit
lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit
lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit

When Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone first erupted on May 3, 2018, lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. As the eruption progressed, with fresher magma feeding the fissures, the erupted lava became progressively hotter, resulting in more fluid and far-reaching lava flows (May 21 shown here).

When Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone first erupted on May 3, 2018, lava temperatures were about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. As the eruption progressed, with fresher magma feeding the fissures, the erupted lava became progressively hotter, resulting in more fluid and far-reaching lava flows (May 21 shown here).

School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - downstream view
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - downstream view
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - downstream view
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - downstream view

School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - downstream view

School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - equipment in stream
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - equipment in stream
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - equipment in stream
School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - equipment in stream

School Branch at Maloney Road near Brownsburg IN - equipment in stream

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer with a total depth of 1,960 feet.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.
The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) with a total depth of 1,960 feet.

The USGS Nansemond pipe extensometer (59D 39) with a total depth of 1,960 feet.

Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine

Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018. 

Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018. 

a lone Joshua tree stands out amongs desert scrub and fluffy clouds in a blue sky
Joshua Tree, Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley, CA
Joshua Tree, Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley, CA
Joshua Tree, Edwards Air Force Base, Antelope Valley, CA

Joshua trees dot the desert landscape on Edwards Air Force Base in Antelope Valley, CA.  

Joshua trees dot the desert landscape on Edwards Air Force Base in Antelope Valley, CA.  

Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine

USGS field crews installed a temporary rapid deployment gage on May 2, 2018, at Soldier Pond in the Fish River to monitor flooding near Fort Kent in Maine.  

USGS field crews installed a temporary rapid deployment gage on May 2, 2018, at Soldier Pond in the Fish River to monitor flooding near Fort Kent in Maine.  

Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine
Rapid Deployment Gage in Soldier Pond, Maine

USGS field crews installed a temporary rapid deployment gage on May 2, 2018, at Soldier Pond in the Fish River to monitor flooding near Fort Kent in Maine. 

USGS field crews installed a temporary rapid deployment gage on May 2, 2018, at Soldier Pond in the Fish River to monitor flooding near Fort Kent in Maine. 

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