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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.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, a formation known as cave bacon can be seen.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, a formation known as cave bacon can be seen.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
A cross-sectional view of the crystal coating can be seen in the center of the image, with the surface of the calcite crystals at the top of the image.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
A cross-sectional view of the crystal coating can be seen in the center of the image, with the surface of the calcite crystals at the top of the image.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
On the righthand side of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
On the righthand side of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of the image, some of this coating of calcite crystals can be seen. These crystals are made up of two primary types: dogtooth spar and nailhead spar.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
A juvenile kiyi caught during a 2015 survey in Lake Superior. These fish were used in a genetics study how vision adapts to differing light conditions. These fish are inhabit deeper waters than many other coregonine species in Lake Superior and have adapted to the lower light levels.
A juvenile kiyi caught during a 2015 survey in Lake Superior. These fish were used in a genetics study how vision adapts to differing light conditions. These fish are inhabit deeper waters than many other coregonine species in Lake Superior and have adapted to the lower light levels.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of this image, a cave formation known as mule-ear drapery can be seen.
Jewel Cave is currently the 3rd most extensive cave network in the world. It is believed to have formed completely underwater, thus leading to the extensive coating of calcite crystals.
In the center of this image, a cave formation known as mule-ear drapery can be seen.
Piping plover chicks are well concealed in shallow nests on sandy beaches.
Piping plover chicks are well concealed in shallow nests on sandy beaches.
Pitcher's Thistle Sleeping, Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI. Lake Michigan is pictured in the background.
Pitcher's Thistle Sleeping, Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI. Lake Michigan is pictured in the background.
Sagebrush seedlings grown at Birds of Prey National Conservation Area before outplanting to sites at BOP NCA in Nov 2012 in sites previously burned in wildfire summer 2012
Sagebrush seedlings grown at Birds of Prey National Conservation Area before outplanting to sites at BOP NCA in Nov 2012 in sites previously burned in wildfire summer 2012
This image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
This image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
Cages are set up next to a prairie dog burrow at the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming to capture free-ranging prairie dogs. Once captured, each trapped prairie dog is tagged, and a scientist takes hair, whisker, and blood samples before the animals are released back into the wild.
Cages are set up next to a prairie dog burrow at the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming to capture free-ranging prairie dogs. Once captured, each trapped prairie dog is tagged, and a scientist takes hair, whisker, and blood samples before the animals are released back into the wild.
This image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
This image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
Over 30 organizations and agencies are testing a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) at sites such as the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming, pictured here. If successful, the SPV could help protect endangered black-footed ferret populations in the western
Over 30 organizations and agencies are testing a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) at sites such as the Pitchfork Ranch in Wyoming, pictured here. If successful, the SPV could help protect endangered black-footed ferret populations in the western
The USGS developed an oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered via a brightly colored, peanut butter flavored bait.
The USGS developed an oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered via a brightly colored, peanut butter flavored bait.
The image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
The image was taken during field tests to determine the effectiveness of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered to wild prairie dogs via a brightly colored bait.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist collecting groundwater samples for analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from a multiport monitoring well downgradient from a former fire-training area on western Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist collecting groundwater samples for analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from a multiport monitoring well downgradient from a former fire-training area on western Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
This wild prairie dog has been tagged by scientists in an effort to study the efficacy of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague.
This wild prairie dog has been tagged by scientists in an effort to study the efficacy of a USGS-developed oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague.
USGS employee measuring snowmelt runoff Clear Creek below Quayle Creek at Bakersville, CO
USGS employee measuring snowmelt runoff Clear Creek below Quayle Creek at Bakersville, CO