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The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.

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Man standing in front of a TV with Happy New Year's hat on. Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: January 2, 2020
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: January 2, 2020
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: January 2, 2020

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during 2019, with an emphasis on the month of December.

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during 2019, with an emphasis on the month of December.

Digging into the soil of wetlands
Digging into the soil of wetlands
Digging into the soil of wetlands

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Digging into the soil of wetlands (AD)
Digging into the soil of wetlands (AD)
Digging into the soil of wetlands (AD)

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

The Power of Wetland Plants
The Power of Wetland Plants
The Power of Wetland Plants

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

What makes a wetland a wetland? (AD - Part 1)
What makes a wetland a wetland? (AD - Part 1)
What makes a wetland a wetland? (AD - Part 1)

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

What makes a wetland a wetland? (Part 1)
What makes a wetland a wetland? (Part 1)
What makes a wetland a wetland? (Part 1)

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Why do wetlands matter?
Why do wetlands matter?
Why do wetlands matter?

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2
Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2
Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2 (AD)
Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2 (AD)
Wonderful Watery Wetlands - Part 2 (AD)

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (www.usgs.gov/warc) study important aspects of wetlands, such as the flow and quality of water, the chemistry of soil, and the plants and animals which call this ecosystem home.

Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit
Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit
Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit

This timelapse sequence shows two hours of activity at the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. Flow is evident along the sharp orange color boundary in the center of the pond, as well as along portions of the shoreline. The pond is 189 m (650 ft) long. The vido was taken on the eastern rim.

This timelapse sequence shows two hours of activity at the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. Flow is evident along the sharp orange color boundary in the center of the pond, as well as along portions of the shoreline. The pond is 189 m (650 ft) long. The vido was taken on the eastern rim.

Virtual flyover of Kīlauea summit
Virtual flyover of Kīlauea summit
Virtual flyover of Kīlauea summit

An overflight on December 18 provided aerial photographs of Kīlauea caldera, which were used to construct a 3D model. The water pond is visible in the deepest portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater. For scale, the water pond is 189 m (650 ft) long and approximately 600 m (1970 ft) below the western caldera rim.

An overflight on December 18 provided aerial photographs of Kīlauea caldera, which were used to construct a 3D model. The water pond is visible in the deepest portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater. For scale, the water pond is 189 m (650 ft) long and approximately 600 m (1970 ft) below the western caldera rim.

Image of the Week - Festive Fields in North Carolina
Image of the Week - Festive Fields in North Carolina
Image of the Week - Festive Fields in North Carolina

The smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree can evoke visions of majestic evergreen forests teeming with winter wildlife. In truth, more than half of U.S. Christmas trees come from farms in Oregon, North Carolina, or Michigan. Cut Christmas Trees area commodity, tracked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture just like corn or soybeans.

The smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree can evoke visions of majestic evergreen forests teeming with winter wildlife. In truth, more than half of U.S. Christmas trees come from farms in Oregon, North Carolina, or Michigan. Cut Christmas Trees area commodity, tracked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture just like corn or soybeans.

Image of the Week - Fires Across California
Image of the Week - Fires Across California
Image of the Week - Fires Across California

Fires burned across California in late 2019. Fall is the state's most dangerous season for wildfires, propelled by dry and windy conditions. In recent years however, the fall fire season has been starting earlier and ending later. A series of images from the MODIS sensor on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites show the Kincade Fire in northern California.

Fires burned across California in late 2019. Fall is the state's most dangerous season for wildfires, propelled by dry and windy conditions. In recent years however, the fall fire season has been starting earlier and ending later. A series of images from the MODIS sensor on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites show the Kincade Fire in northern California.

How Our Reefs Protect Us: Valuing the Benefits of U.S. Reefs (AD)
How Our Reefs Protect Us: Valuing the Benefits of U.S. Reefs (AD)
How Our Reefs Protect Us: Valuing the Benefits of U.S. Reefs (AD)

The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by increasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards during storms. The protective services of these natural defenses are not assessed in the same rigorous economic terms as artificial defenses, such as seawalls, and therefore often are not considered in decision-making.

The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by increasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards during storms. The protective services of these natural defenses are not assessed in the same rigorous economic terms as artificial defenses, such as seawalls, and therefore often are not considered in decision-making.

Coastal Hazard Assessment w/High-Res Data: A Pacific Island Case Study
Coastal Hazard Assessment w/High-Res Data: A Pacific Island Case Study
Coastal Hazard Assessment w/High-Res Data: A Pacific Island Case Study

Low-lying island environments are particularly vulnerable to impacts from coastal hazards, including inundation (coastal flooding), whether the increased water levels are from episodic events (storm surge, wave run-up, king tides) or from chronic conditions (long term sea-level rise).

Low-lying island environments are particularly vulnerable to impacts from coastal hazards, including inundation (coastal flooding), whether the increased water levels are from episodic events (storm surge, wave run-up, king tides) or from chronic conditions (long term sea-level rise).

Man standing in front of TV Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: December 2, 2019
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: December 2, 2019
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: December 2, 2019

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone during the month of November 2019.

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone during the month of November 2019.

Sampling the water in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea Volcano
Sampling the water in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea Volcano
Sampling the water in Halema‘uma‘u - Kīlauea Volcano

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Frank Younger and Patricia Nadeau talk about sampling the water at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The water appeared in July 2019 and has steadily risen since then.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Frank Younger and Patricia Nadeau talk about sampling the water at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The water appeared in July 2019 and has steadily risen since then.

PubTalk 11/2019 —Sea-Level Rise, Extreme Water Levels, Coastal Erosion
PubTalk 11/2019 —Sea-Level Rise, Extreme Water Levels, Coastal Erosion
PubTalk 11/2019 —Sea-Level Rise, Extreme Water Levels, Coastal Erosion

Title: Sea-Level Rise, Extreme Water Levels, and Coastal Erosion ... How bad could it possibly be?

Using Decision Tools to Design the Everglades Headwaters NWR
Using Decision Tools to Design the Everglades Headwaters NWR
Using Decision Tools to Design the Everglades Headwaters NWR

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge (EHNWR) is strategically located in Florida to protect upland and wetland habitats.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge (EHNWR) is strategically located in Florida to protect upland and wetland habitats.

NHDPlus HR Value Added Attribute (VAA) Navigator
NHDPlus HR Value Added Attribute (VAA) Navigator
NHDPlus HR Value Added Attribute (VAA) Navigator

Agenda:

  • Introduction: Al Rea o General Overview of Hydro Datasets
  • NHDPlus Concepts and Applications
  • NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR)
  • Value-Added Attributes (VAAs) Basics
  • VAA Navigator Tool Demo – Karen Adkins
  • VAA Navigator Tutorial – Mike Basile
     

Agenda:

  • Introduction: Al Rea o General Overview of Hydro Datasets
  • NHDPlus Concepts and Applications
  • NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR)
  • Value-Added Attributes (VAAs) Basics
  • VAA Navigator Tool Demo – Karen Adkins
  • VAA Navigator Tutorial – Mike Basile
     
Image of the Week - Fires in Lebanon
Image of the Week - Fires in Lebanon
Image of the Week - Fires in Lebanon

Wildfires burned across Lebanon in mid-October, 2019. A pair of images taken just ten days apart by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2A satellite show the burn scar from one of the larger wildfires. North of the fire scar is the country's capital, Beirut.

Wildfires burned across Lebanon in mid-October, 2019. A pair of images taken just ten days apart by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2A satellite show the burn scar from one of the larger wildfires. North of the fire scar is the country's capital, Beirut.

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