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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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Image of the Week - RBV and Alaska Glaciers
Image of the Week - RBV and Alaska Glaciers
Image of the Week - RBV and Alaska Glaciers

Landsat sensor technology has come a long way since the days of the Return Beam Vidicon cameras on the first three Landsat satellites. Known as the RBV, it wasoriginally intended to be the satellites’ primary sensor. But the Multispectral

Scanner, or MSS, became the more stable and superior instrument.

Landsat sensor technology has come a long way since the days of the Return Beam Vidicon cameras on the first three Landsat satellites. Known as the RBV, it wasoriginally intended to be the satellites’ primary sensor. But the Multispectral

Scanner, or MSS, became the more stable and superior instrument.

PubTalk 7/2018— Extreme acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain California
PubTalk 7/2018— Extreme acid mine drainage at Iron Mountain California
Collapse at Kīlauea (July 24, 2018)
Collapse at Kīlauea (July 24, 2018)
Collapse at Kīlauea (July 24, 2018)

A collapse event occurred at the summit of Kīlauea this morning (July 24, 2018) at 6:41 a.m. HST, releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake, which is similar to that released by previous collapse events. In this video, watch as today's event unfolds from the perspective of HVO's live-stream camera.

A collapse event occurred at the summit of Kīlauea this morning (July 24, 2018) at 6:41 a.m. HST, releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake, which is similar to that released by previous collapse events. In this video, watch as today's event unfolds from the perspective of HVO's live-stream camera.

Image of the Week - Deadly Mudslides in Japan
Image of the Week - Deadly Mudslides in Japan
Image of the Week - Deadly Mudslides in Japan

Torrential rainfall swamped western Japan in July of 2018. The rain caused mudslides that flooded cities, damaged buildings and rattled the

nation’s infrastructure. More than 170 people died.



Torrential rainfall swamped western Japan in July of 2018. The rain caused mudslides that flooded cities, damaged buildings and rattled the

nation’s infrastructure. More than 170 people died.



Ocean Entry of Lava Near Ahalanui
Ocean Entry of Lava Near Ahalanui
Ocean Entry of Lava Near Ahalanui

During HVO's early morning helicopter overflight along the coastline, orange streams of lava were entering the ocean in the vicinity of Ahalanui. Strong trade winds were pushing the white laze plumes inland.

During HVO's early morning helicopter overflight along the coastline, orange streams of lava were entering the ocean in the vicinity of Ahalanui. Strong trade winds were pushing the white laze plumes inland.

Drilling an Ice Core
Drilling an Ice Core
Drilling an Ice Core

Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

July 14, 2018, Kīlauea fissure 8 video captured by UAS
July 14, 2018, Kīlauea fissure 8 video captured by UAS
July 14, 2018, Kīlauea fissure 8 video captured by UAS

In this July 14, 2018, video captured by the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) team, lava was erupting from within the 120-foot-high fissure 8 cinder cone built of chilled lava fragments. Lava emerging from the cone was traveling about 13-16 miles per hour, flowing freely over a small set of cascades (rapids) and into a perched

In this July 14, 2018, video captured by the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) team, lava was erupting from within the 120-foot-high fissure 8 cinder cone built of chilled lava fragments. Lava emerging from the cone was traveling about 13-16 miles per hour, flowing freely over a small set of cascades (rapids) and into a perched

Kīlauea Volcano's summit (DEM)
Kīlauea Volcano's summit (DEM)
Kīlauea Volcano's summit (DEM)

Since early May 2018, the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater has dropped 450 m (about 1480 ft). Extensive cracking and faulting around the crater, along with inward slumping of the crater rim, has more than doubled its diameter.

Since early May 2018, the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater has dropped 450 m (about 1480 ft). Extensive cracking and faulting around the crater, along with inward slumping of the crater rim, has more than doubled its diameter.

Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone compilation video
Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone compilation video
Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone compilation video

This compilation of video from HVO's early morning overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone shows (1) lava from fissure 8 moving through a perched channel toward the northeast, (2) the diverted channelized ‘a‘ā flow west of Kapoho Crater, and (3) a vigorous ocean entry along the southern coastline in the vicinity of Ahalanui Beach Park (Warm Ponds).

This compilation of video from HVO's early morning overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone shows (1) lava from fissure 8 moving through a perched channel toward the northeast, (2) the diverted channelized ‘a‘ā flow west of Kapoho Crater, and (3) a vigorous ocean entry along the southern coastline in the vicinity of Ahalanui Beach Park (Warm Ponds).

Rockfalls and Sounds
Rockfalls and Sounds
Rockfalls and Sounds

Listen to the sounds of rockfalls at Kīlauea Volcano's summit in this short video taken from the northeast rim of the caldera. At 2:42 p.m. HST on July 12, 2018, a collapse/explosion event at Kīlauea's summit released energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake.

Listen to the sounds of rockfalls at Kīlauea Volcano's summit in this short video taken from the northeast rim of the caldera. At 2:42 p.m. HST on July 12, 2018, a collapse/explosion event at Kīlauea's summit released energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake.

Timelapse video of Halema'uma'u and Kīlauea Caldera
Timelapse video of Halema'uma'u and Kīlauea Caldera
Timelapse video of Halema'uma'u and Kīlauea Caldera

This time-lapse video shows Halema‘uma‘u and Kīlauea Caldera as seen from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It includes roughly one image for every day between April 14, 2018, and July 11, 2018.

This time-lapse video shows Halema‘uma‘u and Kīlauea Caldera as seen from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. It includes roughly one image for every day between April 14, 2018, and July 11, 2018.

Four Examples of Nest Predation by Rats - Hawaii Volcanoes National
Four Examples of Nest Predation by Rats - Hawaii Volcanoes National
Four Examples of Nest Predation by Rats - Hawaii Volcanoes National

Black rats were unintentionally introduced to Hawai’i in the late 1800s, most likely as hitchhikers on trading vessels. Since their introduction, they have disrupted native ecosystems by destroying native plants, eating native arthropods, and depredating bird nests.

Black rats were unintentionally introduced to Hawai’i in the late 1800s, most likely as hitchhikers on trading vessels. Since their introduction, they have disrupted native ecosystems by destroying native plants, eating native arthropods, and depredating bird nests.

July 10, 2018 fissure 8 whirlwind
July 10, 2018 fissure 8 whirlwind
July 10, 2018 fissure 8 whirlwind

A whirlwind spins skyward on the northwest side of the fissure 8 cinder cone in this video taken on July 10, 2018. A number of whirlwinds have formed in the area due to the extreme heat of the open lava channel heating the air above it.

A whirlwind spins skyward on the northwest side of the fissure 8 cinder cone in this video taken on July 10, 2018. A number of whirlwinds have formed in the area due to the extreme heat of the open lava channel heating the air above it.

Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Oozing
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Oozing
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Oozing

Lava oozes from a small breakout near Bryson's cinder quarry on Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone.

Lava oozes from a small breakout near Bryson's cinder quarry on Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone.

Kīlauea Volcano — Timelapse Changes at Caldera (6/13 - 7/7)
Kīlauea Volcano — Timelapse Changes at Caldera (6/13 - 7/7)
Kīlauea Volcano — Timelapse Changes at Caldera (6/13 - 7/7)

This series of images from June 13 through July 7, 2018, show dramatic down-dropping of part of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera floor. For weeks, the summit has subsided in both a continuous fashion, as well as in incremental, jolting drops.

This series of images from June 13 through July 7, 2018, show dramatic down-dropping of part of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera floor. For weeks, the summit has subsided in both a continuous fashion, as well as in incremental, jolting drops.

July 5, 2018, collapse event at Kīlauea Volcano's summit
July 5, 2018, collapse event at Kīlauea Volcano's summit
July 5, 2018, collapse event at Kīlauea Volcano's summit

Since August 4, 2018, Kīlauea Volcano's summit activity has diminished dramatically. But between mid-May and early August, 62 collapse events occurred, with each releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5+ earthquake and causing extensive ground shaking in the summit area.

Since August 4, 2018, Kīlauea Volcano's summit activity has diminished dramatically. But between mid-May and early August, 62 collapse events occurred, with each releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5+ earthquake and causing extensive ground shaking in the summit area.

Survey Requirements for Multiple Component Indirect Measurements
Survey Requirements for Multiple Component Indirect Measurements
Survey Requirements for Multiple Component Indirect Measurements

This video describes the survey requirements for indirect measurements with multiple components, like flow going through a culvert and over a road on top of the culvert at the same time. 
 

This video describes the survey requirements for indirect measurements with multiple components, like flow going through a culvert and over a road on top of the culvert at the same time. 
 

Survey Requirements for Road Overflow Indirect Measurements
Survey Requirements for Road Overflow Indirect Measurements
Survey Requirements for Road Overflow Indirect Measurements

In this video, you will learn what and where to survey for a road overflow or broad-crested weir indirect measurement. 
 

In this video, you will learn what and where to survey for a road overflow or broad-crested weir indirect measurement. 
 

Kīlauea Volcano — Collapse/Explosion Event at Halema‘uma‘u
Kīlauea Volcano — Collapse/Explosion Event at Halema‘uma‘u
Kīlauea Volcano — Collapse/Explosion Event at Halema‘uma‘u

On June 30, 2018, at 02:51 PM HST, a collapse/explosion event occurred at Kīlauea's summit. An ash-poor plume rose about 150 m (500 ft) above the ground and drifted to the southwest.

On June 30, 2018, at 02:51 PM HST, a collapse/explosion event occurred at Kīlauea's summit. An ash-poor plume rose about 150 m (500 ft) above the ground and drifted to the southwest.

Kīlauea Volcano — Whirlwind Above Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Whirlwind Above Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Whirlwind Above Fissure 8

In the Leilani Estates subdivision, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews monitoring fissure 8 captured this video of a whirlwind above the lava channel.

In the Leilani Estates subdivision, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews monitoring fissure 8 captured this video of a whirlwind above the lava channel.

Understanding Floods | Long-term Streamflow Data Collection
Understanding Floods | Long-term Streamflow Data Collection
Understanding Floods | Long-term Streamflow Data Collection

The USGS is developing methods to improve data collection during floods to gain new insight into the rise and fall of flood waters. In the past, the only data left behind after a flood was how high the water got, or the peak of the flood.

The USGS is developing methods to improve data collection during floods to gain new insight into the rise and fall of flood waters. In the past, the only data left behind after a flood was how high the water got, or the peak of the flood.

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