All News

Website outage

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:56:44 EDT

On September 23-24, the USGS website content management system will be upgraded. During this timeframe, parts or all of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website may be temporarily inaccessible or may not appear/function the way it should.

New Data Visualizations Dive into Inland Fisheries as Food Sources

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:50:54 EDT

Three new data visualizations highlighting recreational inland fisheries harvest have been added to the USGS Earth is in Flux science visualization gallery. The interactive visuals showcase the nutritional contribution, economic value, and climate vulnerability of inland recreational fish consumption by country and taxa.

Landsat Product Supports Water Management Worldwide

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:00:52 EDT

When it comes to the world’s water supply, effective management is vital. One of the challenges is understanding how much water crops and vegetation actually use. How much water is required? How much water is “too much”?

15,000 years of change in Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Recent collaborative research into past climate of Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin has revealed some surprises about how the area has changed over the past many millennia. And it has lessons for how the region might continue to change in the future.

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 20:31:44 EDT

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff conducted a monitoring overflight of the eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during the afternoon of September 18, 2026. No active lava was observed on the surface during the overflight, though spatter was visible in the north vent overnight.

Employee Spotlight: Matt Hixson

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:46:16 EDT

The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center’s Bird Banding Laboratory, welcomes its newest team member Biological Technician Matt Hixson.

New Training Video: Lesson 10.1 Spatial Metadata for 3DEP

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:34:55 EDT

Learn about the Work Unit Extent Spatial Metadata (or WESM) for USGS 3D Elevation Program data.

FORT Science in Action, Part 13: Science and tools supporting amphibian management and conservation across the nation

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

This year, several USGS studies investigated the effects of drought, disease, and invasive species on frogs, toads, and newts across the country, from California to Wisconsin. Resulting science and tools provide strong support for conservation and habitat management of sensitive amphibian species across the country.

Volcano Watch — The ups and downs of episode forecasting using tilt data

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:10:20 EDT

Beginning with episode 5 in January, 2025, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been issuing forecast windows for when the next lava fountain will occur in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. What do recent changes at the eruption site mean for the future of fountain forecasting?

Volcano Minute — Changes in eruptive activity at Kīlauea summit

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:02:40 EDT

Since the episodic lava fountaining eruption at the summit of Kīlauea started in December of 2024, Kīlauea’s summit has cycled through repeating patterns of inflation or ground swelling, brief fountaining, and then deflation or subsidence. That repeating pattern of ground deformation is what has allowed USGS scientists to provide forecasts for when future fountaining episodes could start.

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 12: Genetic assessment and simulation inform management considerations for the American bison

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Just over a century ago, one of America’s most majestic species — the American bison — was nearly extinct. Thankfully, conservation efforts are helping herds recover from decades of population decline. Now, FORT scientists are studying the genetics of bison herds to help wildlife managers plan and evaluate the potential impacts of herd management actions.

Photo & Video Chronology — Halemaʻumaʻu overflight and maps of new activity, Kīlauea summit

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:30:56 EDT

Scientists conducted an overflight of the new fissures that opened up on and near the base of the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater on September 14-15. New maps and annotated webcam images provide details on this eruptive activity.

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 11: Science for improved pollinator monitoring and habitat management

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Pollinators like the endangered rusty patched bumble bee provide critical ecosystem services and ensure food security through their essential role in crop production. FORT researchers are contributing to science on native bee monitoring and diet to assist wildlife and habitat managers in maintaining healthy pollinator populations.

Photo & Video Chronology — New fissures in Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea summit

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:57:31 EDT

Several new fissures opened up on and near the base of the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater September 14-15, north of the established vent complex. No earthquakes immediately preceded the vents, which opened passively with no fountaining. Intermittent eruptions of spatter bursts continued to build a small cone around the north vent.

Kīlauea Status Report

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:13:24 EDT

New vents opened at Kīlauea summit eruption site last night. Kīlauea summit region is pressurized above the level required to start a fountaining episode. Additional changes to the type of activity/eruption location could potentially occur.

Analyzing the age of Cinder Cone in the Lassen Volcanic Center

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:00:00 EDT

Interpreting the age of Cinder Cone in Lassen Volcanic National Park has has long been a challenge and point of contention for geologists.

Understanding the 2026 El Niño: Regional Insights for Managers

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:21:44 EDT

As forecasts point to a very strong 2026 El Niño, new CASC webpages offer insights to support resource management.

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 10: Understanding the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and improving support for the management community

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease of deer, elk, and moose, is affecting cervid populations across the country. New USGS science is helping understand not just how CWD spreads, but how best to empower managers dealing with the impacts of the disease on wildlife populations and local communities.

Photo & Video Chronology — Fieldwork in American Samoa

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:51:13 EDT

From August 26–September 10, USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were in American Samoa to conduct monitoring network maintenance and outreach.

Lessons Learned from Marsh-Focused Management Actions at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:49:53 EDT

Join this Friday's Findings to learn how USGS is studying the marshes of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland.

A 500-Year Fire History Reveals That Recent High-Severity Wildfires Could Lead to Widespread Forest Loss

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:51:07 EDT

In a new study, USGS scientists reconstruct 500 years of fire history in the dry-conifer forests of northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains.

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 9: Supporting greater sage-grouse monitoring for state and federal agencies across the West

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

USGS researchers are improving the understanding of greater sage-grouse population declines across the American West. This year, long-term monitoring coupled with directed studies revealed that habitat fragmentation and drought contribute to sage-grouse declines. In addition, researchers published updates to a widely used monitoring tool that assists managers in prioritizing conservation efforts.

Caps, trash, and other hydrothermal funky finds: 2026 edition

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Hold onto your hats and sunglasses—and your trash! Yellowstone National Park’s Geology team collects anything lost or left behind by visitors in the park’s hydrothermal areas, leading to some pretty interesting finds...

Environmental DNA monitoring leads to early detection of invasive zebra mussel DNA in the Colorado River, Utah

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:36:38 EDT

In June and July 2026, state and federal partners collaborated with USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) scientists to sample the Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park for invasive zebra mussel environmental DNA (eDNA) using eDNA autosamplers. For the first time in Utah, zebra mussel eDNA was detected through these efforts.

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 8: Rapid response science summary products to support natural resource managers

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Natural resource managers often look to summary and synthesis products to find the science they need for decision making. However, decision timelines are often short, so there is a need to produce such products quickly. In 2026, a FORT team developed a process and software, KWICer, to meet that need.

Volcano Minute — Explore Maunaiki: a shield built on Kīlauea from 1919-1920

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:32:36 EDT

If you’ve visited Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recently, you’ve probably seen the crowds gathering on the rim of the caldera to watch the spectacular lava fountaining episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu. But during pauses in the eruption, there’s an entire volcanic landscape waiting to be explored.

Volcano Watch — Remembering the 1919–1920 Maunaiki eruption of Kīlauea

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:49:52 EDT

Kīlauea has drawn huge crowds to witness the lava fountaining episodes from its summit crater of Halemaʻumaʻu since December 2024, with many visitors hiking trails and visiting overlooks to watch the eruption. However, there are many other trails across the unique, lava-strewn landscape of Kīlauea that can be hiked during pauses between lava fountaining episodes, including the Footprints Trail.

New USGS-Funded Science Will Support Landslide Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness Nationwide

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 EDT

USGS has selected 16 recipients to be awarded grant funding to address landslide risk reduction science. The grants will help advance landslide research capabilities.

Helping Prepare the Nation Against Landslide Threats

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 EDT

USGS monitors, studies, and supports landslide research across the United States, striving to better understand these hazards while also helping communities nationwide become more resilient to the threat landslides pose.

USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center Estuary Science Highlights

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:24:28 EDT

National Estuaries Week, September 20-27 this year, is an annual celebration to raise public awareness about the importance of estuaries, the dynamic ecosystems where rivers meet the sea, and the vital services they provide. Estuaries support rich biodiversity and are essential for recreational activities, economic growth and community wellbeing.