All News

Picturing the Unimaginable: Two Artists’ Early Journey into Yellowstone's Untamed Wonders

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 00:30:00 EST

How can a landscape of vividly colored hot springs and erupting geysers be conveyed when it defies imagination? As part of Ferdinand Hayden’s 1871 survey of Yellowstone, artist Thomas Moran and photographer William Jackson brought Yellowstone’s unimaginable wonder to the world through their paintings and photographs.

New USGS data release on Kīlauea lava fountain heights

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:02:15 EDT

A new Data Release by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory provides measurements of lava fountain heights during episodes 1–50 of the ongoing episodic eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea, which began December 23, 2024.

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 10:54:03 EDT

Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science is a public webinar series hosted by USGS Wildland Fire Science and the Ecosystems Mission Area. These webinars are meant to provide information on the breadth of USGS fire science used by stakeholders to make decisions before, during, and after wildfires in ecosystems across the U.S.

A True Halloween Story Treat: The dirt on Oppy’s demise!

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:38:13 EDT

On Launch Complex 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II Heavy launch vehicle jetted toward Mars on 7 July 2003 at 11:18:15 PM, Eastern daylight time. A robotic rover formally named Opportunity, and dearly nick-named “Oppy” was a passenger on the rocket. Oppy’s profession was a robot geologist on assignment for NASA to find water and evidence for past life on Mars.

Towards Continental Conservation: A Metapopulation Strategy to Support Collaborative Bison Restoration and Management

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:27:22 EDT

Join us for a bison-centric Friday's Findings in honor of National Bison Day (November 7)! Tune in to learn how USGS scientists are helping to inform bison restoration and management.

Volcano Minute — A Quiet Eruption Beneath the Pacific

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:08:07 EDT

Beneath the ocean’s surface, submarine volcanoes carry out about 75 percent of Earth’s volcanic activity, but much of what they do remains hidden from view.

Modernizing Landsat Notifications: SNS Topics Replace RSS Feeds

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:37:56 EDT

The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center uses Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS) topics to notify users when new Landsat Collection 2 data and science products are added to the archive’s cloud-based inventory.

Podcast Explores the Links Between Storms and Invasive Species in the Pacific Region

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:54:25 EDT

A new podcast episode examines how storms increase the risks posed by invasive species on islands and highlights efforts by the Pacific Islands CASC and the Pacific RISCC Management Network to strengthen regional preparedness and response capacity.

Volcano Watch — Ruby seamount: A glimpse into the secret life of a submarine volcano

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:50:53 EDT

Submarine volcanoes are enigmatic and mysterious because they are cloaked by the overlying ocean, yet their activity represents 75% of earth’s volcanism.

Branching out: New study reveals when invasive pythons take to the trees

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:32:30 EDT

Effective management of invasive species often depends on not only understanding where the species lives, but how it behaves. In Big Cypress National Preserve, USGS scientists are uncovering new insights into the behavior of one of Florida’s most prolific invasive snakes – the Burmese python. A new study provides important context for understanding and managing this formidable snake.

USGS Study Outlines Scope and Severity of Bat Fatalities at US Wind Energy Facilities

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:34:23 EDT

A new USGS study reveals that an estimated 18.7 million bats have been killed at U.S. onshore wind energy facilities since 1981, far more than previously understood. By analyzing data from hundreds of wind projects, researchers identified the species most vulnerable to turbine collisions and uncovered patterns that could help reduce future bat fatalities.

SAWSC Hydrologist Presents at the Biennial Okefenokee Science Symposium

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:28:02 EDT

SAWSC Hydrologist Greg Cherry was invited to speak at the Biennial Okefenokee Science Symposium. Cherry presented on the Floridan aquifer system in Coastal Georgia and issues with saltwater intrusion in the Savannah/Hilton Head area and near downtown Brunswick, Georgia.

Crystal clues: The case of the Lava Creek Tuff’s missing members

U.S. Geological Survey — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Recent studies are changing the way geologists think about the Lava Creek Tuff—the deposit that was created during the formation of Yellowstone Caldera 631,000 years ago. That eruption seems to have been even more complex than originally thought.

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:31:49 EDT

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff conducted a lava sampling mission and monitoring overflight of Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea the morning of October 22, 2026, following episode 55 which occurred on October 17, 2026.

Media Alert: Low-level Flights to Image Geology over Western Idaho

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:30:21 EDT

RESTON, Va. – The U.S. Geological Survey plans low-level helicopter flights over western Idaho in October and early November to image geology using airborne geophysical technology.

Volcano Watch — A look back at recent Kīlauea eruptions and intrusions

U.S. Geological Survey — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:18:35 EDT

A caldera intrusion from September 30-October 1, amidst the ongoing episodic lava fountaining eruption at Kīlauea summit, has a lot of people wondering what will come next. Eruptions and magmatic intrusions are not unusual, and Kīlauea has experienced many of these in the summit region and along the rift zones over the past few years.

Volcano Minute — Patterns of eruptions and intrusions at Kīlauea

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 20:05:58 EDT

If you've been wondering what Kīlauea's recent caldera intrusion means, you're not alone.

USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center at the 2026 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America Meeting

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:03:25 EDT

USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC) scientists and collaborators are presenting findings from hazard and risk studies at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 47th Annual Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from November 2-5, 2026.

Summer Drought May Increase Human-Bear Interactions in Maryland

U.S. Geological Survey — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:27:55 EDT

By mapping where human-bear interactions are most likely to occur under normal and drought conditions in Maryland, National CASC research can help wildlife managers support coexistence.

The Global Food-and-Water Security-support Analysis Data (GFSAD) Project held its 5th Workshop

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:04:30 EDT

Summary of the Global Food-and-Water Security-support Analysis Data (GFSAD) Project Workshop held on October 15th-16th, 2026 at the U. S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Flagstaff Science Center

USGS Releases Assessment of Undiscovered Natural Gas Resources in Alaska’s North Slope

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:06:27 EDT

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey released an assessment estimating 96 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable, undiscovered natural gas resources on Alaska’s North Slope.

New Improvements to Burn Severity Portal Announced

U.S. Geological Survey — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:39:00 EDT

Improvements to the Burn Severity Portal, including increased consistency to previously released maps and expanded data access, have been released, strengthening tools that are used for wildfire response and analysis.

2026 Best Student Geologic Map Competition Winners

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:55:32 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Best Student Geologic Map Competition, which took place at the annual Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects meeting in Denver, CO this past October.

New publication on geochemistry of Kīlauea lava fountains

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 18:09:11 EDT

A new paper led by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory tracks the geochemistry of the first year of lava fountains (episodes 1–39) erupted during the ongoing episodic eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea, which began December 23, 2024.

Media Alert: Low-level Flights to Image Geology over Eastern Oregon

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:19:56 EDT

RESTON, Va. – Low-level helicopter flights will begin in October over eastern Oregon to image geology using airborne geophysical technology.

The Slime Trail: How USGS eDNA Efforts Are Revealing What Lives in the Deep Gulf

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:54:52 EDT

USGS scientists are using eDNA to piece together the story of deep-water ocean life in the Gulf and monitor the health of this unique ecosystem.

USGS monitors California's coastal hazards during the 2026-2027 El Niño event

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 13:21:57 EDT

To improve assessments of the beach erosion hazards of U.S. coastlines, the USGS conducts coastal monitoring of these vulnerable beach landforms. This monitoring results in better understanding of the seasonal, event-based, and long-term changes to the coast and helps with planning for impacts from storms, such as those related to El Niño.

Landsat Science Team: Dead Vegetation Tells a Story

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:18:35 EDT

Brown, dead grass and leaves can tell a story – whether it’s one of wildfire danger, disease or drought.

To help understand the connection between nature’s hazards and plants, University of Utah researchers Phil Dennison and Mickey Campbell want to track non-photosynthetic vegetation, or NPV, which refers to dead or weathered plant material, including plant litter, leaves, needles and branches.

Landsat Science Team: Tracking Snow Crucial in Water Supply Monitoring

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:17:07 EDT

Snow, covering more than one-third of the Earth’s land surface seasonally, is a crucial water source for more than 1.2 billon people across the globe.

As significant as it is to the world’s water supply, snow is also one of the most difficult elements to monitor with remote sensing due to its brightness, challenging terrain, ever-changing nature and depth, along with cloud cover and topography.

Landsat Science Team: Landsat 10 to Improve Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring

U.S. Geological Survey — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:15:40 EDT

Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when algae or cyanobacteria grow rapidly. These blooms can wreak havoc in aquatic ecosystems, killing hundreds of thousands of fish, harming people and animals and costing up to $100 million annually in the United States.