Current Events

New Kīlauea summit eruption maps

New eruption maps depict the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024.

Published: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:52:42 EDT

Magnitude-4.5 Earthquake Information Statement

On Thursday, July 9, 8:17 p.m. HST, a magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred 34 mi (54 km) west-southwest of Captain Cook on the Island of Hawaiʻi at a depth of 24 mi (39 km) below sea level.

Published: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:20:35 EDT

Media Alert: Low-level flights to image geology of northeast Nevada

RESTON, Va. – The U.S. Geological Survey plans low-level helicopter flights over northeastern Nevada to image geology using airborne geophysical technology. The flights are scheduled to begin in July and continue until next October, weather and other flight restrictions permitting.

Published: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:28:00 EDT

What’s that smell? Tracking Yellowstone’s hydrocarbon history

Hydrocarbons in Yellowstone?  Yes indeed, there are oil seeps in the northeastern part of the park! These seeps are a consequence of the region’s long and complex geological history.

Published: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Volcano Minute — Hawaii’s deep earthquakes explained

If you’ve felt earthquake shaking lately, you’re not alone. Over the past several months, a handful of large, deep earthquakes have rattled the Island of Hawaiʻi—including the magnitude‑6.0 that was felt state-wide on May 22nd, followed by magnitude‑4.6 and 4.7 earthquakes in early June. 

Published: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 19:58:47 EDT

Volcano Watch — A deep dive into Hawaii’s deep earthquakes

Island of Hawaiʻi residents may have felt shaking recently from large, deep earthquakes. Deep earthquakes like this have been recorded since the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) first started monitoring Hawaii’s volcanoes in 1912. 

Published: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 16:30:13 EDT

Hazard Ready Nation—Actionable Science for Risk Reduction

The USGS Strategy for a Hazard Ready Nation provides an approach that our researchers and staff can use to deliver actionable, user-focused science that supports risk-informed decision making aimed at reducing risk and losses across the Nation. The Strategy builds upon successful efforts within the USGS and seeks to promote and prioritize similar work in the future under an organized framework.

Published: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 11:05:09 EDT

Environmental DNA Monitoring Protects Fish Hatchery from Invasive Species

USGS NOROCK scientists, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, used environmental DNA monitoring in the early detection of invasive New Zealand mudsnails in a fish hatchery, enabling a rapid and successful eradication response. This effort prevented a mudsnail infestation that could have led to long-term operational disruption or permanent facility closure.

Published: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 16:50:15 EDT

New publications on livestreaming cameras and Mauna Loa

Two articles recently published by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff highlight livestreaming cameras and Mauna Loa's 1868 eruption. 

Published: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 15:15:28 EDT

Great Salt Lake sediments record thousands of years of earthquake history

As the largest lake west of the Mississippi River with an average depth of around five meters (~16 feet), the Great Salt Lake offers an opportunity to explore acoustic and sedimentary archives of earthquake ruptures in a shallow terminal basin. A new USGS study addresses questions related to how Great Salt Lake sediments respond to surface rupture and earthquake shaking.

Published: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 13:20:42 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight

On Tuesday, July 7, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists completed a brief monitoring helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. 

Published: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 17:17:46 EDT

Voyage into the Past: Stories from the California Current

USGS scientists are using geochemical proxies to reconstruct past ocean conditions and better understand long-term changes to Earth's marine ecosystems. Join Friday's Findings as USGS researcher Jason Addison shares how paleoceanographic tools are shedding light on past conditions and offering insight to how marine systems respond to environmental change.

Published: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 16:31:38 EDT

Convening on caldera collapses

In February 2025, scientists from around the world met in Hilo, on the flanks of the Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes, for a scientific conference on basaltic caldera collapses. Organized by the USGS scientists and partners and attended by 155 researchers from 15 different countries, the goal of the meeting was to combine observations, discuss open questions, and plan new research.

Published: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 09:00:00 EDT

What happens to coral reefs hit by disease?

Coral disease is now one of the major causes of reef degradation and coral mortality. Tune into Friday's Findings to learn how USGS researchers are studying an emerging threat, stony coral tissue loss disease.

Published: Mon, 6 Jul 2026 14:14:59 EDT

Connect with the CASCs at the 2026 Ecological Society of America Meeting

Explore CASC representation at the 2026 Ecological Society of America Meeting (July 26 - 31, 2026).

Published: Mon, 6 Jul 2026 09:36:22 EDT

Friday's Findings | A USGS Webinar Series

Friday’s Findings is a public webinar series hosted by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area. Each 30-minute session provides an overview of a current science topic and includes an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with USGS scientists through a question-and-answer segment.  Webinars are held from 2:00-2:30 PM Eastern/11:00 -11:30 AM Pacific, unless otherwise noted.

Published: Mon, 6 Jul 2026 08:45:00 EDT

Yellowstone’s phantom, sometimes mythical, Howard Eaton Trail

The Howard Eaton Trail, once spanning 157 miles, was the longest hiking and equestrian trail in Yellowstone National Park for nearly 50 years. Today, the remnants of that trail cover roughly a sixth of its former length.

Published: Mon, 6 Jul 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Volcano Minute — Fifty lava fountains: Hawaii Five-O

Last Saturday, June 27th, marked a golden milestone—Hawaii’s 50th lava fountaining episode in the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at Kīlauea’s summit. 

Published: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 22:07:27 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit tephra sampling

On July 2, three USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists flew via helicopter to the northwest side of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea to sample tephra deposits in the crater wall. 

Published: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 19:47:29 EDT

USGS Scientist and National Weather Service and University of Alaska Southeast colleagues receive Alaska State Legislature Recognition for Response to Juneau’s annual Suicide Basin Outburst Floods

On July 1, 2026, the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature recognized Jamie Pierce, Aaron Jacobs, Dr. Eran Hood, and Dr. Jason Amundson for their outstanding service and leadership in responding to Juneau’s recurring glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) events.

Published: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 19:16:17 EDT

Volcano Watch — Hawaii Five-O! Fifty fountaining episodes at Kīlauea summit

Hawaii, the 50th state, reached a golden anniversary last Saturday, June 27. Surprise, it’s the 50th fountaining episode of the ongoing episodic eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. 

Published: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 18:23:48 EDT

America at 250, Seen from Space

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a new portrait of the nation from space. 

Published: Wed, 1 Jul 2026 14:13:32 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on June 30, 2026, following episode 50 of lava fountaining that occurred on June 27, 2026. 

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:20:55 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit eruption fountaining episode 50

Episode 50 of lava fountaining in the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 7 hours on June 27, 2026.

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:50:30 EDT

From Earth to Sky: How Minerals Create the Dazzling Colors of Independence Day Fireworks

As fireworks burst across the sky this Fourth of July in celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday, each vivid streak of color can be traced back to a mineral hidden beneath our feet.

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:00 EDT

Why is there a volcano in California's Central Valley?

Is it a really overdone fried egg? A pancake? A flower? Nope, it's a volcano!

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:39:59 EDT

Collaborative Innovation for Giant Sequoia Conservation

The USGS and partners are developing an AI-based tool capable of detecting dead and dying giant sequoia trees from high-resolution remote sensing imagery. 

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:12:18 EDT

New high-resolution geophysics in the Outer California Borderland

A new study focused on the Cortes Basin, located within the Outer California Borderland offshore of southern California, presents detailed evidence of numerous stacked submarine landslides on and beneath the seafloor. The research provides new insights into how offshore fault systems and changing sea levels have shaped this region.

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:30:13 EDT

Annual NLCD Collection 1.2 Now Available

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is excited to announce the release of the Annual National Land Cover Database (NLCD) Conterminous U.S. (CU), Collection 1.2. This release builds on the popular Annual NLCD CU Collection 1.0 by extending the dataset through 2025. 

Published: Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:45:02 EDT

SEABOSS 3.0 Reaches New Milestone with Successful Testing

The next generation of the Seabed Observation and Sampling System—SEABOSS 3.0—is steadily coming to life. Building on months of cross‑center planning and knowledge sharing, the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center team recently hosted Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center ocean engineer Gerry Hatcher for a week of instrument assembly, refinement, and testing in Woods Hole, MA.

Published: Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:39:02 EDT