Current Events

Volcano Watch — Using ocean noise to monitor for volcanic eruptions

Ocean swells are constantly beating on the ocean floor. This nonstop drumming creates continuous signals that travel through the Earth and are recorded on seismometers. Changes in the speed of these ocean noise signals can give us clues about volcanic activity.

Published: Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:24:41 EDT

Decades of satellite imagery show how groins reshape California beaches

Long-term satellite observations show how human-built coastal structures influence the movement and buildup of sand along three Southern California beaches: Ventura, Santa Monica and Newport Beach.

Published: Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:32:10 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit episode 53

Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea started on August 12 at 3:45 p.m. HST.

Published: Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:53:23 EDT

Science Spotlight: USGS Monitoring of Glacial Outburst Flood in Juneau Alaska

The U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center is working in cooperation with the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), and the Corps of Engineers (COE) to provide real-time warning of an impending glacial outburst flood and monitor Mendenhall River conditions during the flood. 

Published: Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:01:30 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight

On Tuesday, August 11, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists completed a brief helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater, site of the Kīlauea summit eruption that is expected to see a fifty-third lava fountaining episode in the coming days.

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:30:00 EDT

Reeling in Cleaner Data: Experts Use AI to Support Resilient Inland Fisheries

An interdisciplinary team of fisheries science experts is using artificial intelligence to help tackle one of the most data-limited areas of environmental science: inland fisheries.

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:06:29 EDT

Expanding Our Global ZIGsight into Freshwater Ecology

The Zooplankton International Geospatial (ZIG) dataset is a global, harmonized collection of freshwater zooplankton records paired with water chemistry data, built through a multi‑year community effort. It includes information from 311 lakes across 37 countries, providing extensive long‑term observations that help researchers analyze ecological change. 

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:01:17 EDT

Western Fisheries Research Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Meeting - August 19, 2026

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for oversight of the animal care and use program and the components as described in the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:37:34 EDT

Advancing the Science and Management of Range Shifts

Scientists from the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Centers published a new paper outlining a research agenda for supporting management of species with shifting ranges, including understanding the drivers of range shifts, evaluating management strategies, and improving how science supports decision-making across ecological and jurisdictional boundaries. 

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:39:01 EDT

Understanding Uncertainty, Four Realms at a Time

By melding scientific measures with human emotional responses and values, National CASC researchers and partners discuss a more holistic way to understand the uncertainties caused by accelerating global changes. 

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:31:03 EDT

Addressing Knowledge Gaps on the Potential Effects of Critical Minerals on Aquatic Life

Join this Friday's Findings to learn how USGS is investigating the potential effects of critical minerals on aquatic life and characterizing the bioavailability and toxicity of these elements in aquatic ecosystems.

Published: Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:25:04 EDT

USGS advances water data collaboration in Kyrgyz Republic

USGS scientists traveled to Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic June 20-27, 2026, to meet with government agencies and other organizations with active water projects to discuss how USGS science could support priorities and address challenges for water resource management in the country.

Published: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:51:50 EDT

As above, so below? Trends in groundwater and streamflow across the United States 1980-2020

Joint trend analysis of streamflow and groundwater on a national scale is a critical step toward understanding how national water budget components respond concurrently and interactively to environmental drivers. A new USGS study shows that groundwater and streamflow don’t always respond to drivers of change in the same way. 

Published: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:16:24 EDT

Could earthquakes sustain Yellowstone’s underground life?

Although earthquakes present a major geologic hazard for humans, they may be key in the long-term survival of subsurface microbial communities.

Published: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Volcano Minute — What can chemistry tell us about lava fountain heights?

Kīlauea’s summit has been erupting intermittent lava fountains since December 23rd, 2024, producing 52 episodes of lava fountains so far—some shooting more than 1,700 feet into the air, taller than the Empire State Building in New York City. But why do these fountain heights rise and fall? 

Published: Thu, 6 Aug 2026 08:33:35 EDT

Volcano Watch — Will Kīlauea summit lava fountains get taller? Time and chemistry will tell!

Kīlauea’s current summit eruption started on December 23, 2024. Fifty-two episodes of lava fountains have happened on average every 11 days, and we still have many questions about this eruptive behavior. Here, we look at lava fountain heights with magma chemistry to better understand what might be controlling the variability in fountain heights. 

Published: Thu, 6 Aug 2026 07:22:29 EDT

From Debris to Dwelling: How Dredged Sediment Is Shaping Salmon Habitat

How can human-built features and natural processes interact to support ecological goals?

Published: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 19:17:05 EDT

The Klamath Dams Are Down: A Closer Look at Juvenile Salmon Migration

The Klamath dams have been removed. What will this mean for juvenile salmon on their way to the ocean? 

Published: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 18:57:51 EDT

Peering beneath the surface of Long Valley Caldera with geodetic surveys

Long Valley Caldera has been volcanically quiet in recent years, but that doesn’t mean scientists have stopped watching... 

Published: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 17:00:00 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Maintaining volcano monitoring instrumentation

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers and gas scientists conducted maintenance in July 2026 on volcano monitoring stations located on Mauna Loa, Hualālai, and Kohala volcanoes. 

Published: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 18:27:07 EDT

IGBST Public Notifications and Resources

As part of ongoing efforts required under the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) captures and monitors grizzly bears for research and monitoring purposes. Here you will find capture notifications for the current field season.

Published: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 06:15:00 EDT

A new camera is now observing activity in Biscuit Basin

In response to the June 13, 2026, hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin, a new camera was installed to track activity over a broader area than had previously been possible.

Published: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 00:30:00 EDT

USGS Launches Interactive Streamflow Map Tools

The U.S. Geological Survey New England Water Science Center launched two new web applications that use color to indicate the status of certain water conditions at USGS streamgages. Both web tools are colorful, interactive maps that visually depict whether a gage is above or below typical water levels or within certain state-required baseflow limits.

Published: Sat, 1 Aug 2026 06:06:51 EDT

Volcano Minute — Aloha to Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator

After nearly a decade as the Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator, Talmadge Magno will retire on August 1, 2026. 

Published: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:09:35 EDT

Volcano Watch — A decade of disaster response: Mahalo to Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator

Talmadge Magno, Administrator of Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency (CD), who navigated the Island of Hawaiʻi response to volcanic eruptions from multiple volcanoes, the COVID-19 pandemic, fires, earthquakes, tsunami warnings, hurricanes, and historic Kona low storms, retires effective on August 1, 2026.  

Published: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:28:34 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Full moon and lava fountain: Kīlauea summit episode 52

Lava fountaining episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea took place over about 7.5 hours on July 28-29, 2026, coinciding with a full moon. 

Published: Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:42:30 EDT

Don't try to have a pillow fight with these pillows!

Geology can be a very descriptive science, and sometimes the terms they use are both informative and playful. When lava is extruded underwater, or flows into water, a diagnostic shape called “pillow lava” can form. 

Published: Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:53:01 EDT

Hydrologic Technician Job Opening in Richmond, VA

Love to work outdoors?  Ready for a job involving opportunities for independence and teamwork maintaining and troubleshooting at the front line of USGS water data collection?   We have a current job opening for a hydrologic technician in our Richmond office.  

Published: Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:53:56 EDT

Green Crab: The Tiny Invader with a Big Appetite

WFRC Researchers are developing innovative tools to detect and prevent the continued spread of this invasive species in the Pacific Northwest. 

Published: Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:34:50 EDT

Director’s Message – Progress with our Fish Commission Partners

Collaboration across the Commissions has grown significantly since 2020, strengthening our collective impact. 

Published: Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:29:00 EDT