USGS Multimedia Gallery: Latest Videos and Animations

New Dual-View Downhole Video Technology at the USGS, Idaho Water Science Center, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Project Office

Brian Twining — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Underwater video showing horizontal and vertical views from new video camera technology. The high-definition video output will help drillers complete the wells and will help hydrologist understand the aquifer system.

Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.

Kevin Bazar — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

This video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse the base of the steep mountains west of Lake Tahoe, California. The USGS has recently published a report in the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America that details the seismic hazards of the Tahoe -Sierra frontal fault zone mapped with the new technology.

Nature�s Altered Seasons

Melanie Gade — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Early cherry blossoms and flower blooms and record high temperatures nationwide highlight a phenomenon everyone already seems to know, but science has confirmed -- spring is coming earlier in the year almost everywhere. During this lecture, Dr. Jake Weltzin gives an overview of the USGS sponsored USA National Phenology Network, a national effort to help track the timing of plant and animal activity as an indicator of environmental variation and climate change. This unique project engages both professional and �citizen� scientists to document life cycles of nature. This presentation describes results of some of the research to date and explains how anyone can participate as a �citizen scientist,� tracking plants and animals in their own backyard!

Nutrient Impacts on Wetlands: Field Studies New Zealand

Karen McKee — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

This video describes how scientists are studying freshwater wetlands on the North Island of New Zealand and how nutrients from pasture runoff may alter the vegetation and peat formation in these important ecosystems. Much of what is known about wetlands comes from research conducted in the Northern Hemisphere. In contrast, much less is known about wetland ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. Because New Zealand has been geographically isolated, it has unique species of plants and animals found nowhere else. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey are collaborating with counterparts in New Zealand to study nutrient effects on plant production and decomposition processes. The peat-forming plants in freshwater wetlands are identified and methods used to study effects of nutrients on peat formation are illustrated. By studying how nutrients affect wetlands in New Zealand, scientists will gain a much broader understanding of how eutrophication affects their structure and function globally. Such information will lead to better methods of wetland conservation and protection worldwide.

USGS Menlo Park Open House, May 19-20th

Stephen M. Wessells — Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Got Science?
Come to the U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park Open House on Saturday and Sunday May 19 and 20.

Speak with scientists, pan for gold, make a quake!
Eat learn and have fun.
It's free! So bring the whole family!

This is a thirty second PSA for web and television advertising the May 19th and 20th, 2012 USGS, Menlo Park - Open House. A fifteen second version was also released.

Fly Over the Seafloor of San Francisco Bay

Peter Dartnell — Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Virtual fly-through of San Francisco Bay revealing the seafloor as if the water was drained from the Bay. The movie flies through the south and central Bay, pausing over prominent seafloor features including, large sand waves, rock pinnacles, current scour pits, as well as many human impacts on the seafloor.

USGS Student Employment, Get Your Foot In The Door

Lincoln Smith — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Travis explains how he began his career as a hydrologic technician with the USGS through the USGS Student Career Employment Program.

Vibracoring-Reconstructing the past from Earth sediments

Ann B. Tihansky — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Geologists rely on information from deep beneath the Earth�s surface to reconstruct the past. As sediments accumulate over time, they create records geologists use to understand Earth history and to predict future processes and trends. The most common way to get this information is to drill a hole in the Earth where sediments have been deposited over time. The type of drilling tool used for cores depends on how deep and how hard the sediments are. Vibracoring is one of the tools used in shallow coastal areas where sediments consist of soft sand and mud. This video podcast describes how cores are collected in shallow water from the deck of a research vessel using vibracoring. The sediments drilled are recovered in the form of a core that will contain an intact record of the past. Core samples are used to assess the geologic history of an area, such as its geomorphology; coastal, marine, and terrestrial processes; and changes in environmental quality.

Science or Soundbite? Shale Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Induced Earthquakes

Melanie Gade — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Hydraulic fracturing is the process of injecting wells with water, sand, and chemicals at very high pressure. This process creates fractures in deeply buried rocks to allow for the extraction of oil and natural gas as well as geothermal energy. USGS scientists discuss the opportunities and impact associated with hydraulic fracturing. Doug Duncan, associate coordinator for the USGS Energy Resources Program, addresses the increasing role that unconventional oil and gas resources play in the nation's petroleum endowment. USGS hydrologist Dennis Risser discusses some of the major water availability and quality challenges associated with natural gas development, with a focus on the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Bill Leith, associate coordinator the USGS Hazards Program, concludes by discussing the potential connection between disposal of waste fluids from hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes.

Advancing ARMI: In Search for Chytrid Fungus

Steven Sobieszczyk — Mon, 2 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

In this episode, we follow a group of students from the Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School on a class trip to Pintail Marsh at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. There they join USGS ecologist Tara Chestnut to investigate and sample for the amphibian chytrid fungus. Join us, as we explore how research and wonder can bring greater light to this potentially fatal fungus, only in this episode of the USGS Oregon Science Podcast.

Robert Leeper: Day in the life of a Physical Science Technician

Robert Leeper — Mon, 2 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

In the video, Robert Leeper stands in the field while explaining how he became associated with the USGS, what types of research projects he has worked on , and what his plans are for the future.

Rotating Globe of Io Geology

Trent Hare — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Animation of a rotating globe of Jupiter's moon Io, with a geologic map superimposed over a global color mosaic. The 51-second animation begins as a global color mosaic image of the moon, then at 28 seconds, it displays the geologic map overlain on the mosaic.

Climate Connections: Questions from Glacier National Park, MT (episode 4)

Jessica Robertson — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

America has questions about climate change, and the USGS has real answers. In this episode of Climate Connections, USGS scientists answer questions gathered from the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. Questions include:

When I come back in ten years, what will I see in Glacier National Park?
How is climate change impacting the glaciers?
Does all the snow we received this winter help the glaciers?
How do receding glaciers and climate change affect the local economy in terms of recreation, agriculture, tourism?

Bat White-nose Syndrome: There is a New Fungus Among Us By Dr. David Blehert

Melanie Gade — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Since first discovered in 2007 in New York, white-nose syndrome has spread to 16 states, including Virginia and Maryland, and four Canadian provinces. The disease is estimated to have killed over five million hibernating bats. An outbreak of infectious disease among bats on the order of white-nose syndrome is without precedent, and although insect-feeding wild bats may lack the easily defined monetary value of domestic animals, a recent analysis showed that they provide natural pest control services to American farmers valued at approximately $23 billion per year. Dr. David Blehert discusses this emergent wildlife disease and the profound impacts white-nose syndrome may have in the 21st century.

What�s in Our Water?

Steven Sobieszczyk — Wed, 7 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance �water.� We are going to examine what is in our nations� water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet�s most abundant resource. This is the USGS CoreCast.

Kerry Caslow: Exploring the World of Water

Kerry Caslow — Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Kerry Caslow is a hydrologic technician with the Georgia Water Science Center. Listen to her story.

What�s in Our Water?

Steven Sobieszczyk — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

White Oak Creek After Low-head Dam Failure

Mike Brady, Hydrologic Technician — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The low-head dam just downstream from the USGS White Oak Creek near Georgetown, Ohio, streamgage collapsed during high flow early on January 18, 2012. Video shows water rushing past the former low-head dam location; still photos show the dam during low- and high-flow conditions.

Measurements of High Streamflow with ADCP

Mike Brady, Hydrologic Technician — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Current river conditions and available equipment make it a challenge to measure streamflow in the White Oak Creek. Hydrologic technicians (not shown) make field measurements of streamflow with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), a device that uses sound waves to determine the area and velocity of the water. Rate of streamflow can then be computed from the area and velocity.

The View from Space: Tracking Forty Years of Global Changes

Melanie Gade — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

For nearly 40 years, Landsat and other Earth observing satellites have been silently orbiting the globe collecting high quality images that document the condition of our changing planet. Remote sensing images provide an unprecedented long-term, impartial view of the Earth's cities and natural resources. Dr. Thomas Loveland discusses the profound impact Landsat has on many facets of our economy, safety, and environment.

Kristina Yamamoto: Day in the life of a USGS Geographer

Michael P. Finn — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Kristina Yamamoto, is a a geographer for the Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS), part of the National Geospatial Program. She is also in the Student Career Experience Program. As a SCEP, Kristina mainly works on remote sensing and GIS projects to support the research goals of CEGIS. Learn more about Kristina and her experience at the USGS as a student

Grizzly bear rubbing on a bridge

Katherine C. Kendall — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Bears rub on many objects other than trees. This clip shows a grizzly bear rubbing on a wooden bridge on a decommissioned forest road. Barbed wire is attached to the wodden bridge beams and the bear rub tree next to the bridge to collect bear hair. This footage is still photos from a remote camera that have been stitched together in sequence.

Lower Elwha River, Ground-Based Lidar Fly-Through

Joshua Logan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

This video shows a virtual fly-through of a detailed, highly accurate three-dimensional model of the lower Elwha River, Washington. The video begins about 0.8 river kilometers upstream (south) of the bridge on Elwha River Road. The virtual flight path then proceeds downstream approximately 5.5 kilometers, in a northerly direction to the mouth of the river on the Juan de Fuca Strait.

The data that are shown in the fly-through are a composite of multiple scans that were collected with a ground-based lidar (light detection and ranging) scanner, which uses high-speed laser measurements to produce highly accurate three-dimensional maps of the riparian environment. By combining these measurements with digital images from an onboard camera, the instrument produces three-dimensional �point clouds� that can be displayed in true color. Because the water surface is not measured by the lidar scanner, it appears black in the video. Each of the millions of data points represents a discrete measurement with precise elevation and geographic position. Cobble bars, gravel beds, bluffs, riverside vegetation and man-made features are all visible in the data. Each feature can be queried for size, geographic position and precise elevation.

The river system shown in this video is downstream from the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dams, both of which are being removed in the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. For nearly a century, these dams have been preventing salmon and steelhead from accessing historic spawning habitat above the dams. The dams have also been blocking the natural supply of sediment to the lower river, and the nearby coastal beaches. Beginning in 2006, scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have been monitoring seasonal changes in the river channel below the dams to serve as a baseline with which to compare post-dam-removal changes in the future. As part of the last survey before dam removal began in September 2011, scientists from the USGS conducted the ground-based lidar survey to accurately map the lower river in great detail. This data set will be compared with measurements from future surveys to monitor and quantify changes that occur in the river system after the two dams have been removed.

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) within the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD)

Kristiana Elite — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Explanation of Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) within the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD). The National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) is organized based on these units and subsequently viewing and downloading NHD data from The National Map Viewer is organized by these Hydrologic Units.

Download a Dynamic NHD Extract

Kristiana Elite — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Learn how to download a dynamic extract of National Hydrography Dataset GIS Data (NHD) from The National Map.

Download a Prestaged Subregion

Kristiana Elite — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Learn how to download a prestaged subregion of National Hydrography Dataset GIS Data (NHD) from The National Map.

USGS Salmon Disease Research

Stephen M. Wessells — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center in Seattle, Washington is a state-of-the-art laboratory operating on the cutting edge of fish science. Work at the lab falls into three broad categories, ecosystem studies, studies of invasive species, and studies of disease in fish. Recent public alarm about the possible discovery of the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus, in a few salmon off British Columbia, has drawn significant attention to the lab and its experts.

Josh Latimore: Day in the Life of a USGS Hydro Technician

Josh Latimore — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Josh Latimore, USGS hydro technician, discusses how he joined the USGS and his current day to day responsibilities. Josh was introduced to the USGS through the Hydrologic Studies Program at GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ. As a USGS hydro technician, Josh�s primary duties involve managing real-time surface water gaging stations. This consists of making monthly gauge inspections, stream flow measurements, processing field data, and performing necessary maintenance to ensure the gage is operating properly.

Learn more about Josh and his journey at the USGS in our Top Story article.

Water in the 21st Century: The National Water Census

Melanie K. Gade — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Eric Evenson, coordinator of the National Water Census discuses a new set of water resource challenges brought on by the 21st century. Even in normal water years, water shortages and use conflicts have become commonplace in many areas of the United States � especially competition among crop irrigation, growing cities and communities, and energy production. Over the next 10 years, the USGS plans to conduct a new assessment of water availability and use. This national Water Census will address critical aspects of recent Federal legislation, including the need to establish a national water assessment program.

The Floating Marshes of Louisiana: A Unique Ecosystem

Karen L. McKee — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Extensive floating marshes occur in a few locations around the world. Papyrus swamps of tropical Africa occur along the White Nile, the Okavango and Niger deltas, and along the shoreline of Lake Victoria. There are extensive Phragmites swamps in the Danube Delta in Romania. Seasonal and permanent floating meadows are found in the middle Amazon flood plain. In the Mississippi River Delta Plain, there are large expanses of floating marsh, which are the focus of this video. This unique ecosystem is dominated by a variety of grasses and forbs, which can create a buoyant mat that floats on a layer of water. How these marshes form and some of their unique features are described.

Unconventional Oil and Gas�Fueling the Future

Alex P. Demas — Thu, 8 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EDT

The Nation relies on oil and gas to power its economy, and unconventional gas is the fastest-growing energy resource in the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey is the authoritative, unbiased source for assessments of the world's oil and gas endowment. Come learn how these exciting new energy resources may contribute to the energy mix.

Elwha River floating weir: a tool to study adult salmon during and following dam removal

John Gussman — Thu, 8 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EDT

This video introduces a multi-agency team of scientists and their project to install and operate a resistance board floating weir in the Elwha River. The weir is a fish trap used within a larger program for monitoring salmon populations in the Nation's largest dam removal and river restoration project.

Creating Watershed Action Teams