All News

The U.S. Geological Survey Library Celebrates Our Nation's 250th Anniversary

rlgarcia@usgs.gov — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:42:05 EDT

June – August 2026

In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the USGS Library will host a special art installation in the National Center Art Hallway throughout the months of June, July, and August.

Volcano Watch — A “window” into forecasting fountaining episodes at Kīlauea’s summit

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 14 May 2026 09:19:16 EDT

Over the past month, the frequency of fountaining events at the summit of Kīlauea has increased to nearly one per week. This is reminiscent of the early days of the current episodic eruption that began on December 23, 2024. Nonetheless in 2026, we started to get used to longer pauses between episodes, which allowed for more time to clean up fallout if necessary and to prepare for the next episode.

Photo & Video Chronology — May 12, 2026 — Kīlauea summit overflight

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:34:36 EDT

On May 12, 2026, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a helicopter overflight around Halema‘uma‘u crater and the eruptive vents at Kīlauea summit.

When surface water runs low, groundwater supplements water supply

aaarcher@usgs.gov — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:19:00 EDT

Both surface water and groundwater provide critical water supplies across the United States. In surface-water limited regions, users turn to groundwater to meet water demand. But water above and below the ground can be closely connected. Is groundwater the answer to limited surface water supplies?

USGS, NASA Map Critical Minerals from 65,000 Feet

jason_burton@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 12 May 2026 15:00:00 EDT

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The U.S. Geological Survey and NASA announced an addition to the world’s largest airborne hyperspectral survey – a digital portrait of critical minerals and geology in the American West, taken from 12 miles up.

Your Favorite Software for Calculating Shoreline Change Just Got Better

sernst@usgs.gov — Tue, 12 May 2026 11:40:12 EDT

Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) version 6.1 is now available, offering new and reinstated features such as more data export options, enhanced editing tools and customizable symbology, and the ability to forecast shoreline positions.

IGBST Public Notifications and Resources

ssoileau@usgs.gov — Tue, 12 May 2026 06:15:00 EDT

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.

USGS Response to April 2026 Michigan and Wisconsin Floods

jvelkoverh@usgs.gov — Mon, 11 May 2026 08:00:00 EDT

In mid-to late April 2026, Michigan and Wisconsin faced one of the wettest springs on record, as rapid snowmelt combined with sustained, record‑breaking rainfall produced widespread flooding across rivers and streams.

A tribute to Mike Stickney, Montana’s earthquake expert!

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Mike Stickney was a one-person earthquake hazards show in Montana for 45 years and a valuable contributor to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. His retirement in 2025 is a good excuse to celebrate his understated yet impactful career.

May ScienceBase Data Release Training for USGS Authors and Data Managers

aliford@usgs.gov — Fri, 8 May 2026 14:02:32 EDT

The USGS Science Data Management Branch will be hosting two upcoming training events for USGS authors and data managers. The first will be our general ScienceBase data release training and the second will be training on data release revisions.

Congratulations to the 2026 CDI Awarded Projects

lhsu@usgs.gov — Fri, 8 May 2026 12:45:00 EDT

The Community for Data Integration announces ten projects to be supported in FY2026. The theme this year was R2X (Research to Technology, Application, or Operations), and USGS Data Strategy goals in support of USGS and Department of the Interior priorities.

Volcano Minute — Forecasting fountaining episodes at Kīlauea's summit

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 7 May 2026 22:24:38 EDT

Volcano Minute is a weekly audio activity or science update produced by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

Volcano Watch — Think Hawaii has many volcanoes? Think again, says El Salvador

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 7 May 2026 20:03:07 EDT

This past March, a team of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists—two of whom travelled from Hawaii—visited El Salvador in Central America for volcanological field studies and a workshop on lava flow hazards. Exchanges like this help to improve awareness of volcanic hazards in other countries, and they enable the USGS to better understand volcanoes in our own backyard.

1,000 Cameras and Counting

jlmckay@usgs.gov — Thu, 7 May 2026 13:49:24 EDT

The USGS Hydrologic Imagery Visualization and Information System (HIVIS) now has more than 1,000 active webcams providing remote visibility of current water conditions. This real-time imagery supports water science and public safety nationwide.

Experts Gather at Lake Tahoe to Reimagine the Future of Recreational Fishing

cduzet@contractor.usgs.gov — Wed, 6 May 2026 14:59:21 EDT

National and Midwest CASC scientists participated in a workshop focused on the future of recreational fisheries in North America. The workshop highlighted science-backed adaptive management strategies and collaboration as key to sustaining fishing opportunities.

Notes From The Field: Wintering Rosy-Finches

kharvey@usgs.gov — Wed, 6 May 2026 13:35:35 EDT

"Notes from the Field” are contributed articles that highlight current banding projects and the continued importance of bird banding. This article focuses on a long-term Rosy-Finch monitoring project in New Mexico.

USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in Bossier Formation of Gulf Coast

seth_amgott@ios.doi.gov — Wed, 6 May 2026 13:00:00 EDT

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey released its assessment of undiscovered gas and oil in the Bossier Formation along the Gulf Coast, assessing that there are technically recoverable resources of 343.5 trillion cubic feet of gas – enough to supply the United States for more than 10 years at the current rate of consumption -- as well as 3 million barrels of oil.

Photo & Video Chronology — May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Tue, 5 May 2026 21:46:43 EDT

Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 8:17 a.m. HST on May 5, after one day of precursory activity. The north vent erupted lava fountains reaching up to 650 feet (200 meters) above ground level. Minor tephra fallout was reported to the north-northwest and northeast of the eruptive vents.

NOROCK Research in Support of Native Amphibians

twojtowicz@usgs.gov — Tue, 5 May 2026 16:38:18 EDT

NOROCK continues its important amphibian research program. Recent studies have explored the effects of environmental contaminants and pathogens on amphibians, and the influence of beaver-modified wetlands on pathogen prevalence in amphibians. See below for more information.

Cycle of a Bird Band

megan_evans@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 5 May 2026 10:54:50 EDT

A Blue-winged Teal banded in Louisiana becomes part of the North American Bird Banding Program, which tracks millions of records to guide waterfowl research and conservation. Recaptures and hunter reports reveal its multi‑year migration, contributing vital data for managing gamebird populations.

CalVO geologists help build a new eruptive history for the Springerville Volcanic Field in Arizona

jlball@usgs.gov — Tue, 5 May 2026 09:00:00 EDT

Scientists at the California Volcano Observatory often travel far afield to answer volcanic questions, especially when it comes to regions where there isn't just one volcano, but many.

Can a geological thermometer help forecast hydrothermal explosions in Yellowstone?

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 4 May 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Hydrothermal explosions are notoriously hard to predict. But a geological thermometer based on hot spring chemistry might help.

Low Streamflow in Massachusetts Affected by Climate and Human Activity

krossos@usgs.gov — Fri, 1 May 2026 10:54:05 EDT

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigated possible reasons for why Massachusetts has set record low streamflows recently even though climate conditions have been generally wetter than they were decades ago. They found that the low streamflows in the state are most influenced by a combination of human causes, such as population growth, and minimal precipitation during summer months.

Every Bird Counts – Delivering Gold Standard Science for North America’s Birds

megan_evans@ios.doi.gov — Fri, 1 May 2026 10:41:25 EDT

Each spring, as migratory birds span continents, our ability to protect them depends on one simple but powerful force: people paying attention. This World Migratory Bird Day, the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” underscores how everyday observers and community scientists provide the essential data that drives bird conservation.

Volcano Watch — Kīlauea summit eruptions outside of Halemaʻumaʻu

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:21:08 EDT

We are used to seeing eruptions from the summit region of Kīlauea contained to the region that is referred to as Halemaʻumaʻu. Halemaʻumaʻu, home of Pele, is a crater situated within the larger, steep-walled caldera at the summit of Kīlauea named Kaluapele. While eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea most frequently occur within Halemaʻumaʻu, they can occur outside of the modern caldera as well.

Photo & Video Chronology — April 30, 2026 — Satellite imagery showing changes to Kīlauea summit region

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:56:10 EDT

Satellite images collected before and during the episodic lava fountaining eruption at the summit of Kīlauea show how the deposits from this eruption have changed the local landscape.

Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Spring 2026 Seminar

lisa_hoaks@ios.doi.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:38:11 EDT

Join us for a virtual seminar to learn about our work on the Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA.

Proactive Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation in South Carolina

tmcconnell@usgs.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:14:27 EDT

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Clemson University, and Dr. Luke Bower with the South Carolina Cooperative Research Unit have worked collaboratively with wildlife officials from North Carolina and Georgia to develop the Aquatic Planning Tool. The Aquatic Planning tool helps managers grapple with freshwater fish conservation questions

Tree rings provide an important multi-century context for the current wildfire crisis

sally_house@ios.doi.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:40:35 EDT

Join us for a USGS Fueling Discovery webinar that takes in-depth look at what centuries of tree-ring data can tell us about today’s wildfire crisis.

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

ssoileau@usgs.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 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.