All News

Photo & Video Chronology — April 23, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 45

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:52:02 EDT

Episode 45 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 1:34 a.m. HST on April 23, after two days of precursory activity, and ended at 10:01 a.m. HST the same day. The north vent erupted lava fountains for 8.5 hours, and there was no significant tephra fallout on infrastructure due to northerly winds. Minor ash was reported in Pāhala.

SPCMSC and University of Miami Scientists Collaborate on New Experiments to Guide National Park Service Coral Restoration Plans

marquetta_wilson@ios.doi.gov — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:00:00 EDT

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey’s St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) and the University of Miami have launched a new collaborative effort to support the National Park Service (NPS) in restoring endangered corals within Dry Tortugas National Park.

Models Don’t Always Keep Up With Species Range Shifts

cduzet@contractor.usgs.gov — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:20:12 EDT

A new National CASC study found that models that predict species range shifts don’t necessarily align with how species are actually moving in response to a changing climate. This finding could help researchers refine these models to improve future forecasts of biodiversity redistribution.

Volcano Watch — Shallow earthquakes and ground deformation at Kīlauea’s summit highlight hazards near Halemaʻumaʻu

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:31:06 EDT

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected an increase in shallow seismicity and localized ground deformation beneath the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Kīlauea summitʻs south caldera region. This activity highlights the dynamic and hazardous nature of the closed area in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where changes can occur quickly, resulting in rapidly escalating hazards.

IGBST Public Notifications and Resources

ssoileau@usgs.gov — Thu, 23 Apr 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.

California Water Science Center Scientists Share their Research at 2026 IEP Annual Workshop

harry_ackley@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:37:04 EDT

From March 16th through the 18th, Scientists from the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC) presented their research at the 2026 Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Workshop in Sacramento.

Sharing science at the Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Science & Technology (PIEFEST) festival

jlball@usgs.gov — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:56:15 EDT

P.I.E.F.E.S.T. – what’s that?? It stands for Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Engineering, Science, and Technology, and the 5th Annual P.I.E.F.E.S.T. in San Mateo, CA was where California Volcano Observatory Scientists spent their Saturday on April 11.

April Science You Can Use newsletter features wildfire risk mitigation research from USGS and collaborators

edietrich@usgs.gov — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:56:12 EDT

The US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station publishes a monthly newsletter, Science You Can Use, that summarizes current scientific research for land managers. This month's newsletter features multiple components of the wildfire mitigation research completed by the interdisciplinary Wildfire Research (WiRē) Team. Read the newsletter and learn more about WiRē through the links below.

No longer in the dark: Shining a light on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal explosions

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Determining the ages of hydrothermal explosions in Yellowstone is difficult because traditional dating methods often don’t work on those deposits. But an emerging application of a technique called luminescence dating literally sheds new light on this important problem.

Protecting Tennessee’s Native Bass Heritage

dchilds@usgs.gov — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:18:39 EDT

USGS researchers at the Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (TNCFRU), The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Tennessee Tech University (TTU), and bass anglers are working together to address an emerging conservation challenge: the spread of invasive Alabama bass (Micropterus henshalli) into Tennessee waters.

Amphibian Week with USGS: Science for Healthy Habitats

sally_house@ios.doi.gov — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:44:15 EDT

Amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians) are key contributors to healthy ecosystems and important indicators of environmental change. During Amphibian Week, the USGS is highlighting how long-term science is helping us understand amphibian declines and support conservation across the nation. Attend our webinar or one of our local events for more amphibian fun!

USGS Investigates Groundwater Drought Metrics Across the United States

krossos@usgs.gov — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:59:54 EDT

In a pioneering study led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), researchers analyzed groundwater levels across the conterminous United States to see how certain drought metrics, like severity and duration, change over time.

Volcano Watch — Fountains and festivities: Kīlauea erupts episode 44 as Merrie Monarch begins

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:03:30 EDT

As Hilo was bustling with activity for the Merrie Monarch Festival, Kīlauea was brewing for episode 44 of lava fountaining, which happened for 8.5 hours on the day that the renowned hula competition began.

New research shows prehistoric lake contributed to the birth of the Grand Canyon

seth_amgott@ios.doi.gov — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:31:18 EDT

RESTON, Va. — A new collaborative study led by the U.S. Geological Survey provides strong evidence that the Grand Canyon was carved out by spillover flooding from ancient Lake Bidahochi, a large lake fed by the ancestral Colorado River. The lake’s eventual spillover likely helped establish the course of the Colorado River.

What Duck Movement Tells Us About Bird Flu Risk

dchilds@usgs.gov — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:13:56 EDT

Researchers at the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit are examining the short-distance movements birds make outside of migration. The researchers found these birds travel a lot less in areas with human activity, likely because they're able to more easily find shelter, food, and water.

Photo & Video Chronology — April 14, 2026 — Resolving HVO monitoring network outage

kmulliken@usgs.gov — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:33:00 EDT

On Saturday, April 11, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) noted an outage of its radio telemetry network, resulting in the loss of multiple monitoring data streams. HVO field engineers rectified the problem—a damaged radio—on April 14, 2026, and affected volcano monitoring data streams have been restored.

Fate of barrier islands facing rising seas tied to underwater shape, new models show

ppearsall@usgs.gov — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:37:18 EDT

Barrier islands—long, narrow strips of sand that line many coasts around the world—serve as a first line of defense against storms and rising seas. These dynamic landforms are heavily influenced by wind and waves, and new research suggests that seafloor features just offshore of barrier islands may play a bigger role in their survival than previously understood.

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day 2026: Healthy Wildlife, Enduring Traditions

kmalpeli@usgs.gov — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:51:31 EDT

Healthy wildlife on land and in water sustain rich biodiversity that allows ecosystems across the nation to thrive. The USGS works to advance wildlife health science.

Congratulations to Tobyn Rhodes for Winning the Spring 2026 Something Fishy Photo Contest!

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:28:00 EDT

We are excited to announce Tobyn Rhodes as the winner of this issue’s photo contest!

Our Research on a Tire Chemical and its Impact on Fish Featured in LakeLine Magazine

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:27:00 EDT

We are excited to announce that our work on 6PPD, a toxic chemical used in nearly all vehicle tires, was recently featured in the Fall 2025 issue of LakeLine Magazine.

How do we cope when the ocean has a sick day? Scientists at WFRC Study How to Manage Marine Disease Outbreaks

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:21:00 EDT

USGS WFRC Scientists participate in a groundbreaking special issue informing marine disease management strategies.

As Invasive Mussels Reach West, WFRC Scientists Help Evaluate the Risks they Pose to Washington’s Hatcheries

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:18:00 EDT

Invasive quagga mussels were recently found in the greater Columbia River basin. Our scientists are working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine which of their fish hatcheries are at greatest risk of invasion and what can be done to mitigate the impacts.

Restoring Pinto Abalone in Washington’s Waters

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:15:55 EDT

After decades of population decline, Washington State’s pinto abalone recovery program is making meaningful progress. With the first-ever population uptick observed at a long‑term survey site, scientists are cautiously optimistic about the species’ path toward recovery.

Director's Message: Upcoming Renovation and Relocation of the Columbia River Research Laboratory

nandita_kohli@ios.doi.gov — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:12:06 EDT

Western Fisheries Research Center staff in the Columbia River Gorge are moving to a new facility!

Nighttime Imaging Grows Landsat’s Science Value

jlawson@contractor.usgs.gov — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:01:45 EDT

For more than 50 years, Landsat has imaged Earth’s land and near-shore surfaces as the satellites descend in midmorning orbit, when daily sunlight is optimal. That’s just what they’ve always done.

Currently, Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 circle the globe while also making better use of their ascending paths, peering into the darkness for special requests.

The 2024 YVO annual report has just exploded from the presses!

mpoland@usgs.gov — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:30:00 EDT

In 2024, Yellowstone experienced a year of contrasts. Hydrothermal explosions dominated the headlines, but in terms of seismicity and ground deformation it was a quiet year.

April 11, 2026—HVO monitoring network outage

mzoeller@usgs.gov — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:00:00 EDT

On Saturday, April 11, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) noted an outage of its radio telemetry network, resulting in the loss of multiple monitoring data streams. HVO is working to rectify the problem as soon as possible, and staff continue tracking several unaffected data streams to maintain watch over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Research shows Chesapeake Bay streams are getting saltier

mnewbrough@usgs.gov — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:08:49 EDT

Bay Journal — by Lauren Hines-Acosta — April 10, 2026

Media Advisory: USGS Announces Low-Level Flights to Image Geology and Aquifers in Southwest Michigan

jason_burton@ios.doi.gov — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:34:45 EDT

In the public interest and in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the U.S. Geological Survey is announcing the start of a low-level airborne project in Southwest Michigan. Your assistance in informing the local communities is appreciated.

Upcoming CDI Monthly Meetings

lhsu@usgs.gov — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:01:00 EDT

CDI Monthly Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, from 11-12:30 pm Eastern Time.