Featured Stories
Browse in-depth stories highlighting the people, projects, and science shaping our organization.
He Ahi, He ʻĀina: From Fire Comes Land
Since December 23, 2024, an eruption has been intermittently active within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on the island of Hawaiʻi...
What a Solar Superstorm Could Mean for the US
If a geomagnetic storm as large as the famed “Carrington Event” of 1859 were to occur today, it could adversely affect telecommunications and electric...
Landsat at Work: USGS Informing Domestic Lithium Development
Chances are, most people reading this story are using a device powered by a lithium-ion battery. Lithium is best known for powering batteries in...
USGS releases aftershock forecast for M8.8 Russian Kamchatka Peninsula Earthquake
To learn more about the seismotectonics of the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone, check out our new geonarrative.
Seeing Water from Space
Picture a remote Alaskan town connected to the outside world by a single bridge spanning a wild river. When massive ice blocks dam up rivers and then...
USGS Geologic Mapping Project Supports Critical Mineral Exploration, Enhances Public Safety in the Southeast
Deep beneath the southeastern U.S. lies a hidden world of critical minerals and potential earthquake risks. A U.S. Geological Survey geologic mapping...
It’s a hot topic: Geothermal energy, and how USGS science could help harness it
Beneath the Western U.S. lies a vast, largely untapped reservoir of energy: geothermal heat.
Explosive Colors: Unveiling the Mineral Magic Behind Fourth of July Fireworks
As vibrant fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, many may find themselves intrigued by the secrets behind their dazzling colors. The magic...
Hurricane Helene’s Deadly Landslide Legacy
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall and unleashed widespread and destructive flooding, damaging winds, and extensive landslide activity...
USGS Stands Ready for a Potentially Active Atlantic Hurricane Season
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. Throughout the season, the U.S. Geological Survey is prepared to aid coastal...
USGS Coastal Storm Team gears up for 2025 hurricane season
As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal Storm Team is leveraging data from past storms to support decision-makers...
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: How Wildfires Reshape Landscapes
Wildfires reshape landscapes, both to the benefit and detriment of impacted areas. After the smoke clears, they can continue to cause hazards like...