By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 29, 2026.

On September 30-31, the USGS website content management system will be upgraded. During this timeframe, parts or all of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website may be temporarily inaccessible or may not appear/function correctly.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 24, 2026.

Today we’re heading to the remote volcanic islands of American Samoa, where scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recently visited to repair and service critical volcano‑monitoring stations. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 24, 2026.

During a two-week trip to American Samoa in August and September, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff repaired and serviced the volcano monitoring network and conducted joint K-12 outreach with local emergency management partners.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 24, 2026.

In 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey completed a 3-week field operation in Lake Chelan, Washington, the third deepest lake in the conterminous United States, to acquire sediment cores, high-resolution bathymetry data, and chirp sub-bottom profiles. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 24, 2026.

USGS science helps keep America’s outdoor traditions vibrant and sustainable.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 24, 2026.

The USGS Bird Banding Lab’s fall migration station at Patuxent Research Refuge captured a new species record for the state of Maryland in September 2026. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 23, 2026.

Staff across DOI use uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs) for a variety of purposes, from monitoring natural hazards to measuring environmental change. FORT scientists have years of experience using UAS to examine how rivers and riparian habitat change over time, and they are training researchers across DOI on how to use UAS for conventional and novel purposes, like tracking invasive pythons. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 23, 2026.

In a new publication, the 2022-2024 Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral Fellows cohort explores how climate-driven low-flows in rivers alter water quality, how those water quality changes influence ecosystem health, and how instream flow management has been used across the U.S. to address these challenges.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 22, 2026.

Three new data visualizations highlighting recreational inland fisheries harvest have been added to the USGS Earth is in Flux science visualization gallery. The interactive visuals showcase the nutritional contribution, economic value, and climate vulnerability of inland recreational fish consumption by country and taxa.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 21, 2026.

When it comes to the world’s water supply, effective management is vital. One of the challenges is understanding how much water crops and vegetation actually use. How much water is required? How much water is “too much”?

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 20, 2026.

Recent collaborative research into past climate of Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin has revealed some surprises about how the area has changed over the past many millennia.  And it has lessons for how the region might continue to change in the future.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 18, 2026.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff conducted a monitoring overflight of the eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during the afternoon of September 18, 2026. No active lava was observed on the surface during the overflight, though spatter was visible in the north vent overnight. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 18, 2026.

The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center’s Bird Banding Laboratory, welcomes its newest team member Biological Technician Matt Hixson.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 18, 2026.

Learn about the Work Unit Extent Spatial Metadata (or WESM) for USGS 3D Elevation Program data. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 18, 2026.

This year, several USGS studies investigated the effects of drought, disease, and invasive species on frogs, toads, and newts across the country, from California to Wisconsin. Resulting science and tools provide strong support for conservation and habitat management of sensitive amphibian species across the country.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 17, 2026.

Beginning with episode 5 in January, 2025, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been issuing forecast windows for when the next lava fountain will occur in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. What do recent changes at the eruption site mean for the future of fountain forecasting? 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 17, 2026.

Since the episodic lava fountaining eruption at the summit of Kīlauea started in December of 2024, Kīlauea’s summit has cycled through repeating patterns of inflation or ground swelling, brief fountaining, and then deflation or subsidence. That repeating pattern of ground deformation is what has allowed USGS scientists to provide forecasts for when future fountaining episodes could start.  

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 17, 2026.

Just over a century ago, one of America’s most majestic species — the American bison — was nearly extinct. Thankfully, conservation efforts are helping herds recover from decades of population decline. Now, FORT scientists are studying the genetics of bison herds to help wildlife managers plan and evaluate the potential impacts of herd management actions. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 16, 2026.

Scientists conducted an overflight of the new fissures that opened up on and near the base of the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater on September 14-15. New maps and annotated webcam images provide details on this eruptive activity. 
 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 16, 2026.

Pollinators like the endangered rusty patched bumble bee provide critical ecosystem services and ensure food security through their essential role in crop production. FORT researchers are contributing to science on native bee monitoring and diet to assist wildlife and habitat managers in maintaining healthy pollinator populations.  

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 15, 2026.

Several new fissures opened up on and near the base of the northwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater September 14-15, north of the established vent complex. No earthquakes immediately preceded the vents, which opened passively with no fountaining. Intermittent eruptions of spatter bursts continued to build a small cone around the north vent.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 15, 2026.

New vents opened at Kīlauea summit eruption site last night. Kīlauea summit region is pressurized above the level required to start a fountaining episode. Additional changes to the type of activity/eruption location could potentially occur.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 15, 2026.

Interpreting the age of Cinder Cone in Lassen Volcanic National Park has has long been a challenge and point of contention for geologists.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 15, 2026.

As forecasts point to a very strong 2026 El Niño, new CASC webpages offer insights to support resource management.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 15, 2026.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease of deer, elk, and moose, is affecting cervid populations across the country. New USGS science is helping understand not just how CWD spreads, but how best to empower managers dealing with the impacts of the disease on wildlife populations and local communities.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 14, 2026.

From August 26–September 10, USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were in American Samoa to conduct monitoring network maintenance and outreach. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 14, 2026.

Join this Friday's Findings to learn how USGS is studying the marshes of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. 

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 14, 2026.

In a new study, USGS scientists reconstruct 500 years of fire history in the dry-conifer forests of northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 14, 2026.

USGS researchers are improving the understanding of greater sage-grouse population declines across the American West. This year, long-term monitoring coupled with directed studies revealed that habitat fragmentation and drought contribute to sage-grouse declines. In addition, researchers published updates to a widely used monitoring tool that assists managers in prioritizing conservation efforts.

By U.S. Geological Survey from All News. Published on Sep 13, 2026.

Hold onto your hats and sunglasses—and your trash! Yellowstone National Park’s Geology team collects anything lost or left behind by visitors in the park’s hydrothermal areas, leading to some pretty interesting finds...