Current Events

Employee Spotlight: Matt Hixson

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

Published: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:46:16 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 12: Genetic assessment and simulation inform management considerations for the American bison

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. 

Published: Thu, 17 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Halemaʻumaʻu overflight and maps of new activity, Kīlauea summit

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. 
 

Published: Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:30:56 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 11: Science for improved pollinator monitoring and habitat management

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.  

Published: Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — New fissures in Halemaʻumaʻu, Kīlauea summit

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.

Published: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:57:31 EDT

Kīlauea Status Report

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.

Published: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:13:24 EDT

Analyzing the age of Cinder Cone in the Lassen Volcanic Center

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

Published: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:00:00 EDT

Understanding the 2026 El Niño: Regional Insights for Managers

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

Published: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:21:44 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 10: Understanding the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and improving support for the management community

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.

Published: Tue, 15 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Photo & Video Chronology — Fieldwork in American Samoa

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

Published: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:51:13 EDT

Lessons Learned from Marsh-Focused Management Actions at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

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

Published: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 15:49:53 EDT

A 500-Year Fire History Reveals That Recent High-Severity Wildfires Could Lead to Widespread Forest Loss

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

Published: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:51:07 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 9: Supporting greater sage-grouse monitoring for state and federal agencies across the West

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.

Published: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Caps, trash, and other hydrothermal funky finds: 2026 edition

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...

Published: Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:30:00 EDT

Environmental DNA monitoring leads to early detection of invasive zebra mussel DNA in the Colorado River, Utah

In June and July 2026, state and federal partners collaborated with USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) scientists to sample the Colorado River near Canyonlands National Park for invasive zebra mussel environmental DNA (eDNA) using eDNA autosamplers. For the first time in Utah, zebra mussel eDNA was detected through these efforts. 

Published: Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:36:38 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 8: Rapid response science summary products to support natural resource managers

Natural resource managers often look to summary and synthesis products to find the science they need for decision making. However, decision timelines are often short, so there is a need to produce such products quickly. In 2026, a FORT team developed a process and software, KWICer, to meet that need.

Published: Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Volcano Minute — Explore Maunaiki: a shield built on Kīlauea from 1919-1920

If you’ve visited Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recently, you’ve probably seen the crowds gathering on the rim of the caldera to watch the spectacular lava fountaining episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu. But during pauses in the eruption, there’s an entire volcanic landscape waiting to be explored.  

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:32:36 EDT

Volcano Watch — Remembering the 1919–1920 Maunaiki eruption of Kīlauea

Kīlauea has drawn huge crowds to witness the lava fountaining episodes from its summit crater of Halemaʻumaʻu since December 2024, with many visitors hiking trails and visiting overlooks to watch the eruption. However, there are many other trails across the unique, lava-strewn landscape of Kīlauea that can be hiked during pauses between lava fountaining episodes, including the Footprints Trail. 

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:49:52 EDT

New USGS-Funded Science Will Support Landslide Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness Nationwide

USGS has selected 16 recipients to be awarded grant funding to address landslide risk reduction science. The grants will help advance landslide research capabilities.

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 EDT

Helping Prepare the Nation Against Landslide Threats

USGS monitors, studies, and supports landslide research across the United States, striving to better understand these hazards while also helping communities nationwide become more resilient to the threat landslides pose.

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 EDT

USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center Estuary Science Highlights

National Estuaries Week, September 20-27 this year, is an annual celebration to raise public awareness about the importance of estuaries, the dynamic ecosystems where rivers meet the sea, and the vital services they provide. Estuaries support rich biodiversity and are essential for recreational activities, economic growth and community wellbeing.

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:24:28 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 7: Using fire history to inform fire management and future wildfire projections in the Western U.S.

It’s no secret that today’s wildfires are severe. But are current fire patterns novel or the norm? Partnering with experts across the West, USGS Fort Collins Science Center scientists discovered where megafires are truly unprecedented and proposed the best management strategies for fuel-choked dry conifer forests.

Published: Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Media Alert: Low-level airplane and helicopter flights to resume scanning geology over southern, central New Mexico

RESTON, Va. — The U.S. Geological Survey plans low-level flights by airplane and helicopter over southern and central New Mexico to image geology using airborne geophysical technology. The survey began in March and will continue through mid-October, weather and wildfire restrictions permitting.

Published: Wed, 9 Sep 2026 13:19:24 EDT

USGS Study Analyzes the Skill of Probabilistic Forecasts of Overwash and Inundation Along the Texas and Louisiana Coast

A new USGS study published in Natural Hazards analyzed the skill of probabilistic forecasts of overwash and inundation along the Louisiana coastline from back-to-back Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. 

Published: Wed, 9 Sep 2026 09:32:27 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 6: Economics and social science to support wildfire risk management

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity across the Western United States, posing significant risk to public safety and security. FORT scientists aid decision makers in determining which wildfire risk assessment and reduction actions are most needed and valued by the public. 

Published: Wed, 9 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

New Kīlauea summit eruption map

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. Most of the data for this map were collected during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on August 28, 2026, so the provided statistics are reflective of the entire eruption through episode 54 on August 25. 

Published: Tue, 8 Sep 2026 21:19:04 EDT

A Celebration of Information for Recreation – National Hunting and Fishing Day

In honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 26, here are examples of how USGS science supports our nation’s hunting heritage.

Published: Tue, 8 Sep 2026 10:29:26 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 5: Helping communities adapt to wildfire

The Wildfire Research (WiRē) Team works in close collaboration with partners to collect data and develop community-focused programs for reducing wildfire risk. This year, they replicated a study evaluating agreement between trained assessors’ and homeowners’ wildfire risk perceptions, and they published five new installments of their Living with Wildfire series.

Published: Tue, 8 Sep 2026 01:00:00 EDT

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory…in Arizona?!

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory is not only responsible for monitoring and studying Yellowstone, but also volcanic systems throughout southwestern United States. Arizona hosts multiple volcanic fields, and new research suggests there may be more young volcanism in the state than previously thought.

Published: Mon, 7 Sep 2026 00:30:00 EDT

FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 4: Science for effective management of invasive fine fuels across the West

Invasive fine fuels like cheatgrass are spreading across western landscapes, destroying ecosystems and increasing wildfire risks. FORT scientists evaluate habitat management practices to inform effective management and restoration of regions prone to invasion.

Published: Fri, 4 Sep 2026 00:30:01 EDT