U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library, Denver

This on-line system provides access to over 30,000 photographs dating from 1868 to the present. Photographs will be continually added. Captions are currently being edited for punctuation errors, misspellings, and accuracy. Many captions are vague and will remain so, as this is the only information the long-deceased geologist/photographer provided. The syntax of the late 1800's and early 1900's will be preserved and changed only to allow for clarity.

This collection of images emphasizes national parks and monuments, earthquakes, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens Volcano, and mining operations. Pioneer photographers such as W.H. Jackson, J.K. Hillers, T.H. O'Sullivan, and A.J. Russell are also included.

The photographs are not copyrighted and may be viewed and downloaded free of charge. All photographs are available through this on-line archive in 100, 700, and 1400 dots per inch resolution.

The U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Archive provides access to over 21,600 photographs which date from 1868 (before the establishment of the U.S. Geological Survey) to the present. It allows searching from a list of subjects, as well as a free form search. When a search is complete, thumbnail images of the selected data will appear. With the mouse positioned on the thumbnail, a left click will produce a large size photograph with caption. Another left click will produce a more detailed photograph with caption. A right click will download the image; a right click with the mouse positioned on the caption will download the caption.

All photographs are in the public domain; therefore, signed releases, permissions, and payment for use or reproduction are not required. Also, U.S. Geological Survey public domain photographs may not be copyrighted by private authors or users outside the agency. All photographs are provided with the understanding that such material may not be used to show, by implication or otherwise, that the U.S. Department of the Interior or the U.S. Geological Survey endorses any product or service. Credit should be given to the individual photographer and the U.S. Geological Survey for any use made of a photograph.

The U.S. Geological Survey maintains a collection of over 500,000 photographs taken during geologic studies of the United States and its territories from 1868 to the present. Some photographs have been used to illustrate publications, but most have never been published.