Photo & Video Chronology — June 26, 2025 — Kīlauea eruption thickness map and UAS work

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory June 26, 2025

A new map shows thickness values for lava flows within Halema‘uma‘u crater from the Kīlauea summit eruption that began on December 23, 2024. And UAS work at the summit provides views into the north vent.

Color map showing lava thickness within a crater — This map shows thickness values for lava flows within Halema‘uma‘u crater from the Kīlauea summit eruption that began on December 23, 2024. These values were calculated by topographic differencing between a digital elevation model collected on June 10, 2025—after eruptive episode 24—and one from before the eruption began. The maximum thickness is within the spatter cone at the north vent, standing 103 m (338 ft) above the pre-eruption surface. Also included here are west-to-east profiles across the summit caldera, depicting topographic changes since 2018. Profiles are provided for the periods before the 2018 caldera collapse, shortly after the 2018 collapse, following each of the five summit eruptions from 2020–2023, and for this eruption following the end of episode 24. Also shown is the maximum depth of the 2019–2020 Halema‘uma‘u water lake. Previous versions of this profile view indicated the final fill depth of the 2023 eruptions as 1348 ft (411 m) above sea level; however, the volume-averaged surface elevation for these eruptions has been recalculated using a method more consistent with the other eruptions, yielding a new value of 1312 ft (400 m).

Color photograph of lava within volcanic vent

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This near-vertical view into the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) flight on June 26, 2025. The aircraft was about 150 m (500 ft) above the vent, with north oriented to the upper left in this view. The opening in the vent was estimated to measure 5–10 m (16–33 ft) across, with a small pool of lava deep within. Every few minutes, weak lava spattering was observed in this pool. These UAS flights were conducted with the permission of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, owing to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's mission to monitor active volcanoes in Hawaii, assess their hazards, issue warnings, and advance scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of eruptions. Unauthorized launching, landing, or operating of a UAS from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service is prohibited under 36 CFR Closures & Public Use. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.

Color photograph of scientist operating UAS on volcanic terrain

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On June 26, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) mission to monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption and map its tephra deposits. Here, a geologist prepares for a flight from former Crater Rim Drive within the closed portion of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The road is now buried under about a foot of tephra in this area, but the deposit is even thicker directly downwind of the eruptive vents; the approximately 80-foot (25-meter) Pu‘u in the background of this photo has been built entirely during this eruption. UAS flights are conducted with the permission of the National Park and aid in hazard assessment of ongoing volcanic activity. Unauthorized launching, landing, or operating of a UAS from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service is prohibited under 36 CFR Closures & Public Use. USGS photo by P. Dotray.