August 11, 2026—Three pukas in the Halemaʻumaʻu vent complex

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on August 11 passed low over the Kīlauea summit eruptive vents in western Halema‘uma‘u. This photo was captured looking to the south, with the north vent in the center foreground and the south vent behind it. The overflight crew also looked down into a third puka (Hawaiian term for hole) that formed after lava fountaining episode 52, situated just west (right) of the south vent. Though this puka has glowed in recent overnight webcam views, no lava or incandescence was visible inside today, while the north vent hosted a small lava pond deep within and the south vent was weakly glowing. USGS photo by R. Adams.