December 23, 2024 - Kīlauea summit eruption overflight

During an overflight at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the eruption that began this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST in Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera). Through the heat shimmer and volcanic fume, lava fountains on the west caldera wall continue to eruption lava that covers at least 500 acres of the caldera floor. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.