January 10, 2023 — Inversion layer between Mauna Loa and Kīlauea

A view of HVO's old office building and the Jaggar Museum captured on an early morning overflight of Kīlauea summit. An inversion layer is sitting in the saddle between Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. An inversion layer forms when there is a temperature inversion of the atmosphere (warm air on top of cold air). The top layer prevents the air below it from rising, forming the distinct cloud layer shown here between Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea's snow-capped summit can also be seen in the upper right of the photo. USGS image by L. Gallant.