July 16, 2026 — Overview of western Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists completed a helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u on July 16, following Kīlauea summit eruption episode 51 the day before. Nearly the entire western portion of the crater floor was resurfaced with lava flows, including some of the down-dropped block with a remnant section of former Crater Rim Drive, collapsed in 2018 and visible in the lower right of this frame. Areas that are brown-colored on the left side of the photograph are draped in tephra fallout from the lava fountaining. Due to residual heat, it was not possible to fly directly over the eruptive vents, but it appeared there was persistent incandescence in the north vent following its eight hours of lava fountaining during episode 51. USGS photo by E. Johnson.