July 2, 2026 — Tephra sampling in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

This photo was captured during the July 2 mission to the northwest side of Halema‘uma‘u crater, which was done with permission from and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The two USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists pictured here are collecting tephra from a deposit exposed in the northwest crater wall. Physical and geochemical study of these samples will hopefully improve scientists' understanding of Kīlauea's long-term eruptive history, especially the magmatic processes associated with explosive eruptions at the volcano. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.