July 7, 2026 — Eruptive vent complex in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit

On Tuesday, July 7, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists completed a brief monitoring helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. They captured photos to construct a three-dimensional digital elevation model of the crater, and they overflew the eruptive vents to check for lava; an active lava pond deep was visible deep within the south vent, but no lava was visible within the north vent. This overview photo of the vent complex was captured looking to the south-southwest, with the north vent apparent near the center of the frame and the south vent obscured by the plume behind. USGS photo by E. Gallant.