July 9, 2025 — Scientists sample episode 28 of the Halema‘uma‘u Kīlauea summit eruption

Halemaʻumaʻu crater is the home of Pele, the Native Hawaiian elemental force associated with lava, and numerous eruptions have taken place in the crater. With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists landed briefly on the crater floor on Wednesday, July 9, to collect lava samples of episode 28. Here, two scientists are walking across earlier, cooled lava searching for a safe point to access the active episode 28 flows for a molten sample. Analyses of molten lava samples provides information on magma storage conditions, which aid in ongoing hazard assesssments. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.