June 9, 2026 — Collecting Kīlauea episode 48 lava sample

Halema‘uma‘u is a culturally significant location, being the home of Pele—the Native Hawaiian deity associated with lava. USGS scientists access this area of Kīlauea summit with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. On June 9, 2026, USGS scientists landed on the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor to collect lava flow samples from episode 48. Lava flow samples are used to help constrain the geochemistry of the magma and inform scientists about pre-eruptive magma storage conditions. The lava flow here is being collected about a one week after the eruptive episode and is still warm to the touch during sample collection. The eruptive vents can be seen in the background of this photo. USGS photo by B. Corsa.