Kīlauea summit eruption aerial overview — September 12, 2023

During an eruption monitoring overflight mid-day on September 12, 2023, activity in Kīlauea caldera was focused on six active vents that were producing lava fountains and flows. In this photo, oriented looking toward the southwest, several inactive fissures on the northeast side of the downdropped block appear silver and brown in color. The brown patches on the southeast side of the fissures (downwind) represent tephra blankets that were generated when the fissures were active. USGS photo by K. Lynn.