Lava sampling in Halemaʻumaʻu (June 22, 2023)

During a monitoring overflight of the Kīlauea summit on June 22, 2023, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists briefly stopped on the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor to collect a lava sample. Afterward, they departed via helicopter with a low-angle view of the recent eruption area from the east.

Access to this hazardous area is by permission from, and in coordination with, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The eruption is occurring within Halemaʻumaʻu, a location that is significant to Native Hawaiian communities as it is the home of the deity Pele.