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scientist wearing a helmet stands facing Halemaʻumaʻu crater
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023

HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection.

HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection.

scientist wearing uses in instrument on a tripod next to Halemaʻumaʻu crater
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023
HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - June 7, 2023

HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection.

HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater showing active vent sources and lava flooding the crater floor
Aerial view of summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023
Aerial view of summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023
Aerial view of summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u - June 7, 2023

Aerial view shows multiple active vent sources and lava flooding the crater floor. 

New lava on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor
Lava fountain within Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023
Lava fountain within Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023
Lava fountain within Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023

Lava fountaining from a fissure that cut across the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u on June 7, 2023, had built up a small cone structure by mid-day. The fissure was intermittently obscured by plumes of volcanic gases throughout the day. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Lava fountaining from a fissure that cut across the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u on June 7, 2023, had built up a small cone structure by mid-day. The fissure was intermittently obscured by plumes of volcanic gases throughout the day. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Geologist making observations of eruption
Geologist observing the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu - June 7, 2023
Geologist observing the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu - June 7, 2023
Geologist observing the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu - June 7, 2023

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist makes measurements of the rising active lava lake using a laser rangefinder mid-day on June 7, 2023.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist makes measurements of the rising active lava lake using a laser rangefinder mid-day on June 7, 2023.

New lava on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor
Lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023
Lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023
Lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - June 7, 2023

In the early evening on June 7, 2023, the fissure in the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u had built up walls of spatter around the fountain. The fissure was continuing to pour lava down the talus slope into the active lava lake below. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

In the early evening on June 7, 2023, the fissure in the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u had built up walls of spatter around the fountain. The fissure was continuing to pour lava down the talus slope into the active lava lake below. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor
Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor - June 7, 2023
Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor - June 7, 2023
Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor - June 7, 2023

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists scouted the perimeter of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor for a location to sample lava erupted by new vents that opened the morning of June 7, 2023. Initial lava flows inundated the crater floor (an area of approximately 1.5 square km or 370 acres) and added about 10 meters (32 feet) depth of new lava.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists scouted the perimeter of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor for a location to sample lava erupted by new vents that opened the morning of June 7, 2023. Initial lava flows inundated the crater floor (an area of approximately 1.5 square km or 370 acres) and added about 10 meters (32 feet) depth of new lava.

Temperature of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor
June 7, 2023 — Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 7, 2023 — Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 7, 2023 — Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on June 7, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The overflight happened about two hours after the start of the new eruption at the summit, and eruptive activity consisted of lava fountaining and lava lake activity.

A helicopter overflight on June 7, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The overflight happened about two hours after the start of the new eruption at the summit, and eruptive activity consisted of lava fountaining and lava lake activity.

Plots of seismic energy
Seismic signals associated with Halemaʻumaʻu crater eruption - June 7, 2023
Seismic signals associated with Halemaʻumaʻu crater eruption - June 7, 2023
Seismic signals associated with Halemaʻumaʻu crater eruption - June 7, 2023

Data recorded on June 7, 2023, by five seismometers located in Kīlauea summit region. The data is shown as spectrograms, which display the energy of seismic events (vertical axis) occurring over time (horizontal axis).

Data recorded on June 7, 2023, by five seismometers located in Kīlauea summit region. The data is shown as spectrograms, which display the energy of seismic events (vertical axis) occurring over time (horizontal axis).

USGS scientist Duane Champion with two colleagues
USGS scientist Duane Champion and colleagues
USGS scientist Duane Champion and colleagues
USGS scientist Duane Champion and colleagues

Duane Champion (shown here on the left, with two coworkers) helped us to unlock Pele’s secrets by studying the magnetic properties preserved in lava flows. A good friend and valuable colleague, he greatly improved our ability to reconstruct past geological events using paleomagnetism. He will be missed.

Duane Champion (shown here on the left, with two coworkers) helped us to unlock Pele’s secrets by studying the magnetic properties preserved in lava flows. A good friend and valuable colleague, he greatly improved our ability to reconstruct past geological events using paleomagnetism. He will be missed.

Distribution of Average Annualized Earthquake Loss by Region
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map1fema366.JPG
map1fema366.JPG

Map showing distribution of average annualized earthquake loss by region. The high concentration of loss in California and the West Coast is consistent with that region’s high seismic hazard, significant population, and building exposure. 

Map showing distribution of average annualized earthquake loss by region. The high concentration of loss in California and the West Coast is consistent with that region’s high seismic hazard, significant population, and building exposure. 

Map of Annualized Earthquake Loss Ratio in $ per Million
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map2fema366.JPG
map2fema366.JPG

Although most economic loss is concentrated along the west coast, the distribution of relative earthquake risk, as measured by the Annualized Earthquake Loss Ratio (AELR), is spread throughout the country and it reinforces the fact that earthquakes are a national problem.

Although most economic loss is concentrated along the west coast, the distribution of relative earthquake risk, as measured by the Annualized Earthquake Loss Ratio (AELR), is spread throughout the country and it reinforces the fact that earthquakes are a national problem.

Man with glasses and blonde hair against black background
Jonathan Godt.jpg
Jonathan Godt.jpg
Jonathan Godt.jpg

Jonathan Godt is the Program Coordinator for Landslide Hazards and leads the only federal program dedicated to landslide science and risk reduction.

Jonathan Godt is the Program Coordinator for Landslide Hazards and leads the only federal program dedicated to landslide science and risk reduction.

mountains with dirt, trees, and shrubs
Landslides near the 2017 Thomas fire burn area
Landslides near the 2017 Thomas fire burn area
Landslides near the 2017 Thomas fire burn area

Landslides near the 2017 Thomas fire burn area that initiated during a series of atmospheric river events in December 2022 and January 2023.  

Landslides near the 2017 Thomas fire burn area that initiated during a series of atmospheric river events in December 2022 and January 2023.  

map with boundary outlined and red circle
San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico Landslide Monitoring Site
San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico Landslide Monitoring Site
San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico Landslide Monitoring Site

San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico landslide lonitoring site. The San Lorenzo monitoring station is located in a moderately vegetated area underlain by Cretaceous volcaniclastic rock. 

San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico landslide lonitoring site. The San Lorenzo monitoring station is located in a moderately vegetated area underlain by Cretaceous volcaniclastic rock. 

A woman speaks at a podium on stage in front of a crowd of people with a presentation about resilience in the Caribbean
Donya-Frank Gilchrist facilitates session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the SCDRP Annual Meeting
Donya-Frank Gilchrist facilitates session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the SCDRP Annual Meeting
Donya-Frank Gilchrist facilitates session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the SCDRP Annual Meeting

Dr. Donya-Frank Gilchrist of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center facilitated a session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the 2023 Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Donya-Frank Gilchrist of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center facilitated a session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the 2023 Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.

A woman speaks at a podium on stage in front of a crowd of people with a presentation about USGS natural hazards research
Donya-Frank Gilchrist presents on USGS Natural Hazards Science at the SCDRP Annual Meeting
Donya-Frank Gilchrist presents on USGS Natural Hazards Science at the SCDRP Annual Meeting
Donya-Frank Gilchrist presents on USGS Natural Hazards Science at the SCDRP Annual Meeting

Dr. Donya-Frank Gilchrist of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center facilitated a session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the 2023 Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.

Dr. Donya-Frank Gilchrist of the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center facilitated a session on "Approaches to Resilience from the International Caribbean" at the 2023 Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership (SCDRP) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida.

four people stand at a table draped in a green USGS tablecloth with several resources on display
Engaging with Stakeholders on Caribbean Natural Hazards
Engaging with Stakeholders on Caribbean Natural Hazards
Engaging with Stakeholders on Caribbean Natural Hazards

From left to right: Meaghan Emory, Dr. Donya Frank-Gilchrist, Dr.

person standing on edge of open crater with three cameras. orange lava erupting and flowing into crater.
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist documents the new eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption began just after 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2023, and remains confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by D. Downs.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist documents the new eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption began just after 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2023, and remains confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by D. Downs.

person standing next to deep crater next to camera tripod
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam

The KWcam webcam, on the west rim of Kīlauea caldera, was upgraded on January 4, 2023, to a more advanced model, which provides a slightly wider view and higher image quality. This should provide an improved view of any future activity in Halema‘uma‘u. In this photo, an HVO scientist begins the process of the webcam swap. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The KWcam webcam, on the west rim of Kīlauea caldera, was upgraded on January 4, 2023, to a more advanced model, which provides a slightly wider view and higher image quality. This should provide an improved view of any future activity in Halema‘uma‘u. In this photo, an HVO scientist begins the process of the webcam swap. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Hunga Tonga pressure waves
Hunga Tonga 2.JPG
Hunga Tonga 2.JPG
Hunga Tonga 2.JPG

The large HTHH volcanic explosion created fast low-frequency pressure waves that penetrated about 3.1 miles/5 kilometers into the shallow crust (shown in yellow). Wind and small explosions (shown in blue) create shorter pressure waves that only penetrate down about 328 feet/100 meters.

The large HTHH volcanic explosion created fast low-frequency pressure waves that penetrated about 3.1 miles/5 kilometers into the shallow crust (shown in yellow). Wind and small explosions (shown in blue) create shorter pressure waves that only penetrate down about 328 feet/100 meters.