Images

This map shows recent changes to Kīlauea's East Rift Zone lava flow field. The area of the active flow field as of September 20 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the active flow as mapped on October 19 from satellite imagery is shown in red. Older Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flows (1983-2016) are shown in gray.

USGS scientists Lauren Toth and Jen Flannery of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center discuss how they study corals to better understand past climate change. The Center participates in the St. Petersburg Science Festival each year. 

Today's explosion, triggered by a rockfall from the south-southeast wall of the summit vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, blasted spatter (molten lava) and rock fragments on to the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, as well as on to the closed section of Crater Rim Drive, about a quarter-mile from the vent.

A close-up of spatter and rock fragments blasted from the summit vent during the recent explosions. These pieces of rock and lava, now scattered among the Pele's hair that blankets the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, remind us of the hazards that still exist in this area.

After completing their work on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists try to stay on pathways to avoid making footsteps in the Pele's hair that blankets the landscape, just as one shies from marring pristine snow.

Spatter and "ribbon bombs" (stretched fragments of molten lava) up to 30 cm (about 12 inches) long fell to the ground surface on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater during the two most recent explosions from Kīlauea's summit lava lake.

A marking pen is shown for scale to indicate the size of this solid rock fragment hurled from the vent during the explosion.

Looking into the sun, as in this photo from the Ka‘ū Desert, Pele's hair has a golden sheen impossible to describe or photograph adequately. The scene often resembles a mowed field of "amber waves of grain." But, looking away from the sun, one sees almost nothing, certainly no color and not even much hair without close observation. USGS photo.

Two explosions in as many days were triggered by rocks falling into Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake. The event shown above occurred around 12:26 p.m., HST, today (Thursday, October 20). The other explosion happened around 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19. Both events are reminders why the area around Halema‘uma‘u Crater remains closed to the public.

Following today's explosion, spatter (bit of molten lava) and fragments of solid rock littered this closed section of Crater Rim Drive in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

High tides are one challenge of working in tidal wetlands! Here the marsh platform is completely submerged during a spring tide. The boardwalk, which scientists use to access the site, is also under water during this extreme high tide, while the solar panels powering some instruments remain dry.

Wally Brooks records water quality data from a salt marsh creek (Cape Cod, MA)

On Saturday, October 15, Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake overflowed the vent rim between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m., and again around 6:30 p.m., HST. In this image, captured by HVO's K2 webcam, you can see small spill-overs (shiny black lava) on the east (far left) and west (right) sides of the vent rim.

Low-altitude oblique photography taken before Hurricane Matthew (Sept. 6, 2014) and after (Oct. 13, 2016) in Flagler Beach, FL, shows that waves washed away part of Highway A1A and obliterated a 5.2-meter (17-foot) dune.

Damage along Hawaii Belt Road at Kawaili Bridge, near Paauilo, following the Kīholo Bay and Māhukona earthquakes of October 15, 2006. USGS photo.

Using the telephoto feature on a point-and-shoot camera (from the same location as the left photo), this image captured lava streaming into the ocean at the leading edge of the lava delta.

This skylight, a "window" into the active lava tube that carries lava from the vent to the sea, is located inland of the Kamokuna ocean entry. It is a sobering reminder why visitors are encouraged to remain outside the closed area, which Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has cordoned off with a rope line and warning signs.

It is possible to see the skylight without entering the closed area, and with a camera or smart phone, you can zoom in for more detail, as shown in this image.

Another collapse feature and skylight along the lava tube that feeds the Kamokuna ocean entry, underscoring the hazards associated with active lava tubes and the need to remain outside the closed area.

A telephoto image of the skylight, captured without entering the closed area. Note the sagging lava surface in the foreground, an indication of just how unstable this area is.

With brisk trade winds today, spectacular views of Kīlauea Volcano's eastern Kamokuna lava delta were possible from outside the closed area on the east, or Kalapana, side of the ocean entry.