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Lava-loving ‘ōhi‘a lehua: A pioneer plant in peril...
Lava-loving ‘ōhi‘a lehua: A pioneer plant in peril
Lava-loving ‘ōhi‘a lehua: A pioneer plant in peril
Lava-loving ‘ōhi‘a lehua: A pioneer plant in peril

A young ‘ōhi‘a tree with its red lehua blossoms grows near a steam vent on the solidified crust of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki lava lake in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. ‘Ōhi‘a trees thrive on volcanic landscapes ranging from sea level to 2440 m (8,000 ft) elevation and are among the first plants to grow on new lava flows.

A young ‘ōhi‘a tree with its red lehua blossoms grows near a steam vent on the solidified crust of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki lava lake in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. ‘Ōhi‘a trees thrive on volcanic landscapes ranging from sea level to 2440 m (8,000 ft) elevation and are among the first plants to grow on new lava flows.

Scattered breakouts northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō...
Scattered breakouts NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Scattered breakouts NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Scattered breakouts NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō

Breakouts remain active northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Though heavy rains prevented a detailed survey today, there was little change in activity observed on today's overflight. As with previous weeks, most breakouts are active within the existing boundaries of the June 27th lava flow, with no major expansion of the flow margins.

Breakouts remain active northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Though heavy rains prevented a detailed survey today, there was little change in activity observed on today's overflight. As with previous weeks, most breakouts are active within the existing boundaries of the June 27th lava flow, with no major expansion of the flow margins.

What's happening at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō?...
What's happening at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō?
What's happening at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō?
What's happening at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō?

On October 30, 2014, the front of Kīlauea Volcano's active lava flow stalled only about 155 m (170 yards) from Pāhoa Village Road (lower right corner).

On October 30, 2014, the front of Kīlauea Volcano's active lava flow stalled only about 155 m (170 yards) from Pāhoa Village Road (lower right corner).

Volcanic threat is defined as the qualitative risk of a volcano to ...
Volcanic threat is defined as the qualitative risk of a volcano to ...
Volcanic threat is defined as the qualitative risk of a volcano to ...
Volcanic threat is defined as the qualitative risk of a volcano to ...

Volcanic threat is defined as the qualitative risk of a volcano to people and property that might be impacted by specific volcanic hazards.

Man squats near a small box on a dirt road near a small pond of water.
Using gravimeter to measure gravity
Using gravimeter to measure gravity
Using gravimeter to measure gravity

USGS scientist David Ponce measuring gravity using a gravimeter along the Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault zone just north of San Pablo Bay, California.

USGS scientist David Ponce measuring gravity using a gravimeter along the Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault zone just north of San Pablo Bay, California.

Puna Resiliency Block Party affirms value of lava flow community me...
Value of lava flow community meetings
Value of lava flow community meetings
Value of lava flow community meetings

In September 2014, during one of many community meetings held in Pāhoa to address concerns about Kīlauea Volcano's June 27th lava flow, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Kevan Kamibayashi points out the flow's advance as of that week.

In September 2014, during one of many community meetings held in Pāhoa to address concerns about Kīlauea Volcano's June 27th lava flow, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Kevan Kamibayashi points out the flow's advance as of that week.

Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...
Conceptual geologic model of partially crystallized magma (C1, C3) ...

C1 and C3 are granitic crystal-melt mush (partially crystallized magma) columns that fed the most recent Mono Craters eruptions. The connection from C1 to South Coulée (SC) is older and colder than the connection from C3 to North Coulée (NC) and Panum Crater (PC), which carries hydrothermal fluid to the surface.

C1 and C3 are granitic crystal-melt mush (partially crystallized magma) columns that fed the most recent Mono Craters eruptions. The connection from C1 to South Coulée (SC) is older and colder than the connection from C3 to North Coulée (NC) and Panum Crater (PC), which carries hydrothermal fluid to the surface.

Two men stand and a woman sits on tilled earth near marsh grass, woman works on a black box, one man holds paper.
Magnetic base station setup
Magnetic base station setup
Magnetic base station setup

USGS scientists Kevin Denton (left), Katherine “Kyeti” Morgan, and David Ponce set up a magnetic base station during fieldwork along the Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault zone in wheat fields north of San Pablo Bay.

USGS scientists Kevin Denton (left), Katherine “Kyeti” Morgan, and David Ponce set up a magnetic base station during fieldwork along the Hayward-Rodgers Creek fault zone in wheat fields north of San Pablo Bay.

Halema‘uma‘u during October 16 lightning storm...
Halema‘uma‘u during Oct. 16 lightning storm
Halema‘uma‘u during Oct. 16 lightning storm
Halema‘uma‘u during Oct. 16 lightning storm

A time-lapse camera located in HVO's observation tower captured these interesting images of Halema‘uma‘u during an intense lightning storm at Kīlauea's summit on October 16. Image captured at 11:36 PM.

A time-lapse camera located in HVO's observation tower captured these interesting images of Halema‘uma‘u during an intense lightning storm at Kīlauea's summit on October 16. Image captured at 11:36 PM.

Map showing flow field changes...
Map showing flow field changes
Map showing flow field changes
Map showing flow field changes

This map shows recent changes to Kīlauea's active East Rift Zone lava flow field. The area of the flow on September 30 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as of October 23 (based on satellite imagery and ground mapping) is shown in red. The yellow lines show the active lava tube system.

This map shows recent changes to Kīlauea's active East Rift Zone lava flow field. The area of the flow on September 30 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as of October 23 (based on satellite imagery and ground mapping) is shown in red. The yellow lines show the active lava tube system.

An HVO geologist collects a sample of active lava for chemical anal...
An Geologist collects a sample of active lava for chemical analysis...
An Geologist collects a sample of active lava for chemical analysis...
An Geologist collects a sample of active lava for chemical analysis...

An HVO geologist collects a sample of active lava for chemical analysis. The lava is quenched with water in the metal bucket.

Small-scale map of flow field...
Small-scale map of flow field
Small-scale map of flow field
Small-scale map of flow field

This small-scale map shows Kīlauea's active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to the eastern part of the Island of Hawai‘i. The area of the flow on September 30 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as of October 23 is shown in red. The yellow lines show the active lava tube system.

This small-scale map shows Kīlauea's active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to the eastern part of the Island of Hawai‘i. The area of the flow on September 30 is shown in pink, while widening and advancement of the flow as of October 23 is shown in red. The yellow lines show the active lava tube system.

A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin...
A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin...
A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin...
A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin...

A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin of the June 27th flow. Scattered breakouts like these were active on the flow field today, with the farthest active lava about 6.4 km (4 miles) from the vent on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

A small channel feeds a lobe of pāhoehoe lava on the eastern margin of the June 27th flow. Scattered breakouts like these were active on the flow field today, with the farthest active lava about 6.4 km (4 miles) from the vent on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Scattered breakouts persist northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō...
Scattered breakouts persist NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Scattered breakouts persist NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Scattered breakouts persist NE of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō

This photo looks west towards the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The fume-filled crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is in the foreground, and the vent for the June 27th lava flow is just out of view of the lower right corner of the photo. Mauna Loa is visible in the upper right.

This photo looks west towards the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The fume-filled crater at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is in the foreground, and the vent for the June 27th lava flow is just out of view of the lower right corner of the photo. Mauna Loa is visible in the upper right.

A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, wi...
A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, wi...
A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, wi...
A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, wi...

A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, with hissing and jetting sounds coming from a small opening at the top. The hornito here was about 2.5 m (8 feet) tall. A hornito is formed by gas and lava forced through a small opening in the roof of a lava tube.

A hornito was active in the upper portion of the June 27th flow, with hissing and jetting sounds coming from a small opening at the top. The hornito here was about 2.5 m (8 feet) tall. A hornito is formed by gas and lava forced through a small opening in the roof of a lava tube.

Image of submerged flux chamber
Benthic Flux Chamber
Benthic Flux Chamber
Benthic Flux Chamber

The oxygen-regulated benthic flux chamber measures fluxes of water and chemical species across the sediment water interface. It is shown here deployed in the subtidal discharge zone in Indian River Bay, DE, USA

The oxygen-regulated benthic flux chamber measures fluxes of water and chemical species across the sediment water interface. It is shown here deployed in the subtidal discharge zone in Indian River Bay, DE, USA

Volcano Disaster Assistance Program staff members share skills, exp...
Volcano Disaster Assistance Program staff members share skills, exp...
Volcano Disaster Assistance Program staff members share skills, exp...
Volcano Disaster Assistance Program staff members share skills, exp...

Volcano Disaster Assistance Program staff members share skills, experience, and resources with the USGS VHP, a cooperation that supports the mission of both programs.

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