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A zoomed in view of the Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack s...
Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack systems parallel to sea c...
Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack systems parallel to sea c...
Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack systems parallel to sea c...

A zoomed in view of the Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack systems parallel to the sea cliff which suggests instability of the delta. Over the past few weeks, flows on the delta have built up the surface near the base of the cliff creating a slope seaward.

A zoomed in view of the Kamokuna lava delta reveals several crack systems parallel to the sea cliff which suggests instability of the delta. Over the past few weeks, flows on the delta have built up the surface near the base of the cliff creating a slope seaward.

This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph (left) with a ...
This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph with a thermal...
This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph with a thermal...
This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph with a thermal...

This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph (left) with a thermal image (right) of the lava delta. The cracks spanning the delta, and the warm water plumes extending out from the entry point, are evident in the thermal image.

This image shows a comparison of a normal photograph (left) with a thermal image (right) of the lava delta. The cracks spanning the delta, and the warm water plumes extending out from the entry point, are evident in the thermal image.

Aerial photograph looking from an airplane down on the Big Sur Landslide in California.
Big Sur Landslide, July 7, 2017
Big Sur Landslide, July 7, 2017
Big Sur Landslide, July 7, 2017

USGS scientists continue to monitor the slide by collecting imagery every couple of weeks, weather permitting. Pilot Bob Van Wagenen, contracted through the Department of the Interior’s Office of Aviation Services, takes air photos for Jon Warrick’s Big Sur Landslide team, flying out of the Watsonville Municipal Airport in a Cessna 182R.

USGS scientists continue to monitor the slide by collecting imagery every couple of weeks, weather permitting. Pilot Bob Van Wagenen, contracted through the Department of the Interior’s Office of Aviation Services, takes air photos for Jon Warrick’s Big Sur Landslide team, flying out of the Watsonville Municipal Airport in a Cessna 182R.

Volcano Watch archive is a treasure trove of volcano information...
Volcano Watch archive is a treasure trove of volcano information
Volcano Watch archive is a treasure trove of volcano information
Volcano Watch archive is a treasure trove of volcano information

During the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone, spatter from this line of lava fountains just west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō reached heights of 40 m (130 ft).

During the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption on Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone, spatter from this line of lava fountains just west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō reached heights of 40 m (130 ft).

A closer look at the pāhoehoe flow on the coastal plain with pali i...
pāhoehoe flow on the coastal plain with pali in background. As the ...
pāhoehoe flow on the coastal plain with pali in background. As the ...
pāhoehoe flow on the coastal plain with pali in background. As the ...

A closer look at the pāhoehoe flow on the coastal plain with pali in background. As the flow spread across the ground, its surface cooled and developed a hardened crust.

Recent breakout is advancing on the coastal plain...
Recent breakout is advancing on the coastal plain
Recent breakout is advancing on the coastal plain
Recent breakout is advancing on the coastal plain

A breakout that started June 26 on the upper pali is now advancing across the coastal plain. The flow front has advanced approximately 500 m (0.3 miles) from the base of the pali, and was about 2.7 km (1.7 miles) from the emergency road this morning.

A breakout that started June 26 on the upper pali is now advancing across the coastal plain. The flow front has advanced approximately 500 m (0.3 miles) from the base of the pali, and was about 2.7 km (1.7 miles) from the emergency road this morning.

People wearing safety gear standing on a ship and setting up gear.
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

People wearing safety gear standing on a ship and setting up gear.
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

People wearing safety gear standing on a ship and setting up gear.
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird
Streamer depth control device, or bird

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

The Geospace Navigator bird is a streamer depth control device, used with a high-resolution seismic system to regulate and record the depth of the streamer.

Cross-section illustration showing structure beneath the seafloor where sediment layers are deformed by high seismic activity.
Multichannel seismic-reflection profile, QCF fault
Multichannel seismic-reflection profile, QCF fault
Multichannel seismic-reflection profile, QCF fault

Multichannel seismic-reflection profile showing deformed sediment layers on the Pacific plate, just seaward of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault near the south end of the study area. Location of profile shown by southern-most yellow line on trackline map, near Noyes Cyn. (Canyon).

Multichannel seismic-reflection profile showing deformed sediment layers on the Pacific plate, just seaward of the Queen Charlotte-Fairweather fault near the south end of the study area. Location of profile shown by southern-most yellow line on trackline map, near Noyes Cyn. (Canyon).

Kamokuna lava delta remains active...
Kamokuna lava delta remains active
Kamokuna lava delta remains active
Kamokuna lava delta remains active

An aerial view of the Kamokuna lava delta reveals the recent surface breakouts (dark flows) that began on Sunday, June 25, with the short-lived firehose activity. These flows contrast nicely with the older, altered delta surface, which is much lighter in color.

An aerial view of the Kamokuna lava delta reveals the recent surface breakouts (dark flows) that began on Sunday, June 25, with the short-lived firehose activity. These flows contrast nicely with the older, altered delta surface, which is much lighter in color.

A telephoto view of the crusted over firehose flow where it exits t...
A telephoto view of the crusted over firehose flow where it exits t...
A telephoto view of the crusted over firehose flow where it exits t...
A telephoto view of the crusted over firehose flow where it exits t...

A telephoto view of the crusted over firehose flow where it exits the sea cliff. Small cracks in the crust expose incandescence from molten lava within the tube that feeds the delta.

This video clip shows Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry, with ...
Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from th...
Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from th...
Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from th...

This video clip shows Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry, with the steam plume rising from the front of the lava delta. Recent flows have covered the surface of the delta with fresh lava.

Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth firewor...
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks

On the evening of June 30, 2008, littoral explosions at Kīlauea Volcano's Waikupanaha ocean entry created a fireworks-like display as incandescent fragments of lava flew through the air. When molten lava entered the sea, the water flashed to steam, triggering explosions that hurled spatter and other lava fragments up to heights of 50 m (164 ft).

On the evening of June 30, 2008, littoral explosions at Kīlauea Volcano's Waikupanaha ocean entry created a fireworks-like display as incandescent fragments of lava flew through the air. When molten lava entered the sea, the water flashed to steam, triggering explosions that hurled spatter and other lava fragments up to heights of 50 m (164 ft).

Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth firewor...
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks
Kīlauea eruptive events rival the excitement of July Fourth fireworks

This spectacular lava fountain, erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on June 30, 1984, lasted just over 7 hours and reached a height of 318 m (1043 ft). It was one of 44 high lava fountains erupted during the first 3.5 years of Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, which began in January 1983.

This spectacular lava fountain, erupting from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on June 30, 1984, lasted just over 7 hours and reached a height of 318 m (1043 ft). It was one of 44 high lava fountains erupted during the first 3.5 years of Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing East Rift Zone eruption, which began in January 1983.

At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava ent...
At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava ent...
At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava ent...
At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava ent...

At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava enters the ocean. Only occasional glimpses of flowing lava could be seen through the thick steam plume produced by the interaction hot lava and cool sea water. A few smaller lava streams also entered the ocean, including the one to the right of the main stream shown here.

At the front edge of the delta, a large tube-fed stream of lava enters the ocean. Only occasional glimpses of flowing lava could be seen through the thick steam plume produced by the interaction hot lava and cool sea water. A few smaller lava streams also entered the ocean, including the one to the right of the main stream shown here.

Profiles of the front edge of a landslide at water's edge along a cliff.
3D Point Cloud Profiles at Landslide Toe
3D Point Cloud Profiles at Landslide Toe
3D Point Cloud Profiles at Landslide Toe

In 2017, the massive Mud Creek landslide buried a quarter-mile of the famous coastal route, California’s Highway 1, with rocks and dirt more than 65 feet deep. USGS monitors erosion along the landslide-prone cliffs of Big Sur, collecting aerial photos frequently throughout the year.

In 2017, the massive Mud Creek landslide buried a quarter-mile of the famous coastal route, California’s Highway 1, with rocks and dirt more than 65 feet deep. USGS monitors erosion along the landslide-prone cliffs of Big Sur, collecting aerial photos frequently throughout the year.

More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zon...
More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zon...
More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zon...
More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zon...

More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zone. In the lower right corner, an additional spreading zone is migrating north (toward the upper left in this photo) and has nearly intersected the other spreading zone.

More bands of differing surface texture adjacent to a spreading zone. In the lower right corner, an additional spreading zone is migrating north (toward the upper left in this photo) and has nearly intersected the other spreading zone.

A series of images shows the height of a landslide and how it erodes over time.
Mud Creek landslide shoreface erosion
Mud Creek landslide shoreface erosion
Mud Creek landslide shoreface erosion

In 2017, the massive Mud Creek landslide buried a quarter-mile of the famous coastal route, California’s Highway 1, with rocks and dirt more than 65 feet deep. USGS monitors erosion along the landslide-prone cliffs of Big Sur, collecting aerial photos frequently throughout the year.

In 2017, the massive Mud Creek landslide buried a quarter-mile of the famous coastal route, California’s Highway 1, with rocks and dirt more than 65 feet deep. USGS monitors erosion along the landslide-prone cliffs of Big Sur, collecting aerial photos frequently throughout the year.

Impressive spattering in the summit lava lake...
Impressive spattering in the summit lava lake
Impressive spattering in the summit lava lake
Impressive spattering in the summit lava lake

Spattering is common in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake, and is often focused along the south lake margin. But occasionally, as happened today, numerous spattering sites can appear in the north part of the lake.

Spattering is common in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake, and is often focused along the south lake margin. But occasionally, as happened today, numerous spattering sites can appear in the north part of the lake.

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