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Explore a wide variety of videos that highlight natural hazards, the risks they pose and the science we conduct to better understand and prepare for them.

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Man talking about a map of Yellowstone on a TV screen Man talking about a map of Yellowstone on a TV screen
YVO Update: Activity at Yellowstone and Volcanoes of Desert Southwest
YVO Update: Activity at Yellowstone and Volcanoes of Desert Southwest

There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.

There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.

Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Inlet (March 30, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Inlet (March 30, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Inlet (March 30, 2021)

The lava lake remains active in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows the inlet where lava from the western fissure is supplied to the lake. The motion of the lava stream is sluggish, and this video is shown at 20x speed.
 

The lava lake remains active in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows the inlet where lava from the western fissure is supplied to the lake. The motion of the lava stream is sluggish, and this video is shown at 20x speed.
 

Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future
Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future
Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future

Throughout most of human existence, we haven't known much about how volcanoes work. Because of their immense power, they have terrified and fascinated us, and remain places of great spiritual importance for many people. The lack of knowledge about volcanoes has sometimes resulted in tragic and deadly disasters.

Throughout most of human existence, we haven't known much about how volcanoes work. Because of their immense power, they have terrified and fascinated us, and remain places of great spiritual importance for many people. The lack of knowledge about volcanoes has sometimes resulted in tragic and deadly disasters.

The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program in 2021
The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program in 2021
The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program in 2021

The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) is a team of USGS scientists funded by USAID and the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to help volcano observatories around the world.

The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) is a team of USGS scientists funded by USAID and the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to help volcano observatories around the world.

Kīlauea Summit Eruption Thermal
Kīlauea Summit Eruption Thermal
Kīlauea Summit Eruption Thermal

This thermal video shows the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava is supplied from the western fissure, in the upper left portion of the video. Small vent openings atop the western fissure exhibit rhythmic gas puffing. The video is shown at 5x speed. 
 

This thermal video shows the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava is supplied from the western fissure, in the upper left portion of the video. Small vent openings atop the western fissure exhibit rhythmic gas puffing. The video is shown at 5x speed. 
 

Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980
Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980
Mount St. Helens—Lives Changed, Lessons Learned, Legacies of 1980

How did the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens change peoples’ lives? Carolyn Driedger talks about events that led up to the 1980 eruption and influenced scientists’ response to it, as well as what happened on May 18, and how the eruption changed people's lives and professions.

How did the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens change peoples’ lives? Carolyn Driedger talks about events that led up to the 1980 eruption and influenced scientists’ response to it, as well as what happened on May 18, and how the eruption changed people's lives and professions.

Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse
Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse
Kīlauea summit — webcam time-lapse

This time-lapse sequence shows the growth of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The sequence starts on December 28, about a week after the start of the eruption and ends on March 10, 2021. The lake rises rapidly at first but then eventually slows down as the eruption rate gradually declines.

This time-lapse sequence shows the growth of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The sequence starts on December 28, about a week after the start of the eruption and ends on March 10, 2021. The lake rises rapidly at first but then eventually slows down as the eruption rate gradually declines.

Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)
Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)
Perched Pond Collapse in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Summit (Mar 7, 2021)

This timelapse sequence shows several hours of activity in the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Between March 5-7 a small lava pond developed near the vent. At approximately 1 pm on March 7, the levee of the pond collapsed, allowing the pond lava to drain into the main lake.

This timelapse sequence shows several hours of activity in the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Between March 5-7 a small lava pond developed near the vent. At approximately 1 pm on March 7, the levee of the pond collapsed, allowing the pond lava to drain into the main lake.

Fly-Through of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Model (March 4, 2021)
Fly-Through of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Model (March 4, 2021)
Fly-Through of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Model (March 4, 2021)

Visual photographs taken during helicopter overflights of Halema‘uma‘u Crater are used to create 3D models of the crater. This technique is called structure-from-motion photogrammetry and uses the multiple perspectives captured in dozens of photos to reconstruct the crater shape.

Visual photographs taken during helicopter overflights of Halema‘uma‘u Crater are used to create 3D models of the crater. This technique is called structure-from-motion photogrammetry and uses the multiple perspectives captured in dozens of photos to reconstruct the crater shape.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)

A routine helicopter overflight of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021, allowed HVO geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed and follows the new coastline created during the 2018 eruption in the Kapoho area.

A routine helicopter overflight of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021, allowed HVO geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed and follows the new coastline created during the 2018 eruption in the Kapoho area.

East Rift Zone overflight (March 4, 2021)
East Rift Zone overflight (March 4, 2021)
East Rift Zone overflight (March 4, 2021)

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed, and moves from west to east. At the western end of the region affected during the 2018 eruption, steaming remains in residential areas west of Highway 130.

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed, and moves from west to east. At the western end of the region affected during the 2018 eruption, steaming remains in residential areas west of Highway 130.

Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)
Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)
Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 2x speed and circles Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the vent region for the East Rift Zone eruption between 1983 and 2018. No major changes were observed in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 2x speed and circles Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the vent region for the East Rift Zone eruption between 1983 and 2018. No major changes were observed in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Halema‘uma‘u crater eruption, Kīlauea summit—March 2, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u crater eruption, Kīlauea summit—March 2, 2021
Man standing in front of TV Man standing in front of TV
"Not all eruptions are Armageddon" - Yellowstone Update for March 2021
"Not all eruptions are Armageddon" - Yellowstone Update for March 2021

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.

Mount St. Helens Rocked Our World! What we've learned since 1980.
Mount St. Helens Rocked Our World! What we've learned since 1980.
Mount St. Helens Rocked Our World! What we've learned since 1980.

What stories do rocks tell? What techniques do scientists use to study volcanoes? Dr. Heather Wright talks about the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, provides an overview of volcanoes and how they erupt, and shows why scientists continue to monitor this active volcano, in this presentation to the Sno-Isle Libraries’ 2021 Whidbey Reads program.

What stories do rocks tell? What techniques do scientists use to study volcanoes? Dr. Heather Wright talks about the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, provides an overview of volcanoes and how they erupt, and shows why scientists continue to monitor this active volcano, in this presentation to the Sno-Isle Libraries’ 2021 Whidbey Reads program.

Lava Enters Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake, Kīlauea Summit (Feb 17, 2021)
Lava Enters Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake, Kīlauea Summit (Feb 17, 2021)
Lava Enters Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake, Kīlauea Summit (Feb 17, 2021)

This video shows a close-up of the small inlet where lava enters the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet consists of a small upwelling zone, with lava rapidly developing a thin flexible crust as it moves away from the source.

This video shows a close-up of the small inlet where lava enters the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet consists of a small upwelling zone, with lava rapidly developing a thin flexible crust as it moves away from the source.

Kīlauea Summit Eruption (Feb 11, 2021)
Kīlauea Summit Eruption (Feb 11, 2021)
Kīlauea Summit Eruption (Feb 11, 2021)

On February 11, 2021, no major changes were observed at the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet site where lava is entering the lake had a small upwelling zone raised slightly above the surrounding lake surface. 

On February 11, 2021, no major changes were observed at the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The inlet site where lava is entering the lake had a small upwelling zone raised slightly above the surrounding lake surface. 

Halema‘uma‘u Crater Overflight—Kīlauea Volcano's Summit (Feb 9, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u Crater Overflight—Kīlauea Volcano's Summit (Feb 9, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u Crater Overflight—Kīlauea Volcano's Summit (Feb 9, 2021)

An overflight today provided aerial views of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. No major changes were observed at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. Active surface lava is still largely limited to the western portion of the lake. Snow on Mauna Kea can be seen in the distance.
 

An overflight today provided aerial views of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. No major changes were observed at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater. Active surface lava is still largely limited to the western portion of the lake. Snow on Mauna Kea can be seen in the distance.
 

Halema'uma'u Lava Lake (Using UAS) - Kīlauea Volcano
Halema'uma'u Lava Lake (Using UAS) - Kīlauea Volcano
Halema'uma'u Lava Lake (Using UAS) - Kīlauea Volcano

This video clip from February 4, 2021, shows the erupting west vent and the growing lava lake within Halema'uma'u. The start of this video focuses on the active western portion of the lava lake, which measured approximately 212 m (696 ft) deep at this time. A plume of volcanic gas is seen rising continuously from the west vent.

This video clip from February 4, 2021, shows the erupting west vent and the growing lava lake within Halema'uma'u. The start of this video focuses on the active western portion of the lava lake, which measured approximately 212 m (696 ft) deep at this time. A plume of volcanic gas is seen rising continuously from the west vent.

Man standing in front of TV Man standing in front of TV
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for January 2021
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for January 2021

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone Volcano during January 2021.

 

Aerial of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano's Summit
Aerial of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano's Summit
Aerial of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano's Summit

Eruptive activity continues at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video was taken on February 1 from the morning helicopter overflight. The western fissure supplies lava to the lake at an inlet site along the west lake margin. Activity has been stable in recent days with no major changes.
 

Eruptive activity continues at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video was taken on February 1 from the morning helicopter overflight. The western fissure supplies lava to the lake at an inlet site along the west lake margin. Activity has been stable in recent days with no major changes.
 

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