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The USGS Volcano Observatories host videos, photos, web camera views, and sometimes podcasts to share visual and audio information about volcanic eruptions and volcanic processes. 

Images

Map of earthquake locations on volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano

This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.

This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.

Color photograph of volcanic cone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone

Aerial view of cone that the new MLDcam is located on, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. An HVO geologist and field engineer installing the camera are silhouetted on top of the cone against the cloudy backdrop.

Aerial view of cone that the new MLDcam is located on, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. An HVO geologist and field engineer installing the camera are silhouetted on top of the cone against the cloudy backdrop.

Color photograph of field engineer installing camera
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone

HVO staff also installed a new pan-tilt-zoom webcam (MDLcam) on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on April 24, 2024.

HVO staff also installed a new pan-tilt-zoom webcam (MDLcam) on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on April 24, 2024.

Color photograph of webcam at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

Heavy rains in recent weeks resulted in water accumulating in the case of the KWcam, a webcam monitoring the summit of Kīlauea. HVO staff visited the site today to replace desiccant and dry out the enclosure. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Heavy rains in recent weeks resulted in water accumulating in the case of the KWcam, a webcam monitoring the summit of Kīlauea. HVO staff visited the site today to replace desiccant and dry out the enclosure. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist checking webcam at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

An HVO geologist services the KWcam webcam, at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by K. Anderson.

An HVO geologist services the KWcam webcam, at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by K. Anderson.

Color photograph of crater at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

Weak, wispy gas plumes rise vertically in the slack winds from the central portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Nothing unusual was observed today at the summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Weak, wispy gas plumes rise vertically in the slack winds from the central portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Nothing unusual was observed today at the summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Videos

Mount St. Helens vs. Yellowstone Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)
Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)
Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)

Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?

Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Man holds a small ship, title reads "Ship wrecked in Yellowstone Lake?" Ship Wrecked in Yellowstone Lake? (Yellowstone Volcano Monthly Update - April 2024)
Ship Wrecked in Yellowstone Lake? (Yellowstone Volcano Monthly Update - April 2024)
Ship Wrecked in Yellowstone Lake? (Yellowstone Volcano Monthly Update - April 2024)

Is there a wrecked ship rising out of Yellowstone Lake or is it an April Fool's joke? Watch to learn more!

Man smirks with "Volcanoes in Kansas?" on top of a U.S. map with volcanic eruption in the background. Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)
Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)
Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)

Volcanic ash in Kansas? It's true there's thick deposits there, but where are the source volcanoes? Geologists began puzzling over this in the late 1800s when these deposits were first recognized. 

Volcanic ash in Kansas? It's true there's thick deposits there, but where are the source volcanoes? Geologists began puzzling over this in the late 1800s when these deposits were first recognized. 

Whisper or Roar? No more secrets Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)
Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)
Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)

If a geyser erupts and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Of course it does, and now we can hear it no matter when it happens thanks to a new monitoring station in Yellowstone National Park.

If a geyser erupts and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Of course it does, and now we can hear it no matter when it happens thanks to a new monitoring station in Yellowstone National Park.

Audio

Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into the Lava L...
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into the Lava L...
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater

Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.

Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into the Lava L...
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake
Kīlauea's Summit Vent Churns and Pops as Rocks Fall Into Lava Lake

Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.

CoreFacts
CoreFacts Album Artwork
CoreFacts Album Artwork
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
CoreFacts
CoreFacts Album Artwork
CoreFacts Album Artwork
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?

Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …

How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?

Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …

How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?

USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano
USGS CoreCast
USGS CoreCast Series
USGS CoreCast Series
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.

Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.

Webcams

Webcam image view of volcano flank
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano

Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Live webcam view of lava erupting from Mauna Loa volcano
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea

Live Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Live Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Webcam image view of volcanic vent in summit crater
[V1] Kīlauea caldera views
[V1] Kīlauea caldera views
[V1] Kīlauea caldera views

Live view of Kīlauea caldera, from the northwest rim of the caldera [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

Live view of Kīlauea caldera, from the northwest rim of the caldera [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Disclaimer

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻ
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.



Disclaimer

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.



Disclaimer

View from webcam
[B1cam] - Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu
[B1cam] - Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu
[B1cam] - Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu

Live view of Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim of the caldera.

Live view of Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim of the caldera.