An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Clear views at Kīlauea's summit and East Rift Zone eruptions
At Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō there have been no major changes within the crater. Kona winds blew the gas plume to the northeast, providing a clear view up the east rift zone. Behind Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, Kamoamoa, Nāpau Crater and Mauna Ulu are in sight. Near the base of Mauna Loa (upper right) the Halema‘uma‘u summit plume is faintly visible.
Aerial view of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at Kīlauea's summit. Two spattering sources are active along the south and west walls. Recent rock falls have slightly enlarged the lake to the north, giving it a kidney bean shape.
A geologist at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō takes a GPS measurement to find the locations latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level. The measurement is needed to track the changes in level of the west pit lava pond (west pit in background).
Today's helicopter overflight of Kīlauea showed that there is no more lava activity occurring at the Kamokuna delta or on the coastal plain behind it. Sediment from the temporary beaches is being washed away, giving a lighter color to the ocean.
Today was sunny and clear, providing views of Mauna Loa (background), the Halema‘uma‘u summit plume from Kīlauea's summit (center, at the base of Mauna Loa), and the ongoing Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption site, which hosts a lava pond west of the main crater.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Kīlauea Volcano's episode 61g east rift eruption remains active. A breakout from upper Pūlama Pali is sending surface flows into the kipuka (vegetated area in photos center) on the steep part of the pali. The flows are burning the vegetation as they continue downslope through the kipuka. Surface flows remain active on the coastal plain, with the closest active breakouts approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) from the emergency road. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is degassing in the upper center of the photo, and Mauna Kea (right) and Mauna Loa (left) are visible behind it.
