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Due to a lapse in appropriations, the majority of USGS websites may not be up to date and may not reflect current conditions. Websites displaying real-time data, such as Earthquake, Volcano, LANDSAT and Water information needed for public health and safety will be updated with limited support. Additionally, USGS will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. For more information, please see www.doi.gov/shutdown.
Scattered breakouts remain active northeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, with the farthest activity about 6 km (3.7 miles) from the vent on Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Some of these breakouts are active along the northern boundary of the flow field, and are burning several small patches of forest - creating the smoke plumes visible near the center of the photograph.
The breakout that began in late November continues to feed lava to the northern boundary of the flow field via a new lava tube. The trace of this new tube is easily visible in the thermal images. This view looks northeast, and the breakouts along the forest boundary are visible near the top edge of the photograph.
An HVO geologist collects a molten lava sample for chemical analysis, scooping up a bit with the rock hammer to then drop in the water bucket to quench it. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is visible in the distance.
This view shows the north rim of Kīlauea Caldera, with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Jaggar Museum perched at the rim for ideal views of summit activity. Mauna Kea is in the distance, partially obscured by clouds, and Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone extends off the left edge of the photo.
The sun angle was ideal this morning to show the complex texture on the surface of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater at Kīlauea's summit. Spattering was active in the southeast portion of the lake. For scale, the lake is about 230 meters or 755 feet across.
