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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater, this close-up image was taken of the tephra hill on the southwest rim of Kaluapele (the Kīlauea summit caldera). This hill of tephra formed during the ongoing episodic summit eruption as tephra fallout from many high fountaining episodes accumulated here.
During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater, this close-up image was taken of the tephra hill on the southwest rim of Kaluapele (the Kīlauea summit caldera). This hill of tephra formed during the ongoing episodic summit eruption as tephra fallout from many high fountaining episodes accumulated here.
On October 22, 2026, a crew of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists traveled via helicopter to the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor to collect lava samples from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 55, which occurred on October 17.
On October 22, 2026, a crew of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists traveled via helicopter to the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor to collect lava samples from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 55, which occurred on October 17.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects cooled lava samples from episode 55 lava flows on the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. During a helicopter overflight, HVO scientists landed on the crater floor to collect samples from an episode 55 lava channel for chemical analysis.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects cooled lava samples from episode 55 lava flows on the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. During a helicopter overflight, HVO scientists landed on the crater floor to collect samples from an episode 55 lava channel for chemical analysis.
An aerial view of the episode 55 lava channels and flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor taken on October 22, 2026, during a Kīlauea summit overflight. On October 17, lava flows from episode 55 covered a large portion of the crater floor.
An aerial view of the episode 55 lava channels and flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor taken on October 22, 2026, during a Kīlauea summit overflight. On October 17, lava flows from episode 55 covered a large portion of the crater floor.
An aerial view of the vent complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea, taken during a helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. Deep within the north vent (lower left) a small area of incandescence was visible during the flight but isn’t visible in this photo.
An aerial view of the vent complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea, taken during a helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. Deep within the north vent (lower left) a small area of incandescence was visible during the flight but isn’t visible in this photo.
A close-up aerial view of the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. During the flight, a small area of incandescence was visible deep within the vent but can’t be seen in this image.
A close-up aerial view of the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. During the flight, a small area of incandescence was visible deep within the vent but can’t be seen in this image.
This close-up view of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. A portion of the lava surface is visible deep within the vent following episode 55 which occurred on October 17.
This close-up view of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. A portion of the lava surface is visible deep within the vent following episode 55 which occurred on October 17.
After nearly two months since episode 54 of lava fountaining (Aug. 25, 2026), episode 55 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This is the 55th lava fountaining episode in the Kīlauea summit caldera eruption in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that began on December 23, 2024.
After nearly two months since episode 54 of lava fountaining (Aug. 25, 2026), episode 55 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This is the 55th lava fountaining episode in the Kīlauea summit caldera eruption in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that began on December 23, 2024.
A misty view of the north vent lava fountain feeding streams of lava flows down the shield-like structure that has built up around the vent. This photograph, from the Steam Vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, was taken around 5:45 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
A misty view of the north vent lava fountain feeding streams of lava flows down the shield-like structure that has built up around the vent. This photograph, from the Steam Vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, was taken around 5:45 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Lava fountaining from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during episode 55 on October 17, 2026. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park just before sunrise. USGU photo by K. Van Helden.
Lava fountaining from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during episode 55 on October 17, 2026. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park just before sunrise. USGU photo by K. Van Helden.
Photo from the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as the sun was rising on a clear day with episode 55 lava fountaining having started about 3 hours earlier. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Photo from the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as the sun was rising on a clear day with episode 55 lava fountaining having started about 3 hours earlier. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna approximately 3 hours later at 6:15 am when the sun was rising, illuminating the volcanic plume above the north vent lava fountain. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna approximately 3 hours later at 6:15 am when the sun was rising, illuminating the volcanic plume above the north vent lava fountain. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This photo shows the north vent lava fountaining with a small dust (tephra) devil on the side of tephra hill during episode 55 of lava fountaining. Episode 55 fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began on October 17, 2026, at 3:19 a.m. HST. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGU photo by K.
This photo shows the north vent lava fountaining with a small dust (tephra) devil on the side of tephra hill during episode 55 of lava fountaining. Episode 55 fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began on October 17, 2026, at 3:19 a.m. HST. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGU photo by K.
Episode 55 lava fountain and gas and tephra plume at about 7:00 am on the morning of October 17, 2026. The lava fountain was about 400 feet (120 m) high at this point. The sun was illuminating the plume as it drifted to the southwest over the Kaʻū Desert. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Episode 55 lava fountain and gas and tephra plume at about 7:00 am on the morning of October 17, 2026. The lava fountain was about 400 feet (120 m) high at this point. The sun was illuminating the plume as it drifted to the southwest over the Kaʻū Desert. USGS photo by D. Downs.
The F1cam, located on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountain and lava flows on October 17, 2026. USGS webcam image.
The F1cam, located on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountain and lava flows on October 17, 2026. USGS webcam image.
The V2 livestreaming camera, located on the east rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountain on October 17, 2026. USGS webcam image.
The V2 livestreaming camera, located on the east rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountain on October 17, 2026. USGS webcam image.
The KPcam, located on the south flank of Mauna Loa, has views of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The camera captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountaining and the associated eruptive plume. USGS webcam image.
The KPcam, located on the south flank of Mauna Loa, has views of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The camera captured this image of the episode 55 lava fountaining and the associated eruptive plume. USGS webcam image.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. Lava fountained from the north vent, with the maximum height of just over 700 feet (220 m) reached by 5:00 a.m. HST. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. Lava fountained from the north vent, with the maximum height of just over 700 feet (220 m) reached by 5:00 a.m. HST. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This view, taken just before 6 a.m. HST, shows the Kīlauea summit eruptive plume, with the silhouette of Mauna Loa. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This view, taken just before 6 a.m. HST, shows the Kīlauea summit eruptive plume, with the silhouette of Mauna Loa. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
North vent lava fountain in HALEMA’UMA’U at the summit of Kīlauea volcano during episode 55 on October 17, 2026. Lava fountaining reached a maximum height of 720 feet (220m) by 5:00 a.m. HST. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by B. Wenzel.
North vent lava fountain in HALEMA’UMA’U at the summit of Kīlauea volcano during episode 55 on October 17, 2026. Lava fountaining reached a maximum height of 720 feet (220m) by 5:00 a.m. HST. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by B. Wenzel.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 6 hours on October 17, 2026. The plume from this eruption reached about 25,000 feet (7,600 meters) above sea level. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by B. Wenzel.
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea took place for about 6 hours on October 17, 2026. The plume from this eruption reached about 25,000 feet (7,600 meters) above sea level. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by B. Wenzel.