Images

During an eruption monitoring overflight mid-day on September 12, 2023, activity in Kīlauea caldera was focused on six active vents that were producing lava fountains and flows. In this photo, oriented looking toward the southwest, several inactive fissures on the northeast side of the downdropped block appear silver and brown in color.

The former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory building, perched on Kīlauea caldera rim, has spectacular views of the summit eruption. The tower was built with a vision of overlooking eruptions such as this one. This building was damaged during the 2018 summit collapse and is slated for deconstruction later this year. USGS photo by C. Gansecki. 

The former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory building, perched on Kīlauea caldera rim, has spectacular views of the summit eruption. The tower was built with a vision of overlooking eruptions such as this one. This building was damaged during the 2018 summit collapse and is slated for deconstruction later this year. USGS photo by C. Gansecki. 

On September 12, 2023, HVO geologists landed on the downdropped block to collect samples of tephra from the now-inactive easternmost fissures of the new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. These samples will be analyzed to better understand how and why the new eruption occurred. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

This view of the eruption site within Kīlauea caldera was captured in the afternoon of Tuesday, September 12 from the southeast rim of Kaluapele. Multiple vents are spattering and effusing lava as the Kīlauea summit eruption nears the end of its second full day. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

An HVO geologist makes observations of the vents erupting on the floor of the downdropped block in Kīlauea summit caldera on September 12, 2023. Field crews measure the height of the cones around the vents, the height of the lava fountains, and the height of the lava flow field as it becomes perched above the surrounding pre-eruptive landscape. USGS photo by N.

During the afternoon of September 12, 2023, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring on the downdropped block east of Halema‘uma‘u, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 12:30 p.m. H.S.T. on September 12, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 12:20 p.m. H.S.T. on September 12, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active on the downdropped block (right) within Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by N. Deligne. 

A helicopter overflight on September 12, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.

During the week of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers rebuilt station KOHD on Kohala, which had been severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. In this photo, new 48 volt solar panels are being installed. USGS photo by M. Warren. 

During the week of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers rebuilt station KOHD on Kohala, which had been severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. In this photo, a new concrete pad is being built to hold the heavy battery box that help to power the site. USGS photo by M. Warren. 

During the week of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers rebuilt station KOHD on Kohala, which had been severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. In this photo, new 48 volt solar panels are being installed to power the station. USGS photo by K. Kamibayashi. 

During the week of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers rebuilt station KOHD on Kohala, which had been severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. In this photo, new 48 volt solar panels are being installed. USGS photo by K. Kamibayashi. 

Station KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in September 2023. The site was severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. The site houses a seismic monitoring instrument and is also a repeater hub, meaning that it receives and relays data from other stations.

Station KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in September 2023. The station was severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. The site houses a seismic monitoring instrument and is also a repeater hub, meaning that it receives and relays data from other stations.

Station KOHD on Kohala after being rebuilt in September 2023. The site was severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. The site houses a seismic monitoring instrument and is also a repeater hub, meaning that it receives and relays data from other stations.

Nāʻālehu Elementary School keiki explore different properties of rocks and minerals at the grand opening of the Honuworks Robotic Center. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.

On September 11, 2023, HVO geologists deployed a new webcam to monitor the ongoing eruption at the summit of  Kīlauea. The S2cam is a temporary webcam showing Kīlauea caldera downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater; the view is from the north rim of the downdropped block and looking west. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

A new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began at approximately 3:13 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This map depicts activity within Halema‘uma‘u on the second day of the eruption, September 11.

A helicopter overflight on September 11, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.