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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
This map shows the tephra fall associated with episode 44 of Kīlauea's episodic summit eruption, on April 9, 2026. Tephra is a generic word for any material erupted by a volcano that travels through the air before landing on the ground.
This map shows the tephra fall associated with episode 44 of Kīlauea's episodic summit eruption, on April 9, 2026. Tephra is a generic word for any material erupted by a volcano that travels through the air before landing on the ground.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer uses a field laptop to configure the connection between the new radio that was installed on the cell tower in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This radio receives monitoring data via a radio link from another tower located at Uēkahuna, which collects data from various volcano-monitoring stations.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer uses a field laptop to configure the connection between the new radio that was installed on the cell tower in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This radio receives monitoring data via a radio link from another tower located at Uēkahuna, which collects data from various volcano-monitoring stations.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer checks cables at the base of a cell tower in Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park as part of a new point-to-point radio being installed. The previous point-to-point radio was damaged during recent storms, resulting in partial volcano-monitoring data outages since April 11, 2026.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer checks cables at the base of a cell tower in Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park as part of a new point-to-point radio being installed. The previous point-to-point radio was damaged during recent storms, resulting in partial volcano-monitoring data outages since April 11, 2026.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers with tower-climbing certifications ascended the cell tower within Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park.
On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers with tower-climbing certifications ascended the cell tower within Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. The data for this map were collected during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on March 31, 2026; as such, the provided statistics are reflective of the first forty-three episodes of the eruption through March 10, 2026.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. The data for this map were collected during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on March 31, 2026; as such, the provided statistics are reflective of the first forty-three episodes of the eruption through March 10, 2026.
Episode 44 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 11:10 a.m. HST on April 9, 2026. Precursory lava flows began on April 3, primarily from the south vent, and continued intermittently until the episode began. The predominant lava fountain during episode 44, however, came from the north vent.
Episode 44 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 11:10 a.m. HST on April 9, 2026. Precursory lava flows began on April 3, primarily from the south vent, and continued intermittently until the episode began. The predominant lava fountain during episode 44, however, came from the north vent.
The eruptive plume associated with episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea was transported by wind in a northeast direction. This photo shows the plume from Volcano village, about 4 miles (6.5 km) northeast of the eruptive vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by P. Dotray.
The eruptive plume associated with episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea was transported by wind in a northeast direction. This photo shows the plume from Volcano village, about 4 miles (6.5 km) northeast of the eruptive vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by P. Dotray.
Episode 44 at the summit of Kīlauea generated a plume of ash and gas, which strong southerly winds transported in a narrow band to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu, where it widened over a large section of east Hawaiʻi. This photo shows the eruption plume from Hilo, about 25 miles (40 km) to the northeast of the eruptive vents. USGS photo by C.
Episode 44 at the summit of Kīlauea generated a plume of ash and gas, which strong southerly winds transported in a narrow band to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu, where it widened over a large section of east Hawaiʻi. This photo shows the eruption plume from Hilo, about 25 miles (40 km) to the northeast of the eruptive vents. USGS photo by C.
Crater Rim Drive near Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was covered with tephra from episode 44 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on April 9, 2026. This photo shows recent tire tracks in the newly deposited tephra. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Crater Rim Drive near Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was covered with tephra from episode 44 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on April 9, 2026. This photo shows recent tire tracks in the newly deposited tephra. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
This photograph shows Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 44 on April 9, 2026, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory B1cam on the south rim of the caldera. Although the south vent erupted most of the precursory lava flows, only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during the eruptive episode. USGS video.
This photograph shows Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 44 on April 9, 2026, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory B1cam on the south rim of the caldera. Although the south vent erupted most of the precursory lava flows, only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during the eruptive episode. USGS video.
During lava fountaining episode 44 at the summit of Kīlauea, winds transported gas and tephra in a narrow band to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu. Tephra fallout was strongest in the direction of Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) reported falling in these areas.
During lava fountaining episode 44 at the summit of Kīlauea, winds transported gas and tephra in a narrow band to the north-northeast of Halemaʻumaʻu. Tephra fallout was strongest in the direction of Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) reported falling in these areas.
This photograph, taken from the north rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) near Uēkahuna around 4 p.m. HST on April 9, 2026, shows the lava fountain from the north vent rising above the crater walls during episode 44. USGS photo by D. Downs.
This photograph, taken from the north rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) near Uēkahuna around 4 p.m. HST on April 9, 2026, shows the lava fountain from the north vent rising above the crater walls during episode 44. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Tephra is anything erupted by a volcano that travels through the air before it is deposited on the ground. Lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea since December 2024 have deposited glassy and lightweight tephra at various locations around Kīlauea summit and farther downwind, depending on the lava fountain heights and wind conditions.
Tephra is anything erupted by a volcano that travels through the air before it is deposited on the ground. Lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea since December 2024 have deposited glassy and lightweight tephra at various locations around Kīlauea summit and farther downwind, depending on the lava fountain heights and wind conditions.
This telephoto view, taken from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, shows the base of the north vent lava fountain, which feeds a lava flow on to the crater floor during episode 44 on April 9, 2026. USGS photo by L. Gallant
This telephoto view, taken from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, shows the base of the north vent lava fountain, which feeds a lava flow on to the crater floor during episode 44 on April 9, 2026. USGS photo by L. Gallant
During episode 44, the north vent at the summit of Kīlauea erupted a lava fountain about 500 feet (150 meters) high at 4 p.m. HST, feeding a lava flow on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater on April 9, 2026. This photograph shows the view from the south rim of the caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
During episode 44, the north vent at the summit of Kīlauea erupted a lava fountain about 500 feet (150 meters) high at 4 p.m. HST, feeding a lava flow on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater on April 9, 2026. This photograph shows the view from the south rim of the caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
During episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, the NOAA Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reported the plume reached up to 16,000 feet (about 4,900 meters) above sea level. This photo shows the plume close the eruptive vents, and tephra is visibly falling through the air as the photo was taken. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
During episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, the NOAA Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reported the plume reached up to 16,000 feet (about 4,900 meters) above sea level. This photo shows the plume close the eruptive vents, and tephra is visibly falling through the air as the photo was taken. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
At the Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, tephra from episode 44 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on April 9, 2026, covers the ground surface as the eruptive plume traverses overhead. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
At the Kilauea Military Camp in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, tephra from episode 44 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on April 9, 2026, covers the ground surface as the eruptive plume traverses overhead. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
During episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, tephra fallout was strongest in the direction of Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) reported falling in these areas.
During episode 44 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, tephra fallout was strongest in the direction of Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, with pieces of lightweight reticulite up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) reported falling in these areas.
This image shows Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 44 on April 9, 2026. The image was captured by a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory research camera on the south rim of the caldera. Although the south vent erupted most of the precursory lava flows, only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during the eruptive episode. USGS photo.
This image shows Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountaining episode 44 on April 9, 2026. The image was captured by a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory research camera on the south rim of the caldera. Although the south vent erupted most of the precursory lava flows, only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during the eruptive episode. USGS photo.
The tephra deposit from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption has dramatically changed the landscape in the predominant downwind direction (southwest) of Halema‘uma‘u crater.
The tephra deposit from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption has dramatically changed the landscape in the predominant downwind direction (southwest) of Halema‘uma‘u crater.
Despite the expansive nature of the tephra deposit from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption, recent rains from Kona low storms have taken their toll. In this photo captured during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on March 31, an ephemeral stream has eroded through the deposit to expose the much older lava flows underneath.
Despite the expansive nature of the tephra deposit from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption, recent rains from Kona low storms have taken their toll. In this photo captured during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on March 31, an ephemeral stream has eroded through the deposit to expose the much older lava flows underneath.