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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
The growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, has risen roughly 27 m (89 ft) since the eruption started on September 29, 2021 at 3:21 p.m. HST. The eruption began with a fissure opening along the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, through the surface of the solidified 2020–21 lava lake.
The growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, has risen roughly 27 m (89 ft) since the eruption started on September 29, 2021 at 3:21 p.m. HST. The eruption began with a fissure opening along the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, through the surface of the solidified 2020–21 lava lake.
A telephoto view of the south-central and western fissure fountains that continue to erupt lava into the growing lava lake at Kīlauea summit. The lava lake and eruptive activity are confined within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
A telephoto view of the south-central and western fissure fountains that continue to erupt lava into the growing lava lake at Kīlauea summit. The lava lake and eruptive activity are confined within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.
This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.
View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.
View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.
A helicopter overflight the morning of October 1, 2021, provided aerial views of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. This view, looking to the west, shows an active lava fountain located within the south-central part of the lava lake. This fountain is only a few meters (yards) high. USGS photo by D. Downs.
A helicopter overflight the morning of October 1, 2021, provided aerial views of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. This view, looking to the west, shows an active lava fountain located within the south-central part of the lava lake. This fountain is only a few meters (yards) high. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Aerial image looking to the west of the large island that is floating within the middle of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. There are several vents with fountains reaching to just a few meters (yards) high. One of the vents along the eastern margin of the island has started to form spatter ramparts to enclose it. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Aerial image looking to the west of the large island that is floating within the middle of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. There are several vents with fountains reaching to just a few meters (yards) high. One of the vents along the eastern margin of the island has started to form spatter ramparts to enclose it. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Aerial photo taken during a morning overflight on October 1, 2021, and looking at the west end of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent that is feeding this part of the lava lake is visible; the base of this vent was well above the lava lake when it opened on the afternoon of September 29, 2021.
Aerial photo taken during a morning overflight on October 1, 2021, and looking at the west end of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent that is feeding this part of the lava lake is visible; the base of this vent was well above the lava lake when it opened on the afternoon of September 29, 2021.
Aerial image looking to the southwest and showing fissures within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, producing lava fountains within the southern and south-central part of the lava lake. These lava fountains are less energetic than when the eruption started on September 29, 2021, but are still spattering to heights of about 5 meters (16 ft) or less.
Aerial image looking to the southwest and showing fissures within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, producing lava fountains within the southern and south-central part of the lava lake. These lava fountains are less energetic than when the eruption started on September 29, 2021, but are still spattering to heights of about 5 meters (16 ft) or less.
In the afternoon of October 1, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu from the northwest rim of the crater at Kīlauea's summit.
In the afternoon of October 1, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu from the northwest rim of the crater at Kīlauea's summit.
A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.
A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.
This telephoto image of the lava lake margin was taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit eruption overflight this morning. The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater is forming a “perched” levee around parts of the lake perimeter.
This telephoto image of the lava lake margin was taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit eruption overflight this morning. The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater is forming a “perched” levee around parts of the lake perimeter.
Two vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, remain active. The western fissure opened about an hour and a half (around 4:40 p.m.) after the eruption began on Sept. 29, 2021. The pinkish and black area within the lava lake (near the center of the photo) is the partially submerged west vent that formed during the Dec.
Two vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, remain active. The western fissure opened about an hour and a half (around 4:40 p.m.) after the eruption began on Sept. 29, 2021. The pinkish and black area within the lava lake (near the center of the photo) is the partially submerged west vent that formed during the Dec.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The eruption is generating a vigorous plume of volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide, being transported downwind.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The eruption is generating a vigorous plume of volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide, being transported downwind.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. In this image, multiple active fountaining sources are visible in the central and western portions of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. In this image, multiple active fountaining sources are visible in the central and western portions of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The nascent lava lake has been rising approximately one meter (yard) an hour since the eruption began.
Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The nascent lava lake has been rising approximately one meter (yard) an hour since the eruption began.
Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. This photo shows two of the many spattering sources active in the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, feeding the growing lava lake. The south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater is visible in the upper left portion of the image.
Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. This photo shows two of the many spattering sources active in the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, feeding the growing lava lake. The south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater is visible in the upper left portion of the image.
Oblique telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021.
Oblique telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021.
This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.
This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.
Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.
Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.