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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Aerial of ocean entry plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay Ocean Entry Plume

The fissure 8 lava flow reaches the ocean at Kapoho Bay, where a lava delta has formed and continues to grow as lava enters the sea.

Aerial of lava channel
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel

A closer view of the fissure 8 lava channel with the cinderquarry more clearly visible in the foreground (bottom of photo). During this morning's overflight, HVO geologists observed no new breakouts of lava near this quarry.

A closer view of the fissure 8 lava channel with the cinderquarry more clearly visible in the foreground (bottom of photo). During this morning's overflight, HVO geologists observed no new breakouts of lava near this quarry.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 10, 12:0...
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 10, 12:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 10, 12:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 10, 12:00 p.m.

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 10, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted.

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 10, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted.

A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department ...
A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department ...
A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department ...
A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department ...

A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department of Interior Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (UAS) Kīlauea response team show changes that have occurred at Halema‘uma‘u as of June 8. Cracks through the former overlook parking lot (bottom of image) wrap around the east margin of Halema‘uma‘u and extend to the north.

A photogrammetry survey of Kīlauea's summit by the U.S. Department of Interior Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (UAS) Kīlauea response team show changes that have occurred at Halema‘uma‘u as of June 8. Cracks through the former overlook parking lot (bottom of image) wrap around the east margin of Halema‘uma‘u and extend to the north.

Aerial of lava flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 from a Distance
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 from a Distance
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 from a Distance

Distant view of Kīlauea Volcano's fissure 8 lava channel from HVO's early morning overflight on June 10, looking to the southeast. Bryson's cinder quarry is the brown patch just to the north of the channel.

Distant view of Kīlauea Volcano's fissure 8 lava channel from HVO's early morning overflight on June 10, looking to the southeast. Bryson's cinder quarry is the brown patch just to the north of the channel.

Aerial of Kapoho Bay
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Delta at Kapoho Bay
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Delta at Kapoho Bay
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Delta at Kapoho Bay

A closer aerial view of the lava delta forming at the Kapoho Bay ocean entry, where fissure 8 lava continued enter the ocean as of this morning. Laze (lava haze), an acidic white plume laced with tiny particles of volcanic glass, is produced by the ocean entry and creates an ongoing hazard that should be avoided.

A closer aerial view of the lava delta forming at the Kapoho Bay ocean entry, where fissure 8 lava continued enter the ocean as of this morning. Laze (lava haze), an acidic white plume laced with tiny particles of volcanic glass, is produced by the ocean entry and creates an ongoing hazard that should be avoided.

Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Explosion (June 10, 2018)
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Explosion (June 10, 2018)
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Explosion (June 10, 2018)

Another explosion occurred at Halema‘uma‘u at 12:51 a.m. HST today, releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption...
Kīlauea LERZ eruption
Kīlauea LERZ eruption
Kīlauea LERZ eruption

Fissure 8 continues to erupt vigorously, with lava streaming through a channel that reaches the ocean at Kapoho Bay. The width of the active part of the lava channel varies along its length, but ranges from about 100 to 300 meters (yards) wide. A clear view of the cinder-and-spatter cone that's building around the vent from ongoing lava fountains can be seen here.

Fissure 8 continues to erupt vigorously, with lava streaming through a channel that reaches the ocean at Kapoho Bay. The width of the active part of the lava channel varies along its length, but ranges from about 100 to 300 meters (yards) wide. A clear view of the cinder-and-spatter cone that's building around the vent from ongoing lava fountains can be seen here.

Kīlauea summit activity...
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity

Another explosion occurred at Halema‘uma‘u at 12:51 a.m. HST today, releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake. Following the explosion, summit activity consisted mostly of passive degassing at Halema‘uma‘u, similar to what is shown in this image taken mid-morning.

Another explosion occurred at Halema‘uma‘u at 12:51 a.m. HST today, releasing energy equivalent to a magnitude-5.3 earthquake. Following the explosion, summit activity consisted mostly of passive degassing at Halema‘uma‘u, similar to what is shown in this image taken mid-morning.

Scientist setting up an instrument
Kīlauea Volcano — GPS Measurements at Summit
Kīlauea Volcano — GPS Measurements at Summit
Kīlauea Volcano — GPS Measurements at Summit

USGS-HVO geophysicists installed additional continuous GPS stations around Halema‘uma‘u this morning. These stations will allow scientists to better monitor and measure the ongoing subsidence of Halema‘uma‘u and the adjacent caldera floor.

USGS-HVO geophysicists installed additional continuous GPS stations around Halema‘uma‘u this morning. These stations will allow scientists to better monitor and measure the ongoing subsidence of Halema‘uma‘u and the adjacent caldera floor.

Aerial view of ocean entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Ocean Entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Ocean Entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Ocean Entry

An aerial view of the Kapoho ocean entry, as of 6:30 a.m. HST today, shows the extent of the lava delta, now about 200 acres in size, that has formed over the past six days (lava first entered the ocean on the night of June 3).

An aerial view of the Kapoho ocean entry, as of 6:30 a.m. HST today, shows the extent of the lava delta, now about 200 acres in size, that has formed over the past six days (lava first entered the ocean on the night of June 3).

Aerial of summit showing cracking and slumping
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema`uma`u Cracking and Slumping
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema`uma`u Cracking and Slumping
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema`uma`u Cracking and Slumping

Cracking and slumping of the Halema‘uma‘u crater walls are clearly evident in this aerial view captured during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea's summit this morning. Steam plumes have been rising from within the crater, as well as from cracks adjacent to the crater.

Cracking and slumping of the Halema‘uma‘u crater walls are clearly evident in this aerial view captured during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea's summit this morning. Steam plumes have been rising from within the crater, as well as from cracks adjacent to the crater.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 9, 10:00...
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 9, 10:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 9, 10:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 9, 10:00 a.m.

Map as of 10:00 a.m. HST, June 9, 2018. The fissure 8 flow has created a lava delta approximately 200 acres in size, filling Kapoho Bay and shallow reefs along the nearby coastline.

A lava channel formed from a fissure eruption
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Channel

Fissure 8 and lava channel in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano during this afternoon's overflight, with no apparent slowing in the eruption rate. The lava channel remained incandescent all the way around Kapoho Crater before entering the ocean.

Fissure 8 and lava channel in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano during this afternoon's overflight, with no apparent slowing in the eruption rate. The lava channel remained incandescent all the way around Kapoho Crater before entering the ocean.

Aerial photo of cracking
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Cracking
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Cracking
Kīlauea Volcano — Halema‘uma‘u Cracking

Another aerial view showing prominent cracking around Halema‘uma‘u from the ongoing subsidence at Kīlauea's summit. The steaming cracks in the background have been observed for several days.

Another aerial view showing prominent cracking around Halema‘uma‘u from the ongoing subsidence at Kīlauea's summit. The steaming cracks in the background have been observed for several days.

Fissure 8 and lava channel in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea V...
Fissure 8 and lava channel in the LERZ of Kīlauea during this after...
Fissure 8 and lava channel in the LERZ of Kīlauea during this after...
Fissure 8 and lava channel in the LERZ of Kīlauea during this after...

Fissure 8 and lava channel in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano during this afternoon's overflight, with no apparent slowing in the eruption rate. The lava channel remained incandescent all the way around Kapoho Crater before entering the ocean.

Fissure 8 and lava channel in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano during this afternoon's overflight, with no apparent slowing in the eruption rate. The lava channel remained incandescent all the way around Kapoho Crater before entering the ocean.

Plumes from ocean entry
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay and Vacationland
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay and Vacationland
Kīlauea Volcano — Kapoho Bay and Vacationland

HVO's early morning helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone showed that lava continues to flow into the ocean in the vicinity of Kapoho Bay and Vacationland.

HVO's early morning helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone showed that lava continues to flow into the ocean in the vicinity of Kapoho Bay and Vacationland.

Lava fountaining at night time
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Fountaining (Fissure 8)
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Fountaining (Fissure 8)
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava Fountaining (Fissure 8)

Around 3:00 a.m. HST today (June 8), lava fountains erupting from fissure 8 on Kīlauea Volcano's Lower East Rift Zone were reaching heights of 180–220 feet.

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flows and fissures, June 8, 12:00...
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 8, 12:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 8, 12:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ lava flows and fissures, June 8, 12:00 p.m.

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 8, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 12:00 p.m. (noon) HST, June 8, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Plume coming from a crater
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Pluming
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Pluming
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Pluming

Dramatic changes at Halema‘uma‘u could be seen through gases rising from the crater during HVO's overflight of the summit this morning at 10 a.m. HST. The view here looks to the southwest, with the former overlook parking lot barely visible to the left of the gas plume.

Dramatic changes at Halema‘uma‘u could be seen through gases rising from the crater during HVO's overflight of the summit this morning at 10 a.m. HST. The view here looks to the southwest, with the former overlook parking lot barely visible to the left of the gas plume.

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