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Images

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

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Image: Kilauea Lava Flow
Kilauea Lava Flow
Kilauea Lava Flow
Kilauea Lava Flow

Zoomed-in view of the current visitor viewing area at the end of Hwy 130.

Image: Kilauea Flow Field
Kilauea Flow Field
Kilauea Flow Field
Kilauea Flow Field

No surface flows were active anywhere on the flow field today, due to summit deflation and a reduction in lava supply over the past few days. Summit inflation resumed yesterday, and an increase in lava supply should lead to resumed breakouts over the next several days.

No surface flows were active anywhere on the flow field today, due to summit deflation and a reduction in lava supply over the past few days. Summit inflation resumed yesterday, and an increase in lava supply should lead to resumed breakouts over the next several days.

Image: Lava flow
Lava flow
Lava flow
Lava flow

The terminus of the more vigorous western branch of the active flow on the western side of the TEB flow field near the top of the Royal Gardens subdivision.

The terminus of the more vigorous western branch of the active flow on the western side of the TEB flow field near the top of the Royal Gardens subdivision.

Image: Kilauea's east rift zone eruption site
Kilauea's east rift zone eruption site
Kilauea's east rift zone eruption site
Kilauea's east rift zone eruption site

Kīlauea's east rift zone eruption site. Pu`u `Ō `ō is to the right, and the TEB vent and upper tube system is to the left and behind Pu`u `Ō `ō.

Kīlauea's east rift zone eruption site. Pu`u `Ō `ō is to the right, and the TEB vent and upper tube system is to the left and behind Pu`u `Ō `ō.

Image: Aerial of Active Kilauea Area
Aerial of Active Kilauea Area
Aerial of Active Kilauea Area
Aerial of Active Kilauea Area

An aerial view looking north at two active areas of Kīlauea. Pu`u `Ō `ō crater is in the foreground, Mauna Loa (left) and Mauna Kea (right) are in the background. The fume source near the base of Mauna Loa (at Kīlauea's summit) is from the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent.

An aerial view looking north at two active areas of Kīlauea. Pu`u `Ō `ō crater is in the foreground, Mauna Loa (left) and Mauna Kea (right) are in the background. The fume source near the base of Mauna Loa (at Kīlauea's summit) is from the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent.

Image: Explosive Kilauea Boulder
Explosive Kilauea Boulder
Explosive Kilauea Boulder
Explosive Kilauea Boulder

This large rock at the Kīlauea Overlook in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was ejected ballistically in 1790, or soon thereafter, from Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera when it was more than 600 meters (2000 feet) deep.

This large rock at the Kīlauea Overlook in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was ejected ballistically in 1790, or soon thereafter, from Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera when it was more than 600 meters (2000 feet) deep.

Early morning glow from Overlook vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlau...
Early morning glow from Overlook vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
Early morning glow from Overlook vent in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
Image: Lava Enters The Ocean At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Lava Enters The Ocean At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Lava Enters The Ocean At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Color photograph of scientist
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb

The degassing lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was a fitting backdrop in 2009 for USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb, who later co-produced a video about the summit eruption.

The degassing lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was a fitting backdrop in 2009 for USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Janet Babb, who later co-produced a video about the summit eruption.

Side-by-side comparison of the northwest wall of Kīlauea Caldera on...
Side-by-side comparison of the NW wall of Kīlauea Caldera on a clea...
Side-by-side comparison of the NW wall of Kīlauea Caldera on a clea...
Side-by-side comparison of the NW wall of Kīlauea Caldera on a clea...

Side-by-side comparison of the northwest wall of Kīlauea Caldera on a clear day (left) and a day with thick vog (right). HVO observation tower and building can be seen near the center in each photo.

HVO geologist on rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater downloading camera imag...
Geologist on rim of Halema‘uma‘u downloading camera images, Kīlauea...
Geologist on rim of Halema‘uma‘u downloading camera images, Kīlauea...
Geologist on rim of Halema‘uma‘u downloading camera images, Kīlauea...

HVO geologist downloads images collected with infrared cameras set up on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The cameras are aimed at an erupting lava lake to conduct a thermal survey of the lake's surface.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit cal...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the first volcano observatory in the United States, is located on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A volcanic gas plume rises from a vent that opened in 2008 at the base of the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Crater Rim Drive in foreground.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the first volcano observatory in the United States, is located on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A volcanic gas plume rises from a vent that opened in 2008 at the base of the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Crater Rim Drive in foreground.

Image: The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (foreground) is located on the caldera rim of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i—the most active volcano in the world.  The observatory's location provides an excellent view of summit eruptive activity, which began in 2008.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (foreground) is located on the caldera rim of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i—the most active volcano in the world.  The observatory's location provides an excellent view of summit eruptive activity, which began in 2008.

Image: The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Monitors Kilauea's Summit Eruption

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (foreground) is located on the caldera rim of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i—the most active volcano in the world.  The observatory's location provides an excellent view of summit eruptive activity, which began in 2008.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (foreground) is located on the caldera rim of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i—the most active volcano in the world.  The observatory's location provides an excellent view of summit eruptive activity, which began in 2008.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit cal...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...
HVO on rim of Kīlauea's summit caldera overlooking Halema‘uma‘u, Ha...

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the first volcano observatory in the United States, is located on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A volcanic gas plume rises from a vent that opened in 2008 at the base of the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Crater Rim Drive in foreground.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the first volcano observatory in the United States, is located on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A volcanic gas plume rises from a vent that opened in 2008 at the base of the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Crater Rim Drive in foreground.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii...
USGS HVO, Kīlauea, Hawaii
USGS HVO, Kīlauea, Hawaii
USGS HVO, Kīlauea, Hawaii

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory perched on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera, overlooks Halema‘uma‘u Crater, where a new vent that opened in March 2008 emits a volcanic gas plume.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory perched on the west rim of Kīlauea Volcano's summit caldera, overlooks Halema‘uma‘u Crater, where a new vent that opened in March 2008 emits a volcanic gas plume.

Image: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is perched on the rim of Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera (next to the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park), providing a spectacular view of the active vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is perched on the rim of Kilauea Volcano's summit caldera (next to the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park), providing a spectacular view of the active vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Nighttime view of tephra-jet explosion, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i...
Nighttime view of tephra-jet explosion, Kīlauea, Hawai‘i
Nighttime view of tephra-jet explosion, Kīlauea, Hawai‘i
Nighttime view of tephra-jet explosion, Kīlauea, Hawai‘i

Incandescent arcs trace the path of lava fragments cast out during a tephra-jet explosion at the Waikupanaha ocean entry in 2008. This is a relatively small explosion, reaching a few tens of meters (yards) height, while one earlier in the day was nearly 70 meters (230 ft) in height.

Incandescent arcs trace the path of lava fragments cast out during a tephra-jet explosion at the Waikupanaha ocean entry in 2008. This is a relatively small explosion, reaching a few tens of meters (yards) height, while one earlier in the day was nearly 70 meters (230 ft) in height.

Image: Littoral Explosion At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Littoral Explosion At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Littoral Explosion At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i
Littoral Explosion At Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i

When lava from the Pu'u 'Ō'ō-Kupaianaha eruption, active since 1983, meets the ocean, large littoral explosions can result.

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