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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists map and measure ground cracks during the Kamoamoa eruption. USGS photo taken by N. Richter on March 6, 2011.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists map and measure ground cracks during the Kamoamoa eruption. USGS photo taken by N. Richter on March 6, 2011.
Scientists collect volcanic gas data using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR). During the Kamoamoa eruption, sulfur dioxide emission rates from Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone reached the highest levels since the episodes of high-fountaining at Pu‘u‘ō‘ō (1983–1986) with an average rate of 8,500 tonnes per day and a peak value of 11,000 tonnes per day.
Scientists collect volcanic gas data using a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR). During the Kamoamoa eruption, sulfur dioxide emission rates from Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone reached the highest levels since the episodes of high-fountaining at Pu‘u‘ō‘ō (1983–1986) with an average rate of 8,500 tonnes per day and a peak value of 11,000 tonnes per day.
A geologist collects a molten lava sample from the Kamoamoa eruption. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 6, 2011.
A geologist collects a molten lava sample from the Kamoamoa eruption. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick on March 6, 2011.
InSAR image Kīlauea, Hawai‘i, Mar. 2011. Kamoamoa fissure trace is indicated by the red line.
InSAR image Kīlauea, Hawai‘i, Mar. 2011. Kamoamoa fissure trace is indicated by the red line.
Map of Kīlauea Volcano showing the south-southeast motion, as recorded by continuous GPS sites (arrows), and earthquake epicenter between February 1-3, 2010.
Map of Kīlauea Volcano showing the south-southeast motion, as recorded by continuous GPS sites (arrows), and earthquake epicenter between February 1-3, 2010.
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
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 describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.
A clear view of the floor of Pu'u 'O 'o crater. The light grey lava flows near the bottom of the photo were active today.
A clear view of the floor of Pu'u 'O 'o crater. The light grey lava flows near the bottom of the photo were active today.
The flow front of the eastern (top) 'a'a channel.
The flow front of the eastern (top) 'a'a channel.
Multiple pahoehoe flows about 250 m (820 ft) from a breakout point on the Quarry flow lava tube above the pali.
Multiple pahoehoe flows about 250 m (820 ft) from a breakout point on the Quarry flow lava tube above the pali.
Solar-powered seismic station located near the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai‘i.
Solar-powered seismic station located near the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai‘i.
Multiple small channels of lava flow downslope from a breakout point on the pali. There were several other breakouts producing similar flows upslope.
Multiple small channels of lava flow downslope from a breakout point on the pali. There were several other breakouts producing similar flows upslope.
A close-up of the breakout point on Pu'u 'O 'o.
A close-up of the breakout point on Pu'u 'O 'o.
Minor activity continues on the floor of Pu'u 'O 'o crater. The crater floor is often obscured by fume, but Kona winds allowed for a nice view today. The recent flows are light grey in color, concentrated in the east (top of photo) and west (behind the fume) ends of the crater.
Minor activity continues on the floor of Pu'u 'O 'o crater. The crater floor is often obscured by fume, but Kona winds allowed for a nice view today. The recent flows are light grey in color, concentrated in the east (top of photo) and west (behind the fume) ends of the crater.
A new breakout began overnight on Nov 28-29 along the upper section of the TEB tube. The breakout continues to produce lava flows, creating a new rootless shield among the string of previously formed shields.
A new breakout began overnight on Nov 28-29 along the upper section of the TEB tube. The breakout continues to produce lava flows, creating a new rootless shield among the string of previously formed shields.
A gas-rich lava flow on the northwest margin of the new shield.
A gas-rich lava flow on the northwest margin of the new shield.
A close-up of the breakout point on the newly formed shield. The flow is moving from right to left from the breakout point until it branches in several directions near the center of the photograph.
A close-up of the breakout point on the newly formed shield. The flow is moving from right to left from the breakout point until it branches in several directions near the center of the photograph.
Due to the current activity above the pali, lava flows on the coastal plain, as well as the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, are inactive.
Due to the current activity above the pali, lava flows on the coastal plain, as well as the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, are inactive.
Geologist changing the data card in a time-lapse camera on the western rim of Pu'u 'O 'o. The lack of trade winds allowed for a clear view into the crater.
Geologist changing the data card in a time-lapse camera on the western rim of Pu'u 'O 'o. The lack of trade winds allowed for a clear view into the crater.
A similar wide shot of the flow field, incorporating more of the coastline west of the ocean entry. Hilina Pali is the cliff face in the background. Small lava channels enter the ocean along a section of the Puhi-o-Kalaikini lava delta.
A similar wide shot of the flow field, incorporating more of the coastline west of the ocean entry. Hilina Pali is the cliff face in the background. Small lava channels enter the ocean along a section of the Puhi-o-Kalaikini lava delta.
This overlay of a photograph, and a thermal image of the same area, highlights several active breakouts on the coastal plain. Comparing today's image to the composite taken on Oct 28, the breakouts are new, but most of the other features are unchanged.
This overlay of a photograph, and a thermal image of the same area, highlights several active breakouts on the coastal plain. Comparing today's image to the composite taken on Oct 28, the breakouts are new, but most of the other features are unchanged.