Images

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu capture video and make observations of the fountain behavior during Kīlauea summit eruption episode 53 on August 12, 2026. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This wide-angle, panoramic photo from the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu shows the outgassing plume from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 53 lofting vertically and then drifting west—towards the summit of Mauna Loa—on August 12, 2026. The sun was setting behind the plume, creating an orange tint in the early evening. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Clear air during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on August 11 offered geologists a wide-ranging view of Kīlauea and a couple of the other volcanoes on the Island of Hawai‘i, with Mauna Kea visible in the distance of this photo beyond the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on August 11 passed low over the Kīlauea summit eruptive vents in western Halema‘uma‘u. This photo was captured looking to the south, with the north vent in the center foreground and the south vent behind it.

This wide-angle photo looks east over Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea, during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on August 11. The Halema‘uma‘u eruptive vents are in the lower-right corner of the photo, with the volcanic gas plume carried southwest in the trade winds.

Backscattered electron image of olivine grains erupted at the summit of Kīlauea. Numbers in grains are forsterite (Fo) contents that measure the ratio of Magnesium (Mg) and Iron (Fe). Fo=100*(Mg/(Mg+Fe)). Panel A shows a typical olivine that has one composition (Fo83).

A) Maximum lava fountain heights during episodes 1-51 of the episodic eruption at the summit of Kīlauea in meters with three cycles of fountain height growth. B) Magnesium oxide (MgO) concentrations in the glass of tephra samples from episodes 1-51. 

Photo compilation showing the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory team of technicians maintaining volcano monitoring instrumentation in various environments in Hawaii. USGS photos. 

Field photo of landslide source areas from 2026 Hurricane Lala landslide response. Photograph by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Field photo of blocked culvert under roadway being cleaned out. Photograph by the U.S. Geological Survey. 

Photo looking down the axis of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone towards Ocean View Estates, with Sulfur Cone in the foreground at an elevation of 3,430 meters (11,240 feet) above sea level. Elemental sulfur blankets the ground all around this site, as is its deposited due to the constant degassing of sulfur gases here. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone high up on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. Volcanic gas (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor) concentrations are measured then telemetered back to HVO to be monitored and analyzed by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

During the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on July 29, geologists had clear views to the east of Kīlauea summit—a somewhat rare occurrence, as this area is often cloaked in misty rain. Here, Kīlauea Iki is seen in the foreground, with the East Rift Zone stretching across the background.

On July 29, clear skies provided USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists with excellent views of Halema‘uma‘u during a morning helicopter overflight after Kīlauea summit eruption episode 52 ended overnight. In fact, the only cloud casting shadows over the crater was the residual gas plume from the eruptive vents, which was rising vertically due to calm winds.

The continuously monitoring Multi-Gas instrument at Sulfur Cone is housed inside a black Pelican case, held down by rocks piled on top to keep secure from high winds. Air is pulled into the instrument via a small pump to be analyzed for volcanic gases (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor).

On July 29, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists flew via helicopter to the Sulfur Cone Multi-Gas instrumentation site on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone, which is at an elevation of 3,430 meters (11,240 feet) above sea level.

This thermal map shows the summit of Kīlauea hours after the end of episode 52 lava fountaining on July 29, 2026. The lava flow produced by this fountain mainly flowed along the southern perimeter of the crater floor, and was stalled by the time of the overflight. However, several small breakouts were still active in several areas. 

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone. Sensors measure concentrations of emitted volcanic gases (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor). Volcanic gas concentration data are telemetered back to HVO to be viewed and monitored by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

Only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea. The south vent did not erupt any lava during precursory activity or the eruptive episode, but it did emit flames at the end of the episode. The north vent lava fountain reached a peak height of approximately 500 feet (150 meters) around 9:00 p.m. HST on July 28, 2026.

The eruption plume during episode 52 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea rose to an estimated 19,000 (5,800 meters) above sea level. The incandescent lava erupted by the north vent, and lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, illuminated the plume which was visible for many miles from the summit of Kīlauea, along with a full moon. USGS photo by K.

At Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, visitors were illuminated in the evening light by a full moon and 52nd episode of lava fountaining in at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick on July 28, 2026.