Images

This panoramic image, taken at 5:39 p.m. H.S.T. on July 20, 2025, shows episode 29 of the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, within Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano).

During episode 29 of lava fountaining from the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption, a USGS scientist uses a laser rangefinder from the caldera rim to measure the width and distance of lava channels—data that helps estimate the flow’s velocity. USGS staff visit this hazardous area with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

This view of episode 29 lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder device that USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were using to measure eruptive features. This photo was taken at 7:10 a.m. H.S.T. on July 20, 2025, nearly 2 hours after the start of episode 29.

During episode 29 of lava fountaining at the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption, USGS scientists approached the caldera rim—with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park—to measure volcanic gas emissions. The lava fountain seen here, on the morning of July 20, reached approximately 100 feet (30 meters) high.

Lava fountaining from episode 29 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began around 5:15 a.m. HST on July 20. The eruption produced large lava flows from the north vent, which traveled approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) across the caldera floor. USGS photo by M. Benage.

Significant cracks have appeared in the cone around the eruptive vents in Halemaʻumaʻu, as this feature has slumped downwards following episode 28. The south vent, which did not erupt during episode 28, was completely covered but the north vent remains visibly degassing. Mauna Kea is on the horizon in the background of the image. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory pilot guides a UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) to the landing pad after an observational flight over the eruptive vents in Halemaʻumaʻu.

The tephra mound on the crater rim southwest of the active vents in Halemaʻumaʻu is nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall after 28 episodes of lava fountaining since December 23, 2024. The profile of the tephra mound nearly mirrors that of Mauna Loa, outlined behind it. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

This near-vertical view into the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater was captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) flight on July 17, 2025. The aircraft was about 150 m (500 ft) above the vent, with north oriented to the upper left in this view. No incandescence or lava was visible within the vent.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists prepare for a UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) flight at Kīlauea summit on July 17, 2025.

Crater Rim Drive within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was damaged during the earthquakes and collapse events in 2018. Tephra has been deposited parts of the damaged road during recent lava fountaining episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu, underscoring the hazardous nature of this area that has remained closed to the public since 2008. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Following episode 28 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on July 9, this satellite image was acquired on July 11. It shows the tephra deposit extending in the predominant downwind direction to the southwest in the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

On July 10, USGS field engineers visited one of the volcanic gas monitoring stations downwind of the summit of Kīlauea, within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This area has been blanketed with tephra material during recent eruptive episodes within Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by M. Cappos. 

Solar panels that power USGS volcano monitoring equipment can be covered with tephra during eruptive episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. These tephra particles can range in size from fine ash to tennis-ball sized and larger.  USGS field engineers visit these stations after eruptive episodes to clean them off and restore power to the stations. USGS photo by M.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers visited monitoring stations downwind of the Kīlauea summit eruptive vents on July 10. They wore snowshoes as the large footprint keeps the field engineers walking on top of the frothy pumice everywhere, rather than through it. USGS photo by M. Warren. 

During Kīlauea summit eruption episode 28 on Wednesday, July 9, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted an aerial overflight of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which included a brief landing on the crater floor to collect lava samples.

Halemaʻumaʻu crater is the home of Pele, the Native Hawaiian elemental force associated with lava, and numerous eruptions have taken place in the crater. With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists landed briefly on the crater floor on Wednesday, July 9, to collect lava samples of episode 28.

USGS scientists use an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer) to measure the chemical composition of volcanic gas during episode 28 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit on July 9, 2025. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

At around 6:30 a.m. HST on July 9, 2025, a fan-shaped lava fountain being erupted during episode 28 was visible from near Kīlauea Overlook within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

This photo was taken by a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring webcam just before 6:00 a.m. HST on July 9, during episode 28 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Mauna Loa looms in the background, illuminated by the morning sun. USGS photo.

In this view from an eruption monitoring helicopter overflight on Wednesday, July 9, new lava flows can be seen traveling across the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor—these appear as fluid forms with a shiny, silvery crust over incandescent red-hot lava. Older lava flows from previous eruptive episodes have a darker or duller appearance.