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

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Color graphic with 36 smaller images of volcanic eruptions
Photo compilation of episodes 1–36 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
Photo compilation of episodes 1–36 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
Photo compilation of episodes 1–36 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

Photo compilation of episodes 1–36 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, including webcam imagery and photos taken by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists on the ground and during helicopter overflights. In all photos except for episode 7, the south vent is on the left and the north vent is on the right.

Photo compilation of episodes 1–36 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, including webcam imagery and photos taken by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists on the ground and during helicopter overflights. In all photos except for episode 7, the south vent is on the left and the north vent is on the right.

Color photograph of volcanic hill with road and vehicle in the foreground
November 10, 2025 — View of the growing tephra hill after episode 36 at Kīlauea
November 10, 2025 — View of the growing tephra hill after episode 36 at Kīlauea
November 10, 2025 — View of the growing tephra hill after episode 36 at Kīlauea

The day after episode 36 of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption, USGS geologists inspected the tephra deposit west of Halema‘uma‘u, in the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This photo looks south, with Halema‘uma‘u out of view to the left.

The day after episode 36 of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption, USGS geologists inspected the tephra deposit west of Halema‘uma‘u, in the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This photo looks south, with Halema‘uma‘u out of view to the left.

Color photograph of fine particles of volcanic glass on a paved road
November 10, 2025 — Pele's hair in Pāhala from Kīlauea episode 36
November 10, 2025 — Pele's hair in Pāhala from Kīlauea episode 36
November 10, 2025 — Pele's hair in Pāhala from Kīlauea episode 36

Episode 36 lava fountaining from Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption formed tephra, including Pele's hair (strands of fine volcanic glass). Winds blowing from the north resulted in Pele's hair being deposited in Pāhala, a town about 20 miles (32 km) to the southwest of the eruptive vents in Halema‘uma‘u.

Episode 36 lava fountaining from Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption formed tephra, including Pele's hair (strands of fine volcanic glass). Winds blowing from the north resulted in Pele's hair being deposited in Pāhala, a town about 20 miles (32 km) to the southwest of the eruptive vents in Halema‘uma‘u.

Color photograph of scientist holding recently erupted volcanic rock
September 30, 2025 — Tephra clast erupted during episode 33 of Kīlauea summit eruption
September 30, 2025 — Tephra clast erupted during episode 33 of Kīlauea summit eruption
September 30, 2025 — Tephra clast erupted during episode 33 of Kīlauea summit eruption

During the lava fountains of episode 33 on September 19, tephra particles traveled through the air and fell downwind west of Halema‘uma‘u. This clast was about 16 inches (40 centimeters) long, very lightweight due to being very bubble-rich, and delicate. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

During the lava fountains of episode 33 on September 19, tephra particles traveled through the air and fell downwind west of Halema‘uma‘u. This clast was about 16 inches (40 centimeters) long, very lightweight due to being very bubble-rich, and delicate. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Color photograph of lava fountaining from two volcanic vents
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea Episode 36
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea Episode 36
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea Episode 36

This image, captured on November 9, 2025, by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory S2cam, shows lava fountaining from the north and south vents during episode 36 of ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Episode 36 lava fountaining began at 11:15 a.m. on November 9 and was over just 5 hours later, at 4:16 p.m. that same day.

This image, captured on November 9, 2025, by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory S2cam, shows lava fountaining from the north and south vents during episode 36 of ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. Episode 36 lava fountaining began at 11:15 a.m. on November 9 and was over just 5 hours later, at 4:16 p.m. that same day.

Color photograph of scientist monitoring volcanic eruption
November 9, 2025 — Monitoring episode 36 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
November 9, 2025 — Monitoring episode 36 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
November 9, 2025 — Monitoring episode 36 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects video of episode 36 lava fountaining from the south rim of the caldera at Kīlauea summit, on Sunday, November 9. Video data helps document activity and is used for later research on lava fountaining dynamics.  USGS photo by M. Patrick.

 

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects video of episode 36 lava fountaining from the south rim of the caldera at Kīlauea summit, on Sunday, November 9. Video data helps document activity and is used for later research on lava fountaining dynamics.  USGS photo by M. Patrick.

 

Color photograph of people standing on the rim of a crater with lava fountains in the background
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park visitors watch the lava fountains from Uēkahuna overlook on Sunday, November 9. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park visitors watch the lava fountains from Uēkahuna overlook on Sunday, November 9. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of lava fountains
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining

A telephoto view of the vent region within Halema‘uma‘u crater during episode 36 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, on Sunday, November 9. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A telephoto view of the vent region within Halema‘uma‘u crater during episode 36 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, on Sunday, November 9. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of dual lava fountains
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 lava fountaining

View of the dual fountains during episode 36 at the summit of Kīlauea, on Sunday, November 9. View is from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater. Peak heights of lava fountains erupted during this episode reached about 350 meters (1150 feet). USGS photo by M. Patrick.

View of the dual fountains during episode 36 at the summit of Kīlauea, on Sunday, November 9. View is from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater. Peak heights of lava fountains erupted during this episode reached about 350 meters (1150 feet). USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientists walking on damaged road with lava fountains in the background
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 monitoring
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 monitoring
November 9, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 36 monitoring

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists approach the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to make observations of episode 36 at the summit of Kīlauea. This section of Crater Rim Drive within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was damaged in the 2018 summit collapse, and remains closed to the public. USGS photo by M. Patrick on November 9.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists approach the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to make observations of episode 36 at the summit of Kīlauea. This section of Crater Rim Drive within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park was damaged in the 2018 summit collapse, and remains closed to the public. USGS photo by M. Patrick on November 9.

Color photograph of person fixing monitoring station
October 21, 2025 — Kīlauea summit monitoring station maintenance
October 21, 2025 — Kīlauea summit monitoring station maintenance
October 21, 2025 — Kīlauea summit monitoring station maintenance

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer conducts repairs on a gas sensor downwind of the eruptive vents at Kīlauea summit, after digging out tephra that partially buried the instrument during episode 35 lava fountaining. Photo taken October 21, 2025, by M. Patrick.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer conducts repairs on a gas sensor downwind of the eruptive vents at Kīlauea summit, after digging out tephra that partially buried the instrument during episode 35 lava fountaining. Photo taken October 21, 2025, by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of person digging a box out of the ground
October 21, 2025 — Repairing Kīlauea summit monitoring stations
October 21, 2025 — Repairing Kīlauea summit monitoring stations
October 21, 2025 — Repairing Kīlauea summit monitoring stations

On October 21, a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer dug out monitoring equipment buried by tephra fallout from the episode 35 lava fountaining. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

On October 21, a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineer dug out monitoring equipment buried by tephra fallout from the episode 35 lava fountaining. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Webcam image of volcanic eruption
October 18, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 35
October 18, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 35
October 18, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 35

This image, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory KWcam, shows lava fountains erupting during episode 35 of the Kīlauea summit eruption. Dual lava fountains within Halemaʻumaʻu crater feed lava flows on the crater floor. USGS webcam image taken on October 18, 2025. 

This image, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory KWcam, shows lava fountains erupting during episode 35 of the Kīlauea summit eruption. Dual lava fountains within Halemaʻumaʻu crater feed lava flows on the crater floor. USGS webcam image taken on October 18, 2025. 

Color webcam image of lava fountains erupting
October 1, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 34
October 1, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 34
October 1, 2025 — Kīlauea summit eruption episode 34

This image, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory K2cam, shows lava fountains erupting during episode 34 of the Kīlauea summit eruption. The lights in the foreground show the walkway to the Uēkahuna Overlook in HAWAII Volcanoes National Park. USGS webcam image taken on October 1, 2025. 

This image, captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory K2cam, shows lava fountains erupting during episode 34 of the Kīlauea summit eruption. The lights in the foreground show the walkway to the Uēkahuna Overlook in HAWAII Volcanoes National Park. USGS webcam image taken on October 1, 2025. 

Color photo of a USGS scientists from the back trying to work on a filed station, while a tan horse pushes on his shoulder.
August 2025 – Curious horse near a filed station
August 2025 – Curious horse near a filed station
August 2025 – Curious horse near a filed station

A curious horse leans over fence to nibble the shirt of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory lead field engineer as he works on the South Point repeater station. The South Point repeater station, located near the southern point of the Island of Hawaiʻi, is an important data relay station. USGS photo. 

A curious horse leans over fence to nibble the shirt of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory lead field engineer as he works on the South Point repeater station. The South Point repeater station, located near the southern point of the Island of Hawaiʻi, is an important data relay station. USGS photo. 

Color photograph of scientist taking measurement on volcanic landscape
September 25, 2025 — Measuring changes in elevation across the new tephra cone at Kīlauea after episode 33
September 25, 2025 — Measuring changes in elevation across the new tephra cone at Kīlauea after episode 33
September 25, 2025 — Measuring changes in elevation across the new tephra cone at Kīlauea after episode 33

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist surveys the elevation along a transect across the new tephra cone formed by the recent lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. Repeat measurements across the same set of points have been done after every episode starting with episode 23, to track the growth and changes of the tephra hill. USGS photo by M.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist surveys the elevation along a transect across the new tephra cone formed by the recent lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. Repeat measurements across the same set of points have been done after every episode starting with episode 23, to track the growth and changes of the tephra hill. USGS photo by M.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape with tire tracks
September 25, 2025 — The closed portion of Crater Rim Drive Road at Kīlauea summit
September 25, 2025 — The closed portion of Crater Rim Drive Road at Kīlauea summit
September 25, 2025 — The closed portion of Crater Rim Drive Road at Kīlauea summit

The tire tracks in this photo trace the path of Crater Rim Drive (closed to the public) in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This part of the road is covered by tephra erupted from Kīlauea volcano since December 23, 2024. Where the photo is taken the tephra is over 5 feet thick, increasing to over 60 feet thick at the mound of tephra on the skyline.

The tire tracks in this photo trace the path of Crater Rim Drive (closed to the public) in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This part of the road is covered by tephra erupted from Kīlauea volcano since December 23, 2024. Where the photo is taken the tephra is over 5 feet thick, increasing to over 60 feet thick at the mound of tephra on the skyline.

Color photograph of steaming volcanic crater
September 25, 2025 — Panorama view of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
September 25, 2025 — Panorama view of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
September 25, 2025 — Panorama view of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

This panoramic image shows Halema‘uma‘u crater a few days after the end of episode 33 of the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea volcano. This photo, looking eastward (north is left, south is right), was taken from near the top of the mound of tephra that has accumulated west of Halema‘uma‘u since the start of the eruption in December 2024.

This panoramic image shows Halema‘uma‘u crater a few days after the end of episode 33 of the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea volcano. This photo, looking eastward (north is left, south is right), was taken from near the top of the mound of tephra that has accumulated west of Halema‘uma‘u since the start of the eruption in December 2024.

color photo of a scientists working on a field site from a distance with the vents in the background.
September 24, 2025 — Scientist services monitoring station at Kīlauea volcano
September 24, 2025 — Scientist services monitoring station at Kīlauea volcano
September 24, 2025 — Scientist services monitoring station at Kīlauea volcano

On September 24, 2025, a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist serviced a monitoring station at Kīlauea volcano. This site is only accessible by helicopter due to the 2018 summit caldera collapse—the road in the photo is an isolated portion of the old Crater Rim Drive, over 100 feet below the current crater rim.

On September 24, 2025, a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist serviced a monitoring station at Kīlauea volcano. This site is only accessible by helicopter due to the 2018 summit caldera collapse—the road in the photo is an isolated portion of the old Crater Rim Drive, over 100 feet below the current crater rim.

color photo looking down at what look like two small holes in the rock that are the north and south vents.
September 24, 2025 — North and south vents at Kīlauea volcano
September 24, 2025 — North and south vents at Kīlauea volcano
September 24, 2025 — North and south vents at Kīlauea volcano

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists did not see any lava at the bottom of north (bottom right) or south (center) vents during a Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight on September 24. This photo shows the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u, and much of the slope is covered in brown tephra erupted during episode 33 on September 19. USGS photo by N.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists did not see any lava at the bottom of north (bottom right) or south (center) vents during a Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight on September 24. This photo shows the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u, and much of the slope is covered in brown tephra erupted during episode 33 on September 19. USGS photo by N.

color photo looking toward an old eruption site from the 1980s with a clear hiking trail across it worn by visitors.
September 24, 2025 — Aerial view of Kīlauea Iki, Pu‘u Pua‘i, Pu‘u‘ō‘ō, and Kānenuiohamo, and Maunaulu
September 24, 2025 — Aerial view of Kīlauea Iki, Pu‘u Pua‘i, Pu‘u‘ō‘ō, and Kānenuiohamo, and Maunaulu
September 24, 2025 — Aerial view of Kīlauea Iki, Pu‘u Pua‘i, Pu‘u‘ō‘ō, and Kānenuiohamo, and Maunaulu

This aerial view of Kīlauea Iki (center crater with lava covering the floor) and Pu‘u Pua‘i (brown hill to its right) was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on September 24. On the horizon from left to right are, Pu‘u‘ō‘ō (center), Kānenuiohamo (right of center), and Maunaulu (right).

This aerial view of Kīlauea Iki (center crater with lava covering the floor) and Pu‘u Pua‘i (brown hill to its right) was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on September 24. On the horizon from left to right are, Pu‘u‘ō‘ō (center), Kānenuiohamo (right of center), and Maunaulu (right).

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