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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
The north and south vents have generated several lava fountains more than 1,000 ft (300 m) high during the past 26 episodes.
The north and south vents have generated several lava fountains more than 1,000 ft (300 m) high during the past 26 episodes.
Lava was seen about 10-20 m (33-66 feet) below the rim of the north vent on June 27, 2025, during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit monitoring helicopter overflight. The north vent was glowing over the past several nights and some minor spatter was visible overnight of June 26-27. USGS photo by R. Gale.
Lava was seen about 10-20 m (33-66 feet) below the rim of the north vent on June 27, 2025, during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit monitoring helicopter overflight. The north vent was glowing over the past several nights and some minor spatter was visible overnight of June 26-27. USGS photo by R. Gale.
This map shows thickness values for lava flows within Halema‘uma‘u crater from the Kīlauea summit eruption that began on December 23, 2024. These values were calculated by topographic differencing between a digital elevation model collected on June 10, 2025—after eruptive episode 24—and one from before the eruption began.
This map shows thickness values for lava flows within Halema‘uma‘u crater from the Kīlauea summit eruption that began on December 23, 2024. These values were calculated by topographic differencing between a digital elevation model collected on June 10, 2025—after eruptive episode 24—and one from before the eruption began.
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 June 26, 2025. The aircraft was about 150 m (500 ft) above the vent, with north oriented to the upper left in this view.
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 June 26, 2025. The aircraft was about 150 m (500 ft) above the vent, with north oriented to the upper left in this view.
These maps show lava flow and tephra accumulation at Kīlauea volcano associated with episodes 23 (left) and 24 (right) of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation.
These maps show lava flow and tephra accumulation at Kīlauea volcano associated with episodes 23 (left) and 24 (right) of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation.
This animated GIF shows a timelapse sequence consisting of one image every several days between December 25, 2024, and June 20, 2025. The photos were taken from the northern rim of the caldera, near Uēkahuna overlook and the view is south towards the ongoing eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu.
This animated GIF shows a timelapse sequence consisting of one image every several days between December 25, 2024, and June 20, 2025. The photos were taken from the northern rim of the caldera, near Uēkahuna overlook and the view is south towards the ongoing eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu.
On June 26, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) mission to monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption and map its tephra deposits. Here, a geologist prepares for a flight from former Crater Rim Drive within the closed portion of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
On June 26, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) mission to monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption and map its tephra deposits. Here, a geologist prepares for a flight from former Crater Rim Drive within the closed portion of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory physical science technicians leave the field after installing two webcams and a continuous laser at the summit of Kīlauea, to help monitor the ongoing lava fountains. The landscape here is now covered by a thick carpet of tephra from the recent lava fountaining episodes, changing much of the appearance of the western caldera rim.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory physical science technicians leave the field after installing two webcams and a continuous laser at the summit of Kīlauea, to help monitor the ongoing lava fountains. The landscape here is now covered by a thick carpet of tephra from the recent lava fountaining episodes, changing much of the appearance of the western caldera rim.
The V1cam (far right), KWcam, F1cam, and continuous laser rangefinder are perched on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. This monitoring equipment are powered by a series of solar panels and battery banks (visible in the background of the photo), all of which are installed with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by M.
The V1cam (far right), KWcam, F1cam, and continuous laser rangefinder are perched on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. This monitoring equipment are powered by a series of solar panels and battery banks (visible in the background of the photo), all of which are installed with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by M.
The KWcam, F1cam, and laser rangefinder have been co-located with the V1cam on the western rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera. These instruments will provide additional monitoring for the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption. USGS photo by M. Warren.
The KWcam, F1cam, and laser rangefinder have been co-located with the V1cam on the western rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera. These instruments will provide additional monitoring for the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption. USGS photo by M. Warren.
On June 24, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff reinstalled the KWcam, F1cam, and laser rangefinder on the rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera. These instruments had been removed from the field in March 2025 as they were within an area impacted by tephra fallout from the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea.
On June 24, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff reinstalled the KWcam, F1cam, and laser rangefinder on the rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera. These instruments had been removed from the field in March 2025 as they were within an area impacted by tephra fallout from the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea.
A USGS geologist surveys the height of the new tephra cone formed by the recent lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. This tephra cone now towers over, and covers, Crater Rim Drive, which has been closed to the public since 2008.
A USGS geologist surveys the height of the new tephra cone formed by the recent lava fountaining episodes at the summit of Kīlauea. This tephra cone now towers over, and covers, Crater Rim Drive, which has been closed to the public since 2008.
Visitors in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park enjoy a clear view of the episode 26 lava fountains from Kīlauea overlook. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Visitors in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park enjoy a clear view of the episode 26 lava fountains from Kīlauea overlook. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
The appearance of layers in the fountains represents discrete pulses at the base of the fountain, highlighting the dynamic nature of lava exiting the vent. The fountain supplied lava into channels that flowed north along the edge of the crater floor, into the eastern crater. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
The appearance of layers in the fountains represents discrete pulses at the base of the fountain, highlighting the dynamic nature of lava exiting the vent. The fountain supplied lava into channels that flowed north along the edge of the crater floor, into the eastern crater. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Episode 26 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea. The episode was dominated by fountaining from the north vent, and reached over 350 m (1150 feet). USGS photo.
Episode 26 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea. The episode was dominated by fountaining from the north vent, and reached over 350 m (1150 feet). USGS photo.
A view of the complex flow of lava exiting the north vent crater at Kīlauea summit during episode 26 of the ongoing eruption. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A view of the complex flow of lava exiting the north vent crater at Kīlauea summit during episode 26 of the ongoing eruption. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Episode 26 of lava fountaining during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption began just after midnight, on June 20, and reached heights of over 300 meters (1000 feet).
Episode 26 of lava fountaining during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption began just after midnight, on June 20, and reached heights of over 300 meters (1000 feet).
A close-up view of the base of the north fountain during episode 26, as well as the start of the lava channels draining the vent craters. These channels often had standing waves, resembling a fast-moving river. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close-up view of the base of the north fountain during episode 26, as well as the start of the lava channels draining the vent craters. These channels often had standing waves, resembling a fast-moving river. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects video and makes observations of lava fountain behavior on the western caldera rim during the morning on June 20. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects video and makes observations of lava fountain behavior on the western caldera rim during the morning on June 20. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Thick tephra deposits downwind (southwest) of the active vents at Kīlauea summit have covered roadways used to access critical monitoring equipment, requiring 4wd to navigate to these instrument sites. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Thick tephra deposits downwind (southwest) of the active vents at Kīlauea summit have covered roadways used to access critical monitoring equipment, requiring 4wd to navigate to these instrument sites. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory summer 2025 interns Kamalani Poepoe (left) and Ruth Gale (right). Kamalani is pictured earlier this year on the rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during one of the fountaining phases of the summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory summer 2025 interns Kamalani Poepoe (left) and Ruth Gale (right). Kamalani is pictured earlier this year on the rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during one of the fountaining phases of the summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu.