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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
Early morning glow of the eruption southwest of Kīlauea summit on June 3, 2024. This image was taken at 4:27 a.m. HST looking southeast toward the eruptive fissures. USGS image by H Winslow.
Early morning glow of the eruption southwest of Kīlauea summit on June 3, 2024. This image was taken at 4:27 a.m. HST looking southeast toward the eruptive fissures. USGS image by H Winslow.
The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.
The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.
Another GPS survey benchmark being occupied on Mauna Loa, with views of Hualālai and Haleakalā in the background. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Another GPS survey benchmark being occupied on Mauna Loa, with views of Hualālai and Haleakalā in the background. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
A benchmark on Mauna Loa being surveyed by GPS campaign instruments. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
A benchmark on Mauna Loa being surveyed by GPS campaign instruments. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
HVO staff are conducting the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign. During the survey, GPS instruments are deployed at established benchmarks so that their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern subtle patterns of ground deformation associated with volcanic activity.
HVO staff are conducting the annual Mauna Loa GPS campaign. During the survey, GPS instruments are deployed at established benchmarks so that their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern subtle patterns of ground deformation associated with volcanic activity.
GPS campaign equipment being staged prior to deployment on Mauna Loa for the annual survey. Temporary GPS receivers and antennas are placed on tripods centered over benchmarks, which serve as a reference point for centering of the antenna. The equipment is left in place to collect data for a couple of days at each site.
GPS campaign equipment being staged prior to deployment on Mauna Loa for the annual survey. Temporary GPS receivers and antennas are placed on tripods centered over benchmarks, which serve as a reference point for centering of the antenna. The equipment is left in place to collect data for a couple of days at each site.
On May 10, HVO staff performed maintenance on the F1cam, the thermal camera at the summit of Kīlauea.
On May 10, HVO staff performed maintenance on the F1cam, the thermal camera at the summit of Kīlauea.
A close up of the cone that formed in the June 2023 eruption, at the southwest end of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava from the vent poured into a ponded region, which later drained as the eruption waned. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close up of the cone that formed in the June 2023 eruption, at the southwest end of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava from the vent poured into a ponded region, which later drained as the eruption waned. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A view of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the southwest caldera rim on May 10, 2024. While seismicity has been elevated in the south caldera and upper East Rift Zone in the past week, nothing unusual was observed on the surface today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A view of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the southwest caldera rim on May 10, 2024. While seismicity has been elevated in the south caldera and upper East Rift Zone in the past week, nothing unusual was observed on the surface today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
An HVO scientist takes gravity measurements at a benchmark near a crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
An HVO scientist takes gravity measurements at a benchmark near a crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. In this way, gravity is a way of detecting changes in the magma reservoir that might otherwise be hidden. This photo shows two gravimeters used one-at-a-time to take measurements. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. In this way, gravity is a way of detecting changes in the magma reservoir that might otherwise be hidden. This photo shows two gravimeters used one-at-a-time to take measurements. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
On May 8, 2024, HVO staff conducted a gravity survey around Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea) in response to current unrest and to supplement a larger survey done in March 2024. Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano.
On May 8, 2024, HVO staff conducted a gravity survey around Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea) in response to current unrest and to supplement a larger survey done in March 2024. Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano.
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea from April 19 to May 5, 2024, as recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (AGI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion indicative of inflation as the magma reservoi
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea from April 19 to May 5, 2024, as recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (AGI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion indicative of inflation as the magma reservoi
This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.
This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory IT specialist at a data center is pictured imagining the benefits of programming code to the observation of volcanic phenomena. USGS image.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory IT specialist at a data center is pictured imagining the benefits of programming code to the observation of volcanic phenomena. USGS image.
This photo shows the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). In the lower right corner of the image is the cone formed during the June 2023 eruption. This cone hosted impressive lava fountaining that supplied lava through a narrow channel into the lava pond in the lower left portion of the image. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
This photo shows the southwest portion of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera). In the lower right corner of the image is the cone formed during the June 2023 eruption. This cone hosted impressive lava fountaining that supplied lava through a narrow channel into the lava pond in the lower left portion of the image. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Despite a significant increase in small earthquakes at the summit and upper East Rift Zone in recent days, activity at the surface was quiet On May 1, 2024. This photo shows the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, which last erupted in September 2023.
Despite a significant increase in small earthquakes at the summit and upper East Rift Zone in recent days, activity at the surface was quiet On May 1, 2024. This photo shows the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, which last erupted in September 2023.
The V1cam webcam, which provides the livestream at the summit of Kīlauea, is a pan-tilt-zoom model that allows HVO staff to adjust the view remotely based on changes in activity in the caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
The V1cam webcam, which provides the livestream at the summit of Kīlauea, is a pan-tilt-zoom model that allows HVO staff to adjust the view remotely based on changes in activity in the caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
HVO staff performed some routine maintenance on the V1cam at Kīlauea summit. This webcam provides the livestream that operates 24/7, and has helped track recent eruptions in the summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
HVO staff performed some routine maintenance on the V1cam at Kīlauea summit. This webcam provides the livestream that operates 24/7, and has helped track recent eruptions in the summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
HVO scientist setting up temporary GPS equipment south of Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano).The long profile of Mauna Loa volcano is prominent in the background. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.
HVO scientist setting up temporary GPS equipment south of Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano).The long profile of Mauna Loa volcano is prominent in the background. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.
Participants of the May 2024 Kīlauea petrology workshop discuss the local geology near lava flows that erupted during the lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea in 2018. USGS photo by A. Lerner.
Participants of the May 2024 Kīlauea petrology workshop discuss the local geology near lava flows that erupted during the lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea in 2018. USGS photo by A. Lerner.