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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
This telephoto view of the northern eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder late in the afternoon on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists used the rangefinder to measure lava fountains consistently reaching 100 feet (30 meters) in height.
This telephoto view of the northern eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder late in the afternoon on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists used the rangefinder to measure lava fountains consistently reaching 100 feet (30 meters) in height.
Kīlauea'S 2024-2025 eruption resumed around 3 pm HST on January 22, 2025, and ended around 4:30 am HST on January 23, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews observed the eruptive vents around 9 am on January 23 after the eruption had paused again.
Kīlauea'S 2024-2025 eruption resumed around 3 pm HST on January 22, 2025, and ended around 4:30 am HST on January 23, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews observed the eruptive vents around 9 am on January 23 after the eruption had paused again.
This panorama of Kīlauea summit eruption's fifth episode was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists around sunset on Wednesday, January 22. A tripod camcorder on the crater rim in the foreground was used to record high-resolution video of lava fountains at the northern eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
This panorama of Kīlauea summit eruption's fifth episode was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists around sunset on Wednesday, January 22. A tripod camcorder on the crater rim in the foreground was used to record high-resolution video of lava fountains at the northern eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
In the early evening of Wednesday, January 22, just a few hours into the fifth episode of Kīlauea's summit eruption, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of lava fountains at the northern eruptive vent (right) within Halema‘uma‘u crater. The southern eruptive vent (left) was degassing but not actively erupting at the time.
In the early evening of Wednesday, January 22, just a few hours into the fifth episode of Kīlauea's summit eruption, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of lava fountains at the northern eruptive vent (right) within Halema‘uma‘u crater. The southern eruptive vent (left) was degassing but not actively erupting at the time.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist's silhouette in front of the illuminated gas plume emanating from Halema‘uma‘u crater on Wednesday, January 22, during the fifth episode of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist's silhouette in front of the illuminated gas plume emanating from Halema‘uma‘u crater on Wednesday, January 22, during the fifth episode of Kīlauea's ongoing summit eruption. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
View from the southwest rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea, where the temporary S2 webcam is located. This view looks down on the active north and south vents on the morning of January 17, 2025, as lava fountains reached 100-115 ft (30-35 m) high and feeding lava flows in the western part of Halemaʻumaʻu.
View from the southwest rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea, where the temporary S2 webcam is located. This view looks down on the active north and south vents on the morning of January 17, 2025, as lava fountains reached 100-115 ft (30-35 m) high and feeding lava flows in the western part of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Close up view of the south vent from the southwest rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea, on the morning of January 17, 2025. The cone is almost 100 ft (30 m) high and the lava fountain is just as high to slightly high at times. The outlet at the front of the cone is feeding some of the lava flows in the western part of Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by D.
Close up view of the south vent from the southwest rim of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea, on the morning of January 17, 2025. The cone is almost 100 ft (30 m) high and the lava fountain is just as high to slightly high at times. The outlet at the front of the cone is feeding some of the lava flows in the western part of Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by D.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of the ongoing summit within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. This aerial view shows the two erupting vents that are located in the southwest part of the caldera. A portion of Crater Rim Drive that collapsed into the caldera in 2018 is visible in the foreground of the photo.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of the ongoing summit within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. This aerial view shows the two erupting vents that are located in the southwest part of the caldera. A portion of Crater Rim Drive that collapsed into the caldera in 2018 is visible in the foreground of the photo.
A view of the nearly vertical eruption plume at Kīlauea summit during the afternoon on January 17, 2025. Photo taken from within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and showing Crater Rim Drive. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
A view of the nearly vertical eruption plume at Kīlauea summit during the afternoon on January 17, 2025. Photo taken from within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and showing Crater Rim Drive. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) operations at the Kīlauea summit eruption site on January 17, 2025. Scientists conducted flights to assess volcanic gas emissions and take aerial imagery, which will aid in hazard assessment of the ongoing eruption.
With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) operations at the Kīlauea summit eruption site on January 17, 2025. Scientists conducted flights to assess volcanic gas emissions and take aerial imagery, which will aid in hazard assessment of the ongoing eruption.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of the ongoing summit within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. This low-angle aerial view looking westward shows the two erupting vents that are located in the southwest part of the caldera, and along with the Pāhoehoe lava flowing out of the vents. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists conducted a monitoring overflight of the ongoing summit within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. This low-angle aerial view looking westward shows the two erupting vents that are located in the southwest part of the caldera, and along with the Pāhoehoe lava flowing out of the vents. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
On Friday, January 17, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists flew an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS, or "drone") into Halema‘uma‘u crater to capture this close-up photo of spattering at the two active vents of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption.
On Friday, January 17, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologists flew an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS, or "drone") into Halema‘uma‘u crater to capture this close-up photo of spattering at the two active vents of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption.
Aerial view of tephra erupted from December 23, 2024, to present (with several pauses) and deposited within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Early in the eruption the lava fountains were ejecting bombs and lapilli across the closed portion of Crater Rim Drive. In places this tephra gets to almost a foot (30 cm) thick. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Aerial view of tephra erupted from December 23, 2024, to present (with several pauses) and deposited within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Early in the eruption the lava fountains were ejecting bombs and lapilli across the closed portion of Crater Rim Drive. In places this tephra gets to almost a foot (30 cm) thick. USGS photo by D. Downs.
Staff from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at the rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) monitoring and taking measurements of ongoing activity within the summit caldera. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Staff from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at the rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) monitoring and taking measurements of ongoing activity within the summit caldera. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Over the past day, persistent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit, coupled with Kona wind conditions, has resulted in Pele's hair falling on nearby communities and within parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Over the past day, persistent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit, coupled with Kona wind conditions, has resulted in Pele's hair falling on nearby communities and within parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Telephoto view of the two vents erupting in the southwest part of Halema'uma'u in Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) at approximately 6 a.m. HST on January 16, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists in the field this morning measured the lava fountains as reaching approximately 60 meters (197 feet) high.
Telephoto view of the two vents erupting in the southwest part of Halema'uma'u in Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) at approximately 6 a.m. HST on January 16, 2025. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists in the field this morning measured the lava fountains as reaching approximately 60 meters (197 feet) high.
During the reactivation of the Kīlauea summit eruption, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists setup high resolution cameras to record eruption dynamics. While on field shifts, scientists measure fountain and cone heights, take thermal and observational images, and collect samples for monitoring purposes.
During the reactivation of the Kīlauea summit eruption, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists setup high resolution cameras to record eruption dynamics. While on field shifts, scientists measure fountain and cone heights, take thermal and observational images, and collect samples for monitoring purposes.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observe the continuation of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption during its fourth eruptive episode. The eruption had been paused since January 3, 2025, and resumed on January 15, 2025.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observe the continuation of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption during its fourth eruptive episode. The eruption had been paused since January 3, 2025, and resumed on January 15, 2025.
This zoom view of the two active lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during an observational visit to the southern crater rim on the morning of January 16, 2025.
This zoom view of the two active lava fountains within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during an observational visit to the southern crater rim on the morning of January 16, 2025.
This thermal map of the summit of Kīlauea was made from images collected during a January 16 overflight, just four days after the episode 40 lava fountaining on January 12. The episode 40 lava flows from the north vent crossed much of crater floor along the north side of the crater.
This thermal map of the summit of Kīlauea was made from images collected during a January 16 overflight, just four days after the episode 40 lava fountaining on January 12. The episode 40 lava flows from the north vent crossed much of crater floor along the north side of the crater.
Early morning view of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption within Halema'uma'u in Kaluapele (the summit caldera) on January 16, 2025. This telephoto view is from the Volcano House overlook within Hawaiʻi Voclanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Early morning view of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption within Halema'uma'u in Kaluapele (the summit caldera) on January 16, 2025. This telephoto view is from the Volcano House overlook within Hawaiʻi Voclanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.