Images

After sample preparation, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo faculty and an undergraduate research student load the most recent Kīlauea eruption sample into the ED-XRF (energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence) for chemical analysis. Within 6 hours of sample collection, the chemical analysis of the lava was completed. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

View of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) from the B1 webcam on December 23, 2024, acquired during lava fountaining episode 1. USGS webcam image.

Kīlauea volcano began erupting within the summit caldera at approximately 2:20 a.m. HST this morning, December 23, 2024, following an increase in seismicity that began beneath the summit just a half hour earlier, at approximately 2:00 a.m. HST.

From the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists documented the new eruption within Kalupele that started this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST.

Another view of the new eruption within the summit caldera of Kīlauea, Kaluapele, that began this morning, December 23, 2024, at approximately 2:20 a.m. HST. Lava is erupting from vents on the west part of the caldera wall, feeding lava flows that cover the area of Halemaʻumaʻu crater (with an approximate diameter of 1 kilometer or 0.75 miles). USGS photo by M.

The B2cam captures a live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim and down-dropped block, looking west across Kīlauea summit caldera. On December 23, 2024, it captured the start of another Kīlauea summit eruption. USGS webcam image. 

Around 2:20 a.m. HST on December 23, 2024, Kīlauea's newest summit eruption began in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountains overnight reached up to 90 meters (295 feet) high and threw molten lava up and onto portions of the old Crater Rim Drive in a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Around 2:20 a.m. HST on December 23, 2024, Kīlauea's newest summit eruption began in Halema‘uma‘u. Lava fountains overnight reached up to 90 meters (295 feet) high and threw molten lava up and onto portions of the old Crater Rim Drive in a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

During an overflight at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the eruption that began this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST in Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera).

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist checks a webcam located on the rim of Kīlauea caldera. The webcam network at the summit of Kīlauea volcano is crucial for monitoring eruptions such as the one that began today, December 23, 2024, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

During an overflight at 2:30 p.m. HST today, December 23, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were able to collect a molten sample of lava from the new eruption within Kaluapele. Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano, is the sacred home of the elemental force associated with volcanoes—Pele.

This photograph, taken at approximately 4:00 a.m. HST from the Volcano House overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, shows the new eruption within Kaluapele (the summit caldera).

This thermal map shows lava flows covering the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea.  Fountaining was active in the southwest portion of the caldera, with flows extending east onto the downdropped block. Cooler colors (purple, black) show lower temperatures while hotter colors (orange, yellow) show higher temperatures. USGS map by M.

The new Kīlauea summit eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. High levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects down-wind.

The lake of active lava in the summit caldera of Kīlauea glows as the sun rises. Lava has covered more than 400 acres since the eruption began at 2:20 a.m. HST this morning. USGS image by N. Deligne. 

The volcanic plume from the December 23, 2024, Kīlauea summit eruption taken from Uēkahuna overlook within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and looking south. As of 9:30 a.m. HST, the plume (which is periodic in intensity) is still active and ejecting spatter and bombs onto the west rim of the caldera in the closed area along Crater Rim Drive Road. USGS photo by H.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a monitoring overflight of the new eruption in Kīlauea summit caldera. During the overflight, which occurred at 9:30 a.m. HST, they observed lava the active lava fountains and active lava flows at the base of the caldera, which have paved more than 500 acres with new rock.

A view across new lava flows paving the floor of Kīlauea caldera, taken during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST this morning. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observe and document the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. Using a laser rangefinder, the geologists measure the distance to various points associated with the new eruption. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Kīlauea's newest eruption samples contain olivine - a common green mineral in Hawaiian lavas. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo staff are picking out the olivine crystals like this one, shown using a microscope to magnify it (the crystal is 1 mm in size, or about 0.04 inches across), to analyze their chemistry.

View of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) from the B1 webcam on December 20, 2024, just before the onset of the episodic lava fountaining eruption on December 23.