Images

This aerial view, captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight, shows the lava fountains active in the west part of Kīlauea caldera. The eruption began this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST, December 23, and fountains reached up to 90 meters (290 feet) overnight.

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. 

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. 

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 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.

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.

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. 

A lobe of molten pāhoehoe lava on the floor of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) on December 23, 2024. USGS photo 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.

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.

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.

This reference map depicts the new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 23, 2024, constructed using data captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight at 9:30 a.m.

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.

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

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.

Examples of information that the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory provides, including data of current activity, scientific publications, maps, and summaries (such as fact-sheets), and eruption response information. All have been part of the USGS review process.

Calendar of the USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Volcano Awareness Month events in January 2025, during which HVO and close partners raise awareness of Hawaii’s volcanoes and active volcanic processes that continue to influence us today.