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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Desolate caldera with a steaming volcanic vent in the background under cloudy skies.
Kīlauea summit caldera from B1 camera on August 29, 2025
Kīlauea summit caldera from B1 camera on August 29, 2025
Kīlauea summit caldera from B1 camera on August 29, 2025

View of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) from the B1 webcam on August 29, 2025, acquired between lava fountaining episodes 31 and 32.

Color map showing area covered by lava flows in recent volcanic eruption
August 29, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
August 29, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
August 29, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on August 29, 2025, the eruption has had thirty-one episodes, with the most recent one occurring on August 22 and 23.

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on August 29, 2025, the eruption has had thirty-one episodes, with the most recent one occurring on August 22 and 23.

Color photograph of scientist emptying a bucket
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist empties water and volcanic glass particles from a tephra collection bucket on the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u. The buckets are used to collect tephra from the eruption episodes for geochemical analyses.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist empties water and volcanic glass particles from a tephra collection bucket on the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u. The buckets are used to collect tephra from the eruption episodes for geochemical analyses.

Color photograph of scientists walking across a new geologic deposit wearing safety gear
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance
August 29, 2025 — Kīlauea summit observations and monitoring site maintenance

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists hike to the northwest rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) for maintenance at the V1cam livestream camera. The crew wears special personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their eyes and lungs from exposure to tiny volcanic glass particles.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists hike to the northwest rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) for maintenance at the V1cam livestream camera. The crew wears special personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their eyes and lungs from exposure to tiny volcanic glass particles.

Color map showing temperature of crater floor where volcanic eruption recently occurred
August 25, 2025 — Thermal map of Kīlauea summit following episode 31 lava flows
August 25, 2025 — Thermal map of Kīlauea summit following episode 31 lava flows
August 25, 2025 — Thermal map of Kīlauea summit following episode 31 lava flows

This thermal map of Kīlauea's summit caldera was made from airborne thermal images collected on August 25, just a few days after episode 31 lava fountaining covered Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor in new lava flows. These flows remain warm in the thermal imagery, particularly in the eastern crater where flows slightly expanded the margin of new flows on the crater floor.

This thermal map of Kīlauea's summit caldera was made from airborne thermal images collected on August 25, just a few days after episode 31 lava fountaining covered Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor in new lava flows. These flows remain warm in the thermal imagery, particularly in the eastern crater where flows slightly expanded the margin of new flows on the crater floor.

Color photograph of volcanic crater with degassing plume rising above it
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea degassing
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea degassing
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea degassing

A helicopter can be seen in the upper left portion of the photo, with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists onboard conducting a photogrammetric survey of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor following the episode 31 lava fountaining on August 22-23, 2025. The passive outgassing plume originates from the vent complex that has been active in the current eruption.

A helicopter can be seen in the upper left portion of the photo, with USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists onboard conducting a photogrammetric survey of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor following the episode 31 lava fountaining on August 22-23, 2025. The passive outgassing plume originates from the vent complex that has been active in the current eruption.

Color photograph of volcanic vent degassing
August 25, 2025 — North vent observations at the summit of Kīlauea
August 25, 2025 — North vent observations at the summit of Kīlauea
August 25, 2025 — North vent observations at the summit of Kīlauea

During a Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight on August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews documented the geometry of the north vent that fountained predominantly during episode 31. The conduit is at a high angle into the southwest wall of the north vent. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

During a Kīlauea summit monitoring overflight on August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews documented the geometry of the north vent that fountained predominantly during episode 31. The conduit is at a high angle into the southwest wall of the north vent. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Color photograph of scientist collecting geologic samples near degassing volcanic vent
August 25, 2025 — Sampling episode 31 tephra and lava in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea
August 25, 2025 — Sampling episode 31 tephra and lava in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea
August 25, 2025 — Sampling episode 31 tephra and lava in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea

On August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews sampled lava and tephra from episode 31 during a morning monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit. Samples from the episode will be later analyzed in the lab to track changes in the chemistry of erupted material and help scientists understand the processes driving the 2024-2025 episodic eruption.

On August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews sampled lava and tephra from episode 31 during a morning monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit. Samples from the episode will be later analyzed in the lab to track changes in the chemistry of erupted material and help scientists understand the processes driving the 2024-2025 episodic eruption.

Color photograph of degassing plume above caldera
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea caldera and degassing plume views
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea caldera and degassing plume views
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea caldera and degassing plume views

Clear weather provided good conditions for a helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit the morning of August 25, 2025. The overflight allowed USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct a photogrammetric survey of the crater floor following the episode 31 lava fountaining late last week, as well as to collect lava samples.

Clear weather provided good conditions for a helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit the morning of August 25, 2025. The overflight allowed USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct a photogrammetric survey of the crater floor following the episode 31 lava fountaining late last week, as well as to collect lava samples.

Color photograph showing changes to a coastline over time
Changes to Kīlauea 1960 lava delta over time
Changes to Kīlauea 1960 lava delta over time
Changes to Kīlauea 1960 lava delta over time

Aerial imagery time-series showing erosion along the northern edge of the 1960 lava delta spanning six decades after the eruption. The 1965 aerial photo on the left is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 1990s satellite image in the center is from Spot Image, and the 2019 satellite image is from Maxar.

Aerial imagery time-series showing erosion along the northern edge of the 1960 lava delta spanning six decades after the eruption. The 1965 aerial photo on the left is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 1990s satellite image in the center is from Spot Image, and the 2019 satellite image is from Maxar.

Color photograph of volcanic deposit
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 31 proximal channel
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 31 proximal channel
August 25, 2025 — Kīlauea episode 31 proximal channel

During a Kīlauea monitoring overflight on August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews documented the proximal channel that fed lava flows from the north vent to the floor of Halema‘uma‘u during episode 31.

During a Kīlauea monitoring overflight on August 25, 2025, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews documented the proximal channel that fed lava flows from the north vent to the floor of Halema‘uma‘u during episode 31.

Color photograph of shield volcano with caldera wall in the foreground
August 25, 2025 — Clear views at Kīlauea summit
August 25, 2025 — Clear views at Kīlauea summit
August 25, 2025 — Clear views at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter carries USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists over Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) as it flies over Kīlauea's summit caldera to conduct a photo survey following the episode 31 lava fountaining. Mauna Loa can be seen in the distance. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A helicopter carries USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists over Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) as it flies over Kīlauea's summit caldera to conduct a photo survey following the episode 31 lava fountaining. Mauna Loa can be seen in the distance. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of lava fountaining
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea

Inclined lava fountains from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 31 on August 22 have blanketed the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor with tephra, in addition to feeding lava flows extending to the east. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

Color photograph of lava fountain and flow
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

As the sun sets on August 22, a lava fountain continues to erupt within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This is the 31rst episode of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu since this eruption began on December 23, 2024. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

As the sun sets on August 22, a lava fountain continues to erupt within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This is the 31rst episode of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu since this eruption began on December 23, 2024. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph of lava flows
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor during the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor during the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor during the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

31 episodes of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea since December 23, 2024, have covered the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu with a patchwork of lava flows of varying ages. With each episode, more of the crater floor is covered and in total, the lava flows have filled over 260 feet (80 meters) of the crater with new lava.  USGS photo by M. Patrick.

31 episodes of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea since December 23, 2024, have covered the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu with a patchwork of lava flows of varying ages. With each episode, more of the crater floor is covered and in total, the lava flows have filled over 260 feet (80 meters) of the crater with new lava.  USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of eruption and plume
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava fountain and plume at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava fountain and plume at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava fountain and plume at the summit of Kīlauea

Lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 31. Afternoon views of the eruption from the northwest caldera rim provided views of the inclined lava fountain from the north vent, as well as the eruption plume. During eruption episodes, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates increase.

Lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 31. Afternoon views of the eruption from the northwest caldera rim provided views of the inclined lava fountain from the north vent, as well as the eruption plume. During eruption episodes, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates increase.

Color photograph of scientist monitoring eruption
August 22, 2025 — USGS staff monitor episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — USGS staff monitor episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — USGS staff monitor episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff monitor and document episode 31 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano, which began on August 22.

Color photograph of scientists walking across volcanic terrain to monitor eruption
August 22, 2025 — Monitoring episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Monitoring episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Monitoring episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

On August 22, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists hiked to the western rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater to watch episode 31 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Hiking across tephra fields from earlier lava fountaining episodes, renewed eruptive activity was evidenced by a stronger volcanic gas plume as well as heat shimmer above the crater. USGS photo by M.

On August 22, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists hiked to the western rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater to watch episode 31 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Hiking across tephra fields from earlier lava fountaining episodes, renewed eruptive activity was evidenced by a stronger volcanic gas plume as well as heat shimmer above the crater. USGS photo by M.

Colro photograph of lava erupting at an angle
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 inclined fountains in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea

During Kīlauea summit eruption episode 31 on August 22, inclined lava fountains extended 300 meters (1000 feet) laterally from the north vent, going eastward towards the center of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Color photograph of erupting lava
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 lava flows in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea

Unlike many recent Kīlauea summit eruption episodes, number 31 on August 22 has had a primary lava channel exclusively fed by molten spatter, rather than lava upwelling from the north vent. Other more solid tephra has fallen in a broad plain around the vent.

Unlike many recent Kīlauea summit eruption episodes, number 31 on August 22 has had a primary lava channel exclusively fed by molten spatter, rather than lava upwelling from the north vent. Other more solid tephra has fallen in a broad plain around the vent.

Color photograph of lava fountain with dead tree in foreground
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea
August 22, 2025 — Episode 31 of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea

Episode 31 fountains began at 2:04 p.m. HST, after spattering was visible overnight along with several sluggish lava flows from the north vent.  After episode 31 started, lava fountains steadily grew in size to over 325 feet (100 m). The fountains exited the north vent at a 45-degree angle and would be over 500 feet high if they were straight up.

Episode 31 fountains began at 2:04 p.m. HST, after spattering was visible overnight along with several sluggish lava flows from the north vent.  After episode 31 started, lava fountains steadily grew in size to over 325 feet (100 m). The fountains exited the north vent at a 45-degree angle and would be over 500 feet high if they were straight up.

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