Images

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas specialists uses a FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) spectrometer at the new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on June 7, 2023. The FTIR measures the composition of the gases being emitted during the eruption by measuring how the plume absorbs infrared energy.

On the afternoon of June 9, 2023, the fissure on the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater was still active and had formed a spatter cone. The vent was feeding lava flows down into the still active Halema‘uma‘u lava lake below. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

A helicopter overflight on June 8, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity has consisted of lava fountaining and lava lake activity, confined within the crater.

The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues, as shown in this aerial image taken on June 8, 2023. Several lava fountains were active, with lava covering much of the western portion of the crater. The area of active lava on the surface has diminished over the past day, with lower lava fountains compared to yesterday. USGS image by M.

Low fountaining has been active where lava upwells into Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows a series of small fountains in the southern portion of the crater floor. Camera shake is due to high winds at the time.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's B1cam was located on the east rim of the downdropped block within Kīlauea’s summit caldera, overlooking Halema‘uma‘u crater to the west. The eruption that began within Halema‘uma‘u crater the early morning of June 7, 2023, flooded the crater floor with lava and the B1cam was exposed to intense heat.

View from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater, showing the new lava flows that have covered the crater floor since the morning of June 7, 2023. This photograph, taken the morning of June 8, 2023, shows several active fissure vents that are feeding lava flows that cover the floor of the crater.

A helicopter overflight on June 8, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity has consisted of lava fountaining and lava lake activity, confined within the crater.

A telephoto view looking down on the fissure vent in the talus pile in the southwest corner of Halema‘uma‘u crater, taken from the western crater rim. Over the past 24 hours, this fissure vent has built up a spatter cone and spatter ramparts around its lava flow that cascades down to the crater floor.

A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. This photo, taken from the publicly accessible Kīlauea Overlook at approximately 5:30 a.m. HST, shows that lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources.

A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern.

HVO scientists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano, within began the morning of June 7, 2023. This aerial photo shows that multiple vent sources are active on the crater floor, much of which has been covered with new lava over the past several hours.

The B1cam, located on the down-dropped block west of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, is one of several Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams that are documenting the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. You can view all Kīlauea summit webcams here: Summit Webcams | U.S.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected samples erupted on June 7, 2023, during the new eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The samples were collected from the rim of the crater, and range in size up to several inches (6 cm) in size. The samples will be analyzed later for information about the lava erupted during.

A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern.

A summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, began at approximately 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023. Lava is flowing on the crater floor and there are several active vent sources. The eruption at Kīlauea’s summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern.

HVO scientists monitor the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption from within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. They are equipped with a range of specialized safety gear and personal protective equipment such as gas masks, helmets, gloves, and eye protection.

As of 9:30 a.m., multiple vents remain active in the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit. Most vents are on the crater floor; however, one fissure is in the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. This fissure is located about 30 meters (100 feet) above the lava lake surface and is approximately 20-25 meters (65-80 feet) long. 

Lava that is less than one day old drapes over lava from the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries on Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. By the time Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists arrived, this lava at the perimeter of Halemaʻumaʻu was solid but still warm to touch, having erupted earlier that day. Photo taken the afternoon of June 7, 2023, by K.

A helicopter overflight on June 7, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The overflight happened about two hours after the start of the new eruption at the summit, and eruptive activity consisted of lava fountaining and lava lake activity.

Lava fountaining from a fissure that cut across the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u on June 7, 2023, had built up a small cone structure by mid-day. The fissure was intermittently obscured by plumes of volcanic gases throughout the day. USGS photo by K. Lynn.