Images

On July 29, clear skies provided USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists with excellent views of Halema‘uma‘u during a morning helicopter overflight after Kīlauea summit eruption episode 52 ended overnight. In fact, the only cloud casting shadows over the crater was the residual gas plume from the eruptive vents, which was rising vertically due to calm winds.

The continuously monitoring Multi-Gas instrument at Sulfur Cone is housed inside a black Pelican case, held down by rocks piled on top to keep secure from high winds. Air is pulled into the instrument via a small pump to be analyzed for volcanic gases (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor).

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone high up on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. Volcanic gas (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor) concentrations are measured then telemetered back to HVO to be monitored and analyzed by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone. Sensors measure concentrations of emitted volcanic gases (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor). Volcanic gas concentration data are telemetered back to HVO to be viewed and monitored by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

On July 29, 2026, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists flew via helicopter to the Sulfur Cone Multi-Gas instrumentation site on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone, which is at an elevation of 3,430 meters (11,240 feet) above sea level.

Photo looking down the axis of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone towards Ocean View Estates, with Sulfur Cone in the foreground at an elevation of 3,430 meters (11,240 feet) above sea level. Elemental sulfur blankets the ground all around this site, as is its deposited due to the constant degassing of sulfur gases here. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

This thermal map shows the summit of Kīlauea hours after the end of episode 52 lava fountaining on July 29, 2026. The lava flow produced by this fountain mainly flowed along the southern perimeter of the crater floor, and was stalled by the time of the overflight. However, several small breakouts were still active in several areas. 

During the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on July 29, geologists had clear views to the east of Kīlauea summit—a somewhat rare occurrence, as this area is often cloaked in misty rain. Here, Kīlauea Iki is seen in the foreground, with the East Rift Zone stretching across the background.

The eruption plume during episode 52 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea rose to an estimated 19,000 (5,800 meters) above sea level. The incandescent lava erupted by the north vent, and lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, illuminated the plume which was visible for many miles from the summit of Kīlauea, along with a full moon. USGS photo by K.

Silhouettes of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitors on the rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) were created by the Kīlauea summit eruption episode 52 lava fountains and eruption plume on the night of July 28, 2026. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Only the north vent erupted a lava fountain during episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea. The south vent did not erupt any lava during precursory activity or the eruptive episode, but it did emit flames at the end of the episode. The north vent lava fountain reached a peak height of approximately 500 feet (150 meters) around 9:00 p.m. HST on July 28, 2026.

A full moon and a lava fountain illuminated the evening sky on July 28, 2026, as the summit of Kīlauea erupted a lava fountain for the 52nd time since December 2024. USGS photo by D. Downs. 

At Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, visitors were illuminated in the evening light by a full moon and 52nd episode of lava fountaining in at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick on July 28, 2026. 

Lava fountained from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea for nearly 7.5 hours on the night of July 28-29, 2026. During the eruptive episode, the instantaneous effusion rate peaked at about 350 cubic yards (270 cubic meters) per second at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Another view of the north vent lava fountain during episode 52 at the summit of Kīlauea on July 28, 2026. Precursory activity began from the north vent on the morning of July 28 with 6 overflows between 10:22 a.m. and 1:53 p.m. HST, the longest lasting over 30 minutes.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers replace the batteries at the HOK tiltmeter, located on the west flank of Mauna Loa volcano. USGS photo. 

Repeater station KOHD is located on Kohala volcano, and it is an important volcano monitoring hub as it receives data from monitoring stations nearby and relays it back to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO).

The Hualālai repeater site is located on the southeast side of Hualālai volcano, which erupted most recently in 1800-1801. At an elevation of 2,160 meters (7,090 feet) above sea level, the repeater site is a telecommunications hub. It receives data from multiple volcano monitoring stations and relays that information back to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists completed a helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u on July 16, following Kīlauea summit eruption episode 51 the day before.

During the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on July 16, scientists flew across Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone for measurements of the gas plume drifting downwind of the Halema‘uma‘u eruptive vents.

During the 2018 summit collapse of Kīlauea, portions of Crater Rim Drive fell into Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Eruptions in Halemaʻumaʻu since 2018 have slowly filled in much of the collapsed area.