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

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Color photograph of dilapidated volcano monitoring station
Sation KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in Septembe 2023
Sation KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in Septembe 2023
Sation KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in Septembe 2023

Station KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in September 2023. The station was severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. The site houses a seismic monitoring instrument and is also a repeater hub, meaning that it receives and relays data from other stations.

Station KOHD on Kohala before being rebuilt in September 2023. The station was severely damaged by storms and heavy winds earlier this year. The site houses a seismic monitoring instrument and is also a repeater hub, meaning that it receives and relays data from other stations.

Children reaching for samples of rocks and minerals during outreach event
Children looking at rocks and minerals during educational outreach event
Children looking at rocks and minerals during educational outreach event
Children looking at rocks and minerals during educational outreach event

Nāʻālehu Elementary School keiki explore different properties of rocks and minerals at the grand opening of the Honuworks Robotic Center. UH Hilo photo by Meghann Decker.

Color photographs of scientists near eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

Kīlauea summit with lava fountains
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountain at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountain at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountain at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountain at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea with black and glowing lava in the foreground
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

Color photograph of scientist monitoring eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption monitoring- September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption monitoring- September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption monitoring- September 11, 2023

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist are in the field today, September 11, monitoring the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera that began yesterday afternoon. From the scarp of the downdropped block on its north side, the active fissures on the downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater are visible.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist are in the field today, September 11, monitoring the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera that began yesterday afternoon. From the scarp of the downdropped block on its north side, the active fissures on the downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater are visible.

Color photograph of webcams monitoring eruption
HVO deploys new webcam to monitor ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - [S2cam]
HVO deploys new webcam to monitor ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - [S2cam]
HVO deploys new webcam to monitor ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption - [S2cam]

On September 11, 2023, HVO geologists deployed a new webcam to monitor the ongoing eruption at the summit of  Kīlauea. The S2cam is a temporary webcam showing Kīlauea caldera downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater; the view is from the north rim of the downdropped block and looking west. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

On September 11, 2023, HVO geologists deployed a new webcam to monitor the ongoing eruption at the summit of  Kīlauea. The S2cam is a temporary webcam showing Kīlauea caldera downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater; the view is from the north rim of the downdropped block and looking west. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

Color map of eruption
September 11, 2023—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
September 11, 2023—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
September 11, 2023—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

A new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began at approximately 3:13 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This map depicts activity within Halema‘uma‘u on the second day of the eruption, September 11.

A new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began at approximately 3:13 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This map depicts activity within Halema‘uma‘u on the second day of the eruption, September 11.

Color photograph of scientist emptying sample bucket
Collecting tephra at Kīlauea summit - September 11, 2023
Collecting tephra at Kīlauea summit - September 11, 2023
Collecting tephra at Kīlauea summit - September 11, 2023

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected samples that erupted on September 10th, 2023, during the ongoing eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The samples were collected from within strategically placed buckets along the rim of the crater. The samples will be analyzed later for information about the lava erupted during the eruption.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected samples that erupted on September 10th, 2023, during the ongoing eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The samples were collected from within strategically placed buckets along the rim of the crater. The samples will be analyzed later for information about the lava erupted during the eruption.

Color photograph of student in lab
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023

A UH-Hilo undergraduate research assistant Paige Johnson places a sample of the Kīlauea summit eruption into the shatterbox, which will turn the sample into a homogenous powder. UH-Hilo photo by S. Lundblad.

A UH-Hilo undergraduate research assistant Paige Johnson places a sample of the Kīlauea summit eruption into the shatterbox, which will turn the sample into a homogenous powder. UH-Hilo photo by S. Lundblad.

Color photograph of analytical instrument
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023

After preparing the lava samples, the pressed pellets are loaded into the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument for analysis (box on the left in the image). The computer screen shows the spectral spikes for certain elements measured in the sample during the analysis.

After preparing the lava samples, the pressed pellets are loaded into the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument for analysis (box on the left in the image). The computer screen shows the spectral spikes for certain elements measured in the sample during the analysis.

Color photograph of tray in oven
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023
Analyzing samples from Kīlauea summit eruption — September 11, 2023

A sample of the recent Kīlauea summit eruption that was collected and quenched (cooled) with water is dried later that day in a warm oven at the University of Hawai‘i. UH-Hilo photo by S. Lundblad. 

A sample of the recent Kīlauea summit eruption that was collected and quenched (cooled) with water is dried later that day in a warm oven at the University of Hawai‘i. UH-Hilo photo by S. Lundblad. 

Color image of eruption in caldera
Kīlauea summit eruption overflight - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption overflight - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption overflight - September 11, 2023

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 6:30 a.m. HST on September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 6:30 a.m. HST on September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist and lava
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption sampling - September 11, 2023

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea with black and glowing lava in the foreground
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

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