Images

This image shows a wind vortex or whirlwind above the eruption site in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. These features have been observed during eruptions and form due to the extreme heat. 

On June 7, 2023, the first day of Kīlauea’s most recent eruption, CSAV International participants visited Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to observe the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake.

HVO scientists collect detailed data to assess hazards and understand how the eruption is evolving at Kīlauea's summit, all of which are shared with the National Park Service and emergency managers. Access to this hazardous area is by permission from, and in coordination with, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

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.

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.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists scouted the perimeter of Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor for a location to sample lava erupted by new vents that opened the morning of June 7, 2023. Initial lava flows inundated the crater floor (an area of approximately 1.5 square km or 370 acres) and added about 10 meters (32 feet) depth of new lava.

A new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began at approximately 4:43 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. This reference map depicts activity in the first two hours of the eruption, based on measurements taken from the crater rim at approximately 6:00 a.m.

This photo, captured by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's KWcam on the northwest rim of the caldera, shows the opening phase of the eruption that began within Halemaʻumaʻu crater the early morning of June 7, 2023. A lava fountain bursts from a vent in the central part of the crater floor and lava begins to flood the surrounding area.

A new eruption began on June 7 in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photograph shows moments from the opening hours of the eruption, with an increase in vigor at vents in the western portion of the crater floor.

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.

A close-up view of the fissure vent in the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. As of 9:30 a.m., multiple vents remain active in the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit.

A telephoto view of a lava fountain in the east side of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u. This photo was taken during a helicopter overflight over 8 hours after the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u started on June 7, 2023. Fountain heights had already decreased from the early stages of the eruption.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist makes measurements of the rising active lava lake using a laser rangefinder mid-day on June 7, 2023.

In the early evening on June 7, 2023, the fissure in the southwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u had built up walls of spatter around the fountain. The fissure was continuing to pour lava down the talus slope into the active lava lake below. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Data recorded on June 7, 2023, by five seismometers located in Kīlauea summit region. The data is shown as spectrograms, which display the energy of seismic events (vertical axis) occurring over time (horizontal axis).

Scientists observed wind vortexes during the first day of the new eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, which began before sunrise on June 7, 2023. These vortexes form due to extreme head. The rapidly swirling air can entrain hot lava, flinging pieces of crust. Scientists maintained a safe distance on the rim of the crater and used a telephoto lens to take this photo.

A timelapse camera captures the new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The initial intensity of the eruption covered the crater floor with lava, fed by numerous fountains. As the eruption stabilized and the vigor declined, the area of active lava on the surface was reduced. 

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.

Aerial view shows multiple active vent sources and lava flooding the crater floor. 

A view across the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor, at one of the new vents that began erupting on June 7, 2023. Fountain heights have decreased since the eruption onset and, as of approximately 3 p.m., were about 4-9 meters (13-30 feet) high. The new eruption is confined to Kīlauea summit region, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.