Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

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

Filter Total Items: 3814
Color photograph of cinder cone and crater
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘u Pua‘i. Pu‘u Pua‘i is a large cinder cone that formed as a result of the towering 1,900 foot (580 meters) lava fountains during the eruption of Kīlauea Iki.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘u Pua‘i. Pu‘u Pua‘i is a large cinder cone that formed as a result of the towering 1,900 foot (580 meters) lava fountains during the eruption of Kīlauea Iki.

Color map of lava lake temperature
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

A helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Color map of lava lake temperature
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

A helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Color photograph of instrument
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Absolute Quantum Gravimeter is undergoing set-up, testing, and calibration before installation at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by A. Ellis.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Absolute Quantum Gravimeter is undergoing set-up, testing, and calibration before installation at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by A. Ellis.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Halema‘uma‘u and a diffuse plume rising above Kīlauea caldera.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Halema‘uma‘u and a diffuse plume rising above Kīlauea caldera.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 21, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 21, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

Color photograph of feature in lava lake
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava

This 8 meter (26 feet) tall arch of lava was left behind during a lull in eruptive activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea's summit. This feature is located in the spillway that connects the vent of Halema‘uma‘u to the lava lake.

This 8 meter (26 feet) tall arch of lava was left behind during a lull in eruptive activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea's summit. This feature is located in the spillway that connects the vent of Halema‘uma‘u to the lava lake.

Color photograph of feature in lava lake
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava

A small bridge of lava 3 meters (10 feet) in height is left behind during a lull in activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. The repeated ebb and flow of lava into the active lake surface has caused the pond behind this feature to start pinching off from the main part of the active lake that fills with lava when activity is more vigorous.

A small bridge of lava 3 meters (10 feet) in height is left behind during a lull in activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. The repeated ebb and flow of lava into the active lake surface has caused the pond behind this feature to start pinching off from the main part of the active lake that fills with lava when activity is more vigorous.

Telephoto view of an active lava lake with thick volcanic gas emissions
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022

Telephoto view, looking east, of the lava source area for the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11. The is supplied from the embayment which is just north (left) of the remnants of west cone area (center and right).

Telephoto view, looking east, of the lava source area for the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11. The is supplied from the embayment which is just north (left) of the remnants of west cone area (center and right).

Wide view of a volcanic crater with an active lava lake at the bottom
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022

A view of Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit, looking east, on the morning of March 11. The active lava lake is silvery gray and is visible in the lower right. The remnants of the west vent cone area are visible to the west (bottom right) of the active lava lake, and are the source of the majority of bluish-white volcanic gas emissions. USGS image by N. Deligne.

A view of Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit, looking east, on the morning of March 11. The active lava lake is silvery gray and is visible in the lower right. The remnants of the west vent cone area are visible to the west (bottom right) of the active lava lake, and are the source of the majority of bluish-white volcanic gas emissions. USGS image by N. Deligne.

Telephoto view of an active lava lake with a degassing eruptive vent
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022

Telephoto view looking east of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11, 2022. The craggy remains of the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past few weeks, are visible through the volcanic gas plume in the lower right.

Telephoto view looking east of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11, 2022. The craggy remains of the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past few weeks, are visible through the volcanic gas plume in the lower right.

Animated gif of eruption images
Changes to the west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u over the past month
Changes to the west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u over the past month
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

The ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, is occurring from a number of vents in a complex located in the western half of the crater. The tallest cone in this complex measures about 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

The ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, is occurring from a number of vents in a complex located in the western half of the crater. The tallest cone in this complex measures about 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

Bursts of lava erupting from a vent in the western half of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea volcano summit, were reaching 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) from the top of the cone on March 4, 2022. A small channel of sluggish lava was flowing down the western side of this cone.

Bursts of lava erupting from a vent in the western half of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea volcano summit, were reaching 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) from the top of the cone on March 4, 2022. A small channel of sluggish lava was flowing down the western side of this cone.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. A number of vents are located in the western half of the crater, where the west vent cone used to be. On March 4, 2022, the highest of these features was measured at 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. A number of vents are located in the western half of the crater, where the west vent cone used to be. On March 4, 2022, the highest of these features was measured at 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 4, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 4, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on March 2, 2022, HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit. The eruption, which resumed several hours earlier, at approximately 1 a.m., continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. In this photo, active lava is visible near the west vent, near the center of the image, and Mauna Loa looms in the background. USGS image by F.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on March 2, 2022, HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit. The eruption, which resumed several hours earlier, at approximately 1 a.m., continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. In this photo, active lava is visible near the west vent, near the center of the image, and Mauna Loa looms in the background. USGS image by F.

Color graphic of volcano monitoring data
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)

Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue).  The top panel is for the time period 12/1/2017–1/30/2018 and is representative of the “old” lava lake.  For this panel, lake level was retrieved from thermal camera images, hence it is given in units of “pixels.”  The bottom panel is from 1/15/2022–2/15/2022; in this case, the lake l

Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue).  The top panel is for the time period 12/1/2017–1/30/2018 and is representative of the “old” lava lake.  For this panel, lake level was retrieved from thermal camera images, hence it is given in units of “pixels.”  The bottom panel is from 1/15/2022–2/15/2022; in this case, the lake l

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as two zones of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as two zones of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone

Telephoto view taken on March 2, 2022, during an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. In the center of the image, one of the spatter cones that has developed on the surface of the crater floor in recent weeks is visible.

Telephoto view taken on March 2, 2022, during an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. In the center of the image, one of the spatter cones that has developed on the surface of the crater floor in recent weeks is visible.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region

During a routine eruption-monitoring overflight of Kīlauea's summit, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the south caldera area. Bulldozers were used to create mounds, visible in the right center portion of the image, in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea during World War II. USGS image by F. Trusdell.

During a routine eruption-monitoring overflight of Kīlauea's summit, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the south caldera area. Bulldozers were used to create mounds, visible in the right center portion of the image, in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea during World War II. USGS image by F. Trusdell.

Was this page helpful?