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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
Telephoto view looking east of the southeast embayment of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea, on April 26 2022. In this photo, lava from the active lava lake (silvery grey surface in lower left quadrant of photo) cascades into the southeast embayment (red surface).
Telephoto view looking east of the southeast embayment of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea, on April 26 2022. In this photo, lava from the active lava lake (silvery grey surface in lower left quadrant of photo) cascades into the southeast embayment (red surface).
a) Haleakalā Silversword growing on the edge of Haleakalā Crater (approximately 410–530 years post-eruption). Photo by Paul Krushelnycky. b) Fireweed growing on the slopes of Mount St. Helens (five years post-eruption). Photo by Lyn Topinka. c) A blooming ‘ōhi‘a tree growing on what used to be the Kīlauea Iki lava lake (56 years post-eruption).
a) Haleakalā Silversword growing on the edge of Haleakalā Crater (approximately 410–530 years post-eruption). Photo by Paul Krushelnycky. b) Fireweed growing on the slopes of Mount St. Helens (five years post-eruption). Photo by Lyn Topinka. c) A blooming ‘ōhi‘a tree growing on what used to be the Kīlauea Iki lava lake (56 years post-eruption).
Eruptive activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on April 15, 2022. Since the beginning of this eruption on September 29, 2021, the crater floor has seen a total rise of about 99 meters (325 feet).
Eruptive activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on April 15, 2022. Since the beginning of this eruption on September 29, 2021, the crater floor has seen a total rise of about 99 meters (325 feet).
A view of the west vent cone complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea, with two areas of orange glow visible. The photo was taken at 12:16 pm HST on April 15, 2022, from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
A view of the west vent cone complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea, with two areas of orange glow visible. The photo was taken at 12:16 pm HST on April 15, 2022, from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
A close-up view of lava spattering along the eastern side of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on April 15, 2022. USGS photo taken by J.M. Chang from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u.
A close-up view of lava spattering along the eastern side of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on April 15, 2022. USGS photo taken by J.M. Chang from the western rim of Halema‘uma‘u.
A geologist examines a two-meter-thick (7 feet) tephra outcrop on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
A geologist examines a two-meter-thick (7 feet) tephra outcrop on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
During a gravity survey, HVO scientists measure the relative strength of gravity (using a gravimeter, one of the small light-colored boxes in the center of the photo) between benchmarks.
During a gravity survey, HVO scientists measure the relative strength of gravity (using a gravimeter, one of the small light-colored boxes in the center of the photo) between benchmarks.
HVO scientists took GPS measurements at multiple locations on the floor of Kīlauea caldera during the recent gravity survey. By comparing the measurements made at these benchmarks with survey data from previous dates, HVO scientists can correct for any uplift or subsidence when estimating the change of mass from their gravity measurements.
HVO scientists took GPS measurements at multiple locations on the floor of Kīlauea caldera during the recent gravity survey. By comparing the measurements made at these benchmarks with survey data from previous dates, HVO scientists can correct for any uplift or subsidence when estimating the change of mass from their gravity measurements.
A continuous gravimeter in an enclosure designed by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff. USGS image.
A continuous gravimeter in an enclosure designed by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff. USGS image.
Over several weeks in April, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, along with visiting scientist from other volcano observatories, conducted the annual Kīlauea microgravity survey.
Over several weeks in April, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, along with visiting scientist from other volcano observatories, conducted the annual Kīlauea microgravity survey.
A campaign gravity measurement being made near Keanakākoʻi Crater, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea's summit eruption plume and Mauna Loa are visible in the background. USGS image.
A campaign gravity measurement being made near Keanakākoʻi Crater, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea's summit eruption plume and Mauna Loa are visible in the background. USGS image.
This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on April 8, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.
This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on April 8, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.
Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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.
Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continuous gravimeter station on Kīlauea Volcano. The continuous gravimeter is located within the weather-proof enclosure in the foreground of the photograph. Power systems for the gravimeter and continuous GPS are visible in the center of the photograph and consist of solar panels and batteries in weather-proof enclosures.
A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continuous gravimeter station on Kīlauea Volcano. The continuous gravimeter is located within the weather-proof enclosure in the foreground of the photograph. Power systems for the gravimeter and continuous GPS are visible in the center of the photograph and consist of solar panels and batteries in weather-proof enclosures.
Recent changes in the Kīlauea summit eruption have seen the crusting-over of the lava pond near the western end of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. This view of the lava pond vicinity was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder on April 6, 2022, from the western rim of the crater.
Recent changes in the Kīlauea summit eruption have seen the crusting-over of the lava pond near the western end of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. This view of the lava pond vicinity was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder on April 6, 2022, from the western rim of the crater.
Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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.
Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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.
Keanakākoʻi Tephra from unit D in Kīlauea south caldera wall; the lower portion of the tephra deposit has been smoothed with a scraper tool, making the surface look different from the portion above.
Keanakākoʻi Tephra from unit D in Kīlauea south caldera wall; the lower portion of the tephra deposit has been smoothed with a scraper tool, making the surface look different from the portion above.
This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 31, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.
This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 31, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.
Activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. In this telephoto view looking north, minor spattering is apparent on the eastern (left) margin of the active lava lake area.
Activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. In this telephoto view looking north, minor spattering is apparent on the eastern (left) margin of the active lava lake area.
Telephoto view, looking north, of the remnants of the west vent cone area within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 30, 2022. Lava is visible through a small opening near the top of the larger left remnant, indicating there is lava within. The western extent of the active lava lake area is visible in the center right of the image. USGS image by N.
Telephoto view, looking north, of the remnants of the west vent cone area within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 30, 2022. Lava is visible through a small opening near the top of the larger left remnant, indicating there is lava within. The western extent of the active lava lake area is visible in the center right of the image. USGS image by N.
A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 29, 2022, with views of Kīlauea Iki Crater (top left), Pu‘upua‘i (left), and Keanakāko‘i Crater (bottom right). Pu‘upua‘i is a large cinder cone that during the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki. The trail leading to a popular viewing area for the current eruption is visible in the bottom center.
A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 29, 2022, with views of Kīlauea Iki Crater (top left), Pu‘upua‘i (left), and Keanakāko‘i Crater (bottom right). Pu‘upua‘i is a large cinder cone that during the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki. The trail leading to a popular viewing area for the current eruption is visible in the bottom center.