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

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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.

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 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.

Color photograph of damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road

A portion of Crater Rim Drive that was damaged during Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse events was visible during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022. Crater Rim Drive used to go around Kīlauea summit caldera within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

A portion of Crater Rim Drive that was damaged during Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse events was visible during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022. Crater Rim Drive used to go around Kīlauea summit caldera within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

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

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater and the ongoing eruption within it. This view, to the northeast, shows one of several down-dropped blocks that formed during Kīlauea's summit collapse events in 2018.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater and the ongoing eruption within it. This view, to the northeast, shows one of several down-dropped blocks that formed during Kīlauea's summit collapse events in 2018.

Color photograph of eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes

This telephoto view, taken during a eruption monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on March 2, 2022, shows the west vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Lava erupts from multiple locations near where the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past several weeks, was located.

This telephoto view, taken during a eruption monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on March 2, 2022, shows the west vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Lava erupts from multiple locations near where the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past several weeks, was located.

Color map of lava lake temperature
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 2, 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 2, 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 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 eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area

This aerial photo, taken south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, shows the active part of the eruption at Kīlauea summit during a routine Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022.

This aerial photo, taken south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, shows the active part of the eruption at Kīlauea summit during a routine Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022.

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

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 a zone 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 a zone 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 crater
March 2, 2022 — Keanakāko‘i crater
March 2, 2022 — Keanakāko‘i crater
March 2, 2022 — Keanakāko‘i crater

Aerial view showing Keanakāko‘i crater, located on the south side of Kīlauea summit caldera. Crater Rim Drive, which remains closed to vehicles, is visible cross-cutting the image. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has opened an eruption viewing area to the north of Keanakāko‘i crater, which is is visible in approximately the bottom center portion of the image.

Aerial view showing Keanakāko‘i crater, located on the south side of Kīlauea summit caldera. Crater Rim Drive, which remains closed to vehicles, is visible cross-cutting the image. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has opened an eruption viewing area to the north of Keanakāko‘i crater, which is is visible in approximately the bottom center portion of the image.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea steam vents area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea steam vents area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea steam vents area

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Steam Vents area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during a routine morning overflight on March 2, 2022. Cracks in this area allow heated groundwater, which reaches up to 63 degrees Celsius (145 degrees Fahrenheit), to escape from underground as steam.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) and the Steam Vents area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during a routine morning overflight on March 2, 2022. Cracks in this area allow heated groundwater, which reaches up to 63 degrees Celsius (145 degrees Fahrenheit), to escape from underground as steam.

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

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 a zone 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 a zone 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 volanic landscape
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit Sulphur Banks area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit Sulphur Banks area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit Sulphur Banks area

Aerial image taken at approximately 8:30 a.m. during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on March 2, 2022. In the foreground, the Ha‘akulamanu trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park passes through the Sulphur Banks area, while the plume from the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater rises from Kīlauea caldera in the background. USGS photo by K.

Aerial image taken at approximately 8:30 a.m. during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight on March 2, 2022. In the foreground, the Ha‘akulamanu trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park passes through the Sulphur Banks area, while the plume from the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater rises from Kīlauea caldera in the background. USGS photo by K.

Color map of lava lake temperature
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 2, 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 2, 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.

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