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

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Lava Lake Spattering
Lava Lake Spattering
Lava Lake Spattering

This video clip shows spattering that was active along the southeast margin of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit. Rising lava levels over the past day provided improved views of the lake surface from the Halema'uma'u Crater rim (closed to the public due to ongoing volcanic hazards).

This video clip shows spattering that was active along the southeast margin of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit. Rising lava levels over the past day provided improved views of the lake surface from the Halema'uma'u Crater rim (closed to the public due to ongoing volcanic hazards).

Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

This video clip shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake. Today, spattering was active along the east margin of the lake, throwina small bits ot spatter to heights of about 15 m (roughly 50 Meet).

This video clip shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake. Today, spattering was active along the east margin of the lake, throwina small bits ot spatter to heights of about 15 m (roughly 50 Meet).

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

This video shows spattering in two locations of Kīlauea's summit lava lake. In the first segment, spattering is active in a small area in the southern portion of the lake. In the second segment, spattering on the east margin of the lake has created an overhanging ledge with dangling lava stalactites.

This video shows spattering in two locations of Kīlauea's summit lava lake. In the first segment, spattering is active in a small area in the southern portion of the lake. In the second segment, spattering on the east margin of the lake has created an overhanging ledge with dangling lava stalactites.

Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake
Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake
Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake

This video clip shows the northern portion of the lava lake, where episodic bubbling commonly occurs. The northern margin of the lake is in the upper right portion of the photo. Note how the bubbling occurs in the same general area, regardless of the movement of the crustal plates. The video is shown at 20x speed.

This video clip shows the northern portion of the lava lake, where episodic bubbling commonly occurs. The northern margin of the lake is in the upper right portion of the photo. Note how the bubbling occurs in the same general area, regardless of the movement of the crustal plates. The video is shown at 20x speed.

Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua
Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua
Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua

This video clip shows a few of the lava breakouts active on Kīlauea's coastal plain on September 20. The activity consisted of scattered pāhoehoe breakouts. The final segment in this video is shown at x20 speed.

This video clip shows a few of the lava breakouts active on Kīlauea's coastal plain on September 20. The activity consisted of scattered pāhoehoe breakouts. The final segment in this video is shown at x20 speed.

Spattering in Lava Lake
Spattering in Lava Lake
Spattering in Lava Lake

Movie showing spattering near the south edge of Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u.

Movie showing spattering near the south edge of Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u.

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

Kilauea's summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater has been at a high level over the past several days, with the lake surface just 8 meters (26 feet) below the floor of Halema'uma'u this evening. The high level has provided clear views of spatter from the public overlook at Jaggar Museum.

Kilauea's summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater has been at a high level over the past several days, with the lake surface just 8 meters (26 feet) below the floor of Halema'uma'u this evening. The high level has provided clear views of spatter from the public overlook at Jaggar Museum.

Pāhoehoe Breakout
Pāhoehoe Breakout
Pāhoehoe Breakout

This video clip, filmed on August 12, 2016, shows a typical pāhoehoe breakout on Kīlauea Volcano's "61g" lava flow (actual speed).

This video clip, filmed on August 12, 2016, shows a typical pāhoehoe breakout on Kīlauea Volcano's "61g" lava flow (actual speed).

Aerial video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Aerial video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Aerial video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake

This aerial video footage, filmed by USGS in late July 2016, features Kīlauea Volcano's summit vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Ocean Entry Southeast of Pu`u `Ō`ō
Ocean Entry Southeast of Pu`u `Ō`ō
Ocean Entry Southeast of Pu`u `Ō`ō

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō reached the ocean overnight at about 1:15 am. The narrow lobe of lava spilling over the sea cliff has built a tiny delta at the shore, with a weak ocean entry plume.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō reached the ocean overnight at about 1:15 am. The narrow lobe of lava spilling over the sea cliff has built a tiny delta at the shore, with a weak ocean entry plume.

Kīlauea Volcano, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Summit Vent Lava Lake (4K)
Kīlauea Volcano, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Summit Vent Lava Lake (4K)
Channelized Lava Flow
Channelized Lava Flow
Channelized Lava Flow

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and has crossed roughly half of the coastal plain. Upslope of the flow front there was still some 'a'ā activity, with several small open channels on the pali. The front of the flow was 1.7 km (1.1 miles) from the ocean today.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and has crossed roughly half of the coastal plain. Upslope of the flow front there was still some 'a'ā activity, with several small open channels on the pali. The front of the flow was 1.7 km (1.1 miles) from the ocean today.

Activity on Flow Front
Activity on Flow Front
Activity on Flow Front

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and has begun crossing the coastal plain. The leading portion of the flow now consists ot pāhoehoe, shown in this video. Upslope of the flow front there was still some 'a'ā activity, with a few small open channels on the pali.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and has begun crossing the coastal plain. The leading portion of the flow now consists ot pāhoehoe, shown in this video. Upslope of the flow front there was still some 'a'ā activity, with a few small open channels on the pali.

Channelized Lava Flow
Channelized Lava Flow
Channelized Lava Flow

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and reached the base of the pali yesterday. The leading portion of the flow still consists of narrow channelized 'a'ā streaming down the steep part of the pali.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and reached the base of the pali yesterday. The leading portion of the flow still consists of narrow channelized 'a'ā streaming down the steep part of the pali.

Flow Front Moving Through Vegetation
Flow Front Moving Through Vegetation
Flow Front Moving Through Vegetation

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and was reaching the base of the pali today. Although the malority of the flow activity is pāhoehoe, the fast-moving flow front IS channe ized 'a'ā. The leading tip of the flow is burning vegetation in a kīpuka.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and was reaching the base of the pali today. Although the malority of the flow activity is pāhoehoe, the fast-moving flow front IS channe ized 'a'ā. The leading tip of the flow is burning vegetation in a kīpuka.

Channelized `A`ā Forming
Channelized `A`ā Forming
Channelized `A`ā Forming

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and is now progressing down the pali. The flow is following the eastern boundary of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and the western boundary of the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision. Although the majority of the flow activity is pāhoehoe, the fast-moving flow front is channelized 'a'ā.

The lava flow southeast of Pu'u 'Ō'ō continues to advance downslope, and is now progressing down the pali. The flow is following the eastern boundary of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and the western boundary of the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision. Although the majority of the flow activity is pāhoehoe, the fast-moving flow front is channelized 'a'ā.

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