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Videos

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

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Halema`uma`u showing the lava surface deep within the cavity850
Halema`uma`u showing the lava surface deep within the cavity850
Halema`uma`u showing the lava surface deep within the cavity850

movie shows the lava surface deep within the Halema`uma`u cavity. The lava surface is relatively sluggish, with little movement and only one spattering source.

Halema`uma`u showing spattering, sloshing at the ponded lava surface
Halema`uma`u showing spattering, sloshing at the ponded lava surface
Halema`uma`u showing spattering, sloshing at the ponded lava surface

movie shows a source of minor spattering at the margin of the ponded lava surface within the Halema`uma`u cavity. Weak sloshing of the lava surface can be seen around the spattering source.

Lava surface within the cavity of Halema`uma`u
Lava surface within the cavity of Halema`uma`u
Lava surface within the cavity of Halema`uma`u

movie shows the lava surface within the cavity at Halema`uma`u. Keeping an eye on the lower left portion of the screen, one can see a large rock impacting the lava surface. This impact appears to trigger degassing and overturning that migrates across a large portion of the lava surface.

movie shows the lava surface within the cavity at Halema`uma`u. Keeping an eye on the lower left portion of the screen, one can see a large rock impacting the lava surface. This impact appears to trigger degassing and overturning that migrates across a large portion of the lava surface.

Halema`uma`u crusted lava surface and occasional spatter
Halema`uma`u crusted lava surface and occasional spatter
Halema`uma`u crusted lava surface and occasional spatter

movie shows activity of the lava surface deep within the Halema`uma`u cavity. The crusted lava surface is moving slowly from northeast to southwest, with occasional bursts of spatter from the margins and cracks.

movie shows activity of the lava surface deep within the Halema`uma`u cavity. The crusted lava surface is moving slowly from northeast to southwest, with occasional bursts of spatter from the margins and cracks.

'Nightshot' mode of Halema`uma`u crusted and sluggish
'Nightshot' mode of Halema`uma`u crusted and sluggish
'Nightshot' mode of Halema`uma`u crusted and sluggish

movie shows the lava surface within the Halema`uma`u cavity, again using 'nightshot' mode to see through the fume. The lava surface this evening was considerably more crusted and sluggish than on previous nights, and had risen a minor amount compared to much of last week.

movie shows the lava surface within the Halema`uma`u cavity, again using 'nightshot' mode to see through the fume. The lava surface this evening was considerably more crusted and sluggish than on previous nights, and had risen a minor amount compared to much of last week.

'Nightshot' mode movie of Halema`uma`u rolling lava surface
'Nightshot' mode movie of Halema`uma`u rolling lava surface
'Nightshot' mode movie of Halema`uma`u rolling lava surface

movie shows the roiling lava surface within the cavity in Halema`uma`u. The video was captured in 'nightshot' mode in order to see through the fume, which obscured viewing by the naked eye. Vigorous upwelling occurs in the northeast (upper right) corner of the opening, with the southwest corner consisting of passively sloshing, and partly crusted lava.

movie shows the roiling lava surface within the cavity in Halema`uma`u. The video was captured in 'nightshot' mode in order to see through the fume, which obscured viewing by the naked eye. Vigorous upwelling occurs in the northeast (upper right) corner of the opening, with the southwest corner consisting of passively sloshing, and partly crusted lava.

Halema`uma`u lava lake draining event
Halema`uma`u lava lake draining event
Halema`uma`u lava lake draining event

movie shows a draining event in the Halema`uma`u lava lake. Filling and draining cycles have been observed before here, but this video is one of the clearest examples thus far. The video is shown at actual speed, with draining taking about 40 seconds. Note the draining is highly unsteady, and proceeds in a step-wise fashion.

movie shows a draining event in the Halema`uma`u lava lake. Filling and draining cycles have been observed before here, but this video is one of the clearest examples thus far. The video is shown at actual speed, with draining taking about 40 seconds. Note the draining is highly unsteady, and proceeds in a step-wise fashion.

Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater
Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater
Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater

video shows another rare view of the active lava surface deep within the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. The lava is approximately 100 m below the floor of Halema`uma`u. The lava surface is disrupted by waves, splashes, bubbling and upwelling, with overall lava movement from the upper right to the lower left.

video shows another rare view of the active lava surface deep within the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. The lava is approximately 100 m below the floor of Halema`uma`u. The lava surface is disrupted by waves, splashes, bubbling and upwelling, with overall lava movement from the upper right to the lower left.

As the Lava Churns

On June 4, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

On June 4, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

Halema`uma`u crater
Halema`uma`u crater
Halema`uma`u crater

movie shows the behavior of the active lava at the base of the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. Lava emerged in the upper right and flowed towards the lower left. The surface was disrupted by a chaos of waves, splashes, bubble bursts and spattering. The video is shown at actual speed.

movie shows the behavior of the active lava at the base of the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. Lava emerged in the upper right and flowed towards the lower left. The surface was disrupted by a chaos of waves, splashes, bubble bursts and spattering. The video is shown at actual speed.

As the Lava Churns

On June 3, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

On June 3, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera
Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera
Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera

movie shows recent activity observed within the Halema`uma`u vent with a thermal camera. The video speed is approximately x30. Cycles of filling and draining of the lava lake have been observed throughout much of the past week, following a collapse in the vent on March 25. Filling-draining frequencies have ranged from about 10 to 20 cycles per hour.

movie shows recent activity observed within the Halema`uma`u vent with a thermal camera. The video speed is approximately x30. Cycles of filling and draining of the lava lake have been observed throughout much of the past week, following a collapse in the vent on March 25. Filling-draining frequencies have ranged from about 10 to 20 cycles per hour.

Robust brown plume
Robust brown plume
Robust brown plume

movie shows the robust brown plume associated with a hybrid seismic event at 11:03 am. Brown plumes such as this have appeared occasionally throughout the past year of eruptive activity at the summit, and are often associated with rockfalls.

movie shows the robust brown plume associated with a hybrid seismic event at 11:03 am. Brown plumes such as this have appeared occasionally throughout the past year of eruptive activity at the summit, and are often associated with rockfalls.

Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent
Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent
Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent

movie shows a thermal video providing views into the Halema`uma`u vent. At a depth of about 130 yards below the vent rim, there is a series of small puffing gas vents, and these occasionally throw small amounts of spatter into the air. The configuration and geometry of these small puffing vents have been observed to change on a daily basis.

movie shows a thermal video providing views into the Halema`uma`u vent. At a depth of about 130 yards below the vent rim, there is a series of small puffing gas vents, and these occasionally throw small amounts of spatter into the air. The configuration and geometry of these small puffing vents have been observed to change on a daily basis.

Ocean entry
Ocean entry
Ocean entry

movie shows the new ocean entry within the National Park, near the location of the buried Poupou-Kauka West archeological site. The entry consists of a series of narrow lava cascades falling onto the rocks at the base of the sea cliff.

movie shows the new ocean entry within the National Park, near the location of the buried Poupou-Kauka West archeological site. The entry consists of a series of narrow lava cascades falling onto the rocks at the base of the sea cliff.

Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles
Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles
Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles

This video shows thermal imagery of the vent inside Halema`uma`u crater. The lava surface, about 130 yards below the vent rim, is clearly visible and can be seen undergoing cycles of filling and drainback. Filling phases entail a rapidly rising lava level with intense (and loud) spattering, followed by a gradual phase of lava draining back down the conduit.

This video shows thermal imagery of the vent inside Halema`uma`u crater. The lava surface, about 130 yards below the vent rim, is clearly visible and can be seen undergoing cycles of filling and drainback. Filling phases entail a rapidly rising lava level with intense (and loud) spattering, followed by a gradual phase of lava draining back down the conduit.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Gas Plume Variations (November 17, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Gas Plume Variations (November 17, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Gas Plume Variations (November 17, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Gas Plume Variations (November 17, 2008)

The erupting vent within Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) typically produces a white to gray gas plume dominated by steam.

The erupting vent within Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) typically produces a white to gray gas plume dominated by steam.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Vent Rim Collapse (October 14, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Vent Rim Collapse (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Vent Rim Collapse (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Vent Rim Collapse (October 14, 2008)

This video, from October 14, 2008, shows two collapses of the rim of the informally-named Overlook vent and the subsequent emission of ash (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano).

This video, from October 14, 2008, shows two collapses of the rim of the informally-named Overlook vent and the subsequent emission of ash (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano).

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)

A sequence of collapses scattered over several hours on October 14, 2008, culminated in an explosive eruption that blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing e

A sequence of collapses scattered over several hours on October 14, 2008, culminated in an explosive eruption that blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing e

Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim

movie of the October 12 explosive eruption captured by a camera located on the rim of Halema`uma`u just above the vent. The camera was completely engulfed in the ash cloud, turning day to night, then bombarded by falling ejecta.

movie of the October 12 explosive eruption captured by a camera located on the rim of Halema`uma`u just above the vent. The camera was completely engulfed in the ash cloud, turning day to night, then bombarded by falling ejecta.

Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u

movie (x3 speed) shows the latest explosive eruption from the vent in Halema`uma`u, which occurred at 7:28am. A robust, ash-rich mushroom cloud is ejected, and followed by pulses of hot, glowing gas and particles. The explosion deposited a field of fist-size ejecta around the crater rim.

movie (x3 speed) shows the latest explosive eruption from the vent in Halema`uma`u, which occurred at 7:28am. A robust, ash-rich mushroom cloud is ejected, and followed by pulses of hot, glowing gas and particles. The explosion deposited a field of fist-size ejecta around the crater rim.

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