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

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video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, 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 eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, 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 eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse
Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse
Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse

movie (x3 speed) shows an ash event from the vent in Halema`uma`u, occurring at 3:54 pm. The normally white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed with a vigorous ash-rich pulse that rises rapidly from the vent. Red flashes above the vent indicate hot, incandescent material being ejected.

movie (x3 speed) shows an ash event from the vent in Halema`uma`u, occurring at 3:54 pm. The normally white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed with a vigorous ash-rich pulse that rises rapidly from the vent. Red flashes above the vent indicate hot, incandescent material being ejected.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, 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 eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, 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 eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent
Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent
Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent

Movie shows a roiling, bubbling lava surface approximately 100 yards beneath the rim of the vent within Halema`uma`u. This is the first clear view of lava within the vent, which opened on March 19, 2008. The video was taken from a helicopter hovering over the Halema`uma`u overlook area.

Movie shows a roiling, bubbling lava surface approximately 100 yards beneath the rim of the vent within Halema`uma`u. This is the first clear view of lava within the vent, which opened on March 19, 2008. The video was taken from a helicopter hovering over the Halema`uma`u overlook area.

Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption
Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption
Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption

Movie, in 'nightshot' mode and zoomed in on the Halema`uma`u vent, shows the explosive eruption which occurred at 8:13 pm. This eruption carpeted the area around the Halema`uma`u crater rim with ejecta as large as 8 inches long.

Movie, in 'nightshot' mode and zoomed in on the Halema`uma`u vent, shows the explosive eruption which occurred at 8:13 pm. This eruption carpeted the area around the Halema`uma`u crater rim with ejecta as large as 8 inches long.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)

An explosive eruption from the informally-named Overlook vent at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) occurred on September 2, 2008.

An explosive eruption from the informally-named Overlook vent at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) occurred on September 2, 2008.

Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence
Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence
Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence

Video shows an ash-emission event at 6:53pm on August 31 from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The event begins with a robust pulse of ash, followed shortly by flashes of bright incandescence that rise about 50 yards above the vent.

Video shows an ash-emission event at 6:53pm on August 31 from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The event begins with a robust pulse of ash, followed shortly by flashes of bright incandescence that rise about 50 yards above the vent.

Fifth explosive eruption
Fifth explosive eruption
Fifth explosive eruption

Movie shows a small explosive eruption, at 7:37 am, from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The normal white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed by a more robust, ash-rich plume that rises rapidly from the vent. This is the fifth explosive eruption since the new vent at Halema`uma`u appeared in mid-March.

Movie shows a small explosive eruption, at 7:37 am, from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The normal white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed by a more robust, ash-rich plume that rises rapidly from the vent. This is the fifth explosive eruption since the new vent at Halema`uma`u appeared in mid-March.

Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase
Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase
Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase

Movie shows an example of an ash-rich phase at Halema`uma`u crater. This event occurred at 3:40pm. These sporadic ash-rich phases are probably due to small rockfalls within the vent.

Movie shows an example of an ash-rich phase at Halema`uma`u crater. This event occurred at 3:40pm. These sporadic ash-rich phases are probably due to small rockfalls within the vent.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008) video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)

Beginning in early January 2008, sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit area of Kilauea increased to 2 to 10 times above background values, prompting partial closure of the summit region by late February.

Beginning in early January 2008, sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit area of Kilauea increased to 2 to 10 times above background values, prompting partial closure of the summit region by late February.

Low dome fountain on TEB rootless shield 3
Low dome fountain on TEB rootless shield 3
Low dome fountain on TEB rootless shield 3

Movie showing the low dome fountain on TEB rootless shield 3; video of spattering from the vent on the west side of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater taken with thermal camera; and video of the vent on the east wall of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater taken with thermal camera.

Movie showing the low dome fountain on TEB rootless shield 3; video of spattering from the vent on the west side of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater taken with thermal camera; and video of the vent on the east wall of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater taken with thermal camera.

New gas jet at Pu`u `O`o Crater
New gas jet at Pu`u `O`o Crater
New gas jet at Pu`u `O`o Crater

Closeup of the new vent from a hovering helicopter showing hazy views of incandescence deep inside the vent.

Closeup of the new vent from a hovering helicopter showing hazy views of incandescence deep inside the vent.

Flying high over Halema`uma`u, Waikupanaha bench
Flying high over Halema`uma`u, Waikupanaha bench
Flying high over Halema`uma`u, Waikupanaha bench

Flying at about the elevation of the plume top, this video shows a number of aspects of the ongoing activity at Halema`uma`u Crater. The mostly whitish plume rises to an elevation of about 5,500 feet and blows first to the southwest but apparently spreads to the west over the Ka`u Desert. Mauna Loa rises above the clouds in the background.

Flying at about the elevation of the plume top, this video shows a number of aspects of the ongoing activity at Halema`uma`u Crater. The mostly whitish plume rises to an elevation of about 5,500 feet and blows first to the southwest but apparently spreads to the west over the Ka`u Desert. Mauna Loa rises above the clouds in the background.

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

Video clip taken from the southeast rim of Halema`uma`u at 3 p.m. on April 2.

Video clip taken from the southeast rim of Halema`uma`u at 3 p.m. on April 2.

10th anniversary of Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption
10th anniversary of Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption
10th anniversary of Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. When the vent first opened on March 19, 2008, it formed a small pit about 115 feet (35 m) wide. Over the past decade, that pit (informally called the "Overlook crater") has grown into a gaping hole about 919 feet by 656 feet (280 x 200 m) in size.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. When the vent first opened on March 19, 2008, it formed a small pit about 115 feet (35 m) wide. Over the past decade, that pit (informally called the "Overlook crater") has grown into a gaping hole about 919 feet by 656 feet (280 x 200 m) in size.

TEB rootless shield flank failure
TEB rootless shield flank failure
TEB rootless shield flank failure

(January 26, 2008, 10:50:12 to 19:12:16) Perched lava ponds often formed atop the rootless shields built by the "Thanksgiving Eve Breakout" (TEB) lava flow. This movie shows the failure of the flank of a rootless shield on January 26, 2008, and the release of the lava contained within the perched lava pond at its summit.

(January 26, 2008, 10:50:12 to 19:12:16) Perched lava ponds often formed atop the rootless shields built by the "Thanksgiving Eve Breakout" (TEB) lava flow. This movie shows the failure of the flank of a rootless shield on January 26, 2008, and the release of the lava contained within the perched lava pond at its summit.

TEB effusion and partial rootless shield flank failure
TEB effusion and partial rootless shield flank failure
TEB effusion and partial rootless shield flank failure

(December 1, 2007, 02:01:38 to 16:01:36) On November 21, 2007—the eve of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday—Episode 58 changed dramatically. Lava, erupting from Fissure D into a perched lava channel, found an easier path to the surface and broke out from directly over Fissure D on what was, by then, the southern flank of the channel.

(December 1, 2007, 02:01:38 to 16:01:36) On November 21, 2007—the eve of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday—Episode 58 changed dramatically. Lava, erupting from Fissure D into a perched lava channel, found an easier path to the surface and broke out from directly over Fissure D on what was, by then, the southern flank of the channel.

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