Photo and Video Chronology - Fissure Eruption in Kīlauea Volcano's Southwest Rift Zone, June 3, 2024 | U.S. Geological Survey

Photo and Video Chronology - Fissure Eruption in Kīlauea Volcano's Southwest Rift Zone, June 3, 2024

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory June 4, 2024

Kīlauea volcano is erupting. A new eruption began at approximately 12:30 a.m. HST on Monday, June 3, about 4 km (2.5 miles) southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Gas geochemistry field team visits Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, 6 a.m. HST June 3, 2024

A female scientist standing next to a boxy instrument on a tripod, taking measurements of a gas plume in the distance — A field team of HVO geochemists visited the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption to measure gases released from the fissures. The team used a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)

A distant crack in a field of lava emits glowing orange fountains of molten rock and plumes of white and gray clouds

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In this photo taken at about 6 a.m. HST on June 3, both lava fountains (left) and emissions of volcanic ash (right) are visible erupting from the new fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. The ash is dark gray, while the remainder of the whitish plumes are composed of steam and other volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)

A tiny helicopter hovers over a fissure eruption that is emitting glowing molten lava and large clouds of volcanic gases

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Around 6 a.m. HST on June 3, 2024, a helicopter overflight by USGS HVO scientists was observed by a field crew taking gas measurements of the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone.

The shadows of four field scientists stretch out towards a distant rainbow arcing into a gray cloud of volcanic gas

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While observing the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, HVO scientists in the field were treated to views of rainbow terminating in the cloud of volcanic gases.

HVO scientists visit & map the Southwest Rift Zone eruption site, morning of June 3

Color photograph of scientist collecting spatter samples — USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the young lava flows formed within the past 9 hours on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano. At the eruption site, geologists documented lava flow margins, collected samples, and deployed a new webcam to monitor the eruption. USGS image taken the morning of June 3, 2024.

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USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the fissure that formed on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano early this morning, June 3, 2024. Elevated gas emissions are being carried downwind, in a southwest direction. USGS video.

Color photograph of scientist deploying webcam

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A shiny black lava flow is bordered by angular, frothy fragments of glassy rock scattered over a gravelly landscape

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Ground cracks spider into the distance on a gravelly black landscape. In the background, bigger cracks emit plumes of gas

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This reference map depicts the location and order of formation of fissure vents that began erupting from Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone at approximately 12:30 a.m. HST on June 3, 2024. The red outlines indicate the limits of new lava flows as of 10 p.m. HST on June 3. Lava effusion from the vents ceased around 12:30 p.m. in the afternoon on June 3, but volcanic gas emissions and glow were still observed in the afternoon and overnight hours.

Map showing the location of eruptive fissures and the extent of lava flows in Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone

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Morning helicopter overflight, 6 a.m. HST June 3

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Aerial video of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS video.

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During an overflight at approximately 6 a.m., USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed the fissures system that opened on the upper portion of the Southwest Rift Zone early this morning. Approximately half a mile (about 1 km) in length, only the southwest portion of the system was active by daylight.

Bright orange lava fountains spew from long cracks in an older lava flow, shrouded in plumes of steam and volcanic gas

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Lava fountains from the June 3, 2024 fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone were estimated to have reached as high as 20 meters (66 feet), with an average height of 10 meters (33 feet).

lava erupting from a fissure

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Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS image.

Map showing the location of eruptive fissures

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https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/june-3-2024-kilauea-southwest-rift-zone-eruption-reference-map

Overnight views of the eruption from Mauna Kea and the Southwest Rift Zone, June 3

Color photograph of the milky way and eruption plume — During the early morning hours of June 3, 2024, the night sky was illuminated by the glow of new eruption south of Kīlauea summit caldera. In this image, taken with a prolonged exposure time, the Milky Way is also visible. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.

Color image of eruption plume, with road in foreground

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At approximately 3:15 a.m. HST, the eruption south of Kīlauea's summit remained active. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view on route to the eruption area. USGS image by N. Deligne.

orange glow of lava from Kīlauea seen in the dark

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The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.

Color photograph of eruption glow at night and the silhouette of trees in the foreground

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Kīlauea's eruption plume illuminated during the early morning hours of June 3, 2024, visible from the Volcano Golf Course area. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.

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