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Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea summit eruption – photos prior to June 19, 2023 pause

Kīlauea eruption webpage
By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory June 21, 2023

The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater entered a pause during the afternoon of June 19, 2023. The eruption, which was occurring inside the Kīlauea summit caldera within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, began during the morning of June 7, 2023.

This page is a collection of photos from prior to the pause, when the eruption was still vigorous.

Kīlauea summit livestream

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists collect detailed data to assess hazards and understand how the eruption is evolving at Kīlauea's summit, all of which are shared with the National Park Service and emergency managers. Access to this hazardous area is by permission from, and in coordination with, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption is occurring within Halemaʻumaʻu, a location that is significant to Native Hawaiian communities because it is the home of the deity Pele.

color photograph of scientist on rim of erupting volcanic crater
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A USGS gas scientist uses an infrared spectrometer to collect gas chemistry measurements from the plume in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Unlike some gas instrumentation that relies on ultraviolet light from the sun—which means measurements can only be collected during daylight hours—the infrared spectrometer allows for measurements at night. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
nighttime color photograph of volcanic eruptive vent
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A nighttime view of the southwest side of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Seen here are the lava fountain and channel emerging from the base of the spatter cone that forms eruptive vent on the southwest wall of the crater. USGS photo by M. Cappos.
nighttime color photograph of volcanic eruptive spatter
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A nighttime close-up view of spattering from the lava fountain on the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The fountain is to the left of this photo’s field of view; the fragments of lava darken as they cool and solidify mid-air as they travel away from the fountaining vent. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
nighttime color photograph of lava lake
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A nighttime close-up view of the upwelling area at the base of the spatter cone within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. This upwelling feeds a lava channel that spreads out to the east of the spatter cone. USGS photo by M. Cappos.
nighttime long-exposure color photograph of volcanic eruptive vent
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A long-exposure view of the lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The long exposure time allows the camera to capture the full arc-shaped trajectories of spatter fragments thrown out by the lava fountain. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.
color photograph of erupting volcanic crater
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Southwest-looking view of the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023. Active lava can be seen erupting from a vent on the southwest (far side) crater wall. Recently erupted lava has a white/silvery appearance and is confined to the southwest portion of Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
color photograph of volcanic eruptive vent
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Telephoto view—looking west—of the eruptive vent on the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023. Lava can be seen erupting from the top and the bottom of the spatter cone that has built up over the original vent in the crater wall, then flowing into the active lava lake confined to the southwest portion of Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
color photograph of erupting volcanic crater
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View—looking southwest—of the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu, as captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023. Lava can be seen erupting from a vent on the southwest crater wall in the background. Sulfur deposits on the partially submerged main island (formed during the early stages of the December 20, 2020 eruption) are visible in the center of the image. Active lava is confined to the southwest portion of Halemaʻumaʻu, on the far side of the island. Black, solidified lava in the foreground of the image was emplaced during the first few days of this eruption, which started on June 7, 2023. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
color photograph of volcanic eruptive vent
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Telephoto view—looking southwest—of the southwest wall eruptive vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023. In this view, lava fountaining is visible at the top of the cone, with an open channel along the front of the cone to the active lava lake in the southwest portion of Halemaʻumaʻu. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

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