During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on November 10, 2026, scientists surveyed the lava flows emplaced during lava fountaining episode 56 and flew over the north and southwest vents. While volcanic gas mostly obscured the volcanic vents, a few windows into the deeper conduits opened. During these windows, the crew observed roiling, incandescent lava in both the north and south vents at about 40-50 m (130-165 ft) below the rim of these vents. USGS photo by D. Downs.

U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff undertook a helicopter overflight of Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano, to survey the lava flows and tephra deposit emplaced during lava fountaining episode 56 that occurred on November 5, 2026. During a circuit of the south rim of Kaluapele, the helicopter crew got to see a rainbow over the crater floor. USGS photo by D. Downs.