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Daily updates about ongoing eruptions, recent images and videos of summit and East Rift Zone volcanic activity, maps, and data about recent earthquakes in Hawaii are posted on the HVO website. 

Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and colleagues.

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Volcano Watch — A look back on the episodic Kīlauea Iki eruption in 1959

Volcano Watch — A look back on the episodic Kīlauea Iki eruption in 1959

A series of lava fountains building a cone perched on the crater rim...sounds like the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea, but...

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Volcano Watch — Hau’oli Makahiki Hou: a round-up of fireworks from Kīlauea’s fountains

Volcano Watch — Hau’oli Makahiki Hou: a round-up of fireworks from Kīlauea’s fountains

Kīlauea has been providing “fireworks” all year long on the Island of Hawaiʻi, and today we present a summary in commemoration of the New Year. 

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Volcano Watch — “It’s a twister!” Or is it? Unraveling Kīlauea’s Volcanic Whirlwinds

Volcano Watch — “It’s a twister!” Or is it? Unraveling Kīlauea’s Volcanic Whirlwinds

Despite the popularity of "Wicked" lately, we’re not talking about that particular twister. We’re talking about the tornado- or whirlwind-like...

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Volcano Watch — One year of Kīlauea’s episodic summit fountaining: highlighting the hazards

Volcano Watch — One year of Kīlauea’s episodic summit fountaining: highlighting the hazards

On December 23, 2024, a unique eruption began in Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with a style of activity not seen for nearly 40 years. The eruption...

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Volcano Watch — (Lava) fountains of knowledge: announcing January 2026 Volcano Awareness Month events on the Island of Hawaiʻi

Volcano Watch — (Lava) fountains of knowledge: announcing January 2026 Volcano Awareness Month events on the Island of Hawaiʻi

As the year 2025 comes to a close, we reflect on the historic past year of volcanic activity on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Thirty-eight episodes of lava...

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Volcano Watch — Tracking the growth of a new puʻu at Kīlauea

Volcano Watch — Tracking the growth of a new puʻu at Kīlauea

Tephra formed by lava fountains during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption has created a new puʻu (hill) southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The new...

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Volcano Watch — The legacy of the 1975 earthquake: 50 years of study at Kīlauea’s south flank

Volcano Watch — The legacy of the 1975 earthquake: 50 years of study at Kīlauea’s south flank

The 1975 Kalapana earthquake brought big changes to lives of the people affected by the fatalities and damage, as well as big changes to our...

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Volcano Watch — Remembering the destructive Kalapana earthquake 50 years ago

Volcano Watch — Remembering the destructive Kalapana earthquake 50 years ago

Fifty years ago this month, the largest Hawaii earthquake of the 20th and 21st centuries occurred. Earthquake shaking, as well as ground subsidence...

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Volcano Watch — Catching up on Kīlauea: 36 episodes and counting

Volcano Watch — Catching up on Kīlauea: 36 episodes and counting

The summit eruption of Kīlauea continues, with 36 episodes of lava fountaining since the eruption began on December 23, 2024. Let’s catch up on the...

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Volcano Watch – Lava, Logs, and Loose Cows: The Wild Job of HVO’s Technicians

Volcano Watch – Lava, Logs, and Loose Cows: The Wild Job of HVO’s Technicians

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) monitors volcanic activity across the Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa, helping to ensure public safety...

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Volcano Watch – Volcano and earthquake monitoring in American Samoa

Volcano Watch – Volcano and earthquake monitoring in American Samoa

American Samoa is a United States territory which comprises the easternmost islands of a volcanic island chain formed by the Samoan hotspot in the...

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Volcano Watch — The long way to cross Kāwili Street: Waiākea grad joins University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Volcano Watch — The long way to cross Kāwili Street: Waiākea grad joins University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Born and raised in Hilo, I grew up hiking in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, fishing in Ka'ū, and stargazing on Mauna Kea. I knew then that the Big...

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