Volcano Minute

Hiking on the boardwalk at Haʻakulamanu, also known as Sulphur Banks, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, is a multisensory experience. 

When lava fountains have erupted at the summit of Kīlauea, one question always quickly follows: How tall is that fountain? 

Beneath the ocean’s surface, submarine volcanoes carry out about 75 percent of Earth’s volcanic activity, but much of what they do remains hidden from...

If you've been wondering what Kīlauea's recent caldera intrusion means, you're not alone. 

The six new eruptive vents that opened along the western wall of Halemaʻumaʻu between September 14th and 16th, offered scientists a new glimpse into...

Earthquakes happen every day in the State of Hawaii. Most are too small to feel, but occasionally a larger earthquake reminds us that strong ground...

Today we’re talking about the summit of Kīlauea. While flames, spatter, and lava erupted intermittently from the vents in Halemaʻumaʻu that have been...

Today we’re heading to the remote volcanic islands of American Samoa, where scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recently visited to...

Since the episodic lava fountaining eruption at the summit of Kīlauea started in December of 2024, Kīlauea’s summit has cycled through repeating...

If you’ve visited Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recently, you’ve probably seen the crowds gathering on the rim of the caldera to watch...

September is National Preparedness Month, so let’s take a minute to talk about a few simple steps that you can take to make a difference in how...

In July of this year, scientists visited a rare window into Kīlauea volcano’s long-term history — layers of lava, ash and other tephra exposed along...

Have you ever felt an earthquake and rushed to the USGS website to check where it happened and what magnitude it was? Or wondered whether Kīlauea’s...

Out in the open ocean, waves are constantly rolling and crashing. That motion creates a steady, rhythmic beating on the seafloor. Those vibrations...

Kīlauea’s summit has been erupting intermittent lava fountains since December 23rd, 2024, producing 52 episodes of lava fountains so far—some shooting...

After nearly a decade as the Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator, Talmadge Magno will retire on August 1, 2026. 

Today, we’re taking a look at how scientists track movement at Earth’s largest active volcano—Mauna Loa. 

A question we hear often is Will the lava erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu eventually flow out of Kīlauea summit caldera?  

If you’ve felt earthquake shaking lately, you’re not alone. Over the past several months, a handful of large, deep earthquakes have rattled the Island...

Last Saturday, June 27th, marked a golden milestone—Hawaii’s 50th lava fountaining episode in the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at Kīlauea’s summit.