Volcano Watch

This week, a group of volcanic gas scientists from across the United States, including staff from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), will...

"Volcano Watch," weekly articles written primarily by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff and occasionally by USGS...

The pali (cliffs) of Kīlauea's south flank are some of the volcano's most striking features. Reaching up to 500 m (1500 ft) high, they stand out...

Last month, the entire world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's triumphant flight to the moon and the first human footsteps on the surface...

The slowly deepening pond of water on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, the first in recorded history, has captured the interest of media and the public...

The recent appearance of water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, has attracted wide attention and generated...

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists usually base their research on observations, either visual or instrumental. Interpretations come...

In ongoing media coverage of demonstrations at the base of Mauna Kea, many hundreds of people can be seen standing on a black lava flow that surrounds...

One year ago, activity on Kīlauea Volcano was remarkably different than it is today. Lava was flowing toward the sea, robust ocean entry plumes were...

Shortly before midnight on July 5, 1975, Mauna Loa Volcano awakened with a shudder. Quickly responding to a seismic earthquake/tremor alarm at 11:18 p...

Hawaii residents are likely familiar with the Volcano Activity Updates that the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) issues for Kīlauea and other active...

Kīlauea Volcano, on the Island of Hawai‘i, has two rift zones. The East Rift Zone is longer, with 50 km (about 31 miles) on land plus another 80 km...

Since the early 1990s, scientists have used radar satellites to map movement, or deformation, of Earth’s surface. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture...

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), along with its partners at NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and the National Strong-Motion...

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is no rookie when it comes to using flight to assist with monitoring Hawaiian volcanoes. Helicopters and fixed...

Since the end of 2018's volcanic activity, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have wanted to resurvey Kīlauea Volcano's ground surface to...

May 24, 2019, is a notable date in Kīlauea Volcano's history. It is the one-year anniversary of several key events in the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, most...

During the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, when fissures erupted and lava flowed in the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ), many Puna residents were...

A year ago, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Island of Hawai‘i residents were in the throes of an historically unprecedented series of...

With the one-year anniversary of the onset of Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption upon us, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)...