This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on March 10, the eruption has had twelve episodes, with a thirteenth likely to occur the next 24 hours.
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Images

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on March 10, the eruption has had twelve episodes, with a thirteenth likely to occur the next 24 hours.

Quartz crystals (A) often contain melt embayments (tubular melt-filled pockets burrowed into the side of volcanic crystals) (B), which preserve volatiles (water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur) that have different concentrations in different parts of the embayment (C).
Quartz crystals (A) often contain melt embayments (tubular melt-filled pockets burrowed into the side of volcanic crystals) (B), which preserve volatiles (water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur) that have different concentrations in different parts of the embayment (C).

Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions. Eruptions shown include the 25,400-year-old Oruanui eruption of Taupo (New Zealand), the 2.08-million-year-old Huckleberry Ridge Tuff of Yellowstone (USA), and the 767,000-year-old Bishop Tuff of Long Valley (USA). Magma ascent rates determined by Myers et al. (2018).
Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions. Eruptions shown include the 25,400-year-old Oruanui eruption of Taupo (New Zealand), the 2.08-million-year-old Huckleberry Ridge Tuff of Yellowstone (USA), and the 767,000-year-old Bishop Tuff of Long Valley (USA). Magma ascent rates determined by Myers et al. (2018).

Map showing the Roadside Springs thermal area, located just north of Nymph Lake along the Norris-Mammoth highway. Hydrothermal ground is shaded purple. New hydrothermal features formed in 2003 on the north side of Nymph Lake, and also in 2024 a bit further north from the lake. Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.
Map showing the Roadside Springs thermal area, located just north of Nymph Lake along the Norris-Mammoth highway. Hydrothermal ground is shaded purple. New hydrothermal features formed in 2003 on the north side of Nymph Lake, and also in 2024 a bit further north from the lake. Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.

Aerial view looking to the west at the Roadside Springs hydrothermal area and Nymph Lake showing the locations of thermal features that formed in 2003 and 2024. Yellow line marks the Mammoth-Norris highway. Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.
Aerial view looking to the west at the Roadside Springs hydrothermal area and Nymph Lake showing the locations of thermal features that formed in 2003 and 2024. Yellow line marks the Mammoth-Norris highway. Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.
Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume ejecting ash, crystals and fragments of rock from a vent. This rising plume will eventually hit a zone of neutral buoyancy in the atmosphere, where it is then carried by the wind. Material is ejected from both the upward moving jet and falls from the umbrellaing plume.
Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume ejecting ash, crystals and fragments of rock from a vent. This rising plume will eventually hit a zone of neutral buoyancy in the atmosphere, where it is then carried by the wind. Material is ejected from both the upward moving jet and falls from the umbrellaing plume.
Videos

Is it true roads in Yellowstone National Park are melting? Whatever you might have heard, it's nothing new and it's not due to increased volcanic activity. Get up-to-speed in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (March 2025).
Is it true roads in Yellowstone National Park are melting? Whatever you might have heard, it's nothing new and it's not due to increased volcanic activity. Get up-to-speed in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (March 2025).

You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.
You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.

In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024.
In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024.

The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.
The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.

Obsidian: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
linkObsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.
Obsidian: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
linkObsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.

Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024.
Read Caldera Chronicles
Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024.
Read Caldera Chronicles
Audio


Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the gurgling and bubbly sounds of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Steamboat Geyser is the world’s tallest active geyser. It showers watchers and drenches the walkway. Days, months, or years pass between the major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the gurgling and bubbly sounds of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Steamboat Geyser is the world’s tallest active geyser. It showers watchers and drenches the walkway. Days, months, or years pass between the major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Beryl Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Beryl Spring, in the Gibbon River valley south of Artist's Paintpots, is a complex plumbing system in Yellowstone National Park with a strongly and constantly boiling hot spring pool, and a powerful fumarole just behind the pool.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Beryl Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Beryl Spring, in the Gibbon River valley south of Artist's Paintpots, is a complex plumbing system in Yellowstone National Park with a strongly and constantly boiling hot spring pool, and a powerful fumarole just behind the pool.


Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Blue Mud Steam Vent in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Blue Mud Steam Vent is found within the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Blue Mud Steam Vent in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Blue Mud Steam Vent is found within the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.


Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
linkNeed time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of a flowing river through Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This audio is from a river below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
linkNeed time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of a flowing river through Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This audio is from a river below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Cinnamon Spouter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Cinnamon Spouter is located in the Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Cinnamon Spouter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Cinnamon Spouter is located in the Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Congress Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Congress Pool is a mud pool/mud pot located in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Congress Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Congress Pool is a mud pool/mud pot located in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.