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Maps showing lava lake growth
Halema‘uma‘u eruption sequence Digital Elevation Models
Halema‘uma‘u eruption sequence Digital Elevation Models
Halema‘uma‘u eruption sequence Digital Elevation Models

HVO uses regular Kīlauea summit helicopter overflights of Halema‘uma‘u crater to create digital elevation models (DEMs) of the crater. The DEMs show changes in the crater over time and can be used to estimate erupted volume, eruption rate, and map features of interest.

HVO uses regular Kīlauea summit helicopter overflights of Halema‘uma‘u crater to create digital elevation models (DEMs) of the crater. The DEMs show changes in the crater over time and can be used to estimate erupted volume, eruption rate, and map features of interest.

Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)
Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)
Kīlauea East Rift Zone Overflight (March, 4, 2021)

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 2x speed and circles Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the vent region for the East Rift Zone eruption between 1983 and 2018. No major changes were observed in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

A routine helicopter overflight of Kīlauea's East Rift Zone allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 2x speed and circles Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the vent region for the East Rift Zone eruption between 1983 and 2018. No major changes were observed in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Overflight—Lava Delta (March 4, 2021)

A routine helicopter overflight of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021, allowed HVO geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed and follows the new coastline created during the 2018 eruption in the Kapoho area.

A routine helicopter overflight of the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021, allowed HVO geologists to conduct an updated visual and thermal survey. This video is shown at 5x speed and follows the new coastline created during the 2018 eruption in the Kapoho area.

Color animated gif of lava lake rise
Kīlauea Volcano summit eruption — thermal map GIF
Kīlauea Volcano summit eruption — thermal map GIF
Kīlauea Volcano summit eruption — thermal map GIF

ANIMATED GIF: This animated image file (GIF) includes a series of thermal maps—ranging from daily to several weeks apart—made from helicopter overflight thermal imagery of Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit. The set of thermal maps are in a continuous loop showing the lava lake changes throughout the eruption.

ANIMATED GIF: This animated image file (GIF) includes a series of thermal maps—ranging from daily to several weeks apart—made from helicopter overflight thermal imagery of Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit. The set of thermal maps are in a continuous loop showing the lava lake changes throughout the eruption.

Color map of lava lake depth
Lava Lake Depth March 4th
Lava Lake Depth March 4th
Lava Lake Depth March 4th

Data from a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on March 4th allowed for the calculation of the depth of the lava in Halema‘uma‘u crater. The deepest parts of the lake (darkest reds) exceed 200 meters (650 feet). Different-colored lines in Halema‘uma‘u show the perimeter of the lava lake and the vents over the course of the eruption.

Data from a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on March 4th allowed for the calculation of the depth of the lava in Halema‘uma‘u crater. The deepest parts of the lake (darkest reds) exceed 200 meters (650 feet). Different-colored lines in Halema‘uma‘u show the perimeter of the lava lake and the vents over the course of the eruption.

View of Kīlauea Volcano's south caldera area, with the margin of the 1982 lava flows and a portion of Crater Rim Drive
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

In this view of Kīlauea Volcano's south caldera area, the margin of the 1982 lava flows are visible (right), as is a portion of Crater Rim Drive. During World War II, bulldozers were used to create mounds in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea.

In this view of Kīlauea Volcano's south caldera area, the margin of the 1982 lava flows are visible (right), as is a portion of Crater Rim Drive. During World War II, bulldozers were used to create mounds in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea.

The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay, in the lower left corner of this image. Wave erosion of the 2018 lava flows along the coast contributes to sand accumulation that forms a beach at Pohoiki Bay. USGS image by K. Mulliken on March 4, 2021.

The fissure 8 lava flows of Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption meet the ocean at Pohoiki Bay, in the lower left corner of this image. Wave erosion of the 2018 lava flows along the coast contributes to sand accumulation that forms a beach at Pohoiki Bay. USGS image by K. Mulliken on March 4, 2021.

Steam visible in a portion of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on the 2018 eruption flow field
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Steam was also visible in other portions of the 2018 eruption flow field, close to Kīlauea's East Rift Zone (bottom portion of image). As lava was flowing south towards the ocean in 2018, lava channels formed; these channels are visible as dark grey meandering lines in the image. Like water, lava flows along the path of least resistance downslope. USGS image by K.

Steam was also visible in other portions of the 2018 eruption flow field, close to Kīlauea's East Rift Zone (bottom portion of image). As lava was flowing south towards the ocean in 2018, lava channels formed; these channels are visible as dark grey meandering lines in the image. Like water, lava flows along the path of least resistance downslope. USGS image by K.

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021. Steam is normally visible as the vent—which was active for more than 35 years—continues to cool, following the 2018 Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapse.

Subtle steaming was visible at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō during HVO's overflight of Kīlauea on March 4, 2021. Steam is normally visible as the vent—which was active for more than 35 years—continues to cool, following the 2018 Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapse.

Fissure 8, visible in the center of this photo, emits steam as this geologically-young feature continues to cool
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

HVO's overflight today also included KILAUEA's lower East Rift Zone, where geologists continue to document and map the 2018 eruption deposits. Fissure 8, visible in the center of this photo, emits steam as this geologically-young feature continues to cool.

HVO's overflight today also included KILAUEA's lower East Rift Zone, where geologists continue to document and map the 2018 eruption deposits. Fissure 8, visible in the center of this photo, emits steam as this geologically-young feature continues to cool.

 Aerial view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Another view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) trail is visible in the foreground. The gas plume rising from Halema‘uma‘u in the background marks where the current eruption is taking place. Uēkahuna—the summit of Kīlauea—is visible in the upper right portion of the image. USGS image by K.

Another view of Kīlauea caldera, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) trail is visible in the foreground. The gas plume rising from Halema‘uma‘u in the background marks where the current eruption is taking place. Uēkahuna—the summit of Kīlauea—is visible in the upper right portion of the image. USGS image by K.

HVO scientists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit the morning of March 4 to document the ongoing eruption
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

HVO scientists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit the morning of March 4 to document the ongoing eruption. No significant changes were observed—the vent in the northwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u continues to erupt and lava continues to slowly fill the crater.

HVO scientists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit the morning of March 4 to document the ongoing eruption. No significant changes were observed—the vent in the northwest wall of Halema‘uma‘u continues to erupt and lava continues to slowly fill the crater.

During the Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone overflight on March 4, HVO scientists documented different lava flow textures from 2018
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

During the overflight of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists documented different lava textures in the fissure 8 flow field that formed during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption. This photo shows an area of fissure 8 flows near the ocean. Both rubbly ‘a‘ā (brownish black) and smooth pāhoehoe (grey) are visible. USGS image by K.

During the overflight of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists documented different lava textures in the fissure 8 flow field that formed during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption. This photo shows an area of fissure 8 flows near the ocean. Both rubbly ‘a‘ā (brownish black) and smooth pāhoehoe (grey) are visible. USGS image by K.

 An aerial view of Pu‘u Pua‘i, Kīlauea Iki, and Kīlauea caldera
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone
March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

An aerial view of Pu‘u Pua‘i, Kīlauea Iki, and Kīlauea caldera. Though the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u isn't visible from this vantage point, the bluish-tinged plume of volcanic gasses is visible near the center of the photo.

An aerial view of Pu‘u Pua‘i, Kīlauea Iki, and Kīlauea caldera. Though the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u isn't visible from this vantage point, the bluish-tinged plume of volcanic gasses is visible near the center of the photo.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and crater
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021
Wide-angle view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, March 4, 2021

During a routine overflight of the Kīlauea East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists visited the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō area to check for any significant changes in recent months. Their most notable observation was further accumulation of talus—rock collapse debris—in the crater that formed on April 30, 2018, as seen in this wide-angle photo.

During a routine overflight of the Kīlauea East Rift Zone on March 4, HVO scientists visited the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō area to check for any significant changes in recent months. Their most notable observation was further accumulation of talus—rock collapse debris—in the crater that formed on April 30, 2018, as seen in this wide-angle photo.

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit eruption—March 3, 2021

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u at 12:21 p.m. HST on March 3, 2021. The western portion of the lava lake is active with lava being fed from the west vent. The eastern surface of the lava lake remains crusted over. SO2 emission rates are elevated at approximately 1000 t/d, as measured on March 3, 2021.

View of the Kīlauea summit lava lake taken from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u at 12:21 p.m. HST on March 3, 2021. The western portion of the lava lake is active with lava being fed from the west vent. The eastern surface of the lava lake remains crusted over. SO2 emission rates are elevated at approximately 1000 t/d, as measured on March 3, 2021.

How USGS Streamgages Work
How USGS Streamgages Work
How USGS Streamgages Work

This video explains how streamgages are used to measure the height and flow, or speed, of streams. By monitoring the height and flow of streams, the people who manage water infrastructure can have advanced noted of when the water is rising and how fast it’s coming.

This video explains how streamgages are used to measure the height and flow, or speed, of streams. By monitoring the height and flow of streams, the people who manage water infrastructure can have advanced noted of when the water is rising and how fast it’s coming.

I Am A...Malacologist
I Am A...Malacologist
I Am A...Malacologist

Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.

Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.

Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform
Precipitation measurement and sampling at a meteorological platform

The photo shows a Belfort Weighing Bucket, Tipping Bucket,  Aerochem, Ott Pluvio , Hubbard Brook, and standard rain gage. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

The photo shows a Belfort Weighing Bucket, Tipping Bucket,  Aerochem, Ott Pluvio , Hubbard Brook, and standard rain gage. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont. 

Halema‘uma‘u crater eruption, Kīlauea summit—March 2, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u crater eruption, Kīlauea summit—March 2, 2021
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