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Color photograph of rainbow and lava lake
Double rainbow extending over the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Double rainbow extending over the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Double rainbow extending over the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater

View to the northwest from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater showing the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. The active western fissure is visible above the lake, producing minor spatter and a gas plume from vents at the top.

View to the northwest from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater showing the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit. The active western fissure is visible above the lake, producing minor spatter and a gas plume from vents at the top.

Color photograph of scientist measuring lava lake
HVO geologist measures lava lake features with a laser rangefinder
HVO geologist measures lava lake features with a laser rangefinder
HVO geologist measures lava lake features with a laser rangefinder

An HVO geologist takes Kīlauea summit eruption lake-level, spatter-cone, and dome-fountain measurements with a laser rangefinder. The top of the dome fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu was up to 5 meters (16 ft) above the lake surface. The lake elevation suggests a maximum lava lake depth of approximately 193 m (211 yd).

An HVO geologist takes Kīlauea summit eruption lake-level, spatter-cone, and dome-fountain measurements with a laser rangefinder. The top of the dome fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu was up to 5 meters (16 ft) above the lake surface. The lake elevation suggests a maximum lava lake depth of approximately 193 m (211 yd).

Color map of lava lake temperature
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal map
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal map
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal map

A helicopter overflight on January 5, 2021, at approximately 8:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the eruption within Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The dimensions of the lava lake are 760 m (831 yd) E-W axis and 470 m (514 yd) in N-S axis.

A helicopter overflight on January 5, 2021, at approximately 8:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the eruption within Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The dimensions of the lava lake are 760 m (831 yd) E-W axis and 470 m (514 yd) in N-S axis.

Color photograph of lava lake
KW webcam image taken January 6, 2021, just after 6:30 a.m. HST.
KW webcam image taken January 6, 2021, just after 6:30 a.m. HST.
KW webcam image taken January 6, 2021, just after 6:30 a.m. HST.

Kīlauea summit KW webam image taken on January 6, 2021, just after 6:30 a.m. HST. The eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu continues and this photo shows that activity remains focused at the west vent as of Jan. 6 morning.

Kīlauea summit KW webam image taken on January 6, 2021, just after 6:30 a.m. HST. The eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu continues and this photo shows that activity remains focused at the west vent as of Jan. 6 morning.

Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)

Telephoto video of lava flow and fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake; spatter bursts from the active west fissure vent in Halema‘uma‘u.

GIF showing bubbling lava in a lake
Lava Bubbling Inside of a Lava Lake
Lava Bubbling Inside of a Lava Lake
Lava Bubbling Inside of a Lava Lake

An animated GIF showing bubbling lava from inside the lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii on Jan 6, 2021.

An animated GIF showing bubbling lava from inside the lava lake at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii on Jan 6, 2021.

Color photograph of lava lake
Rainbow over the western fissure erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Rainbow over the western fissure erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Rainbow over the western fissure erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu crater

View to the north-northwest from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and showing the activity at the western fissure, partly obscured by a rainbow.

Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Alicia Vaughn)
Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Alicia Vaughn)
Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Alicia Vaughn)

Gearing up for Landing Day - An Interview with USGS Contractor and Mars Rover Team Member, Alicia Vaughan

Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Dr. Ken Herkenhoff)
Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Dr. Ken Herkenhoff)
Gearing up for Landing Day—USGS Mars Rover Team (Dr. Ken Herkenhoff)

Gearing up for Landing Day - An Interview with USGS Scientist and Mars Rover Team Member, Dr. Ken Herkenhoff

Color photograph of lava lake
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake on the evening of 5 January, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake on the evening of 5 January, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake on the evening of 5 January, 2021

View looking north across Kīlauea caldera from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, showing the ongoing eruption around 5:30 p.m. HST on January 5, 2021. The west vent activity included the “dome fountain,” effusive lava flows from a mid-elevation vent, and weak strombolian spattering activity from the high-elevation vent. USGS photo by K. Lynn. 

View looking north across Kīlauea caldera from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, showing the ongoing eruption around 5:30 p.m. HST on January 5, 2021. The west vent activity included the “dome fountain,” effusive lava flows from a mid-elevation vent, and weak strombolian spattering activity from the high-elevation vent. USGS photo by K. Lynn. 

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Halema‘uma‘u west vent activity for the evening of 5 January, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u west vent activity for the evening of 5 January, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u west vent activity for the evening of 5 January, 2021

Telephoto view of the lava flow and “dome fountain” activity at the west vent of the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano summit, at 5:45 p.m. HST on 5 January, 2021. USGS photo by K. Lynn. 

Color map of topography
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit topographic changes
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit topographic changes
January 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit topographic changes

Topography of Halema'uma'u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, on December 26, 2020 (left), and January 5, 2021 (right). These Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are created from aerial imagery collected during helicopter overflights. They show that the lava lake within Halema'uma'u continues to rise and deepen.

Topography of Halema'uma'u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, on December 26, 2020 (left), and January 5, 2021 (right). These Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are created from aerial imagery collected during helicopter overflights. They show that the lava lake within Halema'uma'u continues to rise and deepen.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Kīlauea west vent “dome fountain” activity for 5 January, 2021
Kīlauea west vent “dome fountain” activity for 5 January, 2021
Kīlauea west vent “dome fountain” activity for 5 January, 2021

View through the laser rangefinder from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano summit, and showing the “dome fountain” and west vent effusive lava flow around 3:30 p.m. HST on January 5, 2021. A glowing vent is also visible at the top of the spatter structure. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

View through the laser rangefinder from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea Volcano summit, and showing the “dome fountain” and west vent effusive lava flow around 3:30 p.m. HST on January 5, 2021. A glowing vent is also visible at the top of the spatter structure. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)
Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)
Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)

The activity at the Halema‘uma‘u west vent area on January 5, 2021, was dynamic. In the foreground, a “dome fountain” upwells from beneath the lake surface, pulsing with a bubble-like geometry. Just behind it, an effusive lava flow emerges from the base of the vent structure. A mid-elevation vent is also active, emitting another effusive lava flow.

The activity at the Halema‘uma‘u west vent area on January 5, 2021, was dynamic. In the foreground, a “dome fountain” upwells from beneath the lake surface, pulsing with a bubble-like geometry. Just behind it, an effusive lava flow emerges from the base of the vent structure. A mid-elevation vent is also active, emitting another effusive lava flow.

Image of the Week - Fires Tear Through Former Cane Fields
Image of the Week - Fires Tear Through Former Cane Fields
Image of the Week - Fires Tear Through Former Cane Fields

The waves of sugar cane that once defined the Hawaiian island landscape of Maui, have slowly given way to non-native annual grasses in recent decades. Those grasses have become a fire hazard along the way.

The waves of sugar cane that once defined the Hawaiian island landscape of Maui, have slowly given way to non-native annual grasses in recent decades. Those grasses have become a fire hazard along the way.

United States map showing outlines of state boundaries. Symbols indicate locations of over 2,500 network wells where current con
January 4, 2021, Below Normal Groundwater Levels Network
January 4, 2021, Below Normal Groundwater Levels Network
January 4, 2021, Below Normal Groundwater Levels Network

Map indicates groundwater sites within the USGS Active Groundwater Level network where the most recent groundwater-level measurement is in the 24th percentile or lower in the month of measurement over the period of record for the well.

Map indicates groundwater sites within the USGS Active Groundwater Level network where the most recent groundwater-level measurement is in the 24th percentile or lower in the month of measurement over the period of record for the well.

Color photographs of lava lake
Channel crusting over at the base Halema'uma'u's west vent
Channel crusting over at the base Halema'uma'u's west vent
Channel crusting over at the base Halema'uma'u's west vent

The west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater continues to erupt at Kīlauea’s summit. These telephoto images from December 29 (left) and December 30 (right) compare the lava lake surface below the west vent. The west vent is supplying lava to the lake through a crusted over channel, which was starting to form by December 30. USGS photos by H. Dietterich.

The west vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater continues to erupt at Kīlauea’s summit. These telephoto images from December 29 (left) and December 30 (right) compare the lava lake surface below the west vent. The west vent is supplying lava to the lake through a crusted over channel, which was starting to form by December 30. USGS photos by H. Dietterich.

Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)
Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)
Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)

Lava forms a “dome fountain” at the inlet to the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater January 2-3, 2021. Lava from the western vent cascades beneath roofed vertical channels to enter the lava lake at an inlet that has become partially submerged. The result is a rolling upwelling of lava near the inlet called a “dome fountain.”

Lava forms a “dome fountain” at the inlet to the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater January 2-3, 2021. Lava from the western vent cascades beneath roofed vertical channels to enter the lava lake at an inlet that has become partially submerged. The result is a rolling upwelling of lava near the inlet called a “dome fountain.”

Color photograph of volcanic vent spattering
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST

Early this morning, the west vents in Halema‘uma‘u spattered from two places at the top of a small cone plastered on the northwest wall. This process can be seen in Kīlauea Volcano's summit F1 thermal webcam view of the lava lake.

Early this morning, the west vents in Halema‘uma‘u spattered from two places at the top of a small cone plastered on the northwest wall. This process can be seen in Kīlauea Volcano's summit F1 thermal webcam view of the lava lake.

Color photograph of volcanic vent spattering and lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST
Kīlauea summit eruption - Jan. 3, 2020, at 1:30 a.m. HST

At Halema‘uma‘u, the west vents (visible in the foreground of this photo as two glowing holes on a cone-shaped feature) erupt occaisional spatter.

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