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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The nascent lava lake has been rising approximately one meter (yard) an hour since the eruption began.

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The nascent lava lake has been rising approximately one meter (yard) an hour since the eruption began.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. Lava continues to erupt from multiple vents along the floor and western wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. As of this afternoon all lava activity is confined within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. Lava continues to erupt from multiple vents along the floor and western wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. As of this afternoon all lava activity is confined within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. In this image, multiple active fountaining sources are visible in the central and western portions of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. In this image, multiple active fountaining sources are visible in the central and western portions of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The eruption is generating a vigorous plume of volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide, being transported downwind.

Aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The eruption is generating a vigorous plume of volcanic gas, including sulfur dioxide, being transported downwind.

Color photograph of scientists monitoring eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to monitor the new eruption at in Kīlauea's Halema‘uma‘u crater on the evening of September 30, 2021. Field crews made measurements of the active fountains and the lava lake level to track how quickly it is rising. This photo was taken from a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Photo by K.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to monitor the new eruption at in Kīlauea's Halema‘uma‘u crater on the evening of September 30, 2021. Field crews made measurements of the active fountains and the lava lake level to track how quickly it is rising. This photo was taken from a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Photo by K.

Color photograph of vents in lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

On the evening of September 30, 2021, linear fissures remained active in the middle of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at Kīlauea. This photo was taken from the south, looking north, in a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitor the eruption with National Park Service permission. USGS Photo by K. Lynn.

On the evening of September 30, 2021, linear fissures remained active in the middle of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at Kīlauea. This photo was taken from the south, looking north, in a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitor the eruption with National Park Service permission. USGS Photo by K. Lynn.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Around 6 p.m. HST on September 30, 2021, Kīlauea's new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u continued with vigorous fountain activity at the new vent on the western crater wall. This view is from the south caldera rim looking to the west at the approximately 15 m (50-ft) high fountain measured over a five minute interval.

Around 6 p.m. HST on September 30, 2021, Kīlauea's new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u continued with vigorous fountain activity at the new vent on the western crater wall. This view is from the south caldera rim looking to the west at the approximately 15 m (50-ft) high fountain measured over a five minute interval.

Color photograph of lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

 

On the evening of September 30, 2021, the new eruption in Halema'uma'u at Kīlauea summit continued with several active vents in the middle of the lake and on the west side. USGS image by K. Lynn. 

 

On the evening of September 30, 2021, the new eruption in Halema'uma'u at Kīlauea summit continued with several active vents in the middle of the lake and on the west side. USGS image by K. Lynn. 

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

This overview photo of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u was captured from the west rim of the crater shortly after noon on September 30, 2021. Several fissures, erupting through the lava lake, stretch from the lake's center to its southern (right) margin.

This overview photo of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u was captured from the west rim of the crater shortly after noon on September 30, 2021. Several fissures, erupting through the lava lake, stretch from the lake's center to its southern (right) margin.

Color photograph of volcanic deposits
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

Morning light and shifts in the volcanic gas plume allowed field crews on September 30 to glimpse the surface of the main island that remains from the 12/2020–5/2021 lava lake. The island appears to be blanketed with a new coating of spatter and tephra from nearby fissures within the lava lake, with minor overflows at the edges.

Morning light and shifts in the volcanic gas plume allowed field crews on September 30 to glimpse the surface of the main island that remains from the 12/2020–5/2021 lava lake. The island appears to be blanketed with a new coating of spatter and tephra from nearby fissures within the lava lake, with minor overflows at the edges.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

This zoomed-in photo of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u was captured at 9:00 a.m. on September 30, 2021. Eruptive activity at this location is very similar to that of the northern fissure from the December 2020 eruption, with lava fountains feeding a short cascade down to the rising lava lake.

This zoomed-in photo of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u was captured at 9:00 a.m. on September 30, 2021. Eruptive activity at this location is very similar to that of the northern fissure from the December 2020 eruption, with lava fountains feeding a short cascade down to the rising lava lake.

Color photograph of scientist logging data
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

On September 30, 2021, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientist takes notes based on the spectra being displayed by the field laptop, which is connected to a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

On September 30, 2021, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientist takes notes based on the spectra being displayed by the field laptop, which is connected to a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

color photograph of instrument measuring volcanic gas emissions during eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

Color image of lava lake temperature
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image

This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.

This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.

Color thermal map of lava lake
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

Color map of lava lake temperature
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows the extent of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows the extent of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

Photo looks down to a coastal area with ice and snow and the open ocean in the background.
Video monitoring at Nuvuk
Video monitoring at Nuvuk
Video monitoring at Nuvuk

This image from a video camera pointed at the coast tracks the brightest pixels in the camera view over 10 minutes of video. The resulting image is useful for identifying features such as the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, the position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

This image from a video camera pointed at the coast tracks the brightest pixels in the camera view over 10 minutes of video. The resulting image is useful for identifying features such as the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, the position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021.

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater Kīlauea summit
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit, at about 3:20 p.m. on September 29, 2021. Scientists continue to monitor the eruption and hazards from within an area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit, at about 3:20 p.m. on September 29, 2021. Scientists continue to monitor the eruption and hazards from within an area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons.

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