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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.
A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.
A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.
The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This wide view of the new lava lake was taken this morning, October 1, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight.
The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This wide view of the new lava lake was taken this morning, October 1, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.
View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.
View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.
This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.
This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.
Two vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, remain active. The western fissure opened about an hour and a half (around 4:40 p.m.) after the eruption began on Sept. 29, 2021. The pinkish and black area within the lava lake (near the center of the photo) is the partially submerged west vent that formed during the Dec.
Two vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit, remain active. The western fissure opened about an hour and a half (around 4:40 p.m.) after the eruption began on Sept. 29, 2021. The pinkish and black area within the lava lake (near the center of the photo) is the partially submerged west vent that formed during the Dec.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Telephoto 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. A series of fountains in the central portion of the lava lake are visible, as well as the prominent vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Telephoto 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. A series of fountains in the central portion of the lava lake are visible, as well as the prominent vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows two of the many spattering sources active in the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, feeding the growing lava lake. The south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater is visible in the upper left portion of the image.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows two of the many spattering sources active in the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, feeding the growing lava lake. The south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater is visible in the upper left portion of the image.
Oblique 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. This view shows multiple active spattering sources in southern central part of Halemaʻumaʻu, and associated plumes of volcanic gas.
Oblique 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. This view shows multiple active spattering sources in southern central part of Halemaʻumaʻu, and associated plumes of volcanic gas.
Telephoto 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 active vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu is vigorously fountaining, and is one of many fountaining sources active in the lava lake right now.
Telephoto 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 active vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu is vigorously fountaining, and is one of many fountaining sources active in the lava lake right now.
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.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows the eastern portoin of the nascent lava lake, where it meets the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows the eastern portoin of the nascent lava lake, where it meets the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
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.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows several of the fountaining sources on the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, which are only a few meters (yards) high. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Telephoto 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. This photo shows several of the fountaining sources on the base of Halemaʻumaʻu, which are only a few meters (yards) high. USGS image by K. Mulliken.
Oblique telephoto 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.
Oblique telephoto 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.