The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, as seen in this view looking northwest. The active surface lava area continues to decrease in size, and activity is weaker, with only occasional localized surface foundering.
Images
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.
The lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, remains active, as seen in this view looking northwest. The active surface lava area continues to decrease in size, and activity is weaker, with only occasional localized surface foundering.
This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.
This map of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea shows 20 m (66 ft) contour lines (dark gray) that mark locations of equal elevation above sea level (asl). The map shows that the lava lake has filled 229 m (751 ft) of the crater, to an elevation of 746 m (2448 ft) asl since the eruption began on December 20, 2020.
An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.
An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) on the deck of the R/V Sallenger ready to be deployed in the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.
This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.
This close-up view of the active western portion of the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea was captured on Thursday, May 6 through the lens of a laser rangefinder used by HVO scientists to measure distances to features within the crater.
Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.
Scientific divers BJ Reynolds and Hunter Wilcox prepare to lower an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) into the water. The ADCP now sits on the bottom of the ocean off Madeira beach, Florida in 5m water depth.
View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.
View of the active surface lava in the western portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. The west vent (upper left) continues to erupt lava into the lava lake through an inlet near the base of the cone.
Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.
Lava continues to flow from the western vent (bottom left) into the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, Island of Hawai‘i. A portion of the active surface of the lava lake can be seen here with orange, incandescent lava between the west vent and the main island. This photograph was taken on Wednesday, March 5, 2021, at 12:37 p.m.
The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.
The image shown displays a portion of the lidar data collected by the USGS for the SAFSOC Project. Our goal is to study and map surficial processes and landforms related to tectonism, specifically the San Andreas Fault system.
(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.
(A) Examples of the multi-parameter water-quality probes used for continuous fixed-station monitoring, moving boat surveys, and vertical water-quality profiles. (B) Example of smaller temperature and dissolved oxygen sensors with and without a wiper unit.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Scientists from the U.S.
Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.
Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.
Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.
Another scenic site on the eastern side of the Wind River Range. Streamflow in the South Fork Little Wind River above Washakie Reservoir is currently running about average for the 37 years of record.
This tree-ring sample from an avalanche path captures 256 years of data between the years 1777 and 2013. The scars in 1818 and 1974 are examples of mechanical damage caused by an avalanche. The pith is the center of the tree.
This tree-ring sample from an avalanche path captures 256 years of data between the years 1777 and 2013. The scars in 1818 and 1974 are examples of mechanical damage caused by an avalanche. The pith is the center of the tree.
Colorado River outside of Canyonlands National Park, La Sal Mountains in the background.
Colorado River outside of Canyonlands National Park, La Sal Mountains in the background.
Within the busy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, is Jamaica Bay—a complex urban ecosystem almost the size of Manhattan that consists of salt marsh islands, various waterways, meadowlands and two freshwater ponds.
Within the busy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, is Jamaica Bay—a complex urban ecosystem almost the size of Manhattan that consists of salt marsh islands, various waterways, meadowlands and two freshwater ponds.
GPS campaign survey stations high on the flanks of Mauna Loa offer expansive views of neighboring volcanoes. From this station located west of Mauna Loa summit, Hualālai volcano is visible. Most Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since 1996, whereas less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.
GPS campaign survey stations high on the flanks of Mauna Loa offer expansive views of neighboring volcanoes. From this station located west of Mauna Loa summit, Hualālai volcano is visible. Most Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since 1996, whereas less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.
Everglades National Park in South Florida is the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America, consisting of about 1.5 million acres of mangrove forests and other coastal wetlands. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that thrive amidst the harsh growing conditions of the coast.
Everglades National Park in South Florida is the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in North America, consisting of about 1.5 million acres of mangrove forests and other coastal wetlands. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that thrive amidst the harsh growing conditions of the coast.