Images

View of the ocean entry (lower left) from this morning's overflight. Lava was entering the ocean across a broad area primarily on the north part of the lava delta.

Two U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilots perform a routine inspection of a UAS system prior to a flight at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in June 2018. The UAS for this particular flight was outfitted with a multi-gas sensor to identify any new degassing sources within the collapsing summit caldera.

Hydrologic Technician Kammy Durham collecting water-quality samples from a well at Ellsworth Air Force Base for analysis.

USGS scientist Zach Wenderott extracts a tree core from a charred ponderosa pine in Lassen National Park as part of a study of how prescribed fire influences tree growth.

An exciting ride to get the ADCP to the main channel on the other side of the willows for streamflow measurement at the Shoshone River near Lovell, Wyoming.

Student hydrologist Wyatt Tatge assisting with water level measurements and purging of a well at a research location at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. The groundwater level is measured and the well is purged prior to collecting water-quality samples from wells.

A small overflow from the lava channel (left side of image) captured by an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Small overflows on both sides of the channel occurred shortly after midnight in the uppermost part of channel. None of these overflows extended past the existing flow field.

Continued eruption at Fissure 8 feeds the voluminous lava channel to the ocean as seen during this morning's overflight of the lava-flow field.

Lava continues to enter the sea along the southern Kapoho coastline. Lava enters the ocean primarily through an open channel, but also along a 1-km (0.6 mi) wide area. Also visible in the image (center right) is an area at the northern margin of the flow field that is oozing fresh lava at several points in the area of Kapoho Beach Lots.

Overflows from the perched lava channel are seen as incandescent (glowing) fingers moving down the sides of the channel (left side of photo). Fissure 8 lava fountain in photo center.

A loggerhead sea turtle is outfitted with a popoff ADL package (orange item affixed to turtle’s back) waiting in the boat to be released.

Underwater view of a loggerhead turtle being released with newly installed popoff ADL package (orange item on turtle’s back).

USGS - Roswell Field Office, USGS/BLM

Providing situational awareness at night, Elizabeth Pendleton, Sandy Brosnahan, and Emily Sturdivant prepare for a UAS take-off

After 100 years of restricted tidal activity to support agricultural use and salt harvesting, the tidal marshes around San Francisco Bay, like this one at Bair Island, are steadily rebuilding, returning to a stunning mosaic of marsh, mudflat, and channels.

Hydrologic technicians Sarah Davis and Jackie Eldredge preparing for a discharge measurement of the Moreau River near Faith, SD (streamgage 06359500).

Hydrologic technician Sarah Davis preparing for a discharge measurement of the Moreau River near Faith, SD (streamgage 06359500). Sarah is ensuring that the meter and weight enter into the river properly.

A UAS mission on June 24, 2018, filmed details of the dramatic changes occurring within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit since explosive eruptions of ash and gas and ongoing wall collapse began in mid-May. Clearly visible are the steep crater walls that continue to slump inward and downward with ongoing subsidence at Kīlauea's summit.

Comparison of photographs taken on June 13 and 26 from near Keanakāko'i Crater overlook in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park shows a subsidence scarp that formed as the Kīlauea Crater floor subsided. Scientists estimate the dramatic dropping of the crater floor in this area occurred sometime between June 23 and 26. The view is to the west.

Lava within the braided portion of the fissure 8 channel is flowing within its banks. View looking downstream toward the sunrise over the ocean entry.

Southward facing view of the point at which the fissure 8 lava channel bifurcates.