During recent summit deflation, the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater dropped out of view of overlooks in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. But since the switch to inflation early Sunday morning (September 18), Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake has been rising again, bringing the lake surface back into view.
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.
Filter Total Items: 21545
Kīlauea's summit lava lake on the rise again
During recent summit deflation, the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u Crater dropped out of view of overlooks in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. But since the switch to inflation early Sunday morning (September 18), Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake has been rising again, bringing the lake surface back into view.
USGS personnel maintaining weather station on glacier
USGS personnel maintaining weather station on Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park
USGS personnel maintaining weather station on Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park
NWHC Necropsy
Necropsy of bird performed by NWHC pathologist.
Necropsy of bird performed by NWHC pathologist.
Coastal bluff study site prep
Two scientists on the Arctic coastal bluff preparing a study location with cameras that they hope will run continuously, collecting images.
Two scientists on the Arctic coastal bluff preparing a study location with cameras that they hope will run continuously, collecting images.
Polar bear walks across flooded barrier island during Arctic storm
Adult polar bear walking across a recently overwashed barrier island during a large Arctic storm in September 2016. The barrier island is offshore of Barter Island on Alaska’s north coast.
Adult polar bear walking across a recently overwashed barrier island during a large Arctic storm in September 2016. The barrier island is offshore of Barter Island on Alaska’s north coast.
Greater Yellowstone Area ice patches, northwestern Wyoming
Greater Yellowstone Area ice patches, northwestern Wyoming
Greater Yellowstone Area ice patches, northwestern Wyoming
Pacific Golden-Plover standing on rocks near Big Creek, Alaska
Pacific Golden-Plover standing on rocks near Big Creek, Alaska.
Pacific Golden-Plover standing on rocks near Big Creek, Alaska.
Christie Hegermiller geared up for beach elevation survey
Christie gears up to survey beach elevation in Santa Cruz, CA with a precise and accurate GPS unit mounted to her backpack. The GPS unit on her backpack communicates with a nearby "base station" to minimize errors in location.
Christie gears up to survey beach elevation in Santa Cruz, CA with a precise and accurate GPS unit mounted to her backpack. The GPS unit on her backpack communicates with a nearby "base station" to minimize errors in location.
Fishing Zollner Creek, OR
USGS team of scientists electro-shocking (fishing) Zollner Creek, OR.
USGS team of scientists electro-shocking (fishing) Zollner Creek, OR.
Looking Down From the Top of Detroit Dam
North Santiam River Valley downstream of Detroit Dam, as viewed from the top of Detroit Dam.
North Santiam River Valley downstream of Detroit Dam, as viewed from the top of Detroit Dam.
Agashashok River and Asik watershed
The Agashashok River and Asik watershed
The Agashashok River and Asik watershed
Kīlauea ocean entry hazards: The plume is not your friend
The explosive interaction of hot lava entering cool seawater throws spatter (clots of molten lava, visible at center of image) from the leading edge of the lava delta forming at Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry.
The explosive interaction of hot lava entering cool seawater throws spatter (clots of molten lava, visible at center of image) from the leading edge of the lava delta forming at Kīlauea's Kamokuna ocean entry.
River Flood
A river in Easton Kansas washes over a road.
A forest stream in Virginia with fall leaves.
A forest stream in Virginia with fall leaves.
A forest stream in Virginia with fall leaves.
Jon Warrick and Jeff Duda receive Riverprize award
USGS scientists Jonathan Warrick and Jeff Duda receiving Riverprize recognition in New Delhi, India. Image courtesy of International Riverfoundation.
USGS scientists Jonathan Warrick and Jeff Duda receiving Riverprize recognition in New Delhi, India. Image courtesy of International Riverfoundation.
Looking West To Old Rag Mountain in Madison County Virginia
Looking West To Old Rag Mountain in Madison County Virginia
Looking West To Old Rag Mountain in Madison County Virginia
Polar bear lazes in a field on Barter Island, Alaska
A polar bear rests in a field on Barter Island, Alaska.
A polar bear rests in a field on Barter Island, Alaska.
Polar bear lounging on Alaska’s north coast.
Polar bear lounging on Alaska’s north coast.
Johnson County Stream
A photo of a Johnson County stream flowing through rocks and greenery on both sides of the stream.
A photo of a Johnson County stream flowing through rocks and greenery on both sides of the stream.
USGS coral reef scientists
USGS coral reef scientists, from left to right: Jill Bourque, Cheryl Morrison, Nancy Prouty, Katharine Coykendall, Amanda Demopoulos, and Christina Kellogg. All women presented their research at the 6th International Symposium of Deep Sea Corals, September 11-16, 2016.
USGS coral reef scientists, from left to right: Jill Bourque, Cheryl Morrison, Nancy Prouty, Katharine Coykendall, Amanda Demopoulos, and Christina Kellogg. All women presented their research at the 6th International Symposium of Deep Sea Corals, September 11-16, 2016.
Kīlauea's summit lava lake remains at a high level
The lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea remained at a high level today, about 18 m (60 ft) from the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the time of this photo.
The lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea remained at a high level today, about 18 m (60 ft) from the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the time of this photo.