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Lava fountaining in Halema'uma'u crater—October 12, 2021
Lava fountaining in Halema'uma'u crater—October 12, 2021
Lava fountaining in Halema'uma'u crater—October 12, 2021

Lava continues to erupt from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u. On October 12, a short-lived vent (erupting for approximately 10 hours) was present to the north of the main vent (right). Lava fountaining from the main vent was 10–15 meters (30–50 ft) above the lake surface, with larger bursts exceeding the height of the cone (30 meters or 100 ft).

Lava continues to erupt from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u. On October 12, a short-lived vent (erupting for approximately 10 hours) was present to the north of the main vent (right). Lava fountaining from the main vent was 10–15 meters (30–50 ft) above the lake surface, with larger bursts exceeding the height of the cone (30 meters or 100 ft).

October 10, 2021—Kīlauea, fountaining at west vent of Halema'uma'u
October 10, 2021—Kīlauea, fountaining at west vent of Halema'uma'u
October 10, 2021—Kīlauea, fountaining at west vent of Halema'uma'u

Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountain height in Halema‘uma‘u crater on October 10, 2021 was highly variable. A persistent low fountain a few meters (yards) tall was frequently interrupted by larger series of bursts throwing lava more than 15 meters (50 feet) into the air and onto the interior walls of the vent cone. 

Kīlauea summit eruption lava fountain height in Halema‘uma‘u crater on October 10, 2021 was highly variable. A persistent low fountain a few meters (yards) tall was frequently interrupted by larger series of bursts throwing lava more than 15 meters (50 feet) into the air and onto the interior walls of the vent cone. 

Kīlauea summit eruption field work – October 7, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption field work – October 7, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption field work – October 7, 2021

An HVO geologist makes observations, collects data, and maintains instruments during the ongoing eruption within Halema'uma'u.

An HVO geologist makes observations, collects data, and maintains instruments during the ongoing eruption within Halema'uma'u.

October 7, 2021 — Kīlauea volcanic vent
October 7, 2021 — Kīlauea volcanic vent
October 7, 2021 — Kīlauea volcanic vent

The eruption continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining no longer emerges from the central portion of the lake, with fountaining limited to the west vent shown here. Low fountaining within the cone supplies lava into the lake via a short spillway. 

The eruption continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Lava fountaining no longer emerges from the central portion of the lake, with fountaining limited to the west vent shown here. Low fountaining within the cone supplies lava into the lake via a short spillway. 

Image of the Week - Volcano on Spain's La Palma Island
Image of the Week - Volcano on Spain's La Palma Island
Image of the Week - Volcano on Spain's La Palma Island

Fissures opened on the Cumbre Vieja volcano on September 19. It's the first time it has erupted since 1971.

Lava fountains - western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - Oct 5, 2021
Lava fountains - western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - Oct 5, 2021
Lava fountains - western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - Oct 5, 2021

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. The shaking at the end of the video is due to strong wind gusts moving the tripod. This video clip was recorded on October 5, 2021, from the southern crater rim. 

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. The shaking at the end of the video is due to strong wind gusts moving the tripod. This video clip was recorded on October 5, 2021, from the southern crater rim. 

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

The eruption continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows the dominant fountain at the west vent, from two different angles, as well as the smaller fountaining source emerging through the lava lake. 

The eruption continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This video shows the dominant fountain at the west vent, from two different angles, as well as the smaller fountaining source emerging through the lava lake. 

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. Sustained fountain heights from this fissure ranged from about 10–15 meters (33–49 ft) with occasional higher bursts of spatter. This video clip was recorded on October 2, 2021, from the western crater rim.

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. Sustained fountain heights from this fissure ranged from about 10–15 meters (33–49 ft) with occasional higher bursts of spatter. This video clip was recorded on October 2, 2021, from the western crater rim.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021

Lava fountains through the southern part of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. Sustained fountain heights from this fissure ranged from about 5–10 meters (16–33 ft) with occasional higher bursts of spatter. This video clip was recorded on October 2, 2021, from the southern crater rim.

Lava fountains through the southern part of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. Sustained fountain heights from this fissure ranged from about 5–10 meters (16–33 ft) with occasional higher bursts of spatter. This video clip was recorded on October 2, 2021, from the southern crater rim.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021

Low lava fountains near the southeast edge of the main island in the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. One of the small (less than 5 meters or 16 feet) fountains has built a cone on the edge of the island.

Low lava fountains near the southeast edge of the main island in the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, during the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. One of the small (less than 5 meters or 16 feet) fountains has built a cone on the edge of the island.

Person standing in front of shelves with scientific equipment. Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for October 2021
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for October 2021
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for October 2021

Yellowstone’s semi-permanent GPS sensors head home for the winter.

October 1, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption overflight
October 1, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption overflight
October 1, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption overflight

The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues with lava fountaining and a rising lava lake. The overflight on Friday, October 1, showed fewer fountaining sites in the center of the lake, compared to the previous day. USGS video by M. Patrick.

The eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues with lava fountaining and a rising lava lake. The overflight on Friday, October 1, showed fewer fountaining sites in the center of the lake, compared to the previous day. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit - September 30, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit - September 30, 2021
Halema‘uma‘u lava lake, Kīlauea summit - September 30, 2021

Lava fountains through the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, create waves or ripples in the lake surface. The ripples are visible on the surface as thin crustal plates move apart and back together again as the wave motion passes by (like inner tubes in a crowded wave pool), creating a moving arc of increased glow.

Lava fountains through the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, create waves or ripples in the lake surface. The ripples are visible on the surface as thin crustal plates move apart and back together again as the wave motion passes by (like inner tubes in a crowded wave pool), creating a moving arc of increased glow.

September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf
September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf
September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf

An eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, began yesterday afternoon and continues this morning. During an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021, several fountaining sources were active in the crater, including those in the lake center and on the west wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

An eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, began yesterday afternoon and continues this morning. During an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021, several fountaining sources were active in the crater, including those in the lake center and on the west wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption central lake fountaining
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption central lake fountaining
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption central lake fountaining

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows numerous fountaining sources in the central portion of the lava lake during the evening of September 29, 2021. USGS video by M. Patrick.

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows numerous fountaining sources in the central portion of the lava lake during the evening of September 29, 2021. USGS video by M. Patrick.

September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption crater wall west vents
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption crater wall west vents
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption crater wall west vents

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows numerous vents active on the west crater wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows numerous vents active on the west crater wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption dominant fountain
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption dominant fountain
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption dominant fountain

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows the dominant fountain, south of the lake center, on the evening of September 29, 2021. USGS video by M. Patrick.

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, creating a new lava lake. This video shows the dominant fountain, south of the lake center, on the evening of September 29, 2021. USGS video by M. Patrick.

September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption west vent
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption west vent
September 29, 2021 — Kīlauea eruption west vent

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, where a lava lake had been active from December 2020 until May 2021. Just after 4:40 p.m., a new vent opened on the west wall of the crater, and the initial moments were captured in this video.

A new Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater began at approximately 3:20 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021, with fountains appearing on the central crater floor, where a lava lake had been active from December 2020 until May 2021. Just after 4:40 p.m., a new vent opened on the west wall of the crater, and the initial moments were captured in this video.

Natural resource economist I Am A...Natural Resource Economist
I Am A...Natural Resource Economist
I Am A...Natural Resource Economist

Welcome to the “I Am A(n)..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.

Welcome to the “I Am A(n)..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.

A Legacy Continues with Landsat 9 Launch
A Legacy Continues with Landsat 9 Launch
A Legacy Continues with Landsat 9 Launch

Landsat 9 is a partnership between NASA and USGS. The satellite will continue the Landsat program’s mission to capture repeat snapshots of Earth to monitor, understand and manage natural resources.

Landsat 9 is a partnership between NASA and USGS. The satellite will continue the Landsat program’s mission to capture repeat snapshots of Earth to monitor, understand and manage natural resources.