Greta Wells is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow working with the USGS Volcano Hazards and Energy Resources Programs.
Multimedia
The USGS Volcano Observatories host videos, photos, web camera views, and sometimes podcasts to share visual and audio information about volcanic eruptions and volcanic processes.
USGS Volcano Observatories Multimedia
USGS Volcano Observatories Multimedia
Check out the photos, videos, webcams, and other multimedia from the USGS Volcano Observatories.
Images
Greta Wells staff profile photograph.
Greta Wells is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow working with the USGS Volcano Hazards and Energy Resources Programs.
Volcanic gas data collection during Kīlauea summit eruption
Volcanic gas data collection during Kīlauea summit eruptionA photo of an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer) instrument that a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses to measure the chemical composition of volcanic gas during the start of eruptive episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea. The ongoing episodic summit eruption, within Halema‘uma‘u, began on December 23, 2024. USGS photo taken by M.
Volcanic gas data collection during Kīlauea summit eruption
Volcanic gas data collection during Kīlauea summit eruptionA photo of an FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer) instrument that a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist uses to measure the chemical composition of volcanic gas during the start of eruptive episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea. The ongoing episodic summit eruption, within Halema‘uma‘u, began on December 23, 2024. USGS photo taken by M.
Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea
Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of KīlaueaLava fountaining episode 53 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:45 p.m. HST on August 12, 2026. This photo of the fan shaped lava fountain was taken from the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, around 5:00 p.m. HST when the lava fountains were approximately 500 ft (150 m) high. USGS photo taken by M. Cappos.
Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea
Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of KīlaueaLava fountaining episode 53 of the ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:45 p.m. HST on August 12, 2026. This photo of the fan shaped lava fountain was taken from the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, around 5:00 p.m. HST when the lava fountains were approximately 500 ft (150 m) high. USGS photo taken by M. Cappos.
Kīlauea summit eruption continues with episode 53
Episode 53 of the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption started on August 12 at 3:45 p.m. HST. The episode 53 lava fountain erupting from the north vent reached heights of approximately 500 ft (150 m) with the gas plume reaching 18,000 ft (5600 m) above sea level.
Episode 53 of the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption started on August 12 at 3:45 p.m. HST. The episode 53 lava fountain erupting from the north vent reached heights of approximately 500 ft (150 m) with the gas plume reaching 18,000 ft (5600 m) above sea level.
Episode 53 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea
Episode 53 lava fountaining at the summit of KīlaueaA wide view of the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, during episode 53 lava fountains of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. The volcanic gas plume rises from the lava fountains as visitors watch the eruption. The ground surface is blanketed in tephra (volcanic rock particles) that were deposited during earlier episodes of this eruption.
Episode 53 lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea
Episode 53 lava fountaining at the summit of KīlaueaA wide view of the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, during episode 53 lava fountains of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. The volcanic gas plume rises from the lava fountains as visitors watch the eruption. The ground surface is blanketed in tephra (volcanic rock particles) that were deposited during earlier episodes of this eruption.
Western California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshot
Western California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshotWestern California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshot from Western California Volcano Research Maps
Western California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshot
Western California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshotWestern California volcanoes geonarrative map screenshot from Western California Volcano Research Maps
Videos
Before the supereruptions: Yellowstone’s ancient volcanoes (Yellowstone monthly update – August 2026)
Before the supereruptions: Yellowstone’s ancient volcanoes (Yellowstone monthly update – August 2026)Long before explosive eruptions formed the Yellowstone Caldera and heat from the magmatic system began feeding a dynamic hydrothermal system, there was the Absaroka volcanic range. Remnants of the rugged terrain are still visible on the east and north sides of Yellowstone National Park.
Before the supereruptions: Yellowstone’s ancient volcanoes (Yellowstone monthly update – August 2026)
Before the supereruptions: Yellowstone’s ancient volcanoes (Yellowstone monthly update – August 2026)Long before explosive eruptions formed the Yellowstone Caldera and heat from the magmatic system began feeding a dynamic hydrothermal system, there was the Absaroka volcanic range. Remnants of the rugged terrain are still visible on the east and north sides of Yellowstone National Park.
Is Yellowstone's north caldera rim rising? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - July 2026)
Is Yellowstone's north caldera rim rising? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - July 2026)Over the past few decades, an area on the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera has risen and fallen. Just last year a new period of uplift in this area began!
Is Yellowstone's north caldera rim rising? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - July 2026)
Is Yellowstone's north caldera rim rising? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - July 2026)Over the past few decades, an area on the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera has risen and fallen. Just last year a new period of uplift in this area began!
Roaring Mountain (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2026)
Roaring Mountain (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2026)Did you hear that??? Well, Roaring Mountain isn’t quite as loud as it used to be, but it’s still one of the hottest thermal areas in all of Yellowstone National Park!
Roaring Mountain (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2026)
Roaring Mountain (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2026)Did you hear that??? Well, Roaring Mountain isn’t quite as loud as it used to be, but it’s still one of the hottest thermal areas in all of Yellowstone National Park!
Measuring Moving Mountains (Yellowstone monthly update - February 2026)
Measuring Moving Mountains (Yellowstone monthly update - February 2026)Meet a friend of ours. This friend has been monitoring changes of the ground surface in Yellowstone for decades and is so good that it can detect movement of just a few millimeters in magnitude (just a fraction of an inch). The friend? A continuous GPS station!
Measuring Moving Mountains (Yellowstone monthly update - February 2026)
Measuring Moving Mountains (Yellowstone monthly update - February 2026)Meet a friend of ours. This friend has been monitoring changes of the ground surface in Yellowstone for decades and is so good that it can detect movement of just a few millimeters in magnitude (just a fraction of an inch). The friend? A continuous GPS station!
Top 5 Yellowstone geological stories of 2025 (Yellowstone monthly update - January 2026)
Top 5 Yellowstone geological stories of 2025 (Yellowstone monthly update - January 2026)Happy New Year! Let's go back and take a look at the top five geologic stories for Yellowstone in 2025.
Number five: Rumors. It was a year of internet rumors, mostly related to animals fleeing the park, and none of which were true.
Top 5 Yellowstone geological stories of 2025 (Yellowstone monthly update - January 2026)
Top 5 Yellowstone geological stories of 2025 (Yellowstone monthly update - January 2026)Happy New Year! Let's go back and take a look at the top five geologic stories for Yellowstone in 2025.
Number five: Rumors. It was a year of internet rumors, mostly related to animals fleeing the park, and none of which were true.
Hawaii versus Yellowstone (Yellowstone monthly update - December 2025)
Hawaii versus Yellowstone (Yellowstone monthly update - December 2025)Just last week, Kīlauea put on another dramatic display of lava fountaining and flows within the caldera, during its 37th episode of this most recent eruption. It doesn't seem like Hawaii and Yellowstone have a lot in common, but actually, those two magmatic systems have a common cause.
Hawaii versus Yellowstone (Yellowstone monthly update - December 2025)
Hawaii versus Yellowstone (Yellowstone monthly update - December 2025)Just last week, Kīlauea put on another dramatic display of lava fountaining and flows within the caldera, during its 37th episode of this most recent eruption. It doesn't seem like Hawaii and Yellowstone have a lot in common, but actually, those two magmatic systems have a common cause.
Audio
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u CraterSounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava lake activity from inside Halema`uma`u CraterSounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
Where did the name "Mount St. Helens" come from?
Listen to hear the answer.
Dramatic Developments at Kilauea Volcano
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
Webcams
Black Diamond Pool (Biscuit Basin) webcam
The camera view is north-northwest from the Biscuit Basin boardwalk looking at Black Diamond Pool, which is in the foreground (the tilted viewing angle is due to the slope of the boardwalk).
The camera view is north-northwest from the Biscuit Basin boardwalk looking at Black Diamond Pool, which is in the foreground (the tilted viewing angle is due to the slope of the boardwalk).
Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount St. Helens
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcanoLive view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcanoLive view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna KeaLive Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna KeaLive Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
[V1cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (west Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V1cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (west Halemaʻumaʻu crater)Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the northwest rim of the crater [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
[V1cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (west Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
[V1cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (west Halemaʻumaʻu crater)Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the northwest rim of the crater [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer