Images

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater, this close-up image was taken of the tephra hill on the southwest rim of Kaluapele (the Kīlauea summit caldera). This hill of tephra formed during the ongoing episodic summit eruption as tephra fallout from many high fountaining episodes accumulated here.

On October 22, 2026, a crew of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists traveled via helicopter to the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor to collect lava samples from Kīlauea summit eruption episode 55, which occurred on October 17.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist collects cooled lava samples from episode 55 lava flows on the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. During a helicopter overflight, HVO scientists landed on the crater floor to collect samples from an episode 55 lava channel for chemical analysis.

An aerial view of the episode 55 lava channels and flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor taken on October 22, 2026, during a Kīlauea summit overflight. On October 17, lava flows from episode 55 covered a large portion of the crater floor.

An aerial view of the vent complex within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea, taken during a helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. Deep within the north vent (lower left) a small area of incandescence was visible during the flight but isn’t visible in this photo.

A close-up aerial view of the north vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. During the flight, a small area of incandescence was visible deep within the vent but can’t be seen in this image.

This close-up view of the west vent within Halema‘uma‘u crater was taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on October 22, 2026. A portion of the lava surface is visible deep within the vent following episode 55 which occurred on October 17.

Greta Wells is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow working with the USGS Volcano Hazards and Energy Resources Programs.

A 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 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.

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.

A 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 from Western California Volcano Research Maps

During the 1926 Mauna Loa eruption, an ‘a‘ā flow about 457 m (1500 ft) wide and 9 m (30 ft) high headed straight for the village of Ho‘ōpūloa on April 17, as shown here. By the next day, the lava flow had destroyed a dozen houses, a church, and the wharf, and had nearly obliterated the bay. 

A lahar is a volcanic mudflow. Learn if you are if you are in a lahar hazard zone and how to evacuate to high ground. If you are in a lahar hazard zone and get a lahar alert - go now! Every second matters. 

Episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption occurred on March 10. Lava fountains from the north and south vents on the western side of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor produced a large eruption plume of volcanic gases and rock fragments (tephra).

On March 10, 2026, lava fountains erupted from two main vents within Halema‘uma‘u crater. During the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption, which began on December 23, 2024. There have been 43 episodes so far. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither from Keanakāko‘i.

A USGS scientist performs maintenance on an eruption monitoring camera during episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Work within this area, which is closed to the public, is done with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on March 10, 2026. 

Episode 43 of the ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption at Kīlauea summit ended at 6:21 p.m. HST on March 10. About 15 minutes after the end of the episode, USGS scientists serviced a webcam near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast caldera rim. Active lava flows continued to slowly advance along the crater floor, and stand out here in the low lighting.

Episode 43, which began at 9:17 a.m. HST on March 10, erupted for just over 9 hours before pausing again at 6:21 p.m. This panoramic view of episode 43 lava flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor was taken a few minutes after the fountaining stopped. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast rim of the caldera.

Released in March 2026, the updated Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) format uses standardized aviation terminology to describe volcanic activity and potential ash hazards for pilots and aviation authorities. The updated VONA follows recommended practices from the International Civil Aviation Organization.