Images

With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, HVO recently upgraded its seismic monitoring network. Here, HVO staff, assisted by an HVO volunteer, installs the solar panel and antenna for one of the upgraded seismic stations on Kīlauea. USGS photo by Janet Babb.

View looking east at a small lava lake filling a depression on the eastern side of floor of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater. The smooth surface of the lake is just above the center of the photo, and the source of the lava is a hole at the southern edge of the lake (to the right in this view).

Surface flows, visible here as the lighter-colored lava, were active about 4 km (2.5 miles) east-southeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, where a low rootless shield is being constructed. This view is looking toward the northwest.

Map showing the extent of lava flows erupted during Kīlauea's ongoing east rift zone eruption and labeled with the years in which they were active.

The image shows a gas collection system from the wells at Sulphur Banks. Jaggar made the following note in his daily log: "September, 1940. Dr. S.S. Ballard of the University of Hawaii physics department intiated an improved method of dry gas collection at Sulphur Banks.

The late Jerry P. Eaton came to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in 1953 and served as HVO's Scientist-in-Charge in 1956-1958 and again in 1960-61.

Map showing lava flows erupted during Kīlauea's ongoing east rift zone eruption and labeled with the years in which they were active.

A single area of breakouts, visible as the silvery patch in the center of the photograph, was active on today's overflight. These surface flows are high above the pali, about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) southeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is visible in the upper left portion of the image.

A burst of gas from a small vent in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater throws spatter about 15 m (50 ft) into the air. Over the past week, occasional spattering and short lava flows have been observed within the crater.

Ever-smiling Maurice Sako during the mid-point of his career in the 1980s. Maurice retires this week after a 44-year career at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

A burst of gas from a small vent in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater throws spatter about 15 m (50 ft) into the air. Over the past week, occasional spattering and short lava flows have been observed within the crater.

This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Thursday, July 12. The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active, with the lava flow entering the ocean at numerous points in Kapoho. The channel overflow from July 9-10 created a new lobe that reached the ocean over the past day, destroying Ahalanui Park and the nearby charter school.

Impressive columns like these form along the margins of ice-confined lava flows but usually are eroded off the sides due to continued glacial movement after an eruption ceases. Columns are better preserved at the ends of the flows (this photo) where they are protected somewhat from the ice.

Extending approximately 75 miles north to south and 27 miles east to west, Newberry Volcano and its broad apron of lavas (light yellow shaded area) cover a total area of almost 1,200 square miles, making it the largest volcano of the Cascades volcanic chain. Its lavas stretch north beyond Smith Rock State Park, and south almost to Fort Rock State Natural Area.

The orange layer just below geologist's hiking pole is the Mazama ash (about 7700 ybp). Below that are glacial deposits. Above the Mazama is about a meter consisting mostly of fine-grained tephras from Glacier Peak, capped by soil and plants. That the tephras sit directly on top of the Mazama indicates that "Dusty" eruptions commenced about 7,000 years ago.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist conducts an interview at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in 2011.

At Kīlauea, when the lava column drops below the water table, groundwater may come into contact with with magma or hot rocks, causing violent steam explosions.

Mount Rainier rises above Tacoma, Washington and boat harbor, which may be impacted during the next eruption of the volcano.

A new fissure eruption in September 2011 on the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Kīlauea Volcano's east rift zone reminds us of the need to be aware of our ever-changing volcanic environment on Hawai‘i Island. "Volcano Awareness Month" events in January 2012 offer island residents and visitors many opportunities to learn more about Hawai‘i's active volcanoes.

This thermal image shows the western portion of the West Ka‘ili‘ili ocean entry, which hosts numerous small entry points. Active breakouts can be seen on the coastal plain along the west margin of the flow field.

Lava has continued to enter the ocean at West Ka‘ili‘ili, with numerous entry points scattered along a broad section of the coast. The small boat in the center of the image provides a rough sense of scale.