Images

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory deployed caches of seismic node instruments via helicopter around Kīlauea summit yesterday, April 17. Seismic nodes are small earthquake-detecting devices and 1,800 of them are being placed across Kīlauea summit for the next two months as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist deploys one of 1,800 temporary seismic node stations that will be collecting data for the next two months in Kīlauea summit region.

Seismic nodes are prepared to be deployed to Kīlauea summit on April 17 as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project. The nodes will be temporarily placed on the surface of Kīlauea's summit region for the next two months and will collect data that will outline the geometry and nature of the magma system beneath Kīlauea summit. USGS image by S. Brantley.

A cache of seismic nodes (small earthquake-detecting devices) on Kīlauea caldera floor, which Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists deployed on April 17.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist in front of seismic nodes that will be deployed across Kīlauea summit as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technician replaces batteries on the Hualālai repeater station. The station, which relays monitoring signals from nearby stations back the observatory, is powered by batteries that store energy generated by solar panels. USGS image by M. Warren.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians work on installing a new electronics box on the Hualālai repeater station as part of a station upgrade in April 2023. USGS image by M. Warren.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians install new lithium batteries at the Hualālai repeater station. The station is located at an elevation of 2,160 meters (7,090 feet), on the southeast side of Hualālai. USGS image by M. Warren.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technician removes the electronics board on the Hualālai repeater station. The electronics board for the station was replaced with a 48-volt system electronics board as part of a station upgrade. USGS image by C. Parcheta.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist drills holes to install a new electronics box for the Hualālai repeater station upgrade. USGS image by M. Warren.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technician team did maintenance on the Hualālai repeater station during the week of April 10, 2023. This photo shows the team walking towards the site, which is an important telemetry hub for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volcano monitoring data. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are visible in the background. USGS image by M. Warren.

The lead electronics technician at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory checks that the new HLcam is transmitting. The HLcam is located on the southeast side of Hualālai and provides views of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians upgraded the Hualālai repeater station to lithium batteries, despite the chilly temperatures on Hualālai. USGS image by M. Warren.

During station maintenance at the Hualālai repeater, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians installed a new webcam, the HLcam. This camera is located on Hualālai and provides view of Mauna Loa's northwest flank.

During the week of April 10, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians upgraded the Hualālai repeater site, which is an important telemetry hub for volcano monitoring data. The site is located on the southeast side of Hualālai, at an elevation of 2,160 meters (7,090 feet) above sea level.

The Kīlauea summit eruption has been paused since Tuesday, March 7, 2023, and this reference map depicts the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor in its present noneruptive state. The eruption statistics provided here reflect activity up until the pause, since they are derived from measurements taken during a HVO helicopter overflight on Friday, March 10.

Eruptive activity was paused during the Friday, March 10, overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. Numerous outgassing sites were present on the crater floor, but not active lava was present on the surface. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Aerial view looking northwest across the eastern part of the western pond basin within Halema‘uma‘u crater; the northern part of the southern pool basin is also visible. In the background, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists are working on the main island that formed in December 2020. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

An aerial view looking down into the frozen pool basin south of the western lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter deposits can be seen all around the pool basin. The circular feature within the pool is the remains of a small, perched pond in the northern part of the pool basin. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

Close-up view of the pebbly, rubbly, and sandy texture of the tephra that formed in December 2020 when lava interacted with the water lake that was present at the base of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the time. Some of this tephra formed the island that then floated around the lava lake, and which is still present today. USGS photo by D. Downs. 

An aerial view of the western vent area shows the red oxidized interior walls of the ramparts with the several steaming areas. The outside southeastern side of the rampart and nearby crater floor is covered by a black apron of dust, possibly created by little tephra bits flying out of the now steaming vent (hole) in the rampart wall. USGS photo by J. Schmith.