Images

While making observations today, HVO geologists noted a koa‘e kea (white-tailed tropicbird) gliding across the ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u. The bird is visible in the top left quarter of the photo. USGS photo by M. Patrick, 08/03/2019.

The water pond deep within Halema‘uma‘u is impossible to see from most areas along the rim of Kīlauea's caldera. But one potential viewpoint on the rim was examined today by HVO geologists, who were able to see the small pond of water at the bottom of the crater, despite poor weather and fleeting views through fog.

A slightly closer view of the water in the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u taken with a telephoto lens during HVO's overflight today (August 1, 2019). USGS photo by S. Conway, 08/01/2019.

Zooming in even closer, an HVO scientist captured this image of the water on the floor of the crater during today's overflight. For more information, please read "Water or no water: that is (or was) the question"—HVO's Aug.

Photographs of Cistern Spring showing the draining behavior that occurs after major water eruptions of Steamboat Geyser. Left: about 2.5 hours after the onset of a major Steamboat eruption. Right: about 19.5 hours after that eruption.

This huge boulder was dropped by a retreating glacier on the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park, and it is a testament to Yellowstone's icy past.

An HVO geologist walks along the Mauna Loa summit trail, with Mauna Kea visible in the distant background.

HVO staff visited the summit of Mauna Loa on foot to repair the webcam on April 24. The weather was perfectly clear and views of the caldera floor showed nothing unusual.

Rockslide damage to the Golden Gate area near Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, as a result of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.

Seismic geyser in eruption in 1970. Photo by John Brandow.

Hebgen Lake fault scarp in 1959. USGS photo by J. R. Stacy.

HVO scientists inspect a seismic station on Mauna Loa to evaluate for a possible equipment upgrade in the near future.

HVO scientists measure a GPS instrument to ensure its stability during a multi-day deployment in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Map of moderate, high and very high threat volcanoes monitored by the California

A close-up of the active fumarole field on the north wall of the pit.

The weather was warm and sunny during a routine visit to the Halema‘uma‘u webcam. No significant changes were observed, and no rockfalls were heard.

As the sun rose above Mauna Kea (background) on July 6, 1975, eruptive fissures along the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa fed voluminous ‘a‘ā lava flows that quickly moved down the north flank of the volcano. USGS photo by D. Peterson.

Webicorder for PNSN TDH seismometer located on the southwestern flank of Mount H

Schematic model showing a cross section of Old Faithful's plumbing system as determined from seismic studies. The red circles (t0-t3) show the location of the tremor source over time, and how the tremor source migrates upward prior to an Old Faithful eruption. Times between red circles are based on a 93-minute eruption interval.

A high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa. This station was occupied for a period of three days to supplement the continuously operating GPS stations on the volcano. A beautiful view of Mauna Kea (in distance) could seen from this site during the GPS survey. 

Graphic shows the earthquake swarm from June-July, 2019, compared to previous swarms detected in March 2019, 2017, 2016, and in 2014. The activity is likely the result of small-scale underground movements of hydrothermal fluids or gas — a sign that Mount St. Helens remains an active volcano.