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Volcano Hazard Program images.
On the west end of the fissure system, spatter ramparts are forming as the lava fallout solidifies in a mound upwind from the source.
On the west end of the fissure system, spatter ramparts are forming as the lava fallout solidifies in a mound upwind from the source.
A broad view of the Kamoamoa fissures. The fissures extend 2.3 km (1.4 mi) between Nāpau Crater and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. The western most fissure is just out of view in this photo.
A broad view of the Kamoamoa fissures. The fissures extend 2.3 km (1.4 mi) between Nāpau Crater and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. The western most fissure is just out of view in this photo.
Measuring the flow thickness from another section of the ‘A‘ā flow, using a 1 m (3.2 ft) orange pole for scale.
Measuring the flow thickness from another section of the ‘A‘ā flow, using a 1 m (3.2 ft) orange pole for scale.
Fume from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō has diminished enough to see a portion of the rubble-filled crater floor.
Fume from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō has diminished enough to see a portion of the rubble-filled crater floor.
This thermal image was taken from a helicopter above the active fountains at the west end of the fissure system. There were two adjacent fountaining areas, with one situated within a spatter cone and the other bursting through a perched lava pond. The fountains were feeding a channelized flow that can be seen in the upper right portion of the image.
This thermal image was taken from a helicopter above the active fountains at the west end of the fissure system. There were two adjacent fountaining areas, with one situated within a spatter cone and the other bursting through a perched lava pond. The fountains were feeding a channelized flow that can be seen in the upper right portion of the image.
The channelized flow from the western vent complex advanced significantly downslope through forest within the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The channelized flow from the western vent complex advanced significantly downslope through forest within the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
By early this morning, the front of the ‘A‘ā flow fed from the western vent had intercepted the edge of the Mother's Day flow, which was emplaced in 2002-2004. The flow advanced about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) in 30 hours.
By early this morning, the front of the ‘A‘ā flow fed from the western vent had intercepted the edge of the Mother's Day flow, which was emplaced in 2002-2004. The flow advanced about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) in 30 hours.
The front of the advancing ‘A‘ā flow is about 4 m (13 ft) thick.
The front of the advancing ‘A‘ā flow is about 4 m (13 ft) thick.
Lava fountains from the northeastern vent of the Kamoamoa eruption. Though it is an impressive sight, the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone in the background, and several hundred meters higher, puts the current activity into perspective.
Lava fountains from the northeastern vent of the Kamoamoa eruption. Though it is an impressive sight, the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone in the background, and several hundred meters higher, puts the current activity into perspective.
A piece of spatter ejected on March 7, 2011. Handheld GPS for scale
A piece of spatter ejected on March 7, 2011. Handheld GPS for scale
Views into the Halema‘uma‘u vent have been largely obscured by fume over the past several days, and the only consistent views have been with a thermal camera, which can "see" through the fume. This thermal image was taken at a nearly vertical angle from a helicopter, in order to see the bottom of the extremely deep and narrow vent cavity.
Views into the Halema‘uma‘u vent have been largely obscured by fume over the past several days, and the only consistent views have been with a thermal camera, which can "see" through the fume. This thermal image was taken at a nearly vertical angle from a helicopter, in order to see the bottom of the extremely deep and narrow vent cavity.
With lava retreating deeper into the Halema‘uma‘u vent cavity over the past two days, the cavity walls have experienced more frequent collapses. At 2:23pm today, a collapse from the upper portion of the vent cavity produced a robust brown plume, but did not eject any large particles.
With lava retreating deeper into the Halema‘uma‘u vent cavity over the past two days, the cavity walls have experienced more frequent collapses. At 2:23pm today, a collapse from the upper portion of the vent cavity produced a robust brown plume, but did not eject any large particles.
A close-up of the flow front in the forest.
A close-up of the flow front in the forest.
Lava from the erupting fissure produced a large flow that is moving southeast through the adjacent forest.
Lava from the erupting fissure produced a large flow that is moving southeast through the adjacent forest.
Lava was reaching heights above the tree line.
A view of the spattering source from the ground.
A view of the spattering source from the ground.
Measuring the thickness of an ‘A‘ā flow produced by the Kamoamoa fissure eruption. The measuring stick is 2 m (6.5 ft) tall.
Measuring the thickness of an ‘A‘ā flow produced by the Kamoamoa fissure eruption. The measuring stick is 2 m (6.5 ft) tall.
A massive earthquake, and subsequent tsunami, struck the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011. The USGS calculated the magnitude of the earthquake as a 9.0, the fourth largest ever recorded. The tsunami that followed was over 10 meters high in places.
A massive earthquake, and subsequent tsunami, struck the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011. The USGS calculated the magnitude of the earthquake as a 9.0, the fourth largest ever recorded. The tsunami that followed was over 10 meters high in places.
Map showing the extent of the active flows of the Kamoamoa eruption, which started on March 5, 2011. Bright red shows the currently active flow, and light red shows an incomplete mapping of recent, but inactive, flows. Dark gray is the exposed area of flows erupted between 1983 and 1992, while light gray shows the extent of flows erupted from 1992 to 2007.
Map showing the extent of the active flows of the Kamoamoa eruption, which started on March 5, 2011. Bright red shows the currently active flow, and light red shows an incomplete mapping of recent, but inactive, flows. Dark gray is the exposed area of flows erupted between 1983 and 1992, while light gray shows the extent of flows erupted from 1992 to 2007.
Map showing the location of the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook vent, and subsequent closures due to the eruption. The Overlook vent and volcano's summit are located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Map showing the location of the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook vent, and subsequent closures due to the eruption. The Overlook vent and volcano's summit are located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Map shows activity from Episode 56