Images

HVO gas geochemist uses a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to measure volcanic gas compositions emitted during the 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption on the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano. The instrument measures the infrared energy from the hot lava fissure as it passes through, and is absorbed by, the volcanic plume along an open atmospheric path.

InSAR image Kīlauea, Hawai‘i, Mar. 2011. Kamoamoa fissure trace is indicated by the red line.

As lava entered the sea in July 2008, littoral explosions sent incandescent lava fragments skyward, building a small littoral cone on the flank of Kīlauea. USGS photo by B. Gaddis.

Village of Belacázar, adjacent to the river Paez. Photo taken four years after the 2008 lahar, but the trace of the deposit and destruction is still visible.

Since the opening of the Overlook vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater in 2008, FTIR spectroscopy has been used to monitor summit eruptive-gas composition. Infrared energy emitted by the lava lake surface (top left) is absorbed by gases present in the path between the instrument and the lak surface.

Thousands were saved by accurate eruption forecasts of Mount Merapi, Indonesia. House in the village of Kopeng, 6 km (3.7 miles) from summit of Mount Merapi, destroyed by the explosive eruption.

Blocky, non-vesicular ash particle indicative of water-magma interaction.

SEM Images of ash particles from the 1989 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska.

An HVO scientist wearing a gas mask collects GPS data using a roving instrument on the west flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. USGS Photo.

An HVO scientist and volunteer work to upgrade the power system of a seismic station located in the Ka‘ū desert on Kīlauea's southwest rift zone. USGS Photo.

A view looking northeast across the central caldera of Newberry Volcano.  Paulina Lake is in the foreground and East Lake is in the distance.  The Central Pumice Cone lies between the two lakes. Near the bottom of the photo at the south edge of Paulina Lake, the two hills are named the Lakeshore Domes.

Gas sampling from a fumarole on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater within Kīlauea caldera, Hawai‘i.

An HVO geologist uses GPS to map and track the progress of an ‘A‘ā lava flow in Royal Gardens subdivision in 2008. USGS photo.

An HVO scientist collects gravity data from a site on the rim of Kīlauea caldera. The active summit vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater is visible in the background. USGS photo.

Map of Kīlauea Volcano showing the south-southeast motion, as recorded by continuous GPS sites (arrows), and earthquake epicenter between February 1-3, 2010.

Mount Baker's northeastern face, Washington.

HVO geologist describes activity from Kīlauea Volcano during a field trip to the coastal lava flow field for members of the media in 2010.

Volcanic monitoring types and methods employed by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program.

Seismicity is shown for January 17, 2010 through the Feb 8, 2010. Borehole seismometer B207 is located about 7 miles (12 km) northeast of the 2010 swarm. Seismic data are provided by the National Science Foundation funded Plate Boundary Observatory operated by UNAVCO.

Fast-moving lava flows erupted from Mauna Iki were hand-colored in this black-and-white photo taken on May 17, 1920. Historic photo courtesy of Roger and Barbara Myers.

Suspended sediment sample collection from the North Fork Toutle River above the Sediment Retention Structure, downstream from Mount St. Helens.