Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Volcano Hazard Program images.

Filter Total Items: 6273
A tiny helicopter hovers over a fissure eruption that is emitting glowing molten lava and large clouds of volcanic gases
Helicopter carrying HVO scientists flies over Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 3, 2024
Helicopter carrying HVO scientists flies over Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 3, 2024
Helicopter carrying HVO scientists flies over Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 3, 2024

Around 6 a.m. HST on June 3, 2024, a helicopter overflight by USGS HVO scientists was observed by a field crew taking gas measurements of the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone.  USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)

The shadows of four field scientists stretch out towards a distant rainbow arcing into a gray cloud of volcanic gas
A rainbow appears over the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption on June 3, 2024
A rainbow appears over the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption on June 3, 2024
A rainbow appears over the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption on June 3, 2024

While observing the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, HVO scientists in the field were treated to views of rainbow terminating in the cloud of volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)

orange glow of lava in the distance at night
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024

The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.

The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House.

lava erupting from a fissure
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea

Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS image.

A shiny black lava flow is bordered by angular, frothy fragments of glassy rock scattered over a gravelly landscape
Fresh lava spatter litters the ground next to a new lava flow from the Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption of June 3 2024
Fresh lava spatter litters the ground next to a new lava flow from the Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption of June 3 2024
Fresh lava spatter litters the ground next to a new lava flow from the Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption of June 3 2024

Frothy, glassy fragments of lava from the fountains of Kīlauea's June 3 eruption fissures were found scattered around newly-erupted lava flows. These tephra contain valuable geochemical information about the magma which fueled the eruption. USGS image by D. Downs. 

Map showing the location of eruptive fissures and the extent of lava flows in Kilauea's Southwest Rift Zone
June 3, 2024 —Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption reference map, updated as of 10PM HST
June 3, 2024 —Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption reference map, updated as of 10PM HST
June 3, 2024 —Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption reference map, updated as of 10PM HST

A new eruption began along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone on June 3, 2024, and this map depicts activity on the eruption's first day. New lava flows are shown in red, only covering about 88 acres (36 hectares) of ground within relatively short distances of the eruptive fissures.

Ground cracks spider into the distance on a gravelly black landscape. In the background, bigger cracks emit plumes of gas
Ground cracks near the new eruptive fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, June 3, 2024
Ground cracks near the new eruptive fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, June 3, 2024
Ground cracks near the new eruptive fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, June 3, 2024

Scientists observed cracks in previous eruptive surfaces near the new fissure eruption southwest of Kīlauea's summit on June 3, 2024. These cracks ranged from a few centimeters (inches) to approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide.

orange glow of lava from Kīlauea seen in the dark
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024
Glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano - June 3, 2024

The glow from the eruption of Kīlauea volcano, visible from Volcano House in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park during the early morning hours of June 3. Image courtesy of Volcano House. 

Map of earthquake locations on volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano
May 2, 2024—Summary map of recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano

This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.

This map depicts recent unrest at Kīlauea. Yellow circles mark the locations of approximately 1,600 earthquakes that have occurred between April 27 and May 2, 2024. Most earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude-2, with locations clustering in an area known as the upper East Rift Zone or East Rift connector.

Color photograph of volcanic cone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone

Aerial view of cone that the new MLDcam is located on, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. An HVO geologist and field engineer installing the camera are silhouetted on top of the cone against the cloudy backdrop.

Aerial view of cone that the new MLDcam is located on, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. An HVO geologist and field engineer installing the camera are silhouetted on top of the cone against the cloudy backdrop.

Color photograph of field engineer installing camera
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
April 24, 2024 — Webcam upgrades on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift zone
Color photograph of scientist checking webcam at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

An HVO geologist services the KWcam webcam, at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by K. Anderson.

Color photograph of webcam at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

Heavy rains in recent weeks resulted in water accumulating in the case of the KWcam, a webcam monitoring the summit of Kīlauea. HVO staff visited the site today to replace desiccant and dry out the enclosure. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Heavy rains in recent weeks resulted in water accumulating in the case of the KWcam, a webcam monitoring the summit of Kīlauea. HVO staff visited the site today to replace desiccant and dry out the enclosure. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of crater at summit of volcano
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit
April 18, 2024 — Drying out at Kīlauea summit

Weak, wispy gas plumes rise vertically in the slack winds from the central portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Nothing unusual was observed today at the summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Weak, wispy gas plumes rise vertically in the slack winds from the central portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Nothing unusual was observed today at the summit. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation video shows the changes to the landscape from before the May 18, 1980 eruption to today (2024).

USGS Employees high five students participating in an outdoor lahar evacuation drill outside their school
Lahar Evacuation Drill
Lahar Evacuation Drill
Lahar Evacuation Drill

During the March 21, 2024 lahar evacuation drills, thousands of students walked to the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington to practice evacuating from a lahar generated by Mount Rainier. A lahar, or volcanic mudflow, could reach this area in about 3 hours.

During the March 21, 2024 lahar evacuation drills, thousands of students walked to the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington to practice evacuating from a lahar generated by Mount Rainier. A lahar, or volcanic mudflow, could reach this area in about 3 hours.

Color photograph of a crater at the summit of a volcano
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit

HVO geologists made a routine visit to check on equipment at the summit of Kīlauea today, and had clear views across the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. The central portion of this photo is the region where much of the lava lake activity has occurred over the previous few years, with the area now showing only wispy plumes of weak gas emission.

HVO geologists made a routine visit to check on equipment at the summit of Kīlauea today, and had clear views across the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. The central portion of this photo is the region where much of the lava lake activity has occurred over the previous few years, with the area now showing only wispy plumes of weak gas emission.

Color photograph of alteration of a crater floor
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit
March 21, 2024 — Quiet at Kīlauea summit

This photo shows the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The circular area of yellow coloration, near the top of the photo, is spot where the first lava fountain emerged in the September 2023 eruption. In the lower portion of the photo, the remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot are visible.

This photo shows the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The circular area of yellow coloration, near the top of the photo, is spot where the first lava fountain emerged in the September 2023 eruption. In the lower portion of the photo, the remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot are visible.

lava at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountain at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 11, 2023

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

Was this page helpful?