Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Videos

Volcano Hazard Program videos.

Filter Total Items: 840
Kīlauea — UAS Video of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Eruption (Dec. 25, 2020)
Kīlauea — UAS Video of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Eruption (Dec. 25, 2020)
Kīlauea — UAS Video of Halema‘uma‘u Crater Eruption (Dec. 25, 2020)

Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video clips of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit. This collection of video clips from December 25, 2020 taken with UAS shows the then-dominant north vent fountain and occasional weak spattering from the west vent.

Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) video clips of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit. This collection of video clips from December 25, 2020 taken with UAS shows the then-dominant north vent fountain and occasional weak spattering from the west vent.

Halema'uma'u — Switch from Water Lake to Lava Lake (Thermal)
Halema'uma'u — Switch from Water Lake to Lava Lake (Thermal)
Halema'uma'u — Switch from Water Lake to Lava Lake (Thermal)

This thermal timelapse (from F1cam webcam) shows the switch from water lake to lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, spanning December 20 to December 24. During the initial phase of lava appearing in the crater, a large steam plume is generated as lava interacts with and boils off the water lake.

This thermal timelapse (from F1cam webcam) shows the switch from water lake to lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, spanning December 20 to December 24. During the initial phase of lava appearing in the crater, a large steam plume is generated as lava interacts with and boils off the water lake.

Halema'uma'u Lava Lake Fills from Two Spatter and Fountain Sources
Halema'uma'u Lava Lake Fills from Two Spatter and Fountain Sources
Halema'uma'u Lava Lake Fills from Two Spatter and Fountain Sources

23 December 2020 - Kīlauea Volcano US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Clip 1: A mid-day helicopter overflight provided aerial views of the eruption in Halema'uma'u crater. This video shows two active fissures erupting lava into a growing lava lake. Visual and thermal images collected during the overflight are used to map the ongoing activity.

23 December 2020 - Kīlauea Volcano US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Clip 1: A mid-day helicopter overflight provided aerial views of the eruption in Halema'uma'u crater. This video shows two active fissures erupting lava into a growing lava lake. Visual and thermal images collected during the overflight are used to map the ongoing activity.

Overnight Fissure Activity Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea
Overnight Fissure Activity Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea
Overnight Fissure Activity Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea

Two fissure vents feed a growing lava lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u crater. A preliminary calculation of volume suggests that since the start of the eruption on December 20, 2020, approximately 8-10 million cubic meters of lava have been erupted. This is equivalent to over 2 billion gallons, the volume of 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Two fissure vents feed a growing lava lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u crater. A preliminary calculation of volume suggests that since the start of the eruption on December 20, 2020, approximately 8-10 million cubic meters of lava have been erupted. This is equivalent to over 2 billion gallons, the volume of 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Fissures, Lava Lake, Wind Vortex at Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
Fissures, Lava Lake, Wind Vortex at Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
Fissures, Lava Lake, Wind Vortex at Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

Fissures Feed a Lava Lake at Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea Volcano's Summit. Since fissures opened on December 20, 2020 in Halema'uma'u crater, USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have maintained a 24-hour watch from the rim, taking measurements and making visual observations.

Fissures Feed a Lava Lake at Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea Volcano's Summit. Since fissures opened on December 20, 2020 in Halema'uma'u crater, USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have maintained a 24-hour watch from the rim, taking measurements and making visual observations.

Fissure Activity Within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano
Fissure Activity Within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano
Fissure Activity Within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea Volcano

 Telephoto videos capture fissure activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 22, 2020, at approximately 3:35 PM HST. (1) The first video shows the main northern fissure. The lava fountains have built up a horseshoe-shaped spatter cone (dark in color) around the perimeter of the vent. (2) 2) The second video shows the smaller western fissure.

 Telephoto videos capture fissure activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater on December 22, 2020, at approximately 3:35 PM HST. (1) The first video shows the main northern fissure. The lava fountains have built up a horseshoe-shaped spatter cone (dark in color) around the perimeter of the vent. (2) 2) The second video shows the smaller western fissure.

Lava Returns to Halema'uma'u: Timelapse Captures, December 20-21, 2020
Lava Returns to Halema'uma'u: Timelapse Captures, December 20-21, 2020
Lava Returns to Halema'uma'u: Timelapse Captures, December 20-21, 2020

Lava Returns to Halema'uma'u, as captured in this timelapse from the K2cam, located at the HVO Observation Tower (Kīlauea Volcano). Timelapse is from December 20, 2020, 5:50 a.m. to December 21, 2020, 11:57 p.m.

Lava flow in the Crater of Kīlauea Volcano (Dec 2020)
Lava flow in the Crater of Kīlauea Volcano (Dec 2020)
Lava flow in the Crater of Kīlauea Volcano (Dec 2020)

On December 20, 2020 just after 9:30 PM HST, lava began flowing from three fissure vents inside the crater of Kīlauea. The water lake at the base of the Halema'uma'u crater has boiled off. Lava is now feeding a growing lava lake.

On December 20, 2020 just after 9:30 PM HST, lava began flowing from three fissure vents inside the crater of Kīlauea. The water lake at the base of the Halema'uma'u crater has boiled off. Lava is now feeding a growing lava lake.

From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions
From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions
From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions

Arc volcanoes often show evidence for new magma coming from the lower crust and interacting with old magma in the shallow crustal storage system.

Largest Gravity Changes Ever Recorded: 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
Largest Gravity Changes Ever Recorded: 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
Largest Gravity Changes Ever Recorded: 2018 Kīlauea Eruption

The largest gravity changes ever recorded: Continuous gravity monitoring of the onset of Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption Talk by Mike Poland–USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge and former USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist.

The largest gravity changes ever recorded: Continuous gravity monitoring of the onset of Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption Talk by Mike Poland–USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge and former USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist.

Lava Flow Forecasting and Remote Sensing During 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
Lava Flow Forecasting and Remote Sensing During 2018 Kīlauea Eruption
Lava Flow Forecasting and Remote Sensing During 2018 Kīlauea Eruption

Talk by Hannah Dietterich–Alaska Volcano Observatory geologist. Talk originally presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2020.

Man standing in front of TV Man standing in front of TV
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for November 2020
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for November 2020

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during November 2020.

 

Timelapse showing surface motion of Kīlauea's summit water lake
Timelapse showing surface motion of Kīlauea's summit water lake
Timelapse showing surface motion of Kīlauea's summit water lake

This timelapse sequence shows 3.5 hours of activity at the water lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Several influx zones supply groundwater into the lake from the margins, creating shifting color zones on the lake surface. No significant changes have been observed in recent lake activity. USGS video by M. Patrick.
 

This timelapse sequence shows 3.5 hours of activity at the water lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Several influx zones supply groundwater into the lake from the margins, creating shifting color zones on the lake surface. No significant changes have been observed in recent lake activity. USGS video by M. Patrick.
 

USGS Volcano Observatories in 2020: Past 10 Years; The Future
USGS Volcano Observatories in 2020: Past 10 Years; The Future
USGS Volcano Observatories in 2020: Past 10 Years; The Future

Talk by Tina Neal–USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory geologist and former USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge. Talk originally presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2020.

Talk by Tina Neal–USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory geologist and former USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge. Talk originally presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2020.

VDAP: Trends in Volcano Response and Capacity Building
VDAP: Trends in Volcano Response and Capacity Building
VDAP: Trends in Volcano Response and Capacity Building

The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) is a partnership of the USGS and USAID. Now in its 34th year, VDAP performs a combination of in-country and remote responses to volcanic crises.

The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) is a partnership of the USGS and USAID. Now in its 34th year, VDAP performs a combination of in-country and remote responses to volcanic crises.

Man standing in front of TV Man standing in front of TV
Yellowstone Volcano Observ: Overview, Monitoring, Hazards, Results
Yellowstone Volcano Observ: Overview, Monitoring, Hazards, Results

Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.

Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.

Man standing in front of a map Man standing in front of a map
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2020
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2020

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during October 2020.

 

A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 2
A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 2
A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 2

Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a virtual walk, during which you learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano’s history as revealed by rocks, craters, and cracks.

Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a virtual walk, during which you learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano’s history as revealed by rocks, craters, and cracks.

A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 3
A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 3
A virtual walk through Kīlauea Volcano’s summit history: Part 3

Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a virtual walk, during which you learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano’s history as revealed by rocks, craters, and cracks.

Join USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a virtual walk, during which you learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano’s history as revealed by rocks, craters, and cracks.

Emerging tech as STEM platforms in problem-based learning (Kīlauea)
Emerging tech as STEM platforms in problem-based learning (Kīlauea)
Emerging tech as STEM platforms in problem-based learning (Kīlauea)

USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Geophysicist Jefferson Chang talks about technologies that track activity at Hawaiian volcanoes and how crowdsourcing and citizen science can contribute to a greater understanding of hazards, in this presentation to the 2020 SACNAS Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science virtual conference held October 19-24,

USGS–Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Geophysicist Jefferson Chang talks about technologies that track activity at Hawaiian volcanoes and how crowdsourcing and citizen science can contribute to a greater understanding of hazards, in this presentation to the 2020 SACNAS Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos & Native Americans in Science virtual conference held October 19-24,

Was this page helpful?