Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Videos

Volcano Hazard Program videos.

Filter Total Items: 841
Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit
Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit
Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit

This video shows Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa, during a routine overflight. The flight path goes from northeast to southwest, and begins at North Pit crater before crossing over the main caldera floor. In the southwest portion of the caldera floor, the 1940 and 1949 cones can be seen.

This video shows Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa, during a routine overflight. The flight path goes from northeast to southwest, and begins at North Pit crater before crossing over the main caldera floor. In the southwest portion of the caldera floor, the 1940 and 1949 cones can be seen.

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: July 1, 2019
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: July 1, 2019
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: July 1, 2019

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone during the month of June, 2019.

 

Man standing in front of a geyser releasing steam Man standing in front of a geyser releasing steam
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: June 3, 2019
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: June 3, 2019

Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone during the month of May, 2019.

 

Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit
Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit
Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit

This timelapse sequence of webcam images over a 24-hour period shows a typical day at the summit of Mauna Loa. The webcam (MLcam) is located on the northeast rim of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera. This sequence begins in the dark, with the moon rising (white dot at left in images), then brightens as the sun rises.

This timelapse sequence of webcam images over a 24-hour period shows a typical day at the summit of Mauna Loa. The webcam (MLcam) is located on the northeast rim of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera. This sequence begins in the dark, with the moon rising (white dot at left in images), then brightens as the sun rises.

Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera
Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera
Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō
3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō
3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.

3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater - March 18, 2019
3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater - March 18, 2019
3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater - March 18, 2019

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.

Rockfalls continue to change the shape of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater
Rockfalls continue to change the shape of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater
Rockfalls continue to change the shape of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater

This video was taken during an overflight of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea Volcano's middle East Rift Zone. No major changes were observed, but the shape of the crater continues to be altered by continued rockfalls.

This video was taken during an overflight of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea Volcano's middle East Rift Zone. No major changes were observed, but the shape of the crater continues to be altered by continued rockfalls.

Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Response
Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Response
Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Response

The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.

Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption (AD)
Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption (AD)
Hovering Above—UAS’ Role in the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption (AD)

The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.

3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater
3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater
3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater

This 3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images during an overflight of the cone. The deepest portion of the crater is about 320 meters (1050 feet) below the crater floor that existed prior to April 30.

This 3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images during an overflight of the cone. The deepest portion of the crater is about 320 meters (1050 feet) below the crater floor that existed prior to April 30.

3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images
3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images
3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images

This 3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images during an overflight of the cone. The deepest portion of the crater is about 320 meters (1050 feet) below the crater floor that existed prior to April 30.

This 3D model of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's crater was created from thermal images during an overflight of the cone. The deepest portion of the crater is about 320 meters (1050 feet) below the crater floor that existed prior to April 30.

First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens —AD
First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens —AD
First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens —AD

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens
First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens
First mission: USGS UAS monitors gas emissions at Mount St. Helens

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Kīlauea Summit
Kīlauea Summit
Kīlauea Summit

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team completed its mission at Kīlauea Volcano's summit, mapping changes within the caldera. Since August 4, 2018, the number of earthquakes at the summit have decreased and the rate of subsidence has stabilized.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team completed its mission at Kīlauea Volcano's summit, mapping changes within the caldera. Since August 4, 2018, the number of earthquakes at the summit have decreased and the rate of subsidence has stabilized.

Close Up of Cone Forming - Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone
Close Up of Cone Forming - Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone
Close Up of Cone Forming - Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone

A closer view of the small cone forming on the floor of crater within fissure 8 today (Sept. 5). By this morning, bits of molten lava emitted from the cone every few seconds had built it up to an estimated height of around 3-4 m (about 10-13 ft).

A closer view of the small cone forming on the floor of crater within fissure 8 today (Sept. 5). By this morning, bits of molten lava emitted from the cone every few seconds had built it up to an estimated height of around 3-4 m (about 10-13 ft).

Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone
Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone

On September 4-7, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems team flew several missions documenting changes within fissure 8 on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone. On September 4, lava erupted on the crater floor within the vent, building a small cone on the floor and creating a flow that did not extend beyond the vent walls.

On September 4-7, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems team flew several missions documenting changes within fissure 8 on Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone. On September 4, lava erupted on the crater floor within the vent, building a small cone on the floor and creating a flow that did not extend beyond the vent walls.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone
Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone

An Unmanned Aircraft Systems overflight yesterday (September 4, 2018) showed a small cone on the floor of the crater within fissure 8. The cone formed as lava erupted from an opening on the surface of the flow that covers the crater floor.

An Unmanned Aircraft Systems overflight yesterday (September 4, 2018) showed a small cone on the floor of the crater within fissure 8. The cone formed as lava erupted from an opening on the surface of the flow that covers the crater floor.

Low-Level Spatter on New Pad of Lava
Low-Level Spatter on New Pad of Lava
Low-Level Spatter on New Pad of Lava

During an overflight of fissure 8 this morning, HVO geologists observed low-level spattering on the new pad of lava within the cone. Slow-moving lava had just barely entered the spillway, but was not advancing down the channel.

During an overflight of fissure 8 this morning, HVO geologists observed low-level spattering on the new pad of lava within the cone. Slow-moving lava had just barely entered the spillway, but was not advancing down the channel.

Time Series of Kīlauea Volcano's Lower East Rift Zone Lava-Flow Maps
Time Series of Kīlauea Volcano's Lower East Rift Zone Lava-Flow Maps
Time Series of Kīlauea Volcano's Lower East Rift Zone Lava-Flow Maps

During Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption, lava-flow maps were generated on a near-daily basis and published on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webpage.

Was this page helpful?