Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Videos

Volcano Hazard Program videos.

Filter Total Items: 840
Lava Lake Explosive Event
Lava Lake Explosive Event
Lava Lake Explosive Event

Movie from a webcam positioned on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u, directly above the summit lava lake, showing the July 23 explosive event. The movie images were captured at 1 frame/second, and the playback speed is 12 frames/second.

Movie from a webcam positioned on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u, directly above the summit lava lake, showing the July 23 explosive event. The movie images were captured at 1 frame/second, and the playback speed is 12 frames/second.

Rockfall Causing Explosive Event
Rockfall Causing Explosive Event
Rockfall Causing Explosive Event

Movie from a webcam positioned in the observation tower at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, next to Jaggar Museum, near the summit of Kīlauea, showing the July 23 explosive event. The movie images were captured at 2 frame/second, and the playback speed is 12 frames/second.

Movie from a webcam positioned in the observation tower at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, next to Jaggar Museum, near the summit of Kīlauea, showing the July 23 explosive event. The movie images were captured at 2 frame/second, and the playback speed is 12 frames/second.

Activity in the lava pond in the northeast portion of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Activity in the lava pond in the northeast portion of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Activity in the lava pond in the northeast portion of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō

This Quicktime movie shows activity in the lava pond in the northeast portion of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater. A lava pond has been here for months, but it enlarged considerably during the June 27 breakout as the lava level in the pond dropped.

This Quicktime movie shows activity in the lava pond in the northeast portion of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater. A lava pond has been here for months, but it enlarged considerably during the June 27 breakout as the lava level in the pond dropped.

Lava Chunk
Lava Chunk
Lava Chunk

This Quicktime movie shows a large chunk of lava being pushed by the current in the channel.

This Quicktime movie shows a large chunk of lava being pushed by the current in the channel.

Lava Pond at Pu`u `Ō`ō Crater
Lava Pond at Pu`u `Ō`ō Crater
Lava Pond at Pu`u `Ō`ō Crater

Mar 7, 2014: This Quicktime movie shows the lava pond in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, which was undergoing "gas pistoning". Gas pistoning is the cyclic rise and fall of the lava surface, driven by the buildup and release of gas in the lava pond.

Mar 7, 2014: This Quicktime movie shows the lava pond in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater, which was undergoing "gas pistoning". Gas pistoning is the cyclic rise and fall of the lava surface, driven by the buildup and release of gas in the lava pond.

Lava Lake in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Lake in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Lake in Halema`uma`u Crater

Mar 7, 2014: This Quicktime movie shows Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A persistent spatter source is active on the lake margin.

Mar 7, 2014: This Quicktime movie shows Kīlauea's summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A persistent spatter source is active on the lake margin.

Time-Lapse at Pu`u `Ō`ō Spatter Cone
Time-Lapse at Pu`u `Ō`ō Spatter Cone
Time-Lapse at Pu`u `Ō`ō Spatter Cone

This Quicktime movie shows a time-lapse sequence of activity at the northeast spatter cone in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on February 9-10. Rapid fluctuations in the height of the lava pond are caused by gas pistoning, which is the gradual buildup and release of gas in the pond. Mauna Kea is visible in the upper right portion of the frame.

This Quicktime movie shows a time-lapse sequence of activity at the northeast spatter cone in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on February 9-10. Rapid fluctuations in the height of the lava pond are caused by gas pistoning, which is the gradual buildup and release of gas in the pond. Mauna Kea is visible in the upper right portion of the frame.

Time-lapse sequence of Halema‘uma‘u degassing plume
Time-lapse sequence of Halema‘uma‘u degassing plume
Time-lapse sequence of Halema‘uma‘u degassing plume

This Quicktime movie is a time-lapse sequence from a camera in the HVO observation tower, and shows one week of activity at Kīlauea's summit vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The sequence starts on February 3 at 12:01 am and ends on February 9 at 11:59 pm.

This Quicktime movie is a time-lapse sequence from a camera in the HVO observation tower, and shows one week of activity at Kīlauea's summit vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The sequence starts on February 3 at 12:01 am and ends on February 9 at 11:59 pm.

Summit Lava Lake Activity
Summit Lava Lake Activity
Summit Lava Lake Activity

This Quicktime movie shows typical activity at the summit lava lake. Spattering at the summit lava lake has been common over the past several years, and today's winds provided a clear view of the primary spatter area on the lake margin. The lava lake today was about 50 m (160 ft) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

This Quicktime movie shows typical activity at the summit lava lake. Spattering at the summit lava lake has been common over the past several years, and today's winds provided a clear view of the primary spatter area on the lake margin. The lava lake today was about 50 m (160 ft) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Winter storm deposits snow on Mauna Loa's summit
Winter storm deposits snow on Mauna Loa's summit
Winter storm deposits snow on Mauna Loa's summit

This Quicktime video shows a time-lapse sequence spanning from dawn to dusk on Tuesday, January 28, using images collected by our webcam near the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano (13,680 ft above sea level).

This Quicktime video shows a time-lapse sequence spanning from dawn to dusk on Tuesday, January 28, using images collected by our webcam near the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano (13,680 ft above sea level).

Gas Piston in Lava Pond
Gas Piston in Lava Pond
Gas Piston in Lava Pond

This Quicktime movie shows weak gas pistoning in the lava pond on the east rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Gas pistoning is the cyclic buildup and release of gas within the pond, and is common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

This Quicktime movie shows weak gas pistoning in the lava pond on the east rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Gas pistoning is the cyclic buildup and release of gas within the pond, and is common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Pu`u 'Ō`ō Lava Pond
Pu`u 'Ō`ō Lava Pond
Pu`u 'Ō`ō Lava Pond

This Quicktime movie shows a lava pond, about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, on the east rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Several small spatter sources are active on the pond margin, and release gas from within the pond. Lava pond activity like this is common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

This Quicktime movie shows a lava pond, about 15 m (50 ft) in diameter, on the east rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Several small spatter sources are active on the pond margin, and release gas from within the pond. Lava pond activity like this is common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Gas Pistoning and Spattering
Gas Pistoning and Spattering
Gas Pistoning and Spattering

This Quicktime movie shows some of the spattering associated with the gas pistoning, in which the spattering acts as an outlet for gas accumulating in the pond. Note how the crust in the center of the pond is fluctuating. Lava pond activity and gas pistoning are common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

This Quicktime movie shows some of the spattering associated with the gas pistoning, in which the spattering acts as an outlet for gas accumulating in the pond. Note how the crust in the center of the pond is fluctuating. Lava pond activity and gas pistoning are common in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

The Yellowstone Volcano: Past, Present and Future
The Yellowstone Volcano: Past, Present and Future
The Yellowstone Volcano: Past, Present and Future

Public Lecture on Yellowstone Volcano by Jake Lowenstern at Menlo Park, CA on January 23, 2014. The Q&A at the end of the talk can be found on the original source video (Source URL).

Public Lecture on Yellowstone Volcano by Jake Lowenstern at Menlo Park, CA on January 23, 2014. The Q&A at the end of the talk can be found on the original source video (Source URL).

Lava lake spattering at Halema‘uma‘u Crater
Lava lake spattering at Halema‘uma‘u Crater
Lava lake spattering at Halema‘uma‘u Crater

The lava lake in the Overlook crater, within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at Kīlauea's summit, undergoes frequent periods of spattering. The spattering is normally at the lake margins, and the surface crust often flows towards, and is consumed at, the spattering source.

The lava lake in the Overlook crater, within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at Kīlauea's summit, undergoes frequent periods of spattering. The spattering is normally at the lake margins, and the surface crust often flows towards, and is consumed at, the spattering source.

Thermal image sequence of summit lava lake motion
Thermal image sequence of summit lava lake motion
Thermal image sequence of summit lava lake motion

This thermal image sequence shows the typical motion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. For scale, the lake is about 160 meters (520 feet) wide in this view. The clip spans about 12 minutes, and is shown at 30x speed. The lava upwells along the north margin of the lava lake (in this view, near the top of the image).

This thermal image sequence shows the typical motion of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. For scale, the lake is about 160 meters (520 feet) wide in this view. The clip spans about 12 minutes, and is shown at 30x speed. The lava upwells along the north margin of the lava lake (in this view, near the top of the image).

Spattering Cone Near Pu`u `Ō`ō
Spattering Cone Near Pu`u `Ō`ō
Spattering Cone Near Pu`u `Ō`ō

This short Quicktime movie shows spattering from a cone near the south rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater as a short lava flow is erupted.

This short Quicktime movie shows spattering from a cone near the south rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater as a short lava flow is erupted.

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Skylight
Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Skylight
Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Skylight

Farther down the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō a skylight on the Kahauale‘a flow provided a view of the flowing lava stream in the lava tube.

Farther down the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō a skylight on the Kahauale‘a flow provided a view of the flowing lava stream in the lava tube.

A time-lapse summary of the past two years of activity in Halema‘uma‘u
A time-lapse summary of the past two years of activity in Halema‘uma‘u
A time-lapse summary of the past two years of activity in Halema‘uma‘u

This Quicktime movie shows exactly two years of lava lake activity in Halema‘uma‘u Crater (Feb 11, 2011 to Feb 11, 2013) in one minute of time-lapse video, using images taken from a thermal camera perched on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

This Quicktime movie shows exactly two years of lava lake activity in Halema‘uma‘u Crater (Feb 11, 2011 to Feb 11, 2013) in one minute of time-lapse video, using images taken from a thermal camera perched on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u.

Thermal of Halema`uma`u Lava Lake
Thermal of Halema`uma`u Lava Lake
Thermal of Halema`uma`u Lava Lake

This Quicktime movie shows a time-lapse sequence of the lava lake captured by a thermal camera on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater. The sequence is shown at a speed of about 30 times actual. By viewing the sequence at this speed, spotting the upwelling area in the lake is easier than in a still photograph.

This Quicktime movie shows a time-lapse sequence of the lava lake captured by a thermal camera on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater. The sequence is shown at a speed of about 30 times actual. By viewing the sequence at this speed, spotting the upwelling area in the lake is easier than in a still photograph.

Overflight of Halema`uma`u
Overflight of Halema`uma`u
Overflight of Halema`uma`u

Video taken during today's helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, showing the active lava lake at a very high level (described in more detail in the caption above). Vigorous spattering on the lake margin emits a thick plume of gas.

Video taken during today's helicopter overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, showing the active lava lake at a very high level (described in more detail in the caption above). Vigorous spattering on the lake margin emits a thick plume of gas.

Was this page helpful?