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The USGS Volcano Observatories host videos, photos, web camera views, and sometimes podcasts to share visual and audio information about volcanic eruptions and volcanic processes.
Check out the photos, videos, webcams, and other multimedia from the USGS Volcano Observatories.
Episode 43 of the ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption at Kīlauea summit ended at 6:21 p.m. HST on March 10. About 15 minutes after the end of the episode, USGS scientists serviced a webcam near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast caldera rim. Active lava flows continued to slowly advance along the crater floor, and stand out here in the low lighting.
Episode 43 of the ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption at Kīlauea summit ended at 6:21 p.m. HST on March 10. About 15 minutes after the end of the episode, USGS scientists serviced a webcam near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast caldera rim. Active lava flows continued to slowly advance along the crater floor, and stand out here in the low lighting.
On March 10, 2026, lava fountains erupted from two main vents within Halema‘uma‘u crater. During the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption, which began on December 23, 2024. There have been 43 episodes so far. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither from Keanakāko‘i.
On March 10, 2026, lava fountains erupted from two main vents within Halema‘uma‘u crater. During the ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption, which began on December 23, 2024. There have been 43 episodes so far. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither from Keanakāko‘i.
Episode 43, which began at 9:17 a.m. HST on March 10, erupted for just over 9 hours before pausing again at 6:21 p.m. This panoramic view of episode 43 lava flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor was taken a few minutes after the fountaining stopped. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast rim of the caldera.
Episode 43, which began at 9:17 a.m. HST on March 10, erupted for just over 9 hours before pausing again at 6:21 p.m. This panoramic view of episode 43 lava flows on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor was taken a few minutes after the fountaining stopped. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither near Keanakāko‘i on the southeast rim of the caldera.
Episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption occurred on March 10. Lava fountains from the north and south vents on the western side of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor produced a large eruption plume of volcanic gases and rock fragments (tephra).
Episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption occurred on March 10. Lava fountains from the north and south vents on the western side of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor produced a large eruption plume of volcanic gases and rock fragments (tephra).
A USGS scientist performs maintenance on an eruption monitoring camera during episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Work within this area, which is closed to the public, is done with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on March 10, 2026.
A USGS scientist performs maintenance on an eruption monitoring camera during episode 43 of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. Work within this area, which is closed to the public, is done with permission from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on March 10, 2026.
Released in March 2026, the updated Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) format uses standardized aviation terminology to describe volcanic activity and potential ash hazards for pilots and aviation authorities. The updated VONA follows recommended practices from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Released in March 2026, the updated Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) format uses standardized aviation terminology to describe volcanic activity and potential ash hazards for pilots and aviation authorities. The updated VONA follows recommended practices from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Meet a friend of ours. This friend has been monitoring changes of the ground surface in Yellowstone for decades and is so good that it can detect movement of just a few millimeters in magnitude (just a fraction of an inch). The friend? A continuous GPS station!
Meet a friend of ours. This friend has been monitoring changes of the ground surface in Yellowstone for decades and is so good that it can detect movement of just a few millimeters in magnitude (just a fraction of an inch). The friend? A continuous GPS station!
Happy New Year! Let's go back and take a look at the top five geologic stories for Yellowstone in 2025.
Number five: Rumors. It was a year of internet rumors, mostly related to animals fleeing the park, and none of which were true.
Happy New Year! Let's go back and take a look at the top five geologic stories for Yellowstone in 2025.
Number five: Rumors. It was a year of internet rumors, mostly related to animals fleeing the park, and none of which were true.
Just last week, Kīlauea put on another dramatic display of lava fountaining and flows within the caldera, during its 37th episode of this most recent eruption. It doesn't seem like Hawaii and Yellowstone have a lot in common, but actually, those two magmatic systems have a common cause.
Just last week, Kīlauea put on another dramatic display of lava fountaining and flows within the caldera, during its 37th episode of this most recent eruption. It doesn't seem like Hawaii and Yellowstone have a lot in common, but actually, those two magmatic systems have a common cause.
The Yellowstone caldera is vast – 45 miles across by 30 miles wide. You could fit over 60 islands of Manhattan in this area. There are deep canyons, like the one on the Yellowstone River, that reveal a complex geologic history. And, forested landscapes and features remind us that this special place is ever-changing.
The Yellowstone caldera is vast – 45 miles across by 30 miles wide. You could fit over 60 islands of Manhattan in this area. There are deep canyons, like the one on the Yellowstone River, that reveal a complex geologic history. And, forested landscapes and features remind us that this special place is ever-changing.
Picture a Yellowstone eruption. What comes to mind? It’s a huge explosion, right? Like the one that formed the caldera about 631,000 years ago. But the most common form of eruption in Yellowstone isn’t a huge explosion, it’s a lava flow.
Picture a Yellowstone eruption. What comes to mind? It’s a huge explosion, right? Like the one that formed the caldera about 631,000 years ago. But the most common form of eruption in Yellowstone isn’t a huge explosion, it’s a lava flow.
During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on the morning of August 5, geologists observed a lava pond within the north vent of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. The pond was feeding a subterranean lava tube contained within the east side of the vent cone, toward the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater.
During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on the morning of August 5, geologists observed a lava pond within the north vent of the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption. The pond was feeding a subterranean lava tube contained within the east side of the vent cone, toward the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater.
Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
Listen to hear the answer.
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
The camera view is north-northwest from the Biscuit Basin boardwalk looking at Black Diamond Pool, which is in the foreground (the tilted viewing angle is due to the slope of the boardwalk).
The camera view is north-northwest from the Biscuit Basin boardwalk looking at Black Diamond Pool, which is in the foreground (the tilted viewing angle is due to the slope of the boardwalk).
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
This static image is from a USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory research camera located at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, north of Mount St. Helens. The view is to the south. This camera is intended to assist the USGS with situational awareness. At times, clouds, rain, and snow obscure visibility.
Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Live Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Live Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the northwest rim of the crater [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
Live view of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), from the northwest rim of the crater [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer
