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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.
On January 12, 2026, Kīlauea had its 40th fountaining episode of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. This view was taken at 10:50 a.m. H.S.T. from the publicly accessible viewing area at Uēkahuna within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, showing north vent fountaining. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
On January 12, 2026, Kīlauea had its 40th fountaining episode of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. This view was taken at 10:50 a.m. H.S.T. from the publicly accessible viewing area at Uēkahuna within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, showing north vent fountaining. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. The data for this map were collected during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on January 2, 2026; as such, the provided statistics are reflective of the first thirty-nine episodes of the eruption through December 24, 2025.
This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. The data for this map were collected during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on January 2, 2026; as such, the provided statistics are reflective of the first thirty-nine episodes of the eruption through December 24, 2025.
On January 12, 2026, Kīlauea had its 40th fountaining episode of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. This photo was taken at 4:37 p.m. HST from the publicly accessible viewing area at Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron's Ledge) within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, showing north vent fountaining. The episode ended about an hour and a half after this photo was taken.
On January 12, 2026, Kīlauea had its 40th fountaining episode of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u. This photo was taken at 4:37 p.m. HST from the publicly accessible viewing area at Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron's Ledge) within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, showing north vent fountaining. The episode ended about an hour and a half after this photo was taken.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observe episode 40 fountains from the Uēkahuna overlook within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This episode had multiple days of precursory overflows from both the north and south vents, leading to fountains primarily from the north vent starting on January 12 and reaching up to 800 feet (250 meters).
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observe episode 40 fountains from the Uēkahuna overlook within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This episode had multiple days of precursory overflows from both the north and south vents, leading to fountains primarily from the north vent starting on January 12 and reaching up to 800 feet (250 meters).
The telephoto shows lava flowing east across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, fed by the lava fountains in the west part of the crater. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 6 million cubic meters (7.8 million cubic yards) of lava were erupted during episode 37, based on ground deformation data. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
The telephoto shows lava flowing east across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, fed by the lava fountains in the west part of the crater. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 6 million cubic meters (7.8 million cubic yards) of lava were erupted during episode 37, based on ground deformation data. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Map of seismic stations in the Yellowstone region, with numbers of channels indicated by number and sensor type by color. Inverted triangles indicate stations operated by University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS), and squares indicate stations operated by other agencies.
Map of seismic stations in the Yellowstone region, with numbers of channels indicated by number and sensor type by color. Inverted triangles indicate stations operated by University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS), and squares indicate stations operated by other agencies.
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.
In this video, Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) scientists Tyler Paladino and Alex Iezzi and Mount Rainier National Park Geologist Scott Beason provide an update on the earthquake swarm at Mount Rainier.
In this video, Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) scientists Tyler Paladino and Alex Iezzi and Mount Rainier National Park Geologist Scott Beason provide an update on the earthquake swarm at Mount Rainier.
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
