Unified Interior Regions
Hawaii
The Pacific Region has nine USGS Science Centers in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. The Regional Office, headquartered in Sacramento, provides Center oversight and support, facilitates internal and external collaborations, and works to further USGS strategic science directions.
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Large-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map shows the distal part of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to nearby Puna communities.
Satellite image of area around front of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map uses a satellite image acquired in March 2014 (provided by Digital Globe) as a base to show the area around the front of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow.
Small-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This small-scale map shows Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to lower Puna.
Large-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map shows the distal part of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to nearby Puna communities.
Small-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This small-scale map shows Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to lower Puna.
Large-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map shows the distal part of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to nearby Puna communities.
Satellite image of area around front of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map uses a satellite image acquired in March 2014 (provided by Digital Globe) as a base to show the area around the front of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow.
Satellite image of area around front of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map uses a satellite image acquired in March 2014 (provided by Digital Globe) as a base to show the area around the front of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow.
Small-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This small-scale map shows Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to lower Puna.
Large-scale map of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map shows the distal part of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow in relation to nearby Puna communities.
Thermal overlay of distal part of flow field
This map overlays a georegistered mosaic of thermal images collected during a helicopter overflight of the distal part of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow on January 22 at about 9:15 AM.
Satellite image of area around front of Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone lava flow
This large-scale map uses a satellite image acquired in March 2014 (provided by Digital Globe) as a base to show the area around the front of Kīlauea’s active East Rift Zone lava flow.
HVO geologist walks along the Mauna Loa summit trail
An HVO geologist walks along the Mauna Loa summit trail, with Mauna Kea visible in the distant background.
'I'iwi (Drepanis coccinea), or scarlet honeycreeper.
'I'iwi (Drepanis coccinea), or scarlet honeycreeper.
HVO scientists measure a GPS instrument
HVO scientists measure a GPS instrument to ensure its stability during a multi-day deployment in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. In recent weeks, HVO has been working to complete a GPS campaign on Mauna Loa, which involves temporary deployments of high-precision GPS receivers to collect data that will help refine models of the volcano's inflation.
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HVO scientists inspect a seismic station on Mauna Loa
HVO scientists inspect a seismic station on Mauna Loa to evaluate for a possible equipment upgrade in the near future.
high-precision GPS unit
A high-precision GPS unit (on white "T" in foreground) records its position at a ground control point along Pohoiki Road. This marker was painted in July 2018 and is visible in numerous aerial photographs taken by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists throughout Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption last summer. GPS data are recorded over a period of four minutes
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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.
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.
Coqui frog on a red ti leaf
A coqui frog sits on a red ti leaf, next to a quarter for scale. Native to Puerto Rico, coqui frogs are an invasive species in Hawaii.
Coqui frog on a red ti plant leaf
A coqui frog rests on a red ti plant leaf. Native to Puerto Rico, coqui are an invasive species in Hawaii.
GPS survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa
A high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey is completed annually on Mauna Loa. This station was occupied for a period of three days to supplement the continuously operating GPS stations on the volcano. A beautiful view of Mauna Kea (in distance) could seen from this site during the GPS survey.
small amounts of sulfur dioxide
Only small amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are currently being released from Kīlauea, but they chemically react with each other (oxidation-reduction reaction) to form the bright yellow sulfur deposits visible on the crater walls within Halema‘uma‘u. The current low sulfur emission rates at Kīlauea have contributed to
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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. The shape of the crater continues to change through occasional small
Large overflow onto Halema‘uma‘u crater floor
Continued overflows from the summit lava lake throughout Wednesday
Kīlauea summit lava lake overflows onto Halema‘uma‘u crater floor
Small overflows from Kīlauea's summit lava lake overnight
High summit lava lake close to the rim
In recent years, scientists have made significant improvements in developing sophisticated models of how volcanoes work. The ultimate goal is to develop models that allow us to forecast new activity.
A virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
Ongoing changes at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, with continued breakouts near the vent
Summit deflation leads to slight drop in lake level
Three deposits from explosive eruptions at the summit of Mauna Loa are located west, northwest, and east of Moku‘āweoweo, the volcano's summit caldera. In map view, these deposits are fan-shaped. Along the ‘Āinapō Trail, 2.8 to 3.5 km (1.7 to 2.2 mi) southeast of the caldera, several kīpuka expose a fourth distinct explosive deposit.
A new USGS Scientific Investigation Report describes 2016 lava lake activity, including lake surface textures and appearance, surface motion, explosions, outgassing and most aspects of the spattering behavior.
Already reeling from a destructive earthquake and deadly tsunami and mud flow on April 2, 1868, Ka‘ū residents on the Island of Hawai‘i hoped for a reprieve, but it was slow to come.
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Locations
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Phone: (808) 985-6420
Fax: (808) 967-8568
Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
Pacific Islands Water Science Center
Phone: 808-690-9600
Fax: 808-690-9599
O'ahu Field Station
Phone: 808-690-9571
Fax: 808-690-9599
National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station
Phone: (808) 792-9520
Fax: (808) 792-9596