Images

These tephra and spatter clasts were eruption recently at the summit of Kīlauea. They were collected from an inactive fissure on September 12, 2023, and brought back to the lab where they will be analyzed in several ways, including their density, shape, size, and chemistry. The larger clast on the bottom is about 8 inches (20 cm) long. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Tephra created within approximately the first 18 hours of the eruption that began in Kīlauea caldera the afternoon of Sunday, September 10, were collected on September 12, 2023, and dried in the lab overnight. Today, these samples will be processed for various analyses to determine what the lava composition is and what minerals it might contain, such as olivine.

During an eruption monitoring overflight mid-day on September 12, 2023, activity in Kīlauea caldera was focused on six active vents that were producing lava fountains and flows. In this photo, oriented looking toward the southwest, several inactive fissures on the northeast side of the downdropped block appear silver and brown in color.

The former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory building, perched on Kīlauea caldera rim, has spectacular views of the summit eruption. The tower was built with a vision of overlooking eruptions such as this one. This building was damaged during the 2018 summit collapse and is slated for deconstruction later this year. USGS photo by C. Gansecki. 

The former Hawaiian Volcano Observatory building, perched on Kīlauea caldera rim, has spectacular views of the summit eruption. The tower was built with a vision of overlooking eruptions such as this one. This building was damaged during the 2018 summit collapse and is slated for deconstruction later this year. USGS photo by C. Gansecki. 

On September 12, 2023, HVO geologists landed on the downdropped block to collect samples of tephra from the now-inactive easternmost fissures of the new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea. These samples will be analyzed to better understand how and why the new eruption occurred. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

This view of the eruption site within Kīlauea caldera was captured in the afternoon of Tuesday, September 12 from the southeast rim of Kaluapele. Multiple vents are spattering and effusing lava as the Kīlauea summit eruption nears the end of its second full day. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

An HVO geologist makes observations of the vents erupting on the floor of the downdropped block in Kīlauea summit caldera on September 12, 2023. Field crews measure the height of the cones around the vents, the height of the lava fountains, and the height of the lava flow field as it becomes perched above the surrounding pre-eruptive landscape. USGS photo by N.

During the afternoon of September 12, 2023, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring on the downdropped block east of Halema‘uma‘u, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 12:30 p.m. H.S.T. on September 12, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

An aerial view of the eruption at the summit of Kīlauea at approximately 12:20 p.m. H.S.T. on September 12, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active on the downdropped block (right) within Kīlauea's summit caldera. USGS photo by N. Deligne. 

A helicopter overflight on September 12, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.

On September 11, 2023, HVO geologists deployed a new webcam to monitor the ongoing eruption at the summit of  Kīlauea. The S2cam is a temporary webcam showing Kīlauea caldera downdropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater; the view is from the north rim of the downdropped block and looking west. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

A new eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano began at approximately 3:13 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This map depicts activity within Halema‘uma‘u on the second day of the eruption, September 11.

A helicopter overflight on September 11, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.

A helicopter overflight on September 11, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists collected tephra samples erupted from Kīlauea summit on September 10th, 2023. The samples were collected from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater and range in size up to 1 inch (2.54 cm). This tephra was visibly less rounded than the existing tephra along the rim from the June 2023 eruption.

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.

HVO geologists observed the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera during an eruption-monitoring overflight the morning of September 11, 2023. Multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera.