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Kīlauea images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist displays pieces of lava spatter on their hand that were collected for geochemical analyses. The volcanic glass, erupted from a fissure on the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea in September 2024, was twisted in the air while still molten to form unique shapes. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L. DeSmither.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist displays pieces of lava spatter on their hand that were collected for geochemical analyses. The volcanic glass, erupted from a fissure on the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea in September 2024, was twisted in the air while still molten to form unique shapes. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L. DeSmither.
This image shows spatter that was thrown up onto the Nāpau Crater trail to the northeast of the September 2024 middle East Rift Zone lava falls that spilled over the western rim of Nāpau Crater. Boot for scale. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
This image shows spatter that was thrown up onto the Nāpau Crater trail to the northeast of the September 2024 middle East Rift Zone lava falls that spilled over the western rim of Nāpau Crater. Boot for scale. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist observes a fissure from the September 15–20, 2024, Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption that occurred in and near Nāpau Crater. This photo was taken on November 25, where the first fissure opened, uprift (west) of Nāpau Crater. Pu‘u‘ō‘ō is visible on the skyline in the upper right. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist observes a fissure from the September 15–20, 2024, Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption that occurred in and near Nāpau Crater. This photo was taken on November 25, where the first fissure opened, uprift (west) of Nāpau Crater. Pu‘u‘ō‘ō is visible on the skyline in the upper right. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither.
A close-up view of a tree mold in a lava flow from the September 2024 Nāpau eruption. When the active lava flow came into contact with the tree, a mold was formed (black hole near center of photo). The high heat of the lava eventually burned through the base of the tree on the right side of the image causing it to fall on top of the newly emplaced lava flow.
A close-up view of a tree mold in a lava flow from the September 2024 Nāpau eruption. When the active lava flow came into contact with the tree, a mold was formed (black hole near center of photo). The high heat of the lava eventually burned through the base of the tree on the right side of the image causing it to fall on top of the newly emplaced lava flow.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist uses a hammer to collect a sample from a cooled lava flow near the western end of the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone fissure system. On November 25, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the recent eruption area to collect lava samples and other data to further their studies of the eruption.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist uses a hammer to collect a sample from a cooled lava flow near the western end of the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone fissure system. On November 25, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the recent eruption area to collect lava samples and other data to further their studies of the eruption.
On November 25, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists surveyed the lava-draped west walls of Nāpau Crater. This view looks to the southwest and shows where the lava falls were vigorous enough to throw molten spatter over to the trail area. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
On November 25, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists surveyed the lava-draped west walls of Nāpau Crater. This view looks to the southwest and shows where the lava falls were vigorous enough to throw molten spatter over to the trail area. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
During field work on November 25th, 2024, HVO geologists spotted these lava "rosettes" in Nāpau Crater. They could be found on the edges of the September 15–20 lava flows, and seemed to be twirled up lava margins that spun into flower shapes as the molten flows were viscous and cooling. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
During field work on November 25th, 2024, HVO geologists spotted these lava "rosettes" in Nāpau Crater. They could be found on the edges of the September 15–20 lava flows, and seemed to be twirled up lava margins that spun into flower shapes as the molten flows were viscous and cooling. USGS photo by K. Lynn.
Near the western-most fissures from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption, lava spatter is visible on the branches of a small ‘ōhi‘a tree. The lava spatter landed while it was still partially molten, causing it drape and stretch over the branches before hardening. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L. DeSmither.
Near the western-most fissures from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption, lava spatter is visible on the branches of a small ‘ōhi‘a tree. The lava spatter landed while it was still partially molten, causing it drape and stretch over the branches before hardening. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L. DeSmither.
A close-up view of sulfur crystals that have grown on a fallen tree from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption. This tree fell over a lava tree cast, which is releasing hot steam and volcanic gas to form this sulfur deposit. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on November 25, 2024.
A close-up view of sulfur crystals that have grown on a fallen tree from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruption. This tree fell over a lava tree cast, which is releasing hot steam and volcanic gas to form this sulfur deposit. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither on November 25, 2024.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist stands in a lava channel from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone Eruption and examines the spatter rampart of a fissure on the south side of the channel. Red oxidized blocks from the spatter rampart lay on the floor of the channel in the middle and bottom of the photo. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist stands in a lava channel from the September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone Eruption and examines the spatter rampart of a fissure on the south side of the channel. Red oxidized blocks from the spatter rampart lay on the floor of the channel in the middle and bottom of the photo. USGS photo taken on November 25, 2024, by L.
Map showing Kualoloa lava flows originating near the summit of Kīlauea, with pre- and post-Kualoloa lava flows shown for context. District boundaries and ahupuaʻa borders are also shown, along with placenames mentioned in text.
Map showing Kualoloa lava flows originating near the summit of Kīlauea, with pre- and post-Kualoloa lava flows shown for context. District boundaries and ahupuaʻa borders are also shown, along with placenames mentioned in text.
Examples of Hawaii geologic maps. The lefthand map is a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory map created on September 17, 2024, within hours of remote sensing (helicopter overflight) of the eruption that occurred from September 15–20, 2024.
Examples of Hawaii geologic maps. The lefthand map is a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory map created on September 17, 2024, within hours of remote sensing (helicopter overflight) of the eruption that occurred from September 15–20, 2024.
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea over the timeframe of October 6–18, 2024. Data were acquired by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellites. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 2.8 cm (1.1 in) of ground motion.
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea over the timeframe of October 6–18, 2024. Data were acquired by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellites. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 2.8 cm (1.1 in) of ground motion.
A view of vegetation that has appeared along the rim of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō since 2018, and the red ash along the rim that was deposited during the 2018 collapses. Handheld radio for scale. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A view of vegetation that has appeared along the rim of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō since 2018, and the red ash along the rim that was deposited during the 2018 collapses. Handheld radio for scale. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist inspects the R3cam webcam enclosure, which had a small amount of water accumulation in recent months that obscured the image. This area of the volcano experiences very high rainfall. Drying out the enclosure and adding fresh desiccant should keep the camera views clear in the future. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist inspects the R3cam webcam enclosure, which had a small amount of water accumulation in recent months that obscured the image. This area of the volcano experiences very high rainfall. Drying out the enclosure and adding fresh desiccant should keep the camera views clear in the future. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
This photo looks west along the south rim of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō. Red ash from the collapses during 2018 fills depressions in the lava flows, allowing moss and small ferns to grow. Green vegetation such as this was not observed by geologists near the rim during the 1983-2018 eruption, presumably due to high gas concentrations. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
This photo looks west along the south rim of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō. Red ash from the collapses during 2018 fills depressions in the lava flows, allowing moss and small ferns to grow. Green vegetation such as this was not observed by geologists near the rim during the 1983-2018 eruption, presumably due to high gas concentrations. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
The R3cam is a webcam on the east flank of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō, and it monitors areas downrift of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō. Given the recent eruptive activity in nearby Nāpau crater, this webcam is essential for detecting any changes that could occur in the area during future unrest. Today, USGS geologists visited to site to dry out the camera enclosure and add new desiccant.
The R3cam is a webcam on the east flank of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō, and it monitors areas downrift of Pu‘u‘ō‘ō. Given the recent eruptive activity in nearby Nāpau crater, this webcam is essential for detecting any changes that could occur in the area during future unrest. Today, USGS geologists visited to site to dry out the camera enclosure and add new desiccant.
An area of forest continues to burn in a remote area on the south rim of Nāpau Crater following the recent eruption on Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Beginning around 4 p.m. HST on October 6, a smoke plume from the burning vegetation became visible in HVO webcam imagery, and intermittent incandescence was seen overnight.
An area of forest continues to burn in a remote area on the south rim of Nāpau Crater following the recent eruption on Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Beginning around 4 p.m. HST on October 6, a smoke plume from the burning vegetation became visible in HVO webcam imagery, and intermittent incandescence was seen overnight.
This aerial photo of Nāpau Crater, looking south, shows the lava flows (gray) from the recent Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption. Along the south rim of the crater (background of image), smoke plumes are visible from a small wildfire that continues to burn in a remote area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo taken by L.
This aerial photo of Nāpau Crater, looking south, shows the lava flows (gray) from the recent Kīlauea middle East Rift Zone eruption. Along the south rim of the crater (background of image), smoke plumes are visible from a small wildfire that continues to burn in a remote area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo taken by L.
On the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea, a recent eruption covered a large portion of the Nāpau Crater floor with new lava—dark gray lava near center of image. This eruption started a forest fire that continues to burn vegetation along the southern rim of Nāpau Crater. Photo view looking northwest with Kānenuiohamo visible in the upper left.
On the middle East Rift Zone of Kīlauea, a recent eruption covered a large portion of the Nāpau Crater floor with new lava—dark gray lava near center of image. This eruption started a forest fire that continues to burn vegetation along the southern rim of Nāpau Crater. Photo view looking northwest with Kānenuiohamo visible in the upper left.
Chain of Craters within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park before 1969, when several craters were partly or completely filled with lava. Now the Chain of Craters Road turns south, away from its pre-1969 route, between Pauahi and ʻAloʻi, a pit crater buried in 1969 by Maunaulu lava flows. The junction with the Hilina Pali Road is essentially at Devil’s Throat.
Chain of Craters within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park before 1969, when several craters were partly or completely filled with lava. Now the Chain of Craters Road turns south, away from its pre-1969 route, between Pauahi and ʻAloʻi, a pit crater buried in 1969 by Maunaulu lava flows. The junction with the Hilina Pali Road is essentially at Devil’s Throat.