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Kīlauea images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Color photograph of field engineer hiking through forest
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

HVO physical science technicians maintain dozens of HVO field stations across the Island of Hawai‘i, providing an opportunity to work in remote wilderness areas. Here, an HVO physical science technician carries out the old webcam along the Mauna Loa trail on a beautiful day. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

HVO physical science technicians maintain dozens of HVO field stations across the Island of Hawai‘i, providing an opportunity to work in remote wilderness areas. Here, an HVO physical science technician carries out the old webcam along the Mauna Loa trail on a beautiful day. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of field engineers installing webcam
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

The KPcam, a webcam on the flank of Mauna Loa that looks south towards Kīlauea summit and the Southwest Rift Zone, was upgraded on June 25 by HVO staff. The new webcam will provide a higher quality image and slightly wider field of view. This photo shows HVO physical science technicians removing the old webcam. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The KPcam, a webcam on the flank of Mauna Loa that looks south towards Kīlauea summit and the Southwest Rift Zone, was upgraded on June 25 by HVO staff. The new webcam will provide a higher quality image and slightly wider field of view. This photo shows HVO physical science technicians removing the old webcam. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of field engineer servicing a webcam station
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

An HVO physical science technician checks the wiring on the new webcam, attached to the top of the mast, that looks towards the summit and Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of a mast with an antenna and webcam fixed to it
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

The upgraded KPcam is located in the white box, fixed on a mast about a couple meters (yards) high. The camera view, which is the southeast, captures the uppermost portions of Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone, the summit region, and the upper part of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone.

The upgraded KPcam is located in the white box, fixed on a mast about a couple meters (yards) high. The camera view, which is the southeast, captures the uppermost portions of Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone, the summit region, and the upper part of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone.

Color photograph of volcano monitoring station
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

Energy from solar panels at the KPcam site is stored in large batteries, which power the camera. Images captured by the camera are relayed, via an antenna, back to the observatory. USGS image by M. Warren.

Energy from solar panels at the KPcam site is stored in large batteries, which power the camera. Images captured by the camera are relayed, via an antenna, back to the observatory. USGS image by M. Warren.

Color photograph of scientist checking computer in the field
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

An HVO geologist tests the upgraded KPcam connection to see if newly acquired images are being transmitted to the observatory. During the most recent Kīlauea eruption on June 3, the KPcam captured the glow as lava began erupting on the surface of the Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Warren.

An HVO geologist tests the upgraded KPcam connection to see if newly acquired images are being transmitted to the observatory. During the most recent Kīlauea eruption on June 3, the KPcam captured the glow as lava began erupting on the surface of the Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Warren.

Color photograph of field engineer adjusting volcano monitoring equipment
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone
June 25, 2024 — Webcam upgrade for Kīlauea summit and Southwest Rift Zone

An HVO field engineer adjusts the view of the upgraded KPcam, which is fixed on a mast a couple meters (yards) above the ground surface. The camera is located on the south flank of Mauna Loa, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters (6,700 feet) above sea level, and provides expansive views to the southeast of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Warren.

An HVO field engineer adjusts the view of the upgraded KPcam, which is fixed on a mast a couple meters (yards) above the ground surface. The camera is located on the south flank of Mauna Loa, at an elevation of about 2,000 meters (6,700 feet) above sea level, and provides expansive views to the southeast of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Warren.

Color image showing deformation at summit of volcano
June 13, 2024—InSAR image of deformation following Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 13, 2024—InSAR image of deformation following Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 13, 2024—InSAR image of deformation following Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption

This map shows deformation following the recent eruption at Kīlauea on June 3, 2024.  It covers from June 6 to June 13, 2024, and is recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of

This map shows deformation following the recent eruption at Kīlauea on June 3, 2024.  It covers from June 6 to June 13, 2024, and is recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of

Color map showing ground deformation on volcano
June 6, 2024—InSAR image of deformation during Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 6, 2024—InSAR image of deformation during Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 6, 2024—InSAR image of deformation during Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption

This map shows recent deformation spanning the recent eruption at Kīlauea.  It covers from May 28 to June 6, 2024, and is recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground mot

This map shows recent deformation spanning the recent eruption at Kīlauea.  It covers from May 28 to June 6, 2024, and is recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground mot

Color photograph of lava flow and volcanic gas
June 6, 2024 — Aerial overview of inactive Fissures 3 and 4 on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — Aerial overview of inactive Fissures 3 and 4 on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — Aerial overview of inactive Fissures 3 and 4 on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea

Aerial overview of fissures 3 and 4 of the now paused Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption that began on June 3, 2024. During an overflight at approximately 8:15 a.m. HST on June 6, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed persistent gas emissions and no active lava. USGS Image by A.R. Nalesnik.

Aerial overview of fissures 3 and 4 of the now paused Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption that began on June 3, 2024. During an overflight at approximately 8:15 a.m. HST on June 6, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed persistent gas emissions and no active lava. USGS Image by A.R. Nalesnik.

Color photograph of field engineers installing new instrumentation
June 6, 2024 — Installing a new seismometer on Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone
June 6, 2024 — Installing a new seismometer on Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone
June 6, 2024 — Installing a new seismometer on Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone

On June 6, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers installed a new seismometer on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea to monitor earthquakes. The new seismic station is co-located at an existing monitoring station consisting of a GPS and high-resolution gas monitoring equipment.

On June 6, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field engineers installed a new seismometer on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea to monitor earthquakes. The new seismic station is co-located at an existing monitoring station consisting of a GPS and high-resolution gas monitoring equipment.

Color photograph of seismometer buried in the ground
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea

The new seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea being buried in the ground, with permission from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This photo was taken before the seismometer was totally buried.

Color photograph of ground cracks
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea eruption site
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea eruption site
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea eruption site

In addition to elevated volcanic gas emissions, other significant hazards also remain around the recent eruption site on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea.

Color photograph of powdered rock sample
June 3, 2024 — Analyzing spatter from the recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
June 3, 2024 — Analyzing spatter from the recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
June 3, 2024 — Analyzing spatter from the recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea

The recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea produced small volumes of lava, and fountains left volcanic spatter on top of and beyond the extent of the newly erupted flows. The collected pieces of spatter range in size up to 4 inches (1 to 10 centimeters). USGS image by A.R. Nalesnik.

The recent Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea produced small volumes of lava, and fountains left volcanic spatter on top of and beyond the extent of the newly erupted flows. The collected pieces of spatter range in size up to 4 inches (1 to 10 centimeters). USGS image by A.R. Nalesnik.

Color photograph of seismometer buried in the ground
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
June 6, 2024 — New seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea

The new seismometer at station KOSM on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea being buried in the ground, with permission from Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This photo was taken before the seismometer was totally buried.

Color map of recent lava flows
June 6, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 6, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 6, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption

This reference map depicts the June 3, 2024, eruption along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. The lava flows are shown in pink, covering about 99 acres (40 hectares); this number represents a slight increase from that reported Monday, June 3, due to minor flow expansion in the hours following that morning's helicopter overflight.

This reference map depicts the June 3, 2024, eruption along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. The lava flows are shown in pink, covering about 99 acres (40 hectares); this number represents a slight increase from that reported Monday, June 3, due to minor flow expansion in the hours following that morning's helicopter overflight.

Color photograph of gound cracks on ash covered surface
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption fissures
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption fissures
June 6, 2024 — Cracks formed around recent Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption fissures

During an overflight at approximately 8:15 a.m. HST on June 6, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed the extensive crack features on either side of the now inactive fissures from the June 3 Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption. Cracks range in length and are parallel to the fissure system. USGS photo by A.R. Nalesnik. 

During an overflight at approximately 8:15 a.m. HST on June 6, 2024, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed the extensive crack features on either side of the now inactive fissures from the June 3 Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption. Cracks range in length and are parallel to the fissure system. USGS photo by A.R. Nalesnik. 

Color photograph of scientist examining rock sample
June 4, 2024 — Examining young lava rocks erupted by Kīlauea on June 3
June 4, 2024 — Examining young lava rocks erupted by Kīlauea on June 3
June 4, 2024 — Examining young lava rocks erupted by Kīlauea on June 3

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the now inactive fissures that formed on June 3rd on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Looking through a hand lens, geologists recognize the abundance of olivine ranging from 1-3 mm (about 0.1 inch) in size in the spatter samples.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the now inactive fissures that formed on June 3rd on the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Looking through a hand lens, geologists recognize the abundance of olivine ranging from 1-3 mm (about 0.1 inch) in size in the spatter samples.

A geologist in a bright orange shirt walks beside a newly-erupted lava flow, which barely reaches the height of their waist
Geologist examines new lava flow from Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 4, 2024
Geologist examines new lava flow from Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 4, 2024
Geologist examines new lava flow from Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone eruption, June 4, 2024

The eruption on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone remained paused on Tuesday, June 4, but Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the area to take measurements of the previous day's lava flows. Here, a geologist examines part of the lava flow from fissure 2.

Color images of temperatures of new lava flows
June 4, 2024 — Thermal maps of Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 4, 2024 — Thermal maps of Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption
June 4, 2024 — Thermal maps of Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone eruption

These two thermal maps were constructed from images captured during USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflights on June 3, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. HST (left) and June 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. HST (right). Covering the same extent and using the same thermal color scale, you may notice slight expansion of lava flows to the south following the first overflight.

These two thermal maps were constructed from images captured during USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflights on June 3, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. HST (left) and June 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. HST (right). Covering the same extent and using the same thermal color scale, you may notice slight expansion of lava flows to the south following the first overflight.

lava erupting from a fissure
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea
Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea

Aerial image of the Southwest Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, viewed during an overflight at approximately 6 a.m. on June 3, 2024. USGS image.

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