Images

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory deployed caches of seismic node instruments via helicopter around Kīlauea summit yesterday, April 17. Seismic nodes are small earthquake-detecting devices and 1,800 of them are being placed across Kīlauea summit for the next two months as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist deploys one of 1,800 temporary seismic node stations that will be collecting data for the next two months in Kīlauea summit region.

Seismic nodes are prepared to be deployed to Kīlauea summit on April 17 as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project. The nodes will be temporarily placed on the surface of Kīlauea's summit region for the next two months and will collect data that will outline the geometry and nature of the magma system beneath Kīlauea summit. USGS image by S. Brantley.

A cache of seismic nodes (small earthquake-detecting devices) on Kīlauea caldera floor, which Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists deployed on April 17.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist in front of seismic nodes that will be deployed across Kīlauea summit as part of the Kīlauea Seismic Imaging Project.

The lava lake basin that formed during the September 2021-December 2022 eruption was steaming the morning of April 14, 2023. This lava lake formed in the western half of Halema‘uma‘u crater and is part of a tapestry of deposits that have formed during different Kīlauea summit eruptions over the past several years. USGS image by K. Mulliken.

During a morning visit to Halema‘uma‘u rim on April 14, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists had clear views across Kīlauea summit caldera. Kīlauea stopped erupting on March 7; currently, only steam and minor gas emissions are being emitted at the summit. USGS image by K. Mulliken.

A portion of Crater Rim Drive which fell into Halema‘uma‘u crater during the 2018 summit collapse remains visible on a block perched on the south wall of the crater (center of photo). The road's yellow center line makes a straight mark visible along the center of the block.

The west vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, viewed from the west rim of the crater. This vent was active during the September 2021-December 2022 eruption. An area near the west vent has persistently elevated temperatures visible in the F1 thermal cam, despite no active lava being visible for the past month.

A view from the west rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater the morning of April 14, 2023. In the foreground, the brown-colored island of tephra that formed in the early parts of the December 2020 eruption is clearly visible.

USGS geophysicists take gravity measurements on the dropped-down block of Kīlauea as part of annual monitoring. Annual microgravity surveys are crucial in confirming whether ongoing uplift or subsidence is caused by magma intrusion or withdrawal.

The Kīlauea summit eruption has been paused since Tuesday, March 7, 2023, and this reference map depicts the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor in its present noneruptive state. The eruption statistics provided here reflect activity up until the pause, since they are derived from measurements taken during a HVO helicopter overflight on Friday, March 10.

USGS scientist, Mike Poland, measures gravity using a gravimeter on the caldera floor of Kīlauea. Measurements of gravity can be used to determine how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) performs routine microgravity surveys to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.

Eruptive activity was paused during the Friday, March 10, overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit. Numerous outgassing sites were present on the crater floor, but not active lava was present on the surface. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Aerial view looking northwest across the eastern part of the western pond basin within Halema‘uma‘u crater; the northern part of the southern pool basin is also visible. In the background, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists are working on the main island that formed in December 2020. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

An aerial view looking down into the frozen pool basin south of the western lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter deposits can be seen all around the pool basin. The circular feature within the pool is the remains of a small, perched pond in the northern part of the pool basin. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

Close-up view of the pebbly, rubbly, and sandy texture of the tephra that formed in December 2020 when lava interacted with the water lake that was present at the base of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the time. Some of this tephra formed the island that then floated around the lava lake, and which is still present today. USGS photo by D. Downs. 

An aerial view of the western vent area shows the red oxidized interior walls of the ramparts with the several steaming areas. The outside southeastern side of the rampart and nearby crater floor is covered by a black apron of dust, possibly created by little tephra bits flying out of the now steaming vent (hole) in the rampart wall. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

A helicopter overflight on March 10, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. No active lava was present in the crater, with only scattered warm spots on the crater floor.

An aerial photo looking north shows the December 2020 island and eastern vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater. For the first time, conditions allowed Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists to visit the island. The crew can be seen in orange, working on the northwestern edge of the island. USGS photo by J. Schmith.

Aerial photo looking east shows the Halema‘uma‘u western vent complex rising in the foreground. Notice how lava from the eastern end of the lake has flown around the western side and along the western went rampart. Further east is the basin that contained the active western pond and the small southern pool basin.