Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

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

Filter Total Items: 2978
Color map of lava lake temperature
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps

A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.

A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

Aerial image looking to the west of the large island that is floating within the middle of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. There are several vents with fountains reaching to just a few meters (yards) high. One of the vents along the eastern margin of the island has started to form spatter ramparts to enclose it. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Aerial image looking to the west of the large island that is floating within the middle of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. There are several vents with fountains reaching to just a few meters (yards) high. One of the vents along the eastern margin of the island has started to form spatter ramparts to enclose it. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

Aerial photo taken during a morning overflight on October 1, 2021, and looking at the west end of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent that is feeding this part of the lava lake is visible; the base of this vent was well above the lava lake when it opened on the afternoon of September 29, 2021.

Aerial photo taken during a morning overflight on October 1, 2021, and looking at the west end of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The west vent that is feeding this part of the lava lake is visible; the base of this vent was well above the lava lake when it opened on the afternoon of September 29, 2021.

Color photograph of active lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

In the afternoon of October 1, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists observed the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu from the northwest rim of the crater at Kīlauea's summit.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

A view of the new eruption within Halema'uma'u at Kīlauea summit at approximately 9 a.m. HST on the morning of October 1, 2021.

The growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, has risen roughly 27 m (89 ft) since the eruption started
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021

The growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, has risen roughly 27 m (89 ft) since the eruption started on September 29, 2021 at 3:21 p.m. HST. The eruption began with a fissure opening along the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, through the surface of the solidified 2020–21 lava lake.

The growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu, at the summit of Kīlauea, has risen roughly 27 m (89 ft) since the eruption started on September 29, 2021 at 3:21 p.m. HST. The eruption began with a fissure opening along the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, through the surface of the solidified 2020–21 lava lake.

 telephoto image of the lava lake margin
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021

This telephoto image of the lava lake margin was taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit eruption overflight this morning. The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater is forming a “perched” levee around parts of the lake perimeter.

This telephoto image of the lava lake margin was taken during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea summit eruption overflight this morning. The lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater is forming a “perched” levee around parts of the lake perimeter.

This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption
Vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater
Vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater
Vents on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater

This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.

This telephoto image shows two vents that formed on the western wall of Halema‘uma‘u crater during the current eruption of Kīlauea, which began on September 29, 2021. The photo was taken from the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater at 9:02 a.m. HST on Oct.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

A helicopter overflight the morning of October 1, 2021, provided aerial views of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. This view, looking to the west, shows an active lava fountain located within the south-central part of the lava lake. This fountain is only a few meters (yards) high. USGS photo by D. Downs.

A helicopter overflight the morning of October 1, 2021, provided aerial views of the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit. This view, looking to the west, shows an active lava fountain located within the south-central part of the lava lake. This fountain is only a few meters (yards) high. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

Aerial view of the active lava lake and vents within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. This view is looking to the northwest.

Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 1, 2021

Aerial image looking to the southwest and showing fissures within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, producing lava fountains within the southern and south-central part of the lava lake. These lava fountains are less energetic than when the eruption started on September 29, 2021, but are still spattering to heights of about 5 meters (16 ft) or less.

Aerial image looking to the southwest and showing fissures within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, producing lava fountains within the southern and south-central part of the lava lake. These lava fountains are less energetic than when the eruption started on September 29, 2021, but are still spattering to heights of about 5 meters (16 ft) or less.

 Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021

The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This wide view of the new lava lake was taken this morning, October 1, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight.

The Kīlauea summit eruption continues within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This wide view of the new lava lake was taken this morning, October 1, 2021, during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption overflight.

telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater—October 1, 2021

A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.

A telephoto view of the western fissure that opened in the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, during the new Kīlauea summit eruption. Spatter from the lava fountains have built a horseshoe-shaped cone (black lava) surrounding the upper part of the fountain, while lava flows into the lava lake at the base of the vent.

Color image of lava lake temperature
Thermal images of the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu
Thermal images of the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu
Thermal images of the lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu

View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.

View looking down at the September-October 2021 lava lake eruption of Halemaʻumaʻu from the F1 thermal camera located on the western rim of the crater at Kīlauea’s summit. Molten material appears as warmer colors of yellow, orange, and pink, whereas cooler material is represented by dark blue and purple colors.

Color map of lava lake temperature
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps
October 1, 2020—Kīlauea summit eruption thermal maps

A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.

A helicopter overflight on October 1, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The scale of the thermal map ranges from blue to red, with blue colors indicative of cooler temperatures and red colors indicative of warmer temperatures.

Color photograph of scientists monitoring eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to monitor the new eruption at in Kīlauea's Halema‘uma‘u crater on the evening of September 30, 2021. Field crews made measurements of the active fountains and the lava lake level to track how quickly it is rising. This photo was taken from a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Photo by K.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists continue to monitor the new eruption at in Kīlauea's Halema‘uma‘u crater on the evening of September 30, 2021. Field crews made measurements of the active fountains and the lava lake level to track how quickly it is rising. This photo was taken from a closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Photo by K.

color photograph of instrument measuring volcanic gas emissions during eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. This photo shows the eastern portoin of the nascent lava lake, where it meets the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. This photo shows the eastern portoin of the nascent lava lake, where it meets the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Color thermal map of lava lake
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

Color photograph of lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

Was this page helpful?