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

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Animated GIF showing rise of crater lake
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020

ANNIMATED GIF: This animated image file (GIF) of the Kīlauea summit water lake is a cropped version this file, showing a close-up view of the lake.

Grey-scale digital elevation model showing building outlines
Digital elevation model from the 2019 LiDAR survey of Kīlauea
Digital elevation model from the 2019 LiDAR survey of Kīlauea
Digital elevation model from the 2019 LiDAR survey of Kīlauea

A sample of the digital elevation model from the 2019 LiDAR survey of Kīlauea, showing the vicinity of the former HVO office and Jaggar Museum in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

A sample of the digital elevation model from the 2019 LiDAR survey of Kīlauea, showing the vicinity of the former HVO office and Jaggar Museum in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Animated GIF showing rise of crater lake
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020
Kīlauea summit water lake KW webcam images 11-1-2019 to 10-30-2020

ANIMATED GIF: The KWcam webcam has been imaging the Kīlauea summit water lake for just over a year now, tracking visual changes in the lake including water level and color.

Color photograph of volcanic crater lake
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano
Halema‘uma‘u water lake at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano

The growing lake of groundwater within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano as it looked on December 18, 2019. 

Color photomosaic of Kīlauea volcano summit
December 18, 2019 aerial map of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 aerial map of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 aerial map of Kīlauea summit

The December 18, 2019, overflight provided updated aerial photographs of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the current size of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater.

The December 18, 2019, overflight provided updated aerial photographs of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the current size of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater.

Black and white thermal image of Kilauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit
December 18, 2019 thermal image of Kīlauea summit

The December 18 overflight provided updated thermal images of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the warm surface of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A band of warm temperatures persists along the new cliff formed during the 2018 subsidence.

The December 18 overflight provided updated thermal images of Kīlauea summit, covering the caldera floor and showing the warm surface of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u crater. A band of warm temperatures persists along the new cliff formed during the 2018 subsidence.

Color photographs
Volcano Awareness Month 2020
Volcano Awareness Month 2020
Volcano Awareness Month 2020

Volcano Awareness Month programs offered in January 2020 are depicted by these images. Clockwise from top left: ground cracks opened at HVO's former location atop Kīlauea in 2018; fissure erupting on Mauna Loa in March 1984; crater lake within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit; and visitors hiking a Kahuku trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (NPS).

Volcano Awareness Month programs offered in January 2020 are depicted by these images. Clockwise from top left: ground cracks opened at HVO's former location atop Kīlauea in 2018; fissure erupting on Mauna Loa in March 1984; crater lake within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit; and visitors hiking a Kahuku trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (NPS).

Continued slow rise of water level at bottom of Halema‘uma‘u
Continued slow rise of water level at bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, November
Continued slow rise of water level at bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, November
Continued slow rise of water level at bottom of Halema‘uma‘u, November

Photos taken two weeks apart show the rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u. A white arrow denotes a large rock along the edge of the lake for comparing water levels in the two images. The water continues to rise at a rate of approximately 15 cm (6 in) per day. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

Photos taken two weeks apart show the rise of water in Halema‘uma‘u. A white arrow denotes a large rock along the edge of the lake for comparing water levels in the two images. The water continues to rise at a rate of approximately 15 cm (6 in) per day. USGS photos by M. Patrick.

Five glass beakers on a lab table
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u

Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is prepared for laboratory analyses at the USGS California Volcano Observatory. Results thus far reveal chemistry indicative of complex reactions among the water, magmatic gases and Kīlauea's basaltic rocks. 

Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is prepared for laboratory analyses at the USGS California Volcano Observatory. Results thus far reveal chemistry indicative of complex reactions among the water, magmatic gases and Kīlauea's basaltic rocks. 

Colo photograph of water in sample vials
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u
Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u

Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is prepared for laboratory analyses at the USGS California Volcano Observatory. Results thus far reveal chemistry indicative of complex reactions between the water, magmatic gases, and Kīlauea's basaltic rocks.

Water collected from the lake at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is prepared for laboratory analyses at the USGS California Volcano Observatory. Results thus far reveal chemistry indicative of complex reactions between the water, magmatic gases, and Kīlauea's basaltic rocks.

Unoccupied Aircraft System is inspected by pilot just before take off
Unoccupied Aircraft System is inspected by pilot just before take off
Unoccupied Aircraft System is inspected by pilot just before take off
Unoccupied Aircraft System is inspected by pilot just before take off

The sampling mechanism (on blue tarp) is prepared and the Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS) is inspected just before take off to collect water from the Halema‘uma‘u crater lake. Brightly colored flagging tape tied to a cable attached to the UAS indicated depth as the sampling tool was lowered into the water. 

The sampling mechanism (on blue tarp) is prepared and the Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS) is inspected just before take off to collect water from the Halema‘uma‘u crater lake. Brightly colored flagging tape tied to a cable attached to the UAS indicated depth as the sampling tool was lowered into the water. 

Unoccupied Aircraft System flying over volcano crater
Unoccupied Aircraft System returning with a water sample.
Unoccupied Aircraft System returning with a water sample.
Color photograph of scientists preparing UAS for flight
HVO scientists prepare UAS for Kīlauea summit crater lake sampling
HVO scientists prepare UAS for Kīlauea summit crater lake sampling
HVO scientists prepare UAS for Kīlauea summit crater lake sampling

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and DOI Office of Aviation staff prepare the sampling mechanism (on blue tarp) and inspect the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) just before it took off to collect water from the Halema‘uma‘u crater lake.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and DOI Office of Aviation staff prepare the sampling mechanism (on blue tarp) and inspect the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) just before it took off to collect water from the Halema‘uma‘u crater lake.

Color photograph of geophysicist operating instrument on tripod
Geophysicist Sarah Conway, USGS HVO geophysicist
Geophysicist Sarah Conway, USGS HVO geophysicist
Geophysicist Sarah Conway, USGS HVO geophysicist

Geophysicist Sarah Conway, a member of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's deformation team, readies a temporary GPS station during a campaign survey of benchmarks on Kīlauea Volcano to monitor changes in the ground surface. 

Geophysicist Sarah Conway, a member of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's deformation team, readies a temporary GPS station during a campaign survey of benchmarks on Kīlauea Volcano to monitor changes in the ground surface. 

pond of water in Halema‘uma‘ crater
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u 8-18-19
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u 8-18-19
Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u 8-18-19

Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u August 18, 2019. The water level continues to slowly rise in Halema‘uma‘u, drowning many of the small rocks that were previously exposed in the center of the pond. Ripples across the water surface were evident today.

Water pond in Halema‘uma‘u August 18, 2019. The water level continues to slowly rise in Halema‘uma‘u, drowning many of the small rocks that were previously exposed in the center of the pond. Ripples across the water surface were evident today.

Volcano crater
Aerial view of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Aerial view of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Aerial view of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond

The ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u has continued to slowly rise. This wide view shows much of Halema‘uma‘u and the fumaroles on the upper walls of the pit.

The ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u has continued to slowly rise. This wide view shows much of Halema‘uma‘u and the fumaroles on the upper walls of the pit.

What does water in Halema‘uma‘u mean
What does water in Halema‘uma‘u mean
What does water in Halema‘uma‘u mean
What does water in Halema‘uma‘u mean

These images look east at the pond within Halema‘uma‘u on August 8 and 14, 2019. The pond widened mainly toward the south (right). The north-south width of the pond on August 14 was about 32 m (105 ft), about 10 m (35 ft) wider than on August 8. The pond has widened and deepened slowly and steadily rate since measurements began on August 3.

These images look east at the pond within Halema‘uma‘u on August 8 and 14, 2019. The pond widened mainly toward the south (right). The north-south width of the pond on August 14 was about 32 m (105 ft), about 10 m (35 ft) wider than on August 8. The pond has widened and deepened slowly and steadily rate since measurements began on August 3.

Color photograph showing two geologists at road construction through lava flow
Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132
Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132
Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132

Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132 on August 7, 2019. One geologist is taking visual photographs while another geologist is taking thermal photographs to make a tandem pair for comparison. The temperature of the solidified lava was measured to 425° C (800° F) at the digging site. 

Two HVO geologists document road cutting activities on HWY 132 on August 7, 2019. One geologist is taking visual photographs while another geologist is taking thermal photographs to make a tandem pair for comparison. The temperature of the solidified lava was measured to 425° C (800° F) at the digging site. 

HVO now tracking ponds of water, not lava, at Kīlauea's summit
HVO now tracking ponds of water, not lava, at Kīlauea's summit
HVO now tracking ponds of water, not lava, at Kīlauea's summit
HVO now tracking ponds of water, not lava, at Kīlauea's summit

A telephoto view of the ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u on August 7, 2019. For scale, the largest pond is about 15 meters (50 feet) in diameter.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on August 1, 2019. The small green patch visible at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is a new pond forming at the lowest point of the crater. The pond is at about 525 m (about 1722 ft) elevation.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea taken during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on August 1, 2019. The small green patch visible at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u is a new pond forming at the lowest point of the crater. The pond is at about 525 m (about 1722 ft) elevation.

Color map depicting lava flow thickness
Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses
Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses
Kīlauea 2018 lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses

Data depicted on this map of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses are derived from a 2019 USGS topographic survey that utilized a helicopter-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor.

Data depicted on this map of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone lava flow thicknesses are derived from a 2019 USGS topographic survey that utilized a helicopter-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor.

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