Images

The new Kīlauea summit eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. High levels of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)—are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects down-wind.

The lake of active lava in the summit caldera of Kīlauea glows as the sun rises. Lava has covered more than 400 acres since the eruption began at 2:20 a.m. HST this morning. USGS image by N. Deligne. 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a monitoring overflight of the new eruption in Kīlauea summit caldera. During the overflight, which occurred at 9:30 a.m. HST, they observed lava the active lava fountains and active lava flows at the base of the caldera, which have paved more than 500 acres with new rock.

A view across new lava flows paving the floor of Kīlauea caldera, taken during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST this morning. USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observe and document the new eruption within Kīlauea summit caldera. Using a laser rangefinder, the geologists measure the distance to various points associated with the new eruption. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Kīlauea's newest eruption samples contain olivine - a common green mineral in Hawaiian lavas. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo staff are picking out the olivine crystals like this one, shown using a microscope to magnify it (the crystal is 1 mm in size, or about 0.04 inches across), to analyze their chemistry.

View of Kaluapele (Kīlauea's summit caldera) from the B1 webcam on December 20, 2024, just before the onset of the episodic lava fountaining eruption on December 23.

A HVO geologist inspected the KWcam enclosure for potential water entry points and found a weak seal. HVO staff will likely return in the future to make repairs to the enclosure or replace it all together. USGS photo by J. Barnett.

The KWcam on the eastern rim of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) has been sending blurry images due water condensation inside the camera enclosure. On December 3rd, 2024, HVO staff visited the webcam to dry out the enclosure and search for any perforations that may be the source of the leak. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

While servicing the B1cam, HVO staff captured this telephoto view of the cones that formed on the floor of Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) during the September 2023 summit eruption. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

A HVO geologist inspected the KWcam enclosure for potential water entry points and found a weak seal. HVO staff will likely return in the future to make repairs to the enclosure or replace it all together. USGS photo by J. Barnett.

HVO staff also visited the B1cam on the western side of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) to remove water, replace desiccant packets, and clean off spider webs on the glass which were beginning to obscure the camera's view. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

Satellite image of Halemaʻumaʻu and Kaluapele at Kīlauea summit in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This image was taken on November 27, 2024, before the episodic lava fountaining eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu began on December 23, 2024. Different-colored lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, Kaluapele, and around the caldera are different ages.

On November 25, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the site of the September 2024 eruption on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone. Here, a shelly pāhoehoe lava flow (left) covered the base of a spatter cone (right) that grew around one of the lava fountains from an eruptive fissure vent. USGS photo taken by L. DeSmither. 

A close-up view of two tree molds beneath the surface of a September 2024 Kīlauea East Rift Zone lava flow. Gas-rich lava flows near the September 2024 fissure vents created void spaces beneath the flow surface, which partially collapsed to reveal the base of these tree molds. USGS photo by L. DeSmither, taken on November 25, 2024.

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.

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.

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.