Images

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit region following the most recent eruption in June 2023. The provided statistics for that eruption were measured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight just days after the June 19 eruptive pause.

USGS scientists are deploying temporary sites on Kīlauea during July to conduct magnetotelluric (MT) sounding. At each site, electrodes and wire coils buried at shallow depths will passively measure the electromagnetic (EM) energy generated by lightning strikes around the equator.

USGS staff are deploying temporarily instruments to collect ground-based magnetotelluric (MT) data to image structure and fluids beneath the surface of Kīlauea.

During July, HVO staff and collaborators install temporary instruments to collect magnetotelluric (MT) data on Kīlauea. At each location, electrodes, induction-coil magnetometers, and data loggers are deployed for about a month. This photo shows a magnetometer in the foreground being buried in a narrow and shallow trench to minimize wind noise.

A USGS geophysicist measures contact resistance on electrodes at a temporary magnetotelluric site. The electrodes require electrical contact with the ground and are buried in shallow holes about the width and depth of a spade head. Data collected by the instruments will help to image the structure and fluids beneath the surface of Kīlauea.

View looking south over Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the Kīlauea summit, captured during a helicopter overflight on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The cone built up during the most recent eruption is visible on the southwest (center-right) wall of the crater.

View looking southwest across the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor within the Kīlauea summit caldera, captured during a helicopter overflight on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Lava erupted during the most recent eruption comprises the crater floor in the bottom half of the photo.

Progression of corrosion after approximately six months’ deployment time. Coupons of copper (on left), mild steel (center) and zinc (right) on 21 June 2023. Photo by Carol Stewart (Massey University).

Just hours after the pause in the Kīlauea summit eruption on June 19, 2023, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater to check for any residual activity. They captured this photo of the inactive eruptive vent (lower left) and the cooling lava lake (right).

Lava fountaining and effusion in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, paused abruptly around 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19. This comparison shows activity at the southwest wall eruptive vent the day before (left), and the same spot just after activity paused on Monday (right). USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A USGS gas scientist uses an infrared spectrometer to collect gas chemistry measurements from the plume in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023.

A nighttime close-up view of spattering from the lava fountain on the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The fountain is to the left of this photo’s field of view; the fragments of lava darken as they cool and solidify mid-air as they travel away from the fountaining vent. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.

A nighttime view of the southwest side of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Seen here are the lava fountain and channel emerging from the base of the spatter cone that forms eruptive vent on the southwest wall of the crater. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

A nighttime close-up view of the upwelling area at the base of the spatter cone within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. This upwelling feeds a lava channel that spreads out to the east of the spatter cone. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

A long-exposure view of the lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The long exposure time allows the camera to capture the full arc-shaped trajectories of spatter fragments thrown out by the lava fountain. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.

A helicopter overflight on June 16, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity has consisted of lava fountaining supplying lava flows covering the southwest portion of the crater floor.

A helicopter overflight on June 16, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity has consisted of lava fountaining supplying lava flows covering the southwest portion of the crater floor.

This compilation shows a sequence of thermal maps of the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The high initial eruption rates in the opening day of the eruption supplied numerous lava fountains that covered the entire crater floor with new lava.

Telephoto view—looking west—of the eruptive vent on the southwest wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023.

View—looking southwest—of the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu, as captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight the morning of June 16, 2023. Lava can be seen erupting from a vent on the southwest crater wall in the background.

View from the southern rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea on Friday, June 16, 2023, showing the southwest eruptive vent that is currently spattering and feeding lava flows on the crater floor. The fountaining is continuous, with lava bombs being thrown at least 10 m (33 ft) upwards and at least twice that distance away from the vent.