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

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Color photograph of lava fountain with overcast skies in the background
May 14, 2026 — Kīlauea summit lava fountaining episode 47
May 14, 2026 — Kīlauea summit lava fountaining episode 47
May 14, 2026 — Kīlauea summit lava fountaining episode 47

Episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit began at approximately 3:27 p.m. HST Thursday, May 14, and continued for about 9 hours. Only the north vent produced high fountains with only sporadic spattering activity from the south vent. This photo taken around 5 p.m.

Episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit began at approximately 3:27 p.m. HST Thursday, May 14, and continued for about 9 hours. Only the north vent produced high fountains with only sporadic spattering activity from the south vent. This photo taken around 5 p.m.

Color webcam image showing visitors at a National Park overlook viewing a lava fountain
May 14, 2026 — K2cam captures visitors viewing episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — K2cam captures visitors viewing episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — K2cam captures visitors viewing episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

K2cam captured this view of the north vent lava fountain visible from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during eruptive episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. Visitors line the rock wall at the overlook to see the fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the distance. USGS webcam image. 


 

K2cam captured this view of the north vent lava fountain visible from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park during eruptive episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. Visitors line the rock wall at the overlook to see the fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater in the distance. USGS webcam image. 


 

Color photograph of active lava flow on top of inactive lava flow
May 14, 2026 — Close up of episode 47 lava flows at the summit of Kīlauea
May 14, 2026 — Close up of episode 47 lava flows at the summit of Kīlauea
May 14, 2026 — Close up of episode 47 lava flows at the summit of Kīlauea

A close-up view of lava on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera, during episode 47 on May 14, 2026. These flows remain hot and may slowly move in the days immediately following an eruptive episode. USGS photo by L. Gallant. 

A close-up view of lava on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the southwest side of Kaluapele, Kīlauea's summit caldera, during episode 47 on May 14, 2026. These flows remain hot and may slowly move in the days immediately following an eruptive episode. USGS photo by L. Gallant. 

Color photograph of scientists observing volcanic eruption
May 14, 2026 — Scientists monitors episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — Scientists monitors episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — Scientists monitors episode 47 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 47 on May 14. 2026. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea during episode 47 on May 14. 2026. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights.

Color photograph of lava fountain and lava flow within crater
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain and lava flows
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain and lava flows
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain and lava flows

Episode 47 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 3:27 p.m. HST on May 14th, 2026. This photo was taken nearly three hours later, at 6:18 p.m., from the south rim of the crater, and shows the north vent lava fountain (left) feeding lava flows that are advancing across the crater floor. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Episode 47 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 3:27 p.m. HST on May 14th, 2026. This photo was taken nearly three hours later, at 6:18 p.m., from the south rim of the crater, and shows the north vent lava fountain (left) feeding lava flows that are advancing across the crater floor. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Color photograph of lava fountain at night with plants outlined in the foreground
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain just after sunset
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain just after sunset
May 14, 2026 — Episode 47 north vent lava fountain just after sunset

Episode 47 of the ongoing eruption at Halema‘uma‘u started at on May 14 at 3:27 p.m. HST and lasted 9 hours. This photo was taken shortly after sunset at 6:55 p.m. HST. The incandescent north vent lava fountain and its associated lava flows are seen through the vegetation at Kīlauea's summit region. USGS photo by L. Forster.


 

Episode 47 of the ongoing eruption at Halema‘uma‘u started at on May 14 at 3:27 p.m. HST and lasted 9 hours. This photo was taken shortly after sunset at 6:55 p.m. HST. The incandescent north vent lava fountain and its associated lava flows are seen through the vegetation at Kīlauea's summit region. USGS photo by L. Forster.


 

Color photograph of lava fountain and lava flow within crater
May 14, 2026 — B1cam captures episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — B1cam captures episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 14, 2026 — B1cam captures episode 47 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

B1cam captured this sunset view of the north vent lava fountain and lava flow during eruptive episode 47 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 14, 2026. USGS webcam image. 

Color plot showing ground deformation at a volcano associated with eruptive episodes
Tilt record from December 1, 2025, to May 12, 2026, for tiltmeter UWD near the summit of Kīlauea
Tilt record from December 1, 2025, to May 12, 2026, for tiltmeter UWD near the summit of Kīlauea
Tilt record from December 1, 2025, to May 12, 2026, for tiltmeter UWD near the summit of Kīlauea

Tilt record from December 1, 2025, to May 12, 2026, for tiltmeter UWD near the summit of Kīlauea, during which lava fountaining episode 38–46 occurred. Deflationary tilt is shown as a tilt “decrease” and inflationary tilt as an “increase”. Tilt variations during pauses, especially after episode 41, have led to adjustments of the forecast windows.

Tilt record from December 1, 2025, to May 12, 2026, for tiltmeter UWD near the summit of Kīlauea, during which lava fountaining episode 38–46 occurred. Deflationary tilt is shown as a tilt “decrease” and inflationary tilt as an “increase”. Tilt variations during pauses, especially after episode 41, have led to adjustments of the forecast windows.

Color photograph of geologist collecting sample of lava flow with helicopter in background
May 12, 2026 — Halema‘uma‘u crater landing and sampling
May 12, 2026 — Halema‘uma‘u crater landing and sampling
May 12, 2026 — Halema‘uma‘u crater landing and sampling

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit on May 12, 2026, scientists landed on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

During a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit on May 12, 2026, scientists landed on Halema‘uma‘u crater floor with permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Color photograph of volcanic vents degassing
May 12, 2026 — Ānuenue in Halema‘uma‘u
May 12, 2026 — Ānuenue in Halema‘uma‘u
May 12, 2026 — Ānuenue in Halema‘uma‘u

The arrival of misty rains during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on May 12, 2026, precluded a full imaging of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, but it did offer views of an ānuenue (rainbow) in front of the Kīlauea summit eruptive vents. USGS photo by P. Dotray.

The arrival of misty rains during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on May 12, 2026, precluded a full imaging of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, but it did offer views of an ānuenue (rainbow) in front of the Kīlauea summit eruptive vents. USGS photo by P. Dotray.

Color panoramic photograph of lava fountain and lava channel within volcanic crater
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit pano
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit pano
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit pano

Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 8:17 a.m. HST on May 5th, 2026. This panoramic photograph, taken from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu at 1 p.m. HST, shows the lava fountain from the north vent feeding a channelized lava flow across the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea at 8:17 a.m. HST on May 5th, 2026. This panoramic photograph, taken from the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu at 1 p.m. HST, shows the lava fountain from the north vent feeding a channelized lava flow across the crater floor. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph showing a volcanic plume rising in the background of a volcanic caldera
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 plume rises above Mauna Loa summit caldera
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 plume rises above Mauna Loa summit caldera
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 plume rises above Mauna Loa summit caldera

Just after 10 a.m. on May 5, 2026, the eruption plume from episode 46 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining was visible in the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory MLcam, located on the north rim of Mokuʻāweoweo (Mauna Loa summit caldera).

Just after 10 a.m. on May 5, 2026, the eruption plume from episode 46 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining was visible in the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory MLcam, located on the north rim of Mokuʻāweoweo (Mauna Loa summit caldera).

Color photograph of scientist monitoring volcanic eruption
May 5, 2026 — Scientist monitors episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Scientist monitors episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Scientist monitors episode 46 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist monitors episode 46 lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist monitors episode 46 lava fountain in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea. From various locations around Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, USGS scientists check for tephra fallout, document and characterize eruptive activity, and measure the lava fountain and volcanic plume heights. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Color webcam image showing lava fountaining and lava flows within a volcanic crater
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and flow from KWcam
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and flow from KWcam
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and flow from KWcam

This photograph was taken by the KWcam located on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater during episode 46 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on May 5, 2026. The episode began at 8:17 a.m.

This photograph was taken by the KWcam located on the northwest rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater during episode 46 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea on May 5, 2026. The episode began at 8:17 a.m.

Color photograph of lava fountain during the day time with crater rim in the foreground
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain

From the north rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, the lava fountain from the north vent rises above the crater rim visible in the foreground. This photograph was taken just after 10 a.m. HST, and cooled, dark-colored tephra particles falling from the lava fountain are visible, illuminated by the incandescent lava fountain the background.

From the north rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, the lava fountain from the north vent rises above the crater rim visible in the foreground. This photograph was taken just after 10 a.m. HST, and cooled, dark-colored tephra particles falling from the lava fountain are visible, illuminated by the incandescent lava fountain the background.

Color photograph of lava fountain and plume
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and volcanic plume at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and volcanic plume at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 lava fountain and volcanic plume at Kīlauea summit

During episode 46 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, the lava fountain from the north vent reached a maximum of 650 feet (200 meters) above ground level and the volcanic plume reached a maximum height of about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above ground level around 10:30 a.m. HST on May 5, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

During episode 46 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kīlauea, the lava fountain from the north vent reached a maximum of 650 feet (200 meters) above ground level and the volcanic plume reached a maximum height of about 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above ground level around 10:30 a.m. HST on May 5, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of lava fountain within volcanic crater
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit

During episode 46 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 5, 2026, the north vent erupted lava fountains reaching a maximum height of 650 feet (200 meters) above the vent. This photograph was taken from the north rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, at approximately 1 p.m. HST. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

During episode 46 at the summit of Kīlauea on May 5, 2026, the north vent erupted lava fountains reaching a maximum height of 650 feet (200 meters) above the vent. This photograph was taken from the north rim of Kaluapele, Kīlauea summit caldera, at approximately 1 p.m. HST. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of lava fountain and lava channel
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain and channel
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain and channel
May 5, 2026 — Episode 46 north vent lava fountain and channel

The lava fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea viewed from the south rim at approximately 3 p.m. HST on May 5, 2026. Channelized lava flowing from the north vent fed lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

The lava fountain from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea viewed from the south rim at approximately 3 p.m. HST on May 5, 2026. Channelized lava flowing from the north vent fed lava flows on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph of lava fountain
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 from webcam
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 from webcam
May 5, 2026 — Kīlauea episode 46 from webcam

This image shows the north vent in Halema‘uma‘u erupting a lava fountain during episode 46 at Kīlauea summit on May 5, 2026. This image was captured by a timelapse camera located on the south rim of the caldera. USGS webcam image. 

This image shows the north vent in Halema‘uma‘u erupting a lava fountain during episode 46 at Kīlauea summit on May 5, 2026. This image was captured by a timelapse camera located on the south rim of the caldera. USGS webcam image. 

Color map showing areas at the summit of a volcano that were affected by fallout during an eruption
May 8, 2026 — Kīlauea lava flow and tephra fall map following episodes 45 and 46
May 8, 2026 — Kīlauea lava flow and tephra fall map following episodes 45 and 46
May 8, 2026 — Kīlauea lava flow and tephra fall map following episodes 45 and 46

This map shows lava flow and tephra accumulation at the summit of Kīlauea volcano associated with episode 45 and 46 of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation.

This map shows lava flow and tephra accumulation at the summit of Kīlauea volcano associated with episode 45 and 46 of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation.

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