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

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Continued Eruption at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea
Continued Eruption at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea
Continued Eruption at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, Kīlauea

Eruptive activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The western fissure continues to supply lava into the lava lake, with active surface lava largely confined to the western portion of the lake.
 

Eruptive activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The western fissure continues to supply lava into the lava lake, with active surface lava largely confined to the western portion of the lake.
 

Kīlauea Summit Eruption (January 22, 2021)
Kīlauea Summit Eruption (January 22, 2021)
Kīlauea Summit Eruption (January 22, 2021)

Flames have been observed numerous times at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The combusting gas is not certain, but flames were observed numerous times in Halema‘uma‘u during the early 1900s lava lake.

Flames have been observed numerous times at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The combusting gas is not certain, but flames were observed numerous times in Halema‘uma‘u during the early 1900s lava lake.

Cyclic Fluctuations in Kīlauea's Summit Eruptive Vigor
Cyclic Fluctuations in Kīlauea's Summit Eruptive Vigor
Cyclic Fluctuations in Kīlauea's Summit Eruptive Vigor

Cyclic fluctuations in eruptive vigor were present recently at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The cycles occurred on January 22 and 23, with cycles lasting 5-6 minutes. Peaks in the cycles were expressed as high flow rates in the channel and spattering at the vents. During troughs in the cycles, the channel became nearly inactive.

Cyclic fluctuations in eruptive vigor were present recently at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The cycles occurred on January 22 and 23, with cycles lasting 5-6 minutes. Peaks in the cycles were expressed as high flow rates in the channel and spattering at the vents. During troughs in the cycles, the channel became nearly inactive.

What’s happening at Kīlauea Volcano?
What’s happening at Kīlauea Volcano?
What’s happening at Kīlauea Volcano?

On December 20, 2020, an eruption began in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, ending a two-year eruptive pause. The water lake that appeared at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u in late July 2019, which had grown to be over 50 meters (55 yards) deep and more than 10 acres in surface area, quickly vaporized and was replaced by a growing lava lake.

On December 20, 2020, an eruption began in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea Volcano’s summit, ending a two-year eruptive pause. The water lake that appeared at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u in late July 2019, which had grown to be over 50 meters (55 yards) deep and more than 10 acres in surface area, quickly vaporized and was replaced by a growing lava lake.

Kīlauea — Recent Change in Vent Configuration (Jan 18, 2021)
Kīlauea — Recent Change in Vent Configuration (Jan 18, 2021)
Kīlauea — Recent Change in Vent Configuration (Jan 18, 2021)

This video shows the two main vents active at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, with both supplying lava to the lava lake. Low fountaining was present at each vent. 
 

This video shows the two main vents active at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, with both supplying lava to the lava lake. Low fountaining was present at each vent. 
 

Kīlauea — Low Fountaining Continues at Western Fissure (Jan 15, 2021)
Kīlauea — Low Fountaining Continues at Western Fissure (Jan 15, 2021)
Kīlauea — Low Fountaining Continues at Western Fissure (Jan 15, 2021)

Low fountaining remains active in the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter deposits have built up a spatter cone around the vent.

Low fountaining remains active in the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter deposits have built up a spatter cone around the vent.

Kīlauea summit eruption overflight (Jan 12, 2021)
Kīlauea summit eruption overflight (Jan 12, 2021)
Kīlauea summit eruption overflight (Jan 12, 2021)

A helicopter overflight on the morning of January 12, provided airborne views of the lava lake and active fissure within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining was present at the western fissure, with active surface lava limited to the western portion of the lava lake.

A helicopter overflight on the morning of January 12, provided airborne views of the lava lake and active fissure within Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining was present at the western fissure, with active surface lava limited to the western portion of the lava lake.

Kīlauea Volcano— Ongoing Eruption; West Vent (Jan 12, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano— Ongoing Eruption; West Vent (Jan 12, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano— Ongoing Eruption; West Vent (Jan 12, 2021)

This video taken on January 12, 2021, shows the west vent within Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining of about 5 m (16 ft) high is visible inside the spatter cone that has formed. The fountain is producing a cascade of lava—about 35 m (115 ft)—down to the lava lake.
 

This video taken on January 12, 2021, shows the west vent within Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining of about 5 m (16 ft) high is visible inside the spatter cone that has formed. The fountain is producing a cascade of lava—about 35 m (115 ft)—down to the lava lake.
 

Kīlauea Volcano—Western fissure activity Halema'uma'u (Jan 11, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano—Western fissure activity Halema'uma'u (Jan 11, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano—Western fissure activity Halema'uma'u (Jan 11, 2021)

This video taken on January 11, 2021 shows the surface activity had increased at the western fissure over the past two days, within Halema'uma'u at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining was supplying lava to an open channel that poured into the lava lake. 
 

This video taken on January 11, 2021 shows the surface activity had increased at the western fissure over the past two days, within Halema'uma'u at the summit of Kīlauea. Low fountaining was supplying lava to an open channel that poured into the lava lake. 
 

Halema‘uma‘u West Fissure Activity (Jan 8, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u West Fissure Activity (Jan 8, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u West Fissure Activity (Jan 8, 2021)

This video shows activity at the western fissure, in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on January 8, 2021. The lava stream entering the lake appeared weaker than several days ago, when a dome fountain was active.
 

This video shows activity at the western fissure, in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on January 8, 2021. The lava stream entering the lake appeared weaker than several days ago, when a dome fountain was active.
 

Crustal Overturning in Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake
Crustal Overturning in Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake
Crustal Overturning in Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake

This video shows crustal foundering and resurfacing at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea on January 8, 2021. Recently this foundering process has been common in the eastern portion of the lake. The video is shown at 20x speed.

This video shows crustal foundering and resurfacing at the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea on January 8, 2021. Recently this foundering process has been common in the eastern portion of the lake. The video is shown at 20x speed.

3D Model of Halema'uma'u Crater (Jan 7, 2021)
3D Model of Halema'uma'u Crater (Jan 7, 2021)
3D Model of Halema'uma'u Crater (Jan 7, 2021)

Visual photographs taken during a helicopter overflight of Halema'uma'u crater on January 7, 2021 (at Kīlauea Volcano) are used to create a 3D model of the crater. This technique is called structure-from-motion photogrammetry and uses the multiple perspectives captured in dozens of photos to reconstruct the crater shape on a computer.

Visual photographs taken during a helicopter overflight of Halema'uma'u crater on January 7, 2021 (at Kīlauea Volcano) are used to create a 3D model of the crater. This technique is called structure-from-motion photogrammetry and uses the multiple perspectives captured in dozens of photos to reconstruct the crater shape on a computer.

Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Aerial Views (Jan 7, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Aerial Views (Jan 7, 2021)
Halema‘uma‘u Lava Lake Aerial Views (Jan 7, 2021)

A helicopter overflight at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST provided views of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Video is shown at 3 x speed. HVO geologists noted that the dome fountain, which had been persistent near the base of the west vent area, had subsided and was no longer present. Lava continues to enter the lake at the base of the west vents.

A helicopter overflight at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST provided views of the ongoing eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Video is shown at 3 x speed. HVO geologists noted that the dome fountain, which had been persistent near the base of the west vent area, had subsided and was no longer present. Lava continues to enter the lake at the base of the west vents.

Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)
Kīlauea Volcano — Telephoto Views, Halema‘uma‘u Activity (Jan 6, 2021)

Telephoto video of lava flow and fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake; spatter bursts from the active west fissure vent in Halema‘uma‘u.

Telephoto video of lava flow and fountaining in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake; spatter bursts from the active west fissure vent in Halema‘uma‘u.

Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)
Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)
Kīlauea — Halema‘uma‘u West Vent Activity (Jan 5, 2021)

The activity at the Halema‘uma‘u west vent area on January 5, 2021, was dynamic. In the foreground, a “dome fountain” upwells from beneath the lake surface, pulsing with a bubble-like geometry. Just behind it, an effusive lava flow emerges from the base of the vent structure. A mid-elevation vent is also active, emitting another effusive lava flow.

The activity at the Halema‘uma‘u west vent area on January 5, 2021, was dynamic. In the foreground, a “dome fountain” upwells from beneath the lake surface, pulsing with a bubble-like geometry. Just behind it, an effusive lava flow emerges from the base of the vent structure. A mid-elevation vent is also active, emitting another effusive lava flow.

Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)
Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)
Dome Fountain Formed at Lava Lake Inlet, Halema'uma'u (Jan 2-3, 2020)

Lava forms a “dome fountain” at the inlet to the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater January 2-3, 2021. Lava from the western vent cascades beneath roofed vertical channels to enter the lava lake at an inlet that has become partially submerged. The result is a rolling upwelling of lava near the inlet called a “dome fountain.”

Lava forms a “dome fountain” at the inlet to the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater January 2-3, 2021. Lava from the western vent cascades beneath roofed vertical channels to enter the lava lake at an inlet that has become partially submerged. The result is a rolling upwelling of lava near the inlet called a “dome fountain.”

Lava Entering Lava Lake in Halem'uma'u (Dec 31, 2020 - Jan 2, 2021)
Lava Entering Lava Lake in Halem'uma'u (Dec 31, 2020 - Jan 2, 2021)
Lava Entering Lava Lake in Halem'uma'u (Dec 31, 2020 - Jan 2, 2021)

These videos show an increase in the surface activity where lava is entering the lake. 

Eruption and Lava Lake in Halema'uma'u (Jan 1, 2021)
Eruption and Lava Lake in Halema'uma'u (Jan 1, 2021)
Eruption and Lava Lake in Halema'uma'u (Jan 1, 2021)

Videos of the eruption and lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u on January 1, 2021.

Crustal foundering on surface Halema'uma'u crater lava lake
Crustal foundering on surface Halema'uma'u crater lava lake
Crustal foundering on surface Halema'uma'u crater lava lake

This video, taken with a telephoto lens from an observation location on the rim, shows a process called “foundering”, in which a segment of cool lava crust on the surface of the lava lake is overridden by less-dense liquid from below causing the crust to sink into the underlying lake lava.

This video, taken with a telephoto lens from an observation location on the rim, shows a process called “foundering”, in which a segment of cool lava crust on the surface of the lava lake is overridden by less-dense liquid from below causing the crust to sink into the underlying lake lava.

Helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit eruption, 12/30/2020
Helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit eruption, 12/30/2020
Helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit eruption, 12/30/2020

Video from a helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit eruption on December 30, 2020, around 10:00 a.m., shows the western vents (area of bluish-colored gas emissions on left) erupting through crusted-over channels into a lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater.

Video from a helicopter overflight of Kīlauea summit eruption on December 30, 2020, around 10:00 a.m., shows the western vents (area of bluish-colored gas emissions on left) erupting through crusted-over channels into a lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater.

Kīlauea - Halema'uma'u thermal map compilation December 21-30, 2020
Kīlauea - Halema'uma'u thermal map compilation December 21-30, 2020
Kīlauea - Halema'uma'u thermal map compilation December 21-30, 2020

Watch the changes in the growing lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater in these thermal maps from December 21-30, 2020.