Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Videos

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

Filter Total Items: 809
Kīlauea Volcano - April 25th, 2018
Kīlauea Volcano - April 25th, 2018
Kīlauea Volcano - April 25th, 2018

On Kīlauea Volcano's summit, the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake's high standing lake level produced intermittent overflows onto the crater floor.

On Kīlauea Volcano's summit, the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake's high standing lake level produced intermittent overflows onto the crater floor.

Overview of the Lake from Halema`uma`u Crater Rim
Overview of the Lake from Halema`uma`u Crater Rim
Overview of the Lake from Halema`uma`u Crater Rim

Rising summit lake levels peaked last night, producing small overflows onto the Halema'uma'u Crater floor. The lake remains high this afternoon, with spattering along the lake margins. The lake level IS just a couple meters (yards) below the crater rim.

Rising summit lake levels peaked last night, producing small overflows onto the Halema'uma'u Crater floor. The lake remains high this afternoon, with spattering along the lake margins. The lake level IS just a couple meters (yards) below the crater rim.

A virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
A virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō
A virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō

This video shows a virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the active vent on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. The 3-D model was constructed from thermal images collected by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during a helicopter overflight on April 18.

This video shows a virtual flyover of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, the active vent on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone. The 3-D model was constructed from thermal images collected by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists during a helicopter overflight on April 18.

Time-Lapse on Rim of Pu`u `Ō`ō
Time-Lapse on Rim of Pu`u `Ō`ō
Time-Lapse on Rim of Pu`u `Ō`ō

This time-lapse image sequence taken by a time-lapse camera on the rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's west pit, spans March 20 to April 18. The sequence, of approximately one image per day, shows the growth of the lava pond within the west pit as it developed into a perched lava pond. This sequence is looped 4 times.

This time-lapse image sequence taken by a time-lapse camera on the rim of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō's west pit, spans March 20 to April 18. The sequence, of approximately one image per day, shows the growth of the lava pond within the west pit as it developed into a perched lava pond. This sequence is looped 4 times.

Rockfall and Explosion from Overlook Crater
Rockfall and Explosion from Overlook Crater
Rockfall and Explosion from Overlook Crater

Video: At 10:28 a.m. HST this morning (April 6), rock falls from the Overlook crater wall into Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake triggered an explosive event. This video, taken by the K2cam, shows a dark pulsing plume of ash and debris.

Video: At 10:28 a.m. HST this morning (April 6), rock falls from the Overlook crater wall into Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake triggered an explosive event. This video, taken by the K2cam, shows a dark pulsing plume of ash and debris.

Video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Video of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake

Video: Clear skies and sunshine provided a spectacular view of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake this morning. Spattering on the north side and center of the lake surface—a departure from its more common location on the southeast side of the lake—occasionally happens when the surface flow direction reverses.

Video: Clear skies and sunshine provided a spectacular view of Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake this morning. Spattering on the north side and center of the lake surface—a departure from its more common location on the southeast side of the lake—occasionally happens when the surface flow direction reverses.

Time-lapse image sequence of small collapse in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in February
Time-lapse image sequence of small collapse in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in February
Time-lapse image sequence of small collapse in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in February

This time-lapse image sequence spans just over an hour (7:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) on February 10. The sequence, which is repeated 20 times in this "movie," shows subsidence and collapse of the northeast rim of the west pit within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone.

This time-lapse image sequence spans just over an hour (7:50 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) on February 10. The sequence, which is repeated 20 times in this "movie," shows subsidence and collapse of the northeast rim of the west pit within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater on Kīlauea's East Rift Zone.

Rockfalls trigger explosions in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Rockfalls trigger explosions in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake
Rockfalls trigger explosions in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake

This video shows a rockfall and subsequent explosion that occurred at 7:03 a.m. HST today within the "Overlook crater" at the summit of Kīlauea. This collapse was followed by a smaller rockfall at 7:07 a.m. (not shown in video).

This video shows a rockfall and subsequent explosion that occurred at 7:03 a.m. HST today within the "Overlook crater" at the summit of Kīlauea. This collapse was followed by a smaller rockfall at 7:07 a.m. (not shown in video).

Kīlauea Summit Eruption — Lava Returns to Halemaʻumaʻu
Kīlauea Summit Eruption — Lava Returns to Halemaʻumaʻu
Kīlauea Summit Eruption — Lava Returns to Halemaʻumaʻu

In March 2008, a new volcanic vent opened within Halema‘uma‘u, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaiʻi. This new vent is one of two ongoing eruptions on the volcano. The other is on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, where vents have been erupting nearly nonstop since 1983.

In March 2008, a new volcanic vent opened within Halema‘uma‘u, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaiʻi. This new vent is one of two ongoing eruptions on the volcano. The other is on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone, where vents have been erupting nearly nonstop since 1983.

Breakouts Active on Coastal Plain
Breakouts Active on Coastal Plain
Breakouts Active on Coastal Plain

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain, near the base of the pali. This pāhoehoe breakout was pouring into a small crack when HVO geologists encountered It this afternoon.

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain, near the base of the pali. This pāhoehoe breakout was pouring into a small crack when HVO geologists encountered It this afternoon.

Small Channelized `A`ā Flow
Small Channelized `A`ā Flow
Small Channelized `A`ā Flow

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain and pali. A small channelized 'a'ā flow was moving through a kipuka near the base of the pali, with several open channels higher on the pali.

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain and pali. A small channelized 'a'ā flow was moving through a kipuka near the base of the pali, with several open channels higher on the pali.

Active Breakout of Pu`u `Õ`ō Episode 61G Lava Flow
Active Breakout of Pu`u `Õ`ō Episode 61G Lava Flow
Active Breakout of Pu`u `Õ`ō Episode 61G Lava Flow

Video of an active breakout of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō episode 61G lava flow. This breakout is below the pali on the eastern margin of the flow. Pāhoehoe lava is flowing out from the base of an inflated tumulus, and has a characteristic blue tint to its surface crust (compared to the color of solidified lava around it).

Video of an active breakout of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō episode 61G lava flow. This breakout is below the pali on the eastern margin of the flow. Pāhoehoe lava is flowing out from the base of an inflated tumulus, and has a characteristic blue tint to its surface crust (compared to the color of solidified lava around it).

Channelized Breakout
Channelized Breakout
Channelized Breakout

An impressive channelized breakout appeared on the pali this morning, with lava emerging from the tube and swiftly flowing down the channel towards the base of the pali and coastal plain. Breakouts like these happen occasionally on the pali and are normally short lived.

An impressive channelized breakout appeared on the pali this morning, with lava emerging from the tube and swiftly flowing down the channel towards the base of the pali and coastal plain. Breakouts like these happen occasionally on the pali and are normally short lived.

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

This video shows typical spattering in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering is driven by the bursting of large gas bubbles. The surface crust tends to flow into the spattering sites, where the crust is shredded and sinks.

This video shows typical spattering in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering is driven by the bursting of large gas bubbles. The surface crust tends to flow into the spattering sites, where the crust is shredded and sinks.

Helicopter Overflight of Kīlauea Crater
Helicopter Overflight of Kīlauea Crater
Helicopter Overflight of Kīlauea Crater

A helicopter overflight provided good view of Kīlauea caldera. This video starts from the east, near Kīlauea Iki, and heads west towards Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering in the summit lava lake can be seen by the small orange spot in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The gas plume from the lake is carried southwest by trade winds.

A helicopter overflight provided good view of Kīlauea caldera. This video starts from the east, near Kīlauea Iki, and heads west towards Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering in the summit lava lake can be seen by the small orange spot in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The gas plume from the lake is carried southwest by trade winds.

Time-Lapse of Continuous Lava Falls on Kamokuna Delta
Time-Lapse of Continuous Lava Falls on Kamokuna Delta
Time-Lapse of Continuous Lava Falls on Kamokuna Delta

Time-lapse movie showing 2.5 days of lava falls onto the western side of Kamokuna delta on Kīlauea Volcano. The movie starts just before sunset on Monday Oct 2nd, 2017, and ends in the morning of Oct 5th, 2017.

Time-lapse movie showing 2.5 days of lava falls onto the western side of Kamokuna delta on Kīlauea Volcano. The movie starts just before sunset on Monday Oct 2nd, 2017, and ends in the morning of Oct 5th, 2017.

Active Lava Breakouts
Active Lava Breakouts
Active Lava Breakouts

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain and pali. Pāhoehoe breakouts were scattered across the coastal plain, while small channelized 'a'ā flows have recently been present on the steep slopes of the pali.

Breakouts remain active on the coastal plain and pali. Pāhoehoe breakouts were scattered across the coastal plain, while small channelized 'a'ā flows have recently been present on the steep slopes of the pali.

Deformation of the lava delta continues
Deformation of the lava delta continues
Deformation of the lava delta continues

This video shows the Kamokuna lava delta growing and sinking over a 1 month time span between 15 August 2017 and 19 September 2017. Made from one image every other day. The video is looped 10 times, with the loop number in the upper left corner.

This video shows the Kamokuna lava delta growing and sinking over a 1 month time span between 15 August 2017 and 19 September 2017. Made from one image every other day. The video is looped 10 times, with the loop number in the upper left corner.

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

Spattering is common in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake, and consists of many large bursting gas bubbles. The fluid nature of the lake can be seen when lava hits the wall and flows downward like syrup. The thin, flexible nature of the crust is also shown here, as the bursting gas bubbles rip and fold the thin skin on the lake.

Spattering is common in Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake, and consists of many large bursting gas bubbles. The fluid nature of the lake can be seen when lava hits the wall and flows downward like syrup. The thin, flexible nature of the crust is also shown here, as the bursting gas bubbles rip and fold the thin skin on the lake.

Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta
Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta
Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta

A shatter ring forms and grows on the Kamokuna lava delta. This video shows repeated uplift and subsidence of the delta surface by the lava supply under the surface. This process creates a large round rubble pile, called a shatter ring.

A shatter ring forms and grows on the Kamokuna lava delta. This video shows repeated uplift and subsidence of the delta surface by the lava supply under the surface. This process creates a large round rubble pile, called a shatter ring.

Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta
Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta
Shatter Ring on Kamokuna Lava Delta

A shatter ring forms and grows on the Kamokuna lava delta. This video shows repeated uplift and subsidence of the delta surface by the lava supply under the surface. This process creates a large round rubble pile, called a shatter ring.

A shatter ring forms and grows on the Kamokuna lava delta. This video shows repeated uplift and subsidence of the delta surface by the lava supply under the surface. This process creates a large round rubble pile, called a shatter ring.

Was this page helpful?