A gravimeter being deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera, with a GPS station located on a tripod nearby. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
Multimedia
Images
A gravimeter being deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera, with a GPS station located on a tripod nearby. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
At each gravity survey location, a kinematic GPS station is deployed nearby for precise location data, used to correct for the variety of factors that influence gravity results—especially vertical deformation. This survey location is located near the CALS continuous GPS site on the portion of Kīlauea caldera that collapsed in 2018.
At each gravity survey location, a kinematic GPS station is deployed nearby for precise location data, used to correct for the variety of factors that influence gravity results—especially vertical deformation. This survey location is located near the CALS continuous GPS site on the portion of Kīlauea caldera that collapsed in 2018.
On March 25, HVO staff and collaborators conducted the annual gravity survey in Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano). Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.
On March 25, HVO staff and collaborators conducted the annual gravity survey in Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano). Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. If magma is filling or draining void spaces, it may not be signaled by ground deformation or earthquake activity, but it will be signaled by gravity because of the mass change.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. If magma is filling or draining void spaces, it may not be signaled by ground deformation or earthquake activity, but it will be signaled by gravity because of the mass change.
A scientist takes gravity measurements on the sloping floor of Kaluapele. This part of the caldera floor, referred to as the "down-dropped block" moved downwards during the Kīlauea summit collapse of 2018.
A scientist takes gravity measurements on the sloping floor of Kaluapele. This part of the caldera floor, referred to as the "down-dropped block" moved downwards during the Kīlauea summit collapse of 2018.
A volcano observatory scientist and a collaborator carry the gravity survey instruments across spatter deposits from the September 2023 Kīlauea summit eruption.
A volcano observatory scientist and a collaborator carry the gravity survey instruments across spatter deposits from the September 2023 Kīlauea summit eruption.
Videos
This video shows earthquake activity recorded by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at Kīlauea summit, extending southwest, from January 26-February 2, 2024, in 12-hour snapshots.
This video shows earthquake activity recorded by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at Kīlauea summit, extending southwest, from January 26-February 2, 2024, in 12-hour snapshots.
Six Eruptions at Two Volcanoes Over the Past Three Years
How the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors some of Earth’s most active volcanoes
by Katie Mulliken, Geologist, Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Six Eruptions at Two Volcanoes Over the Past Three Years
How the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors some of Earth’s most active volcanoes
by Katie Mulliken, Geologist, Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
This is a video compilation of Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption in September 2023. The video shows clips of the eruptive vents and lava fountains as the eruption progressed from September 10-16, 2023.
This is a video compilation of Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption in September 2023. The video shows clips of the eruptive vents and lava fountains as the eruption progressed from September 10-16, 2023.
Eruptive activity was shutting down at Kīlauea summit on Saturday, September 16, with only weak spattering at one vent in the morning. By midday, the eruptive activity had effectively ended.
Eruptive activity was shutting down at Kīlauea summit on Saturday, September 16, with only weak spattering at one vent in the morning. By midday, the eruptive activity had effectively ended.
This video was taken during an eruption-monitoring overflight on September 15, 2023. The eruption at the summit of Kīlauea continues, though with reduced vigor and a shrinking area of active lava. Over the past day one of the major vents shut down, leaving just two main vents active.
This video was taken during an eruption-monitoring overflight on September 15, 2023. The eruption at the summit of Kīlauea continues, though with reduced vigor and a shrinking area of active lava. Over the past day one of the major vents shut down, leaving just two main vents active.
Several vents continued to erupt on the western side of the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera on September 6, 2023. The roughly east-west trending active vents span approximately 0.5 miles (750 m) and had lava fountain heights of up to about 10 meters (32 feet).
Several vents continued to erupt on the western side of the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera on September 6, 2023. The roughly east-west trending active vents span approximately 0.5 miles (750 m) and had lava fountain heights of up to about 10 meters (32 feet).
Audio
Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
Sounds of lava lake activity within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent inside Halema`uma`u Crater on the afternoon of February 14, 2011. The continuous "crashing wave" noise is the sound of churning lava as gases are released from the lake surface, which is in nearly constant motion.
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii has experienced its first explosive eruption in more than 80 years and is now spewing noxious gas at 10 times the normal rate. John Eichelberger, head of the USGS Volcano Hazards Program, fills us in on the situation.
Webcams
[MITDcam] Live view of Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking northwest from a seismic station in the Kaʻū Desert.
[MITDcam] Live view of Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking northwest from a seismic station in the Kaʻū Desert.
[B2cam] This image is from a research camera located on the down-dropped block in Kīlauea caldera and east rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera is looking west towards Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Disclaimer
[B2cam] This image is from a research camera located on the down-dropped block in Kīlauea caldera and east rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera is looking west towards Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Disclaimer
Live view of the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu, from the northwest rim of the caldera, looking east [V1cam] on the USGS YouTube Channel.
- USGS Kīlauea Volcano
- USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- Kilauea webcams
Live view of the eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu, from the northwest rim of the caldera, looking east [V1cam] on the USGS YouTube Channel.
- USGS Kīlauea Volcano
- USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- Kilauea webcams
Live view of Kīlauea caldera, from the northwest rim of the caldera [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
Live view of Kīlauea caldera, from the northwest rim of the caldera [V1cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Disclaimer
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer
This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's cone.
Disclaimer
Live view of Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim of the caldera.
Live view of Kīlauea caldera down-dropped block and Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim of the caldera.