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Photo and Video Chronology – Kīlauea – July 28, 2022

By Kīlauea July 28, 2022

On July 28, the USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory flew the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey over Kaluapele—Kīlauea summit caldera. 

During the survey, a helicopter flew about 150 feet above the ground, carrying a 40-foot diameter hoop suspended 35 feet below it. The system transmits weak, low-frequency radio waves into the ground, measures the Earth's response and passively detects variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. These variations will allow scientists to create an image of the shallow (upper 2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways beneath Kīlauea’s surface.

You can learn more about this survey on the project webpage: https://www.usgs.gov/supplemental-appropriations-for-disaster-recovery-…

Or in this "Volcano Watch" article: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-playing-wire-…

Color photograph helicopter survey over volcano
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
This morning, July 28, the USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory flew the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey over Kaluapele—Kīlauea summit caldera—within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A helicopter flew about 120-175 ft above the ground in a grid-like pattern with a 40-ft horizontal loop suspended 35 ft below it. This photo, taken from the overlook near Keanakāko‘i crater, shows the helicopter conducting the survey, with the caldera walls and Mauna Loa in the background. USGS photo by J. Kauahikaua.
Color photograph of helicopter survey over volcano
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
A view of the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey over Kaluapele—Kīlauea summit caldera—taken from Uēkahuna overlook in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The loop system below the helicopter transmits weak, low-frequency radio waves into the ground and measures the Earth response as well as passively detects variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. These variations will allow scientists to image the shallow (upper 2,000 ft) magmatic structure, fault systems, and groundwater pathways beneath Kīlauea's surface. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Color photograph of helicopter survey over volcano
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
A telephoto view of the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey over Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) on July 28, 2022. The helicopter and hoop are visible in the center of the image, surveying over the down-dropped block within Kīlauea caldera. This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), which supports investigations into the current state of Kīlauea volcano following the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse. Data gathered during the survey will allow USGS scientists to create an image of what is below the surface of Kīlauea volcano, including shallow magmatic structures, fault systems, and groundwater pathways. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Color photograph of helicopter survey over volcano
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Another telephoto view of the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey, taken as the helicopter traversed over Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, at Kīlauea summit. This photo was taken from Uēkahuna overlook within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and helicopter and loop are visible in the center left of the image. The flight occurred about 150 feet above the ground, with the hoop suspended another 35 feet below the helicopter. Experienced pilots specially trained and approved for low-level flying operated the aircraft. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Color photograph of helicopter survey over volcano
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
From the eruption-viewing area near Keanakāko‘i crater, within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the Airborne Electromagnetic and Magnetic (AEM) survey helicopter and hoop were visible within Kīlauea caldera on July 28, 2022. This survey, which is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R. 2157), is taking place throughout July over unpopulated parts of Kīlauea. Data collected during the survey will inform USGS scientists on the magma, fault, and groundwater structures below the surface of Kīlauea. USGS photo by J. Kauahikaua.

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