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Images

Color photograph of helicopter being prepared for flight
August 21, 2026—Preparing for helicopter-based LiDAR mission
August 21, 2026—Preparing for helicopter-based LiDAR mission
August 21, 2026—Preparing for helicopter-based LiDAR mission

On Friday, August 21, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) organized a helicopter LiDAR mission over flood-damaged areas in the Kaʻū district on the Island of Hawaiʻi following Hurricane Lala that affected the Hawaiian Islands the weekend of August 15. HVO normally uses LiDAR for assessing eruption-related landscape changes in Hawaii.  Helicopter-based L

On Friday, August 21, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) organized a helicopter LiDAR mission over flood-damaged areas in the Kaʻū district on the Island of Hawaiʻi following Hurricane Lala that affected the Hawaiian Islands the weekend of August 15. HVO normally uses LiDAR for assessing eruption-related landscape changes in Hawaii.  Helicopter-based L

Color photograph of scientist mounting equipment at base of helicopter
August 21, 2026—Mounting LiDAR on helicopter base
August 21, 2026—Mounting LiDAR on helicopter base
August 21, 2026—Mounting LiDAR on helicopter base

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientist mounts the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) instrument on the base of the helicopter.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientist mounts the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) instrument on the base of the helicopter.

Color photograph of highway and flood-damaged areas
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Highway 11
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Highway 11
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Highway 11

On Friday, August 21, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) organized a helicopter lidar mission over flood-damaged areas in the Ka‘ū district on the Island of Hawai‘i following Hurricane Lala the previous weekend.

On Friday, August 21, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) organized a helicopter lidar mission over flood-damaged areas in the Ka‘ū district on the Island of Hawai‘i following Hurricane Lala the previous weekend.

Color photograph of green pasture area with braided scours from flooding
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Ka‘ālaiki Road
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Ka‘ālaiki Road
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion along Ka‘ālaiki Road

Flooding in the Ka‘ū district during Hurricane Lala over the weekend of August 15–16 appears to have activated hydrologic drainages that only carry water during the heaviest of rains.

Flooding in the Ka‘ū district during Hurricane Lala over the weekend of August 15–16 appears to have activated hydrologic drainages that only carry water during the heaviest of rains.

Color photograph of flood-scoured gulch surrounded by greenery
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion in Hionamoa Gulch
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion in Hionamoa Gulch
August 21, 2026—Hurricane Lala erosion in Hionamoa Gulch

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter lidar mission on Friday, August 21 provided near-vertical views down into narrow channels carved by streams on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa volcano. This photo shows Hionamoa Gulch just west of the town of Pāhala, clearly widened by flooding during Hurricane Lala the previous weekend.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter lidar mission on Friday, August 21 provided near-vertical views down into narrow channels carved by streams on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa volcano. This photo shows Hionamoa Gulch just west of the town of Pāhala, clearly widened by flooding during Hurricane Lala the previous weekend.

Color photograph of instrumentation
July 29, 2026 — Sulfur Cone gas monitoring maintenance, Mauna Loa
July 29, 2026 — Sulfur Cone gas monitoring maintenance, Mauna Loa
July 29, 2026 — Sulfur Cone gas monitoring maintenance, Mauna Loa

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone high up on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. Volcanic gas (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor) concentrations are measured then telemetered back to HVO to be monitored and analyzed by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

This photograph shows the inside of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Multi-Gas site at Sulfur Cone high up on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. Volcanic gas (Sulfur Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and Water vapor) concentrations are measured then telemetered back to HVO to be monitored and analyzed by HVO gas scientists. USGS photo by C.

Videos

Color photograph of volcano Color photograph of volcano
Mauna Loa 2022 Eruption Anniversary (AD)
Mauna Loa 2022 Eruption Anniversary (AD)

Mauna Loa 2022 eruption anniversary video. Mauna Loa is Earth's largest active volcano and covers just over half of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It erupted most recently in November-December 2022, and it will erupt again.

Mauna Loa 2022 eruption anniversary video. Mauna Loa is Earth's largest active volcano and covers just over half of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It erupted most recently in November-December 2022, and it will erupt again.

Color photograph of volcano Color photograph of volcano
Mauna Loa 2022 Eruption Anniversary
Mauna Loa 2022 Eruption Anniversary

Mauna Loa 2022 eruption anniversary video. Mauna Loa is Earth's largest active volcano and covers just over half of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It erupted most recently in November-December 2022, and it will erupt again.

Mauna Loa 2022 eruption anniversary video. Mauna Loa is Earth's largest active volcano and covers just over half of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It erupted most recently in November-December 2022, and it will erupt again.

Color photograph of volcanic vent and channel Color photograph of volcanic vent and channel
December 8, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 8, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

During a morning overflight on December 9, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted a reduced output of lava at fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. The lava fountain is much lower than yesterday and the lava in the channel is much lower than the levees. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

During a morning overflight on December 9, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted a reduced output of lava at fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. The lava fountain is much lower than yesterday and the lava in the channel is much lower than the levees. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph of lava channel Color photograph of lava channel
December 9, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 9, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel

Aerial view of the upper lava channel from fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. On December 9, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted a reduced output of lava at fissure 3 and this photo shows that the level of lava in the channel is the lowest it has been since the eruption started. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

Aerial view of the upper lava channel from fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. On December 9, 2022, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists noted a reduced output of lava at fissure 3 and this photo shows that the level of lava in the channel is the lowest it has been since the eruption started. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph of volcanic vent Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 9, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 9, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

Aerial view of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on December 9, 2022. The eruption continues but the vigor has greatly reduced over the past 24 hours. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

Aerial view of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa on December 9, 2022. The eruption continues but the vigor has greatly reduced over the past 24 hours. USGS video by M. Patrick. 

Color photograph of volcanic vent Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 8, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 8, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa continues with a major change overnight. The fissure 3 (F3) vent continues to erupt but the supply of lava appears to be much reduced this morning. Lava is overtopping channels near the vent with flows extending no farther than 2.5 mi (4 km) from the vent.

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa continues with a major change overnight. The fissure 3 (F3) vent continues to erupt but the supply of lava appears to be much reduced this morning. Lava is overtopping channels near the vent with flows extending no farther than 2.5 mi (4 km) from the vent.

Audio

Color logo for weekly audio update on volcanic activity in Hawaii
Volcano Minute Logo
Volcano Minute Logo
Volcano Minute — Mauna Loa on the move
Volcano Minute — Mauna Loa on the move
Color logo for weekly audio update on volcanic activity in Hawaii
Volcano Minute Logo
Volcano Minute Logo
Volcano Minute — Mauna Loa on the move

The Volcano Minute is a brief audio update about eruptions, earthquakes, or ongoing volcano science in Hawaii, brought to you by scientists and affiliates of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The Volcano Minute is a brief audio update about eruptions, earthquakes, or ongoing volcano science in Hawaii, brought to you by scientists and affiliates of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Color graphic showing lava flow map and images of eruption
Map of the 1926 Mauna Loa lava flows (red), with all Mauna Loa lava flows since 1843 shown in peach.
Map of the 1926 Mauna Loa lava flows (red), with all Mauna Loa lava flows since 1843 shown in peach.
Volcano Minute — The 1926 eruption of Mauna Loa occurred 100 years ago this year
Volcano Minute — The 1926 eruption of Mauna Loa occurred 100 years ago this year
Color graphic showing lava flow map and images of eruption
Map of the 1926 Mauna Loa lava flows (red), with all Mauna Loa lava flows since 1843 shown in peach.
Map of the 1926 Mauna Loa lava flows (red), with all Mauna Loa lava flows since 1843 shown in peach.
Volcano Minute — The 1926 eruption of Mauna Loa occurred 100 years ago this year

The Volcano Minute is a brief audio update about eruptions, earthquakes, or ongoing volcano science in Hawaii, brought to you by scientists and affiliates of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.


 

The Volcano Minute is a brief audio update about eruptions, earthquakes, or ongoing volcano science in Hawaii, brought to you by scientists and affiliates of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.


 

CVO Seismologist Wes Thelen pointing out a small earthquake at Mount Adams.
CVO Seismologist Wes Thelen pointing out a small earthquake at Mount Adams.
CVO Seismologist Wes Thelen pointing out a small earthquake at Mount Adams.
Volcano Minute — Magnitude-4.8 deep beneath Pāhala on November 5, 2024
Volcano Minute — Magnitude-4.8 deep beneath Pāhala on November 5, 2024

Webcams

webcam image of flank of volcano
[MSTcam] South Pit and Upper Southwest Rift Zone - thermal image from Moku‘āweoweo south rim
[MSTcam] South Pit and Upper Southwest Rift Zone - thermal image from Moku‘āweoweo south rim
[MSTcam] South Pit and Upper Southwest Rift Zone - thermal image from Moku‘āweoweo south rim

This image is from a research camera positioned on the south rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks west-southwest, across South Pit, focusing on the south part of Mauna Loa's summit region and upper Southwest Rift Zone.

This image is from a research camera positioned on the south rim of Mokuʻāweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The camera looks west-southwest, across South Pit, focusing on the south part of Mauna Loa's summit region and upper Southwest Rift Zone.

Color webcam image showing rift zone of volcano
[MDLcam] The Upper and Middle Parts of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone
[MDLcam] The Upper and Middle Parts of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone
[MDLcam] The Upper and Middle Parts of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone

Live image of Mauna Loa's upper and middle Southwest Rift Zone from Dandelion Cone along the middle part of the rift zone [MDLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

 

Disclaimer

Live image of Mauna Loa's upper and middle Southwest Rift Zone from Dandelion Cone along the middle part of the rift zone [MDLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

 

Disclaimer

Color webcam image showing flank of volcano
[MSPcam] Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from the South Point area
[MSPcam] Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from the South Point area
[MSPcam] Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from the South Point area

Live image of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from the South Point area [MSPcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

 

Disclaimer

Live image of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone from the South Point area [MSPcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

 

Disclaimer

Webcam image view of volcano flank
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
[HLcam] Live Image of Mauna Loa's northwest flank from Hualālai volcano

Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

Live webcam view of lava erupting from Mauna Loa volcano
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea
[MK2cam] Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea

Live Image of Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MK2cam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.

This image is from a temporary research camera positioned just south of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, looking north at the southern flank of Puʻ
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim
[PScam] Puʻu ʻŌʻō South Flank from the South Rim

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.



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