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Mauna Loa images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel

Aerial view of fissure 3 eruption lava channel on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 4, 2022. Fissure 3 has produced several lava channels that are winding their way down the northeast slope of Mauna Loa, coalescing into a single flow front.  As of 7 a.m. today, December 4, the flow front was about 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from the Daniel K.

Aerial view of fissure 3 eruption lava channel on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 4, 2022. Fissure 3 has produced several lava channels that are winding their way down the northeast slope of Mauna Loa, coalescing into a single flow front.  As of 7 a.m. today, December 4, the flow front was about 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from the Daniel K.

Color photograph of webcam monitoring eruption
December 4, 2022 — Webcams Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption
December 4, 2022 — Webcams Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption
December 4, 2022 — Webcams Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has deployed a number of webcams to aid in monitoring the ongoing eruption of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone eruption. This image shows two webcams, which are monitoring the fissure 3 lava channel. USGS image by H. Dietterich. 

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has deployed a number of webcams to aid in monitoring the ongoing eruption of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone eruption. This image shows two webcams, which are monitoring the fissure 3 lava channel. USGS image by H. Dietterich. 

Color photograph of scientist in the field
December 4, 2022 — Scientist Monitoring Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Eruption
December 4, 2022 — Scientist Monitoring Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Eruption
December 4, 2022 — Scientist Monitoring Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Eruption

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists are monitoring the eruption of fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. In the field, scientists relay geospatial information on the lava flow front location, document fissure 3 lava fountain and lava channel dynamics, and deploy new instrumentation to help monitor the eruption remotely. USGS image by L.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists are monitoring the eruption of fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. In the field, scientists relay geospatial information on the lava flow front location, document fissure 3 lava fountain and lava channel dynamics, and deploy new instrumentation to help monitor the eruption remotely. USGS image by L.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

View of fissure 3 erupting high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 4, 2022. The eruption is generating a volcanic gas plume and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates of approximately 180,000 tonnes per day (t/d) were measured on December 1, 2022.

View of fissure 3 erupting high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 4, 2022. The eruption is generating a volcanic gas plume and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates of approximately 180,000 tonnes per day (t/d) were measured on December 1, 2022.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

A view of the northern side of fissure 3 taken during an early morning overflight. Fissure 3 is located on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone and is feeding a lava flow that is 10.34 miles (16.70 km) long. The spatter erupted has built the cone to a height of 95 feet (29 meters). USGS image by L. Gallant. 

A view of the northern side of fissure 3 taken during an early morning overflight. Fissure 3 is located on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone and is feeding a lava flow that is 10.34 miles (16.70 km) long. The spatter erupted has built the cone to a height of 95 feet (29 meters). USGS image by L. Gallant. 

Color photograph of volcanic vent
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3

A view of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 taken from the southwest by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. The flanks of Mauna Kea can be seen on the left side of the photograph.

A view of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 taken from the southwest by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. The flanks of Mauna Kea can be seen on the left side of the photograph.

Color photograph of lava spatter
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter

This telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa was taken on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant. 

This telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa was taken on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant. 

Color photograph of lava spattering
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Spatter

Telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone during the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant.

Telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone during the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant.

Color photograph of lava flow front
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Flow Front
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Flow Front
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Flow Front

Aerial photograph of the fissure 3 lava flow front. Fissure 3 is erupting at an elevation of about 11,500 ft (3510 m) above sea level on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. As of 12 p.m. December 4 the flow front had advanced about 10 miles (16 km) downslope and was about 2.25 mi (3.6 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). USGS photo by L.

Aerial photograph of the fissure 3 lava flow front. Fissure 3 is erupting at an elevation of about 11,500 ft (3510 m) above sea level on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. As of 12 p.m. December 4 the flow front had advanced about 10 miles (16 km) downslope and was about 2.25 mi (3.6 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). USGS photo by L.

Color photograph of lava channel
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel

Aerial image of the fissure 3 lava channel where it is braided, high on the Northeast flank of Mauna Loa. In this section of the channel, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed several areas where lava overflowed from the channel, in one case due to a channel blockage downslope.

Aerial image of the fissure 3 lava channel where it is braided, high on the Northeast flank of Mauna Loa. In this section of the channel, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed several areas where lava overflowed from the channel, in one case due to a channel blockage downslope.

Color photograph of lava channel
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel
December 2, 2022 — Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Channel

Aerial view of the fissure 3 lava channel, erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on December 4, 2022. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, were measured at 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second) on December 5, 2022.

Aerial view of the fissure 3 lava channel, erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone on December 4, 2022. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, were measured at 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second) on December 5, 2022.

Color map of volcanic eruption
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map
December 4, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its seventh full day. One active fissure, fissure 3, is feeding a lava flow downslope to the north.

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its seventh full day. One active fissure, fissure 3, is feeding a lava flow downslope to the north.

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

View of the Fissure 3 erupting high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 3, 2022. The eruption is generating a volcanic gas plume that is lofting high and vertically into the atmosphere before being blown to the west at high altitude, generating vog in areas downwind.

View of the Fissure 3 erupting high on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of December 3, 2022. The eruption is generating a volcanic gas plume that is lofting high and vertically into the atmosphere before being blown to the west at high altitude, generating vog in areas downwind.

Scientist documenting eruption
December 3, 2022 — Measuring volcanic gas emitted by Mauna Loa
December 3, 2022 — Measuring volcanic gas emitted by Mauna Loa
December 3, 2022 — Measuring volcanic gas emitted by Mauna Loa

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas specialist uses a FTIR spectrometer on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. The FTIR measures the composition of the gases being emitted during the eruption by measuring how the plume absorbs infrared energy.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas specialist uses a FTIR spectrometer on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. The FTIR measures the composition of the gases being emitted during the eruption by measuring how the plume absorbs infrared energy.

Color photograph of webcam monitoring eruption
November 30, 2022 — Webcam Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption
November 30, 2022 — Webcam Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption
November 30, 2022 — Webcam Monitoring Mauna Loa Eruption

Image of a webcam deployed to monitor the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. See this webcam for all Mauna Loa webcams: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/webcams. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

Image of a webcam deployed to monitor the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. See this webcam for all Mauna Loa webcams: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/webcams. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

color photograph of scientist installing camera
December 3, 2022 — Installing Mauna Loa Webcam
December 3, 2022 — Installing Mauna Loa Webcam
December 3, 2022 — Installing Mauna Loa Webcam

An HVO scientist installs a webcamera to monitor the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. The livestream is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnjGqn1K9ZQ. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

An HVO scientist installs a webcamera to monitor the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. The livestream is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnjGqn1K9ZQ. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

Color map of volcanic eruption
December 3, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map
December 3, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map
December 3, 2022 — Mauna Loa Eruption Map

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its sixth full day. One active fissure, fissure 3, is feeding a lava flow downslope to the north.

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa has continued into its sixth full day. One active fissure, fissure 3, is feeding a lava flow downslope to the north.

Color map showing ground surface change
November 16-December 2, 2022— Mauna Loa Ground Surface Change
November 16-December 2, 2022— Mauna Loa Ground Surface Change
November 16-December 2, 2022— Mauna Loa Ground Surface Change

This map shows areas of surface change as determined through a comparison of satellite radar images acquired on November 16, 2022 and December 2 at 6:13 a.m. HST.

This map shows areas of surface change as determined through a comparison of satellite radar images acquired on November 16, 2022 and December 2 at 6:13 a.m. HST.

color map of lava flow temperature
Thermal Maps Showing Evolution of Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Flow
Thermal Maps Showing Evolution of Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Flow
Thermal Maps Showing Evolution of Mauna Loa Fissure 3 Lava Flow

Helicopter overflights on November 30, December 1, and December 2, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. These maps show evolution of the lava flow from fissure 3 over those days.

Helicopter overflights on November 30, December 1, and December 2, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. These maps show evolution of the lava flow from fissure 3 over those days.

Scientist documenting eruption
December 3, 2022 — Monitoring the Mauna Loa Eruption
December 3, 2022 — Monitoring the Mauna Loa Eruption
December 3, 2022 — Monitoring the Mauna Loa Eruption

A geologist documents fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. In the field, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists measure the lava fountain and cone heights, channel widths, and lava channel dynamics. USGS image by J. Schmith. 

A geologist documents fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. In the field, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists measure the lava fountain and cone heights, channel widths, and lava channel dynamics. USGS image by J. Schmith. 

Color photograph of scientists in field
December 2, 2022 - Monitoring Mauna Loa Lava Flows
December 2, 2022 - Monitoring Mauna Loa Lava Flows
December 2, 2022 - Monitoring Mauna Loa Lava Flows

Taken from the intersection of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and the old saddle road, USGS scientists take laser rangefinder measurements of the main flow front of fissure 3 from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone eruption to determine where it is relative to the highway. USGs photo by J. Ball.

Taken from the intersection of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and the old saddle road, USGS scientists take laser rangefinder measurements of the main flow front of fissure 3 from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone eruption to determine where it is relative to the highway. USGs photo by J. Ball.

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