Images

A morning overflight on December 7, 2022, provided aerial views of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

Telephoto view of the fissure 3 lava channel on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone, as seen by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 7, 2022. Channel velocities here, closer to the vent where the channels are narrow, have been measured at around 26-36 feet per second (8.2-11 meters per second). USGS image by M. Patrick.

Early morning views of the Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption on December 7, 2022 showed continued lava effusion from fissure 3 into the developed upper channel system. USGS Photo by K. Lynn.

A morning overflight on December 7, 2022, provided aerial views of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. USGS image by M. Patrick. 

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have been working to understand what volcanic gases are being emitted by the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates of approximately 120,000 tonnes per day (t/d) were measured on December 4, 2022, and remain elevated at this time.

Views and field observations of the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa have been hampered today due to poor visibility. This photo was taken during a brief window of time when the flanks of Mauna Loa were visible from the lava viewing road. The eruption plume is apparent above the summit. A few minutes later, clouds obscured much of the view. USGS image by N.

Panoramic image showing the fissure 3 lava channel at a high elevation on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. In field, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists measure how fast the lava is flowing. On average, the velocity of lava within the channel is estimated to be flowing at a rate of nearly 10 meters per secon (32 feet per second). USGS image by H.

A close up view of the fissure 3 lava channel erupting from Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone, as seen by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 5, 2022. The large bumps are standing waves in the lava.

This image, taken during an early morning overflight, shows the Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 vent and lava channel. Fountain heights of 130 feet (40 meters), with bursts over 330 feet (100m) were measured by HVO field crews. USGS image by L. Gallant. 

A helicopter overflight on December 5, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa. This map only shows activity from Fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone, which is feeding a lava flow to the north.

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

Helicopter overflights on November 30, December 1, December 2, and December 5, 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.

This image, taken midday during a helicopter overflight of Mauna Loa's eruption on December 5, 2022, shows a lava flow branching after it cuts across the Mauna Loa Access Road. The large blocks in channel are called lava boats. These are termed lava balls or lava boats and form when portions of the fissure 3 cone or levees break away and are rafted down stream.

Rare spotting! Dueling volcanoes captured by Landsat 9 satellite. Mauna Loa's 11.3-mile-long lava flow illuminates the plume of ash in the atmosphere above. The small red spot in the lower right is Kilauea—it began erupting nine days ago. USGS Volcanoes says a dual eruption has not occurred in Hawaii since 1984, making this a rare event.

The ongoing Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa, as viewed from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) shortly after 6 a.m. HST on December 4, 2022. The eruption continues, with a flow front that is slowly advancing towards the highway. USGS image by N. Deligne. 

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. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.