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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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Lava flow on Mauna Loa
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo of a fissure and lava flows on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on November 28, 2022. The photo view is to the NW, with Mauna Kea on the right hand side of the image. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Aerial photo of a fissure and lava flows on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on November 28, 2022. The photo view is to the NW, with Mauna Kea on the right hand side of the image. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Lava flow on Mauna Loa
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022

Lava fountains along a fissure on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on November 28, 2022. The photo was taken looking toward the north. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Lava fountains along a fissure on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on November 28, 2022. The photo was taken looking toward the north. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Lava flow on Mauna Loa
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022

Aerial view of Mauna Loa summit with Lua Hou in the foreground followed by Lua Hohonu, South Pit, and Mokuʻāweoweo summit caldera. A small dusting of snow covers the ground east of the summit. The steaming fissure was active during the beginning of the eruption, but this morning the lava in the summit caldera had already cooled to a black color.

Aerial view of Mauna Loa summit with Lua Hou in the foreground followed by Lua Hohonu, South Pit, and Mokuʻāweoweo summit caldera. A small dusting of snow covers the ground east of the summit. The steaming fissure was active during the beginning of the eruption, but this morning the lava in the summit caldera had already cooled to a black color.

Lava flow on Mauna Loa
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022
Lava flow on Mauna Loa - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo of lava fountains along a fissure on Mauna Loa's northeast rift zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on 28 November 2022. The photo was taken looking toward the north. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

Aerial photo of lava fountains along a fissure on Mauna Loa's northeast rift zone at approximately 9:30 a.m. HST on 28 November 2022. The photo was taken looking toward the north. USGS photo by K. Lynn.

volcanic eruption in the distance
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa

Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa at about 1:25am local time (HST). The eruption is occurring from the summit of the volcano, though lava has overflowed the caldera.

 

 

Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa at about 1:25am local time (HST). The eruption is occurring from the summit of the volcano, though lava has overflowed the caldera.

 

 

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa and generating a lava flow on the northeast flank. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa and generating a lava flow on the northeast flank. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo shows the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a section of the braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a section of the braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking at the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking at the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking at the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking at the line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a section of the braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. This photo is looking down on a section of the braided lava flow on the northeast flank.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photograph taken during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. Fissure vents above 10,000 ft on the Northeast Rift Zone generate lava fountains and lava flows to the northeast and parallel to the rift zone. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial photograph taken during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. Fissure vents above 10,000 ft on the Northeast Rift Zone generate lava fountains and lava flows to the northeast and parallel to the rift zone. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial view taken during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. Fissure vents at a high elevation above 10,000 ft on the Northeast Rift Zone. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Aerial view taken during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022. Fissure vents at a high elevation above 10,000 ft on the Northeast Rift Zone. Image courtesy of Civil Air Patrol.

Lava flowing down a mountainside with smoke billowing from the lava
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa Northeast Rift Zone Eruption - November 28, 2022

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Aerial photo captured during an overflight of the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa at approximately 5-6:30 p.m. HST on November 28, 2022.

Person standing on summit taking observations
Mauna Loa Observations
Mauna Loa Observations
Mauna Loa Observations

HVO field crews are at the summit of Mauna Loa to make observations and collect information about the eruption that began on November 27, 2022. The eruption began at the summit and migrated to the Northeast Rift Zone, where this photo was taken around 10:00 am local time (HST) on November 28, 2022. 

HVO field crews are at the summit of Mauna Loa to make observations and collect information about the eruption that began on November 27, 2022. The eruption began at the summit and migrated to the Northeast Rift Zone, where this photo was taken around 10:00 am local time (HST) on November 28, 2022. 

eruption in the distance
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa
Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa

Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa at about 1:25am local time (HST). The eruption is occurring from the summit of the volcano, though lava has overflowed the caldera.

Mauna Loa eruption as viewed from Waikoloa at about 1:25am local time (HST). The eruption is occurring from the summit of the volcano, though lava has overflowed the caldera.