Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

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.

Filter Total Items: 21537
Color photograph of lava fountain
West vent fountain on October 6, 2021
West vent fountain on October 6, 2021
West vent fountain on October 6, 2021

The west vent fountain in Kīlauea's ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption was 12 m (39 ft) above the lava lake surface in the late afternoon of October 6, 2021. This photo was taken by USGS geologist K. Lynn from the northwest rim of Halema‘uma‘u looking south.

The west vent fountain in Kīlauea's ongoing Halema‘uma‘u eruption was 12 m (39 ft) above the lava lake surface in the late afternoon of October 6, 2021. This photo was taken by USGS geologist K. Lynn from the northwest rim of Halema‘uma‘u looking south.

Color photograph of vent and lava lake
Close-up view of west vent, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021
Close-up view of west vent, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021
Close-up view of west vent, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021

Photo of fountaining from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain continues to build up a horseshoe-shaped cone around the vent, with lava flowing into the lake at the base. This photo was taken from the western crater rim on October 5, 2021. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Photo of fountaining from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain continues to build up a horseshoe-shaped cone around the vent, with lava flowing into the lake at the base. This photo was taken from the western crater rim on October 5, 2021. USGS photo by N. Deligne.

Color photograph of scientist monitoring eruption
HVO geologist observing lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - October 5, 2021
HVO geologist observing lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - October 5, 2021
HVO geologist observing lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u - October 5, 2021

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist notes observations of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. HVO scientists continue to monitor the ongoing eruption from an area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to hazardous conditions. USGS photo taken by N. Deligne on October 5, 2021.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist notes observations of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. HVO scientists continue to monitor the ongoing eruption from an area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to hazardous conditions. USGS photo taken by N. Deligne on October 5, 2021.

Color photograph of active lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - October 5, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - October 5, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater - October 5, 2021

A view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the western crater rim looking east. The western vent (lower right) remains the dominant source of fountaining. One fountain remains active in the south portion of the lake (center right).

A view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the western crater rim looking east. The western vent (lower right) remains the dominant source of fountaining. One fountain remains active in the south portion of the lake (center right).

Color map showing lava lake eruption features
October 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
October 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
October 5, 2021—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on October 5, 2021. Two eruptive vents are active at this time: one along the western edge of the rising lava lake, and one within the south-central portion of the lake.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on October 5, 2021. Two eruptive vents are active at this time: one along the western edge of the rising lava lake, and one within the south-central portion of the lake.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021
Western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021
Western fissure, Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea - October 5, 2021

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. USGS video by N. Deligne.

Lava fountains from the western fissure vent in the Halema‘uma‘u crater wall, at Kīlauea's summit during the ongoing eruption. USGS video by N. Deligne.

map with hexagon grid overlay depicting study areas and points depicting barred owl sightings in 2015
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2015
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2015
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2015

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2015 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2015 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

map with hexagon grid overlay depicting study areas and points depicting barred owl sightings in 2020
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2020
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2020
Barred owl sightings at Oregon Coast Range monitoring sites, 2020

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2020 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Locations of barred owl sightings recorded during 2020 owl monitoring activities. Barred owls were lethally removed from the areas highlighted in pink. Supporting data is found at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201089.

Color photograph of active lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

KWcam image taken on October 4, 2021, just before 6 a.m. HST. This image shows the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruption began the afternoon of September 29, 2021, as fissures in the floor of the crater; this activity is generating a lava lake that is slowly filling the crater.

KWcam image taken on October 4, 2021, just before 6 a.m. HST. This image shows the ongoing eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruption began the afternoon of September 29, 2021, as fissures in the floor of the crater; this activity is generating a lava lake that is slowly filling the crater.

An overflow of lava from the active lava lake poured into and along the levee
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

An overflow of lava from the active lake (left) poured onto and along the levee (right) on the eastern end of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

An overflow of lava from the active lake (left) poured onto and along the levee (right) on the eastern end of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

A brief gap in the fume provides a clear view of the fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater,
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A brief gap in the fume provides a clear view of the fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain elevated and were measured at approximately 7,000 tonnes per day on October 4. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick from the southern crater rim on October 4, 2021.

A brief gap in the fume provides a clear view of the fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates remain elevated and were measured at approximately 7,000 tonnes per day on October 4. USGS photo taken by M. Patrick from the southern crater rim on October 4, 2021.

zoomed-in view of the erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u shows lava fountaining activity
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

This zoomed-in view of the erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u shows lava fountaining activity on the morning of October 4, 2021. The fountains have built a C-shaped spatter rampart around their source, which is now submerged in the rising lava lake.

This zoomed-in view of the erupting western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u shows lava fountaining activity on the morning of October 4, 2021. The fountains have built a C-shaped spatter rampart around their source, which is now submerged in the rising lava lake.

zoomed-in view of the eastern edge of the main island in the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

This photo, captured on the morning of October 4, 2021, provides a zoomed-in view of the eastern edge of the main island in the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake. In the earliest days of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption, this was the site of an energetic eruptive vent that showered the island with spatter and tephra.

This photo, captured on the morning of October 4, 2021, provides a zoomed-in view of the eastern edge of the main island in the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake. In the earliest days of the ongoing Kīlauea eruption, this was the site of an energetic eruptive vent that showered the island with spatter and tephra.

Color photograph of lava lake surface
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A telephoto view of foundering in the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Foundering occurs when denser and cooler solidified crust (black) sinks below less dense liquid lava (orange). Photo taken at 7:48 a.m. HST on October 4, 2021. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.

A telephoto view of foundering in the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Foundering occurs when denser and cooler solidified crust (black) sinks below less dense liquid lava (orange). Photo taken at 7:48 a.m. HST on October 4, 2021. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.

A wide view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the western crater rim
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A wide view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the western crater rim. The western vent (lower right) remains the dominant source of fountaining, while low lava fountains are still emerging through the southern portion of the lava lake (center right). USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

A wide view of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, taken from the western crater rim. The western vent (lower right) remains the dominant source of fountaining, while low lava fountains are still emerging through the southern portion of the lava lake (center right). USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

A telephoto image of fountaining from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A telephoto image of fountaining from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain continues to build up a cone around the vent, which is almost entirely out of view from this angle. This photo was taken from the western crater rim on October 4, 2021. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A telephoto image of fountaining from the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain continues to build up a cone around the vent, which is almost entirely out of view from this angle. This photo was taken from the western crater rim on October 4, 2021. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close-up view of the western fissure and lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A close-up view of the western fissure and lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The lava lake crust develops a complex pattern as it flows away from its source at the western vent (bottom right). USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

A close-up view of the western fissure and lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The lava lake crust develops a complex pattern as it flows away from its source at the western vent (bottom right). USGS photo by M. Patrick taken on October 4, 2021.

A geologist uses a laser rangefinder to measure the elevation of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist uses a laser rangefinder to measure the elevation of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. HVO scientists continue to monitor the ongoing eruption from an area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety concerns. USGS photo taken by M.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) geologist uses a laser rangefinder to measure the elevation of the active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. HVO scientists continue to monitor the ongoing eruption from an area within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety concerns. USGS photo taken by M.

A telephoto view of fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 4, 2021

A telephoto view of fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain has built a horseshoe-shaped cone around the vent in the western crater wall. Molten spatter accumulating on the cone forms a tiny stream of lava down the north side (bottom center).

A telephoto view of fountaining at the western vent in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Spatter from the fountain has built a horseshoe-shaped cone around the vent in the western crater wall. Molten spatter accumulating on the cone forms a tiny stream of lava down the north side (bottom center).

Wide view of the ongoing eruption within Halema'uma'u crater
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021

There have been no major changes in the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit over the past day. All eruptive activity is confined within Halema‘uma‘u crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The vent on the western wall and the fountain within the south-central portion of the lava lake remain the most vigorous and are producing the largest gas plumes.

There have been no major changes in the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea summit over the past day. All eruptive activity is confined within Halema‘uma‘u crater, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The vent on the western wall and the fountain within the south-central portion of the lava lake remain the most vigorous and are producing the largest gas plumes.

A telephoto image of the northwestern margin of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - October 2, 2021

A telephoto image of the northwestern margin of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit. An overflow of lava from the active lava lake (center) is covering a portion of the perched levee that has formed around the margin of the lake. UGSG photo taken by L. DeSmither on October 2, 2021.

A telephoto image of the northwestern margin of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit. An overflow of lava from the active lava lake (center) is covering a portion of the perched levee that has formed around the margin of the lake. UGSG photo taken by L. DeSmither on October 2, 2021.

Was this page helpful?