UAS mission at Kīlauea summit — January 14, 2022

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists prepare an Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS) unit for launch at Kīlauea summit on January 14, 2022. Imagery collected by the UAS will be used to generate a 3-dimensional model that will be used to evaluate the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u for changes. Volcanic gas samples analyses from the UAS will be used to study eruption dynamics. USGS has special use permits from the National Park Service to conduct official UAS missions as part of HVO's mission to monitor active volcanoes in Hawaii, assess their hazards, issue warnings, and advance scientific understanding to reduce impacts of volcanic eruptions. Launching, landing, or operating an unoccupied aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is prohibited under 36 CFR § 1.5 - Closures and public use limits. USGS image by M. Warren.