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Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption - September 30, 2021

Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The active vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu is vigorously fountaining, and is one of many fountaining sources active in the lava lake right now.

Telephoto aerial image of eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu at Kīlauea Volcano's summit taken during an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021. The active vent in the west wall of Halemaʻumaʻu is vigorously fountaining, and is one of many fountaining sources active in the lava lake right now.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

 

On the evening of September 30, 2021, the new eruption in Halema'uma'u at Kīlauea summit continued with several active vents in the middle of the lake and on the west side. USGS image by K. Lynn. 

 

On the evening of September 30, 2021, the new eruption in Halema'uma'u at Kīlauea summit continued with several active vents in the middle of the lake and on the west side. USGS image by K. Lynn. 

Color photograph of volcanic vent
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

This zoomed-in photo of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u was captured at 9:00 a.m. on September 30, 2021. Eruptive activity at this location is very similar to that of the northern fissure from the December 2020 eruption, with lava fountains feeding a short cascade down to the rising lava lake.

This zoomed-in photo of the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u was captured at 9:00 a.m. on September 30, 2021. Eruptive activity at this location is very similar to that of the northern fissure from the December 2020 eruption, with lava fountains feeding a short cascade down to the rising lava lake.

Color photograph of volcanic deposits
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

Morning light and shifts in the volcanic gas plume allowed field crews on September 30 to glimpse the surface of the main island that remains from the 12/2020–5/2021 lava lake. The island appears to be blanketed with a new coating of spatter and tephra from nearby fissures within the lava lake, with minor overflows at the edges.

Morning light and shifts in the volcanic gas plume allowed field crews on September 30 to glimpse the surface of the main island that remains from the 12/2020–5/2021 lava lake. The island appears to be blanketed with a new coating of spatter and tephra from nearby fissures within the lava lake, with minor overflows at the edges.

Color photograph of eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

This overview photo of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u was captured from the west rim of the crater shortly after noon on September 30, 2021. Several fissures, erupting through the lava lake, stretch from the lake's center to its southern (right) margin.

This overview photo of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u was captured from the west rim of the crater shortly after noon on September 30, 2021. Several fissures, erupting through the lava lake, stretch from the lake's center to its southern (right) margin.

Color photograph of scientist logging data
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

On September 30, 2021, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientist takes notes based on the spectra being displayed by the field laptop, which is connected to a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

On September 30, 2021, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientist takes notes based on the spectra being displayed by the field laptop, which is connected to a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater.

color photograph of instrument measuring volcanic gas emissions during eruption
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

On September 30, 2021, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory gas scientists used a FTIR spectrometer on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater to measure the composition of gases being emitted during Kīlauea's summit eruption, which began the afternoon of Septembe 29, 2021.

Color photograph of lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021
Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater - September 30, 2021

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

The eruption within Halema'uma'u, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, continues at dawn on September 30, 2021. Fountaining at multiple fissure locations on the base and west wall of the crater continues, and a lava lake is growing within Halema'uma'u.

Color image of lava lake temperature
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image
September 30, 2021 — Kīlauea lava lake thermal image

This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.

This thermal image was taken during the morning overflight on September 30, 2021, and looks west across Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Several fountains are emerging through the active lake surface, in addition to fountaining on the west margin of the lake.

Color map of lava lake temperature
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows the extent of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows the extent of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

Color thermal map of lava lake
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit
September 30, 2021 —Thermal map of lava lake at Kīlauea summit

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

A helicopter overflight on September 30, 2021, at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This thermal map shows a closer view of the new lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u.

September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf
September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf
September 30, 2021, Kīlauea summit Halema‘uma‘u eruption morning overf

An eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, began yesterday afternoon and continues this morning. During an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021, several fountaining sources were active in the crater, including those in the lake center and on the west wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

An eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, began yesterday afternoon and continues this morning. During an overflight at approximately 7:30 a.m. HST on September 30, 2021, several fountaining sources were active in the crater, including those in the lake center and on the west wall. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Photo looks down to a coastal area with ice and snow and the open ocean in the background.
Video monitoring at Nuvuk
Video monitoring at Nuvuk
Video monitoring at Nuvuk

This image from a video camera pointed at the coast tracks the brightest pixels in the camera view over 10 minutes of video. The resulting image is useful for identifying features such as the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, the position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

This image from a video camera pointed at the coast tracks the brightest pixels in the camera view over 10 minutes of video. The resulting image is useful for identifying features such as the position of maximum wave run-up on the beach, the position of all breaking waves, and sea-state.

This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater
View of new Halema'uma'u eruption from the northwest rim of the crater

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

Photo of the new lava lake within Halema'uma'u crater at Kīlauea summit taken early in the morning on September 30. This view from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u shows two webcams facing the new eruption, with fissures producing lava that is accumulating within the crater.

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021
Fissure eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, Kīlauea summit -- 9/29/2021

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021.

An image of the new Kīlauea summit fissure eruption within Halema'uma'u crater taken at approximately 4:15 p.m. HST on September 29, 2021.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater Kīlauea summit
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption
HVO scientist takes video of Kīlauea summit eruption

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit, at about 3:20 p.m. on September 29, 2021. Scientists continue to monitor the eruption and hazards from within an area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist takes video of the eruption that started within Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit, at about 3:20 p.m. on September 29, 2021. Scientists continue to monitor the eruption and hazards from within an area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public due to safety reasons.

With the summit eruption continuing through the night, HVO scientists monitor the eruption for changes in volcanic hazards
HVO scientists monitor ongoing eruption
HVO scientists monitor ongoing eruption
HVO scientists monitor ongoing eruption

Kīlauea volcano is erupting. With the summit eruption continuing through the night, HVO scientists monitor the eruption for changes in activity and volcanic hazards. High levels of volcanic gases are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects down-wind. USGS photo taken by D. Downs.

Kīlauea volcano is erupting. With the summit eruption continuing through the night, HVO scientists monitor the eruption for changes in activity and volcanic hazards. High levels of volcanic gases are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects down-wind. USGS photo taken by D. Downs.

Image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit
Image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit
Image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit
Image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater, Kīlauea summit

This image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater was taken in the late morning on September 29, 2021, just a few hours before the new Kīlauea summit eruption began. The solidified lava lake (center) was emplaced between December 2020 and May 2021. USGS photo taken by L. Gallant.

This image from the northwest rim of Halema'uma'u crater was taken in the late morning on September 29, 2021, just a few hours before the new Kīlauea summit eruption began. The solidified lava lake (center) was emplaced between December 2020 and May 2021. USGS photo taken by L. Gallant.

aerial photo of mountainside with road cutting across Infrastructure on ice – when road rides on accelerating rock glacier
Infrastructure on ice – when road rides on accelerating rock glacier
Infrastructure on ice – when road rides on accelerating rock glacier

The 92-mile, dead-end Denali Park Road crosses an accelerating rock glacier. Until 2014, the rock glacier would only displace the road a few tens of centimeters per year, however during the summer of 2021 the rock glacier has moved the road almost 40 cm/day.

The 92-mile, dead-end Denali Park Road crosses an accelerating rock glacier. Until 2014, the rock glacier would only displace the road a few tens of centimeters per year, however during the summer of 2021 the rock glacier has moved the road almost 40 cm/day.

A telephoto image of fissures that opened on the western wall of Halema'uma'u crater during the ongoing eruption that began 9/29
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures on west wall of Halema'uma'u
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures on west wall of Halema'uma'u
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures on west wall of Halema'uma'u

A telephoto image of fissures that opened on the western wall of Halema'uma'u crater during the ongoing eruption that began yesterday, September 29, at approximately 3:21 p.m. HST. Lava from multiple fissures continues to slowly raise the level of the new active lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by M. Patrick.

A telephoto image of fissures that opened on the western wall of Halema'uma'u crater during the ongoing eruption that began yesterday, September 29, at approximately 3:21 p.m. HST. Lava from multiple fissures continues to slowly raise the level of the new active lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by M. Patrick.

The ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema'uma'u crater continues to feed low lava fountains in the center of the lava la
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures within Halema'uma'u crater lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures within Halema'uma'u crater lava lake
Kīlauea summit eruption fissures within Halema'uma'u crater lava lake

The ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema'uma'u crater continues to feed low lava fountains in the center of the lava lake (pictured) and along the western wall of Halema'uma'u. This telephoto image is looking east at the center of the rising lava lake.

The ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema'uma'u crater continues to feed low lava fountains in the center of the lava lake (pictured) and along the western wall of Halema'uma'u. This telephoto image is looking east at the center of the rising lava lake.