Over the past few months, HVO geophysicists have been conducting the annual high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Kīlauea. The annual survey supplements HVO's continuous GPS monitoring stations and provides information on vertical and horizontal deformation of the ground surface.
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Annual Kīlauea GPS Survey—2021
Over the past few months, HVO geophysicists have been conducting the annual high-precision Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Kīlauea. The annual survey supplements HVO's continuous GPS monitoring stations and provides information on vertical and horizontal deformation of the ground surface.
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
HVO scientists continue their survey of Kīlauea caldera floor, including the down-dropped block, for diffuse volcanic gas emissions. This photo shows a large crack, on a portion of the caldera floor that subsided in 2018, that is emitting volcanic gas and steam.
HVO scientists continue their survey of Kīlauea caldera floor, including the down-dropped block, for diffuse volcanic gas emissions. This photo shows a large crack, on a portion of the caldera floor that subsided in 2018, that is emitting volcanic gas and steam.
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping—August 3, 2021
Stacked lava flows are visible in the wall of the down-dropped block, which was exposed during the Kīlauea summit collapse events in 2018. A small exposure of lighter-colored volcanic ash, likely the Keanakāko‘i tephra deposits erupted during Kīlauea's last explosive phase several hundred years ago, is visible beneath tens of meters (yards) of lava flows.
Stacked lava flows are visible in the wall of the down-dropped block, which was exposed during the Kīlauea summit collapse events in 2018. A small exposure of lighter-colored volcanic ash, likely the Keanakāko‘i tephra deposits erupted during Kīlauea's last explosive phase several hundred years ago, is visible beneath tens of meters (yards) of lava flows.
Field sampling crew with favorite equipment
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | People
Field sampling crew with favorite equipment
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | People
Field sampling crew with favorite equipment
Close up view of inactive western fissure spatter cone in Halema‘uma‘u
Eruptive activity paused within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, a bit more than 2 months ago. In that time, the spatter cone at the western fissure complex has slowly degraded due to numerous small scale collapses, leaving a debris apron (fresh looking rubble) and exposing the interior of the spatter cone. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Eruptive activity paused within Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea's summit, a bit more than 2 months ago. In that time, the spatter cone at the western fissure complex has slowly degraded due to numerous small scale collapses, leaving a debris apron (fresh looking rubble) and exposing the interior of the spatter cone. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
R/V Sallenger tows SQUID-5
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
The R/V Sallenger tows the SQUID-5 over Looe Key reef with a NOAA Sanctuary boat in the background patrolling the Looe Key area to warn recreational vessels of the ongoing research activity.
View of Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit - July 30, 2021
A view looking north into Halema‘uma‘u on July 30, 2021. Although eruptive activity has paused at the summit of Kīlauea, HVO geologists still monitor the lava lake and summit area weekly. Lava lake surface depths remain the same since mid to late May when active lava was last observed at the surface. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
A view looking north into Halema‘uma‘u on July 30, 2021. Although eruptive activity has paused at the summit of Kīlauea, HVO geologists still monitor the lava lake and summit area weekly. Lava lake surface depths remain the same since mid to late May when active lava was last observed at the surface. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Impounded wetland eddy flux tower install
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | USGS at Work
Impounded wetland eddy flux tower install
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | USGS at Work
Impounded wetland eddy flux tower install
Bathymetry data of the New England Seamounts
New bathymetry data of the New England Seamounts collected with the EM 304 MK II variant during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamount Chain (EX-21-04) expedition, overlaid on the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Data Synthesis grid.
New bathymetry data of the New England Seamounts collected with the EM 304 MK II variant during the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamount Chain (EX-21-04) expedition, overlaid on the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Data Synthesis grid.
Chany Huddleston and Ross Clyma prepare QBoat at Schoharie Creek
Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Where We Work
Chany Huddleston and Ross Clyma prepare QBoat at Schoharie Creek
Photo Contest Winner | September 2021 | Where We Work
Chany Huddleston and Ross Clyma prepare QBoat at Schoharie Creek
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping - July 28, 2021 — Kīlauea
A USGS scientist calibrates two MultiGas instruments to prepare for mapping volcanic gasses on the floor of Kīlauea caldera. With the MultiGas strapped to metal backpack frames, the scientists traverse across the caldera floor to collect gas data which will be compared to the last survey.
A USGS scientist calibrates two MultiGas instruments to prepare for mapping volcanic gasses on the floor of Kīlauea caldera. With the MultiGas strapped to metal backpack frames, the scientists traverse across the caldera floor to collect gas data which will be compared to the last survey.
Kīlauea caldera gas mapping - July 28, 2021 — Kīlauea
While mapping volcanic gasses in Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists got a view (looking west) of Halema‘uma‘u and the down-dropped block. The steep crater walls of Halema‘uma‘u are visible in the upper center and right portions of this photo, but the recently active lava lake is out of view below the eastern crater rim.
While mapping volcanic gasses in Kīlauea caldera, HVO scientists got a view (looking west) of Halema‘uma‘u and the down-dropped block. The steep crater walls of Halema‘uma‘u are visible in the upper center and right portions of this photo, but the recently active lava lake is out of view below the eastern crater rim.
Field Work at Keller Well
HVO geologists measure the depth to the water table at the Keller Well, located south of Halema‘uma‘u crater. The Keller Well is a borehole drilled in 1973 to a depth of 4,140 ft (1,262 m) that has been used to monitor the hydrology of the summit region of Kīlauea volcano. Photo taken on July 27, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. HST. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
HVO geologists measure the depth to the water table at the Keller Well, located south of Halema‘uma‘u crater. The Keller Well is a borehole drilled in 1973 to a depth of 4,140 ft (1,262 m) that has been used to monitor the hydrology of the summit region of Kīlauea volcano. Photo taken on July 27, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. HST. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.
Muddy Creek near Dad streamgage, zero flow
Muddy Creek near Dad streamgage, zero flow
Muddy Creek near Dad streamgage, zero flow
Maintenance of volcano monitoring webcam—Kīlauea summit
An HVO geologist conducts maintenance on the S1cam web camera located along the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea.
An HVO geologist conducts maintenance on the S1cam web camera located along the southern rim of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea.
Nick Grim and Cameron Ensor rescuing a goose
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | Honorable Mention 2
Nick Grim and Cameron Ensor rescuing a goose that got stuck in fishing line on the Delaware River
Photo Contest Winner | August 2021 | Honorable Mention 2
Nick Grim and Cameron Ensor rescuing a goose that got stuck in fishing line on the Delaware River
The Yellowstone borehole geophysical network
The Yellowstone borehole geophysical network, installed by UNAVCO in 2007–2008. The placement of the boreholes is focused primarily around the caldera, and the boreholes contain a mix of instruments, including strainmeters, seismometers, tiltmeters, and pore pressure sensors.
The Yellowstone borehole geophysical network, installed by UNAVCO in 2007–2008. The placement of the boreholes is focused primarily around the caldera, and the boreholes contain a mix of instruments, including strainmeters, seismometers, tiltmeters, and pore pressure sensors.
Aerial photo of inactive lava lake—Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit
This aerial photo of the inactive lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured during a routine helicopter overflight by HVO geologists on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
This aerial photo of the inactive lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was captured during a routine helicopter overflight by HVO geologists on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u and the Kīlauea summit caldera—July 22
This wide-angle aerial view looks southeast over Kīlauea's summit caldera, with the recently active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u visible in the lower right. On the left side of the photo, the large cliffs formed during the 2018 collapses are visible. Kīlauea Iki can be seen in the upper left. USGS photo by M. Patrick, taken on July 22, 2021.
This wide-angle aerial view looks southeast over Kīlauea's summit caldera, with the recently active lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u visible in the lower right. On the left side of the photo, the large cliffs formed during the 2018 collapses are visible. Kīlauea Iki can be seen in the upper left. USGS photo by M. Patrick, taken on July 22, 2021.
Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low
USGS hydrologic technician Travis Gibson confirms Great Salt Lake water levels at the SaltAire gauge.
USGS hydrologic technician Travis Gibson confirms Great Salt Lake water levels at the SaltAire gauge.
Great Salt Lake Reaches New Historic Low
A sailboat is removed from the Great Salt Lake Marina due to low lake levels.
A sailboat is removed from the Great Salt Lake Marina due to low lake levels.