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Volcano Hazard Program images.

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Color map of lava lake temperature
July 7, 2022—Kīlauea summit UAS thermal maps
July 7, 2022—Kīlauea summit UAS thermal maps
July 7, 2022—Kīlauea summit UAS thermal maps

Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) flights on July 7, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) flights on July 7, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Color photographs of volcanic gas plumes
Degassing plume at Kīlauea in 2013
Degassing plume at Kīlauea in 2013
Degassing plume at Kīlauea in 2013

At left, the degassing plume at Kīlauea in 2013 as seen by a standard, visible-light camera. Note that plume is mostly transparent, with some blue/brown tones from aerosol scattering, and hard to distinguish from background cloud. At right, the plume from the same vantage point as seen by a UV camera.

At left, the degassing plume at Kīlauea in 2013 as seen by a standard, visible-light camera. Note that plume is mostly transparent, with some blue/brown tones from aerosol scattering, and hard to distinguish from background cloud. At right, the plume from the same vantage point as seen by a UV camera.

Color photograph of scientists in the field
July 6, 2022 — Kīlauea Gas Monitoring Station Maintenance
July 6, 2022 — Kīlauea Gas Monitoring Station Maintenance
July 6, 2022 — Kīlauea Gas Monitoring Station Maintenance

On July 6, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians conducted maintenance on a volcanic gas monitoring station in Kīlauea summit region. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

On July 6, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory technicians conducted maintenance on a volcanic gas monitoring station in Kīlauea summit region. USGS photo by M. Cappos.

Color map of aerial survey flightlines
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightlines
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightlines
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightlines

Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-lines (in green) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022. The survey will be conducted from air space over Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (boundary in white on the map), Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands.

Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-lines (in green) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022. The survey will be conducted from air space over Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (boundary in white on the map), Hawaii State lands, and Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate lands.

Color map of aerial survey
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightline Block Boundaries
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightline Block Boundaries
July 2022 — Kīlauea Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Flightline Block Boundaries

Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-line (green) block boundaries (red) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022.

Map of Kīlauea volcano showing the helicopter flight-line (green) block boundaries (red) for the geophysical survey that will be conducted from approximately July 5-25, 2022.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 29, 2022 — Spattering on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Spattering on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Spattering on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

This image shows spattering on the active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, as seen during a Kīlauea summit observational field shift on June 29, 2022. The areas between the smooth, silvery plates on the surface spatter vigorously as these plates get dragged down into the molten lake and new plates of rapidly cooled lava form in their place. USGS photo by L.

This image shows spattering on the active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, as seen during a Kīlauea summit observational field shift on June 29, 2022. The areas between the smooth, silvery plates on the surface spatter vigorously as these plates get dragged down into the molten lake and new plates of rapidly cooled lava form in their place. USGS photo by L.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
June 29, 2022 — Hornito degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Hornito degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Hornito degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

This image shows a small hornito degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, at the summit of Kīlauea. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake. Alteration from the persistent degassing is what causes some of the variation and color you can see in the area around the hornito (note the yellows and reds).

This image shows a small hornito degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor, at the summit of Kīlauea. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake. Alteration from the persistent degassing is what causes some of the variation and color you can see in the area around the hornito (note the yellows and reds).

Color photograph of lava lake
June 29, 2022 — Active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
June 29, 2022 — Active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

This image shows the active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, as seen during a Kīlauea summit eruption observational field shift on June 29, 2022. The lava is flowing from left to right in this photo, and multiple areas of spatter can be seen (the red patches in the center of the photo and along the margin of the lake).

This image shows the active lake surface of Halema‘uma‘u, as seen during a Kīlauea summit eruption observational field shift on June 29, 2022. The lava is flowing from left to right in this photo, and multiple areas of spatter can be seen (the red patches in the center of the photo and along the margin of the lake).

Color photograph of lava flow
Lava from the 1855–56 Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa
Lava from the 1855–56 Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa
Lava from the 1855–56 Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa

Rubbly ‘a‘ā from the 1855–56 Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa dominates the foreground of this image, taken from a pull-off of the Saddle Road on June 26, 2022. This lava flow bypassed some vegetation, forming the forested kīpuka in the middle of the image. The slopes of Mauna Loa are visible in the background, amongst a cloudy sky. USGS photo by K.

Rubbly ‘a‘ā from the 1855–56 Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa dominates the foreground of this image, taken from a pull-off of the Saddle Road on June 26, 2022. This lava flow bypassed some vegetation, forming the forested kīpuka in the middle of the image. The slopes of Mauna Loa are visible in the background, amongst a cloudy sky. USGS photo by K.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 24, 2022 — Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit
June 24, 2022 — Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit
June 24, 2022 — Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit

Lava lake activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo looks east, and shows that on June 24, the lava level was near the rim of the lake, with spattering along the east margin. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Lava lake activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo looks east, and shows that on June 24, the lava level was near the rim of the lake, with spattering along the east margin. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of lava flowing
June 24, 2022 — Continued activity at Kīlauea summit
June 24, 2022 — Continued activity at Kīlauea summit
June 24, 2022 — Continued activity at Kīlauea summit

Just north of the main lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, there was a small zone of weak ooze-outs extruding from the crater floor on June 24. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Just north of the main lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea, there was a small zone of weak ooze-outs extruding from the crater floor on June 24. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph panel of tephra sample at different scales
Images of volcanic samples at various stages of preparation from macro to micro scales.
Images of volcanic samples at various stages of preparation from macro to micro scales.
Images of volcanic samples at various stages of preparation from macro to micro scales.

Left: Example of tephra deposits as they appear in the field. At this macro step, field geologists take notes and make detailed descriptions of the samples before collecting material for further study. Middle: A laboratory-prepared mount of volcanic glass in clear epoxy that has been polished for geochemical analysis.

Left: Example of tephra deposits as they appear in the field. At this macro step, field geologists take notes and make detailed descriptions of the samples before collecting material for further study. Middle: A laboratory-prepared mount of volcanic glass in clear epoxy that has been polished for geochemical analysis.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
June 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
June 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
June 21, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on June 21, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on June 21, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.

Color graphic depicting magma storage system beneath volcano summit
Schematic east-west cross-section across Kīlauea caldera 2018-2019
Schematic east-west cross-section across Kīlauea caldera 2018-2019
Schematic east-west cross-section across Kīlauea caldera 2018-2019

Schematic east-west cross-section across Kīlauea caldera. Cartoon is not to scale, and features are greatly exaggerated for clarity. (A) Prior to the 2018 collapse, the summit eruptive vent was supplied by the Halemaʻumaʻu magma reservoir, 1–2 km beneath the caldera.

Schematic east-west cross-section across Kīlauea caldera. Cartoon is not to scale, and features are greatly exaggerated for clarity. (A) Prior to the 2018 collapse, the summit eruptive vent was supplied by the Halemaʻumaʻu magma reservoir, 1–2 km beneath the caldera.

Color map of lava lake temperature
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on June 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

A helicopter overflight on June 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Color map of lava lake temperature
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
June 17, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on June 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

A helicopter overflight on June 17, 2022, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. The active lake surface is limited to the western portion of the crater.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
June 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
June 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u lava lake

An image of Halema‘uma‘u taken during a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on the morning of June 17, 2022. There are several areas of degassing (the small white plumes) located across the lake surface, some of which are associated with hornitos. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake.

An image of Halema‘uma‘u taken during a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on the morning of June 17, 2022. There are several areas of degassing (the small white plumes) located across the lake surface, some of which are associated with hornitos. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 17, 2022 — Hornitos on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u
June 17, 2022 — Hornitos on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u
June 17, 2022 — Hornitos on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u

Two hornitos degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, taken during a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on the morning of June 17, 2022. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake. These features are several tens of feet tall (less than 30 meters).

Two hornitos degassing on the surface of Halema‘uma‘u, taken during a Kīlauea summit helicopter overflight on the morning of June 17, 2022. Hornitos are small, rootless cones that are fed by the tube network within the lava lake. These features are several tens of feet tall (less than 30 meters).

Color photograph of sunset from volcano summit
Mauna Loa summit sunset on June 13, 2022
Mauna Loa summit sunset on June 13, 2022
Mauna Loa summit sunset on June 13, 2022

In the pastel colors of sunset, Mauna Loa's shield-shaped shadow is illuminated in this image taken at approximately 7 p.m. HST on June 13, 2022, by the MLcam. The MLcam is located on the northwest rim of Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera. A full moon is visible just above the shadow of Mauna Loa.

In the pastel colors of sunset, Mauna Loa's shield-shaped shadow is illuminated in this image taken at approximately 7 p.m. HST on June 13, 2022, by the MLcam. The MLcam is located on the northwest rim of Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera. A full moon is visible just above the shadow of Mauna Loa.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues

At the summit of Kīlauea, the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u continues. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a field observation shift the morning of June 8. From the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, the active lava lake in the west portion of the crater was nearly full and the surface crust was slowly moving west to east.

At the summit of Kīlauea, the eruption within Halema‘uma‘u continues. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted a field observation shift the morning of June 8. From the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, the active lava lake in the west portion of the crater was nearly full and the surface crust was slowly moving west to east.

Color photograph of lava lake
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues
June 8, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption continues

In this telephoto image taken from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, spattering and crustal foundering is visible in the east end of the active lava lake within the crater at Kīlauea's summit. Slabs of thin silvery crust are visible covering most of the lava lake surface; this crust was moving in a west-to-east motion the morning of June 8. USGS photo by J.

In this telephoto image taken from the south rim of Halema‘uma‘u, spattering and crustal foundering is visible in the east end of the active lava lake within the crater at Kīlauea's summit. Slabs of thin silvery crust are visible covering most of the lava lake surface; this crust was moving in a west-to-east motion the morning of June 8. USGS photo by J.