Images

Over several weeks in April, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, along with visiting scientist from other volcano observatories, conducted ​the annual Kīlauea microgravity survey.

During a gravity survey, HVO scientists measure the relative strength of gravity (using a gravimeter, one of the small light-colored boxes in the center of the photo) between benchmarks.

HVO scientists took ​GPS measurements at multiple locations on the floor of Kīlauea caldera during the recent gravity survey. By comparing the measurements made at these benchmarks with survey data from previous dates, HVO scientists can ​correct for any uplift or subsidence when estimating the change of mass ​from their gravity measurements.

A campaign gravity measurement being made near Keanakākoʻi Crater, within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea's summit eruption plume and Mauna Loa are visible in the background. USGS image. 

Recent changes in the Kīlauea summit eruption have seen the crusting-over of the lava pond near the western end of the Halema‘uma‘u crater floor. This view of the lava pond vicinity was captured through the lens of a laser rangefinder on April 6, 2022, from the western rim of the crater.

Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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.

Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) flights on April 6, 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 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continuous gravimeter station on Kīlauea Volcano. The continuous gravimeter is located within the weather-proof enclosure in the foreground of the photograph. Power systems for the gravimeter and continuous GPS are visible in the center of the photograph and consist of solar panels and batteries in weather-proof enclosures.

Keanakākoʻi Tephra from unit D in Kīlauea south caldera wall; the lower portion of the tephra deposit has been smoothed with a scraper tool, making the surface look different from the portion above.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 31, 2022. One eruptive vent (orange) is active within Halema‘uma‘u, on the western side of the crater floor.

Telephoto view, looking north, of the remnants of the west vent cone area within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 30, 2022. Lava is visible through a small opening near the top of the larger left remnant, indicating there is lava within. The western extent of the active lava lake area is visible in the center right of the image. USGS image by N.

Activity continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. In this telephoto view looking north, minor spattering is apparent on the eastern (left) margin of the active lava lake area.

This image, captured by a webcam on the northwest rim of Kīlauea caldera of March 29, 2022, shows spattering from a cone that has developed on the crater surface in the eastern part of Halema‘uma‘u.  The presence of these features demonstrates that molten material is present beneath the solidified surface of the crater floor. USGS image. 

Activity continues in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. Today, spattering was present at the margin of the active lava lake, along with lava pouring from a small cone in the northeast portion of the crater floor. USGS image by M. Patrick.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 29, 2022, shows an overview of Halema‘uma‘u looking northwest. The active lava lake is visible on the left, and a small lava flow east (right) of the main island is apparent in the center.

A telephoto view looking southwest taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 29, 2022, of the Kamakaiʻa Hills of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. Geologic mapping efforts indicate that the Kamakaiʻa Hills likely erupted within the last 250 years. The southwest flank of Mauna Loa is faint in the distant background to the right. USGS photo by N.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 29, 2022, with views of Kīlauea Iki Crater (top left), Pu‘upua‘i (left), and Keanakāko‘i Crater (bottom right). Pu‘upua‘i is a large cinder cone that during the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki. The trail leading to a popular viewing area for the current eruption is visible in the bottom center.

On March 22, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientists measured the water level in Keller Well, located in Kīlauea's south caldera region. Scientists also obtained a water sample. Keller Well is measured and sampled quarterly to monitor how magma supply to Kīlauea's summit reservoirs might impact regional ground water.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Halema‘uma‘u and a diffuse plume rising above Kīlauea caldera.

A photograph taken during a helicopter overflight on the morning of March 17, 2022, shows an overview of Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘u Pua‘i. Pu‘u Pua‘i is a large cinder cone that formed as a result of the towering 1,900 foot (580 meters) lava fountains during the eruption of Kīlauea Iki.

A helicopter overflight on March 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.