Low-angle view of fissures bisecting Nāpau Crater during the eruption of Kīlauea's middle East Rift Zone, September 17, 2024

This photograph of Kīlauea's ongoing middle East Rift Zone eruption was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight during the morning of September 17, 2024. This low-angle view looking southwest shows three lava fountains; the tallest is approximately 10 meters (30 feet) high. The dark black lava covering the floor of Nāpau Crater erupted within the 12-14 hours prior to this photo was taken at 8:09 am H.S.T.  An older spatter rampart is visible in the lower left of the photo. USGS photo by N. Deligne.