Images

The channelized flow from the western vent complex advanced significantly downslope through forest within the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Measuring the thickness of an ‘A‘ā flow produced by the Kamoamoa fissure eruption. The measuring stick is 2 m (6.5 ft) tall.

A massive earthquake, and subsequent tsunami, struck the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011. The USGS calculated the magnitude of the earthquake as a 9.0, the fourth largest ever recorded. The tsunami that followed was over 10 meters high in places.

Office building at Stennis Space Center magnetic observatory, Mississippi.

Stennis geomagnetic observatory.

New fissure eruption SW of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō between Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and Nāpau crater. Spatter is reaching 15-20 m into the air, above the trees. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō in the background.

New fissure eruption SW of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō between Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and Nāpau crater. Spatter is reaching 15-20 m into the air, above the trees.

Map showing the extent of the active flows of the Kamoamoa eruption, which started on March 5, 2011. Bright red shows the currently active flow, and light red shows an incomplete mapping of recent, but inactive, flows. Dark gray is the exposed area of flows erupted between 1983 and 1992, while light gray shows the extent of flows erupted from 1992 to 2007.

Map showing the extent of the "July 2007 eruption", or Episode 58, flow field relative to surrounding communities. Reddish-brown is the active flow as mapped on January 13, 2011, while bright red shows the advancement of the flow from January 13-February 4. Light red represents older flows erupted during Episode 58 of the ongoing East Rift Zone eruption.

Map showing the extent of the active flows. Reddish-brown is the flow as mapped on February 4, 2011, while bright red shows the advancement of the flow from January 13-February 4. Small ocean entries remains active at the front of both the western and eastern branches of the flow.

Map showing the location of the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook vent, and subsequent closures due to the eruption. The Overlook vent and volcano's summit are located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Map shows activity from Episode 56

Aerial view of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō and surrounding features.

Lava spatters above the fissure just west of the base of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō.

Early morning view of the fissure eruption between Nāpau Crater and Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. View is to the northwest. Fume from the eruptive vent in Halema‘uma‘u can be seen at upper right against the dark mass of Mauna Loa.

Most of the day's activity was focused at this vent, around which a low cone was forming. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is visible in the background to the northeast.

Lava pours from the fissure just after daybreak and cascades out of sight into a deep crack. HVO geologist near upper right for perspective.

A portion of charred, lava covered forest along the east rift zone, from the initial fissure eruption that began yesterday evening (March 5).

A small fissure eruption between Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Crater and Nāpau, extending 100 m long (330 ft) and spattering 20 m (66 ft) high.

This fissure is erupting 1.5 km (0.9 mi) west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Crater. You can view this eruption on the new Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō to Nāpau Crater webcam installed today!

A close-up of the fissure just west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō Crater. Spatter was reaching heights of 40 m (130 ft).