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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 31, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 31, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 31, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

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.

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.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
March 30, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent cone area
March 30, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent cone area
March 30, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent cone area

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.

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.

Color photograph of lava lake
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 30, 2022
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 30, 2022
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 30, 2022

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.

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.

Color photograph of lava spattering
29 March 2022– Kīlauea volcano, spattering within Halema‘uma‘u crater
29 March 2022– Kīlauea volcano, spattering within Halema‘uma‘u crater
29 March 2022– Kīlauea volcano, spattering within Halema‘uma‘u crater

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. 

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. 

Color photograph of lava lake
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 29, 2022
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 29, 2022
Continued lava lake activity at Kīlauea summit on March 29, 2022

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.

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.

Color photograph of lava lake
March 29, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 29, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 29, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

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 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.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
March 29, 2022 — Kamakaiʻa Hills
March 29, 2022 — Kamakaiʻa Hills
March 29, 2022 — Kamakaiʻa Hills

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 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.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
March 29, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki Crater, Pu‘upua‘i, and Keanakāko‘i Crater
March 29, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki Crater, Pu‘upua‘i, and Keanakāko‘i Crater
March 29, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki Crater, Pu‘upua‘i, and Keanakāko‘i Crater

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.

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.

Color photograph of lava
March 25, 2022 — Kīlauea summit continued lava lake activity
March 25, 2022 — Kīlauea summit continued lava lake activity
March 25, 2022 — Kīlauea summit continued lava lake activity

The summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues with lava lake activity. This photo, taken on March 24, 2022, shows lava from the main lake pouring into a smaller lake in the western portion of the crater. USGS image by M. Patrick.

The summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea, continues with lava lake activity. This photo, taken on March 24, 2022, shows lava from the main lake pouring into a smaller lake in the western portion of the crater. USGS image by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientists in field
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling

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.

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.

Color photograph of scientists in field
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling
March 22, 2022 — Kīlauea Keller Well sampling

Located south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, in Kīlauea south caldera region, the Keller Well is a borehole drilled in 1973 to a depth of 4,140 ft (1,262 m). Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologists measure the depth to the water table quarterly to monitor Kīlauea summit region hydrology. Photo taken on March 22, 2022, by F. Younger.

Located south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, in Kīlauea south caldera region, the Keller Well is a borehole drilled in 1973 to a depth of 4,140 ft (1,262 m). Hawaii Volcano Observatory geologists measure the depth to the water table quarterly to monitor Kīlauea summit region hydrology. Photo taken on March 22, 2022, by F. Younger.

Color photograph of instrument
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter
Absolute Quantum Gravimeter

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Absolute Quantum Gravimeter is undergoing set-up, testing, and calibration before installation at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by A. Ellis.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Absolute Quantum Gravimeter is undergoing set-up, testing, and calibration before installation at the summit of Kīlauea. USGS image by A. Ellis.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea
March 17, 2022 — Overview of Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea

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 Halema‘uma‘u and a diffuse plume rising above Kīlauea caldera.

Color photograph of cinder cone and crater
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea Iki and Pu‘upua‘i.

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 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.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption overflight
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption overflight
March 17, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption overflight

A routine helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, provided airborne views of the summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. At the start of the video, the helicopter flies over the edge of the large collapse depression formed during the 2018 eruption.

A routine helicopter overflight on March 17, 2022, provided airborne views of the summit eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. At the start of the video, the helicopter flies over the edge of the large collapse depression formed during the 2018 eruption.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 21, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 21, 2022. One eruptive vent is intermittently active within Halema‘uma‘u, in the western end of the crater. When this vent is effusing lava, it pours into a lava lake, colored red on this map.

Color map of erupting volcanoes on Earth
GVP map showing the 48 volcanoes that were in a continuing eruption status as of March 17, 2022
GVP map showing the 48 volcanoes that were in a continuing eruption status as of March 17, 2022
GVP map showing the 48 volcanoes that were in a continuing eruption status as of March 17, 2022

Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program map showing the 48 volcanoes that were in a continuing eruption status as of March 17, 2022. "Continuing" does not always mean persistent daily activity but indicates at least intermittent eruptive events without a break of 3 months or more.

Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program map showing the 48 volcanoes that were in a continuing eruption status as of March 17, 2022. "Continuing" does not always mean persistent daily activity but indicates at least intermittent eruptive events without a break of 3 months or more.

Color photograph of feature in lava lake
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea bridge of lava

A small bridge of lava 3 meters (10 feet) in height is left behind during a lull in activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. The repeated ebb and flow of lava into the active lake surface has caused the pond behind this feature to start pinching off from the main part of the active lake that fills with lava when activity is more vigorous.

A small bridge of lava 3 meters (10 feet) in height is left behind during a lull in activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater at Kīlauea's summit. The repeated ebb and flow of lava into the active lake surface has caused the pond behind this feature to start pinching off from the main part of the active lake that fills with lava when activity is more vigorous.

Color photograph of feature in lava lake
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava
March 15, 2022 — Kīlauea arch of lava

This 8 meter (26 feet) tall arch of lava was left behind during a lull in eruptive activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea's summit. This feature is located in the spillway that connects the vent of Halema‘uma‘u to the lava lake.

This 8 meter (26 feet) tall arch of lava was left behind during a lull in eruptive activity within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea's summit. This feature is located in the spillway that connects the vent of Halema‘uma‘u to the lava lake.