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Images

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

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Wide view of a volcanic crater with an active lava lake at the bottom
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022
Halema‘uma‘u, Kīlauea summit - March 11, 2022

A view of Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit, looking east, on the morning of March 11. The active lava lake is silvery gray and is visible in the lower right. The remnants of the west vent cone area are visible to the west (bottom right) of the active lava lake, and are the source of the majority of bluish-white volcanic gas emissions. USGS image by N. Deligne.

A view of Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea summit, looking east, on the morning of March 11. The active lava lake is silvery gray and is visible in the lower right. The remnants of the west vent cone area are visible to the west (bottom right) of the active lava lake, and are the source of the majority of bluish-white volcanic gas emissions. USGS image by N. Deligne.

Telephoto view of an active lava lake with a degassing eruptive vent
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022

Telephoto view looking east of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11, 2022. The craggy remains of the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past few weeks, are visible through the volcanic gas plume in the lower right.

Telephoto view looking east of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11, 2022. The craggy remains of the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past few weeks, are visible through the volcanic gas plume in the lower right.

Telephoto view of an active lava lake with thick volcanic gas emissions
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022
Kīlauea active lava lake - March 11, 2022

Telephoto view, looking east, of the lava source area for the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11. The is supplied from the embayment which is just north (left) of the remnants of west cone area (center and right).

Telephoto view, looking east, of the lava source area for the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea on March 11. The is supplied from the embayment which is just north (left) of the remnants of west cone area (center and right).

Animated gif of eruption images
Changes to the west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u over the past month
Changes to the west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u over the past month
Changes to the west vent area in Halema‘uma‘u over the past month

This animated gif features one V1cam image, taken around noon each day, from February 1, 2022, through March 4, 2022.



Color photograph of volcanic vent
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

Bursts of lava erupting from a vent in the western half of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea volcano summit, were reaching 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) from the top of the cone on March 4, 2022. A small channel of sluggish lava was flowing down the western side of this cone.

Bursts of lava erupting from a vent in the western half of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea volcano summit, were reaching 15-20 meters (50-65 feet) from the top of the cone on March 4, 2022. A small channel of sluggish lava was flowing down the western side of this cone.

Color photograph of volcanic vent
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. A number of vents are located in the western half of the crater, where the west vent cone used to be. On March 4, 2022, the highest of these features was measured at 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Kīlauea's summit eruption continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. A number of vents are located in the western half of the crater, where the west vent cone used to be. On March 4, 2022, the highest of these features was measured at 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea
March 4, 2022 — Kīlauea

The ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, is occurring from a number of vents in a complex located in the western half of the crater. The tallest cone in this complex measures about 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

The ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u, at Kīlauea summit, is occurring from a number of vents in a complex located in the western half of the crater. The tallest cone in this complex measures about 19 meters (60 feet) in height and is shown in this photograph. USGS photo by L. Gallant.

Color map of eruption at summit of volcano
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 4, 2022—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption on March 4, 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 4, 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 photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on March 2, 2022, HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit. The eruption, which resumed several hours earlier, at approximately 1 a.m., continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. In this photo, active lava is visible near the west vent, near the center of the image, and Mauna Loa looms in the background. USGS image by F.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on March 2, 2022, HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Kīlauea's summit. The eruption, which resumed several hours earlier, at approximately 1 a.m., continues within Halema‘uma‘u crater. In this photo, active lava is visible near the west vent, near the center of the image, and Mauna Loa looms in the background. USGS image by F.

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater and the ongoing eruption within it. This view, to the northeast, shows one of several down-dropped blocks that formed during Kīlauea's summit collapse events in 2018.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u crater and the ongoing eruption within it. This view, to the northeast, shows one of several down-dropped blocks that formed during Kīlauea's summit collapse events in 2018.

Color photograph of eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea west vent area

This aerial photo, taken south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, shows the active part of the eruption at Kīlauea summit during a routine Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022.

This aerial photo, taken south of Halema‘uma‘u crater, shows the active part of the eruption at Kīlauea summit during a routine Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022.

Color photograph of eruption
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit eruption resumes

This telephoto view, taken during a eruption monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on March 2, 2022, shows the west vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Lava erupts from multiple locations near where the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past several weeks, was located.

This telephoto view, taken during a eruption monitoring overflight of Kīlauea summit on March 2, 2022, shows the west vent area within Halema‘uma‘u crater. Lava erupts from multiple locations near where the west vent cone, which has broken down over the past several weeks, was located.

Color map of lava lake temperature
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 2, 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 2, 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 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map
March 2, 2022—Kīlauea summit thermal map

A helicopter overflight on March 2, 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 2, 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 graphic of volcano monitoring data
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)
Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue)

Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue).  The top panel is for the time period 12/1/2017–1/30/2018 and is representative of the “old” lava lake.  For this panel, lake level was retrieved from thermal camera images, hence it is given in units of “pixels.”  The bottom panel is from 1/15/2022–2/15/2022; in this case, the lake l

Summit tiltmeter data (green) shown against lava lake level (blue).  The top panel is for the time period 12/1/2017–1/30/2018 and is representative of the “old” lava lake.  For this panel, lake level was retrieved from thermal camera images, hence it is given in units of “pixels.”  The bottom panel is from 1/15/2022–2/15/2022; in this case, the lake l

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea active lava lake distal margin

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as two zones of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as two zones of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as a zone of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as a zone of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of lava lake
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea lava lake distal margin activity

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as a zone of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Telephoto view of the distal (east) margin of the active lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. Minor spattering is visible along the margin, as well as a zone of crustal foundering (a process in which more cool and dense crust at the surface sinks into the molten material below). USGS image by K. Mulliken.

Color photograph of spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea spatter cone

Telephoto view taken on March 2, 2022, during an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. In the center of the image, one of the spatter cones that has developed on the surface of the crater floor in recent weeks is visible.

Telephoto view taken on March 2, 2022, during an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. In the center of the image, one of the spatter cones that has developed on the surface of the crater floor in recent weeks is visible.

Color photograph of volcanic landscape
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea south caldera region

During a routine eruption-monitoring overflight of Kīlauea's summit, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the south caldera area. Bulldozers were used to create mounds, visible in the right center portion of the image, in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea during World War II. USGS image by F. Trusdell.

During a routine eruption-monitoring overflight of Kīlauea's summit, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists captured this view of the south caldera area. Bulldozers were used to create mounds, visible in the right center portion of the image, in an effort to prevent planes from landing in this area of Kīlauea during World War II. USGS image by F. Trusdell.

Color photograph of damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road
March 2, 2022 — Kīlauea summit damaged road

A portion of Crater Rim Drive that was damaged during Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse events was visible during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022. Crater Rim Drive used to go around Kīlauea summit caldera within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

A portion of Crater Rim Drive that was damaged during Kīlauea's 2018 summit collapse events was visible during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on March 2, 2022. Crater Rim Drive used to go around Kīlauea summit caldera within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.