Images

A volcano observatory scientist and a collaborator carry the gravity survey instruments across spatter deposits from the September 2023 Kīlauea summit eruption.

A gravimeter being deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera, with a GPS station located on a tripod nearby. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

At each gravity survey location, a kinematic GPS station is deployed nearby for precise location data, used to correct for the variety of factors that influence gravity results—especially vertical deformation. This survey location is located near the CALS continuous GPS site on the portion of Kīlauea caldera that collapsed in 2018.

On March 25, HVO staff and collaborators conducted the annual gravity survey in Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano). Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.

HVO geologists made a routine visit to check on equipment at the summit of Kīlauea today, and had clear views across the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. The central portion of this photo is the region where much of the lava lake activity has occurred over the previous few years, with the area now showing only wispy plumes of weak gas emission.

This photo shows the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The circular area of yellow coloration, near the top of the photo, is spot where the first lava fountain emerged in the September 2023 eruption. In the lower portion of the photo, the remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot are visible.

A close-up of the central portion of the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The small mound is the remaining portion of the island (or raft) of material formed in the early stages of the first crater-filling eruption in December 2020. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

To conduct the Hualālai campaign survey, HVO staff requested permission from land managers before navigating to benchmarks cemented into the ground surface. Data collected at each location will together provide a picture of how the ground surface of Hualālai volcano has changed since the previous survey in 2015.

At each location of the Hualālai campaign survey, a GPS unit is placed on a levelled tripod centered over a benchmark on the ground surface (pictured here at station KIPA on Kipahe'e crater). The precise location of the GPS is recorded by the receiver, housed in the yellow box.

The HVO geodetic network manager sets up a campaign GPS unit at station KIPA on Kipahe'e crater (elevation 2331 m or 7647 ft) of Hualālai. USGS photo by A. Flinders.

HVO chief field engineer sets up a campaign GPS GNSS unit at station KEHU on Ka'upulehu crater as part of the ongoing Hualālai survey.

During March of 2024, HVO is conducting a GPS survey of Hualālai volcano. This survey, usually done every three years, hasn't been conducted since 2015 due to eruptions at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the pandemic, and staff/personnel rotations.

Regular station maintenance is vital for keeping the HVO monitoring network healthy. Here, weed eating ensures the site won't get overgrown, potentially blocking the solar array. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The new MSPwebcam can be remotely controlled at the observatory to zoom in on an area of interest on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. This photo looks north and shows the upper portion of Ocean View Estates. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

An HVO physical science technician installs a new webcam near South Point, looking north to monitor any future activity on Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Most of the crater has been filled in by lava erupted since 2020. The flanks of Mauna Loa are visible in the background of this southeast-facing view. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

An aerial view of the Twin Pit Craters near Maunaiki trail in the Ka‘ū Desert of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

This aerial photo shows some of the new cracks that developed as a result of the recent intrusion southwest of Kīlauea's summit.

An aerial view of Mauna Loa, taken from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on February 6, 2024. USGS photo by H. Winslow.

HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera), the Koa‘e fault system, and the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea on February 6, 2024. This aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u shows the fumarolic areas marked by white alteration that have developed on the lava flows that make up the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by H.

Pu‘ukoa‘e, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea, is prominent in this aerial photo taken on February 6, 2024. The slopes of Mauna Loa and the Nīnole Hills are visible in the background. USGS photo by H. Winslow.