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

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Color photographs of student in lab, in the field, and presenting
2024 HVO PIPES intern Kamalani Poepoe
2024 HVO PIPES intern Kamalani Poepoe
2024 HVO PIPES intern Kamalani Poepoe

Left: 2024 HVO PIPES intern Kamalani Poepoe and colleagues prepare samples from Kīlauea’s June 2024 eruption for analysis. Top Right: Kamalani gets instruction on how to perform eruption response tasks on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu. Lower Right: Kamalani presenting her work at the 2024 PIPES symposium in Honolulu, HI. 

Left: 2024 HVO PIPES intern Kamalani Poepoe and colleagues prepare samples from Kīlauea’s June 2024 eruption for analysis. Top Right: Kamalani gets instruction on how to perform eruption response tasks on the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu. Lower Right: Kamalani presenting her work at the 2024 PIPES symposium in Honolulu, HI. 

Color plots of seismic data
Example waveforms of HVO seismic data
Example waveforms of HVO seismic data
Example waveforms of HVO seismic data

Figure caption: Example waveforms showing a T-phase arriving from the M7.4 Chile earthquake on July 19, 2024 (left).  This T-phase event is compared to a local tremor burst deep beneath Pāhala on July 30, 2024 (right).  The plots show time for several stations in the HVO network.  The T-phase moves more slowly across the network which is represented b

Figure caption: Example waveforms showing a T-phase arriving from the M7.4 Chile earthquake on July 19, 2024 (left).  This T-phase event is compared to a local tremor burst deep beneath Pāhala on July 30, 2024 (right).  The plots show time for several stations in the HVO network.  The T-phase moves more slowly across the network which is represented b

Black and white image showing location of volcanoes and infrastructure on an island
Map of volcanoes and infrastructure on the Island of Hawaiʻi
Map of volcanoes and infrastructure on the Island of Hawaiʻi
Map of volcanoes and infrastructure on the Island of Hawaiʻi

Map of Island of Hawaiʻi, highlighting the four active or potentially active volcanoes of the Island, the number of people living on each volcano based on 2020 census data, major roads (transportation corridors) and minor roads (proxy for population density), when each volcano last erupted, and each volcano’s national threat assessment designation.

Map of Island of Hawaiʻi, highlighting the four active or potentially active volcanoes of the Island, the number of people living on each volcano based on 2020 census data, major roads (transportation corridors) and minor roads (proxy for population density), when each volcano last erupted, and each volcano’s national threat assessment designation.

Color map showing ground deformation and earthquakes at a volcano
July 25, 2024—Kīlauea upper East Rift Zone unrest
July 25, 2024—Kīlauea upper East Rift Zone unrest
July 25, 2024—Kīlauea upper East Rift Zone unrest

This reference map depicts recent unrest along Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone. Earthquakes that occurred between July 22–25, 2024, are shown as yellow circles. Recent ground deformation in this region, over the timeframe of July 15-24, 2024, is shown as colored fringes; data were recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite.

This reference map depicts recent unrest along Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone. Earthquakes that occurred between July 22–25, 2024, are shown as yellow circles. Recent ground deformation in this region, over the timeframe of July 15-24, 2024, is shown as colored fringes; data were recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite.

Crack on a road
July 25, 2024 — Crack growth on Chain of Craters Road
July 25, 2024 — Crack growth on Chain of Craters Road
July 25, 2024 — Crack growth on Chain of Craters Road

On July 25, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff again drove down the closed portion of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to check for any damage related to the July 22-25 intrusion on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone. They found many new small cracks in Chain of Craters Road, including this one, near Hiʻiaka Crater.

On July 25, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff again drove down the closed portion of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to check for any damage related to the July 22-25 intrusion on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone. They found many new small cracks in Chain of Craters Road, including this one, near Hiʻiaka Crater.

Color map showing ground deformation of volcano
July 24, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation
July 24, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation
July 24, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation

This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea, over the timeframe of July 15-24, 2024. Data were recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion.

This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea, over the timeframe of July 15-24, 2024. Data were recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion.

Color photograph of scientist standing near road
July 23, 2024 — Small cracks on Chain of Craters Road
July 23, 2024 — Small cracks on Chain of Craters Road
July 23, 2024 — Small cracks on Chain of Craters Road

On July 23, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff drove down the closed portion of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to check for any damage related to the July 22-25 intrusion on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone.

On July 23, USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) staff drove down the closed portion of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to check for any damage related to the July 22-25 intrusion on Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone.

Color photograph of ground deformation at a volcano
July 8, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation
July 8, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation
July 8, 2024—InSAR image of Kīlauea ground deformation

This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea, over the timeframe of June 6 to July 8, 2024. Data was recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion.

This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea, over the timeframe of June 6 to July 8, 2024. Data was recorded by the Italian Space Agency's (ASI) Cosmo-SkyMED satellite. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation.  Each color cycle represents 1.5 cm (0.6 in) of ground motion.

Color map showing the location that people reported earthquakes and with color denoting the intensity of shaking
The CIIM for the magnitude-4.1 earthquake on July 6, 2024, on the Island of Hawaiʻi
The CIIM for the magnitude-4.1 earthquake on July 6, 2024, on the Island of Hawaiʻi
The CIIM for the magnitude-4.1 earthquake on July 6, 2024, on the Island of Hawaiʻi

The Community Internet Intensity Map for the magnitude-4.1 earthquake on July 6, 2024, on the Island of Hawaiʻi (location shown by star). Felt reports show the intensity of shaking during the earthquake across the Island of Hawaiʻi. Not shown are felt reports from Maui and Lanaʻi for this event. 

The Community Internet Intensity Map for the magnitude-4.1 earthquake on July 6, 2024, on the Island of Hawaiʻi (location shown by star). Felt reports show the intensity of shaking during the earthquake across the Island of Hawaiʻi. Not shown are felt reports from Maui and Lanaʻi for this event. 

Color photograph of ground cracks and sulfur deposits
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea

While HVO geologists were moving temporary webcams, they revisited the site of the June 3 eruption. This photo looks downrift, with the June 3 pad of lava in the upper right. Extensive cracking uprift of the fissure had weak residual outgassing and vibrant sulfur deposits. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

While HVO geologists were moving temporary webcams, they revisited the site of the June 3 eruption. This photo looks downrift, with the June 3 pad of lava in the upper right. Extensive cracking uprift of the fissure had weak residual outgassing and vibrant sulfur deposits. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of scientist installing webcam
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone

With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a new temporary webcam was installed on Cone Peak, providing a better view of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

With permission from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a new temporary webcam was installed on Cone Peak, providing a better view of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of webcam on lava flow
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone
July 3, 2024 — Shifting webcam locations on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone

HVO geologists visited Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone and site of the June 3 eruption. The mission was to remove the temporary webcams deployed during that eruption, given a new temporary webcam nearby on Cone Peak. This photo shows the temporary webcam removed today near the June 3 eruption site. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

HVO geologists visited Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone and site of the June 3 eruption. The mission was to remove the temporary webcams deployed during that eruption, given a new temporary webcam nearby on Cone Peak. This photo shows the temporary webcam removed today near the June 3 eruption site. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of ground cracks with yellow suflur
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea ground cracks and sulfur deposits
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea ground cracks and sulfur deposits
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea ground cracks and sulfur deposits

Sulfur deposits downwind of the cracks show the southwest direction of trade winds in Hawaii. These cracks were just uprift of the June 3 eruption site on Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Sulfur deposits downwind of the cracks show the southwest direction of trade winds in Hawaii. These cracks were just uprift of the June 3 eruption site on Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Photo of ground cracks
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone ground cracks
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone ground cracks
July 3, 2024 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone ground cracks

Extensive ground cracks are present uprift of the June 3 eruption site on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Extensive ground cracks are present uprift of the June 3 eruption site on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of sulfur crystals in ground crack
July 3, 2024 — Sulfur crystals on Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Sulfur crystals on Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Sulfur crystals on Kīlauea

A close up view of delicate sulfur crystals in one of the cracks near the June 3 eruption site, on Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

A close up view of delicate sulfur crystals in one of the cracks near the June 3 eruption site, on Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of ground cracks and sulfur deposits
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
July 3, 2024 — Ground cracks and sulfur deposits on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea

Another view of sulfur deposits in and around cracks near the June 3 eruption site on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Another view of sulfur deposits in and around cracks near the June 3 eruption site on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Color photograph of field engineer adjusting volcano-monitoring instrument
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea

Once the sand was removed from the borehole, HVO field engineers could begin the process of leveling the UWE tiltmeter located at the base.

Once the sand was removed from the borehole, HVO field engineers could begin the process of leveling the UWE tiltmeter located at the base.

Color photograph of thermal area on volcano
Puhimau thermal area
Puhimau thermal area
Puhimau thermal area

View of the broomsedge grass in the Puhimau thermal area on the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The Puhimau thermal area is apparent on both sides of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

View of the broomsedge grass in the Puhimau thermal area on the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The Puhimau thermal area is apparent on both sides of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS image by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of a volcanic crater
Puhimau Crater on Kīlauea
Puhimau Crater on Kīlauea
Puhimau Crater on Kīlauea

View of Puhimau Crater, one of the many craters visible just off of Chain of Craters Road within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

View of Puhimau Crater, one of the many craters visible just off of Chain of Craters Road within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. 

Color photograph of field engineer vacuuming sand from a borehole
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea

Before the UWE tiltmeter could be leveled, sand had to removed from the six-meter-deep (20 feet) borehole housing the tiltmeter. HVO field engineers use a high-power vacuum to remove the sand, in order to access the tiltmeter. USGS image by M. Warren.

Before the UWE tiltmeter could be leveled, sand had to removed from the six-meter-deep (20 feet) borehole housing the tiltmeter. HVO field engineers use a high-power vacuum to remove the sand, in order to access the tiltmeter. USGS image by M. Warren.

View down a borehole hosting a volcano-monitoring instrument
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea
July 2, 2024 — Leveling the UWE tiltmeter at the summit of Kīlauea

A view down the borehole that houses the UWE tiltmeter. The UWE tiltmeter was installed in 1999 and it is an important instrument within HVO's Kīlauea monitoring network, providing data on the pressurization levels within the shallow magma storage body beneath Halema‘uma‘u. USGS image by M. Warren. 

A view down the borehole that houses the UWE tiltmeter. The UWE tiltmeter was installed in 1999 and it is an important instrument within HVO's Kīlauea monitoring network, providing data on the pressurization levels within the shallow magma storage body beneath Halema‘uma‘u. USGS image by M. Warren. 

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