Images

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists recently completed the annual GPS survey of Kīlauea.

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit region following the most recent eruption in September 2023. The provided statistics for the eruption were measured and calculated from detailed aerial mapping that was completed after activity had ceased; a much weaker gas plume allowed for more accurate modeling of the post-eruption lava surface. 

This map shows recent unrest at Kīlauea summit. Yellow circles denote earthquake locations from October 4–24, 2023, as recorded by HVO seismometers. Nearly 2,000 earthquakes were detected during this time period. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation from September 24–October 10 as measured by satellite radar.

Dr. Jim Kauahikaua using an instrument that detects very low frequencies on Pu‘u‘ō‘ō lava flows. The instrument allows for the continuous monitoring of the cross-sectional area of molten lava in the lava tube. USGS photo.  

This map shows recent unrest in Kīlauea’s summit region. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation and yellow circles denote earthquake locations.

A GPS site is occupied on the south flank of Kīlauea, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, as part of the 2023 annual campaign survey. The survey data will supplement continuous data collected at permanent GPS sites on Kīlauea volcano. The Pacific Ocean is visible in the background. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

A GPS survey benchmark is being occupied on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea. The metal disk on the ground beneath the tripod is the benchmark, which is cemented to the lava flow surface. Each year during the Kīlauea GPS campaign survey, a high-precision GPS unit is centered over the benchmark to collect data.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists continue performing the annual GPS survey of Kīlauea. Most Kīlauea and Mauna Loa GPS campaign survey sites have been occupied every year since the early 1990s, whereas the less active volcanoes Hualālai and Haleakalā are surveyed every 3–5 years.

This is a cover photo for a video compilation Kīlauea volcano's summit eruption in September 2023. The video shows clips of the eruptive vents and lava fountains as the eruption progressed from September 10-16, 2023. USGS image. 

This overview of the recent eruption site within caldera at the summit of Kīlauea was captured during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory helicopter overflight on Monday, September 18, 2023.

HVO field crews observed no eruptive activity at the summit of Kīlauea this morning, September 17, 2023. The eruption within the caldera that began on September 10 stopped on September 16. Some areas of steam persist, and overnight webcam views showed incandescence across the eruption area as lava erupted over the past week continues to cool. USGS photo by J.

A view of the inactive vents on the downdropped block of Kīlauea summit caldera, which erupted from September 10-16, 2023. During the morning of September 16, HVO field crews reported that active lava was no longer flowing onto Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor and was restricted to a ponded area north of the vents on the downdropped block.

Early morning view of Kīlauea summit, looking from the old Jaggar Museum near Uēkahuna Overlook towards the southeast. The eruption that began only a week ago has ended but leaves a significantly altered landscape. USGS photo by J.M. Chang. 

Telephoto view of a line of cones formed during the Kīlauea summit eruption that began on September 10, 2023, with no active lava visible. Photo taken during the morning of September 17, looking approximately westward from Keanakāko‘i Overlook. USGS photo by J.M. Chang.

During the morning of September 16, HVO field crews reported that active lava was no longer flowing onto Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor and was restricted to a ponded area north of the vents on the downdropped block in Kīlauea summit caldera.

A closeup of the cone complex formed in the recent eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, with weak spattering present in the western cone.  This spattering had ended by midday on September 16. USGS photo by M. Patrick. 

A wide view of the downdropped block at Kīlauea summit, from Uēkahuna bluff, showing the cones formed in the recent eruption.  The eruption was shutting down at this point with very little vent activity, and only a weak gas plume. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

During the morning of September 16, the lava pond on the north side of the cone on the downdropped block at Kīlauea summit was stagnating, with occasional foundering of the crust. The eruption was shutting down at this point with very little vent activity, and only a weak gas plume. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

This compilation shows thermal maps of the summit eruption over the past five days. The diminishing area of active lava, and decrease in the number of active vents, indicates a drop in eruptive vigor since the eruption started. 

A helicopter overflight on September 15, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.

A helicopter overflight on September 15, 2023, allowed for aerial visual and thermal imagery to be collected at the summit of Kīlauea. The eruptive activity continues with fountains active on the downdropped block, just east of Halema‘uma‘u crater, with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.