Active lava reached as far as the central lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, on the east side of the main island, where crustal foundering was occasionally happening. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Images
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
![Color photograph of active lava](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3029.jpg?itok=lsx4PBXe)
Active lava reached as far as the central lake in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit, on the east side of the main island, where crustal foundering was occasionally happening. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
![Color photograph of volcanic vent](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3030.jpg?itok=YxBIZw58)
Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22 included frequent spattering from multiple locations and an open lava channel which drops 20 meters (65 feet) from its source to the lava lake surface.
Activity at the west vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater on January 22 included frequent spattering from multiple locations and an open lava channel which drops 20 meters (65 feet) from its source to the lava lake surface.
Between overcast and rainy weather, HVO field crews took this photo at 3:34 p.m. HST on January 21, 2021, from the south side of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The photo shows Halema‘uma‘u's active west vent, which overflowed its tubed-over lower half at 2:51 p.m.
Between overcast and rainy weather, HVO field crews took this photo at 3:34 p.m. HST on January 21, 2021, from the south side of Kīlauea's summit caldera. The photo shows Halema‘uma‘u's active west vent, which overflowed its tubed-over lower half at 2:51 p.m.
This photo, taken at just after 6 p.m. HST on January 19, shows that the western fissure continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. The western side of the lava lake has an incandescent surface, while the eastern portion is more crusted over.
This photo, taken at just after 6 p.m. HST on January 19, shows that the western fissure continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. The western side of the lava lake has an incandescent surface, while the eastern portion is more crusted over.
![Color photographs of volcanic vent](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/conecollapse.jpg?itok=L79c-Rtl)
The western fissure at Kīlauea's summit continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. Around sunset on the evening of January 19, field crews observed a minor collapse event of the spatter rampart on its northern rim and the channel margins at 5:46 p.m. HST.
The western fissure at Kīlauea's summit continues to send lava into Halemʻaumaʻu crater through an open channel into the lava lake. Around sunset on the evening of January 19, field crews observed a minor collapse event of the spatter rampart on its northern rim and the channel margins at 5:46 p.m. HST.
![Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3021.jpg?itok=wJvILjsx)
On the evening of January 17, the vent on the north side of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit activated and seemed to become the dominant vent overnight. This vent is the one on the right in this photo. The vent on the left, which was the dominant vent over the past week, seemed less energetic today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
On the evening of January 17, the vent on the north side of the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit activated and seemed to become the dominant vent overnight. This vent is the one on the right in this photo. The vent on the left, which was the dominant vent over the past week, seemed less energetic today. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
![Color photograph of volcanic vents](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3022.jpg?itok=4FASylco)
A close up of the vent area at the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The two main vents were exhibiting low fountaining while a small vent in the middle had sporadic, weak spattering. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close up of the vent area at the western fissure within Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The two main vents were exhibiting low fountaining while a small vent in the middle had sporadic, weak spattering. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close up of the southwest portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, just south of the west fissure. The lava lake at Kīlauea's summit is perched, and is contained by a steep levee 2-3 meters (yards) high. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close up of the southwest portion of the lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u, just south of the west fissure. The lava lake at Kīlauea's summit is perched, and is contained by a steep levee 2-3 meters (yards) high. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
![Color photograph of volcanic vent](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3019.jpg?itok=zT8I-TvA)
Sunlight interacts with volcanic gas from Kīlauea's summit lava lake and western fissure in this late afternoon view. The western fissure has built a spatter cone on the steep walls of Halema‘uma‘u, with lava spilling into the active lake, which forms the lower right portion of the photo.
Sunlight interacts with volcanic gas from Kīlauea's summit lava lake and western fissure in this late afternoon view. The western fissure has built a spatter cone on the steep walls of Halema‘uma‘u, with lava spilling into the active lake, which forms the lower right portion of the photo.
![Color photograph of volcanic vent](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3018.jpg?itok=TRkXdU7T)
A closer view of the low fountaining at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The rim of the cone is built from accumulated deposits of spatter, and large chunks of the cone rim were observed to collapse from time to time. USGS photo by M. Patrick
A closer view of the low fountaining at the western fissure in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. The rim of the cone is built from accumulated deposits of spatter, and large chunks of the cone rim were observed to collapse from time to time. USGS photo by M. Patrick
![Color photograph of volcanic vent](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3017.jpg?itok=7awduWK0)
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The vent has formed a spatter cone around the fountaining, with lava spilling into an open channel that plunges into the lake.
Low fountaining continues at the western fissure, supplying lava to the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The vent has formed a spatter cone around the fountaining, with lava spilling into an open channel that plunges into the lake.
![Color photograph of volcanic vent and lava lake](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/VW_06032021.jpg?itok=iOopb-FG)
The west vent in Halemaʻumaʻu erupting and building a spatter cone complex, with lava cascades feeding a growing lava lake at Kīlauea summit. USGS photograph from January 11, 2021, by B. Carr.
The west vent in Halemaʻumaʻu erupting and building a spatter cone complex, with lava cascades feeding a growing lava lake at Kīlauea summit. USGS photograph from January 11, 2021, by B. Carr.
A close up view of the spatter cone over the west vent, in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo was taken on January 10, 2022, from within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor the eruption from within the closed area with NPS permission. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close up view of the spatter cone over the west vent, in Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea. This photo was taken on January 10, 2022, from within the closed area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists monitor the eruption from within the closed area with NPS permission. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
![Color photograph of lava lake](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3007.jpg?itok=lrOREdTY)
Around sunset on Saturday (January 9, 2021), a break in the rain allowed HVO scientists to visit and monitor the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u. The west vent is still actively effusing lava, but outflow into the lava lake is increasingly sluggish, as evidenced by slow-moving crustal plates near the once-vigorous vent outlet.
Around sunset on Saturday (January 9, 2021), a break in the rain allowed HVO scientists to visit and monitor the ongoing eruption in Halema‘uma‘u. The west vent is still actively effusing lava, but outflow into the lava lake is increasingly sluggish, as evidenced by slow-moving crustal plates near the once-vigorous vent outlet.
![Color photograph of lava lake](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/thumbnails/image/multimediaFile-3008.jpg?itok=TepF7QnR)
The arrival of nightfall at Halema‘uma‘u on January 9, 2021, provided a clearer view of ongoing eruptive activity for USGS scientists monitoring the eruption this Saturday evening.
The arrival of nightfall at Halema‘uma‘u on January 9, 2021, provided a clearer view of ongoing eruptive activity for USGS scientists monitoring the eruption this Saturday evening.
Kīlauea’s summit lava lake, in Halema‘uma‘u, just after sunset on January 8, 2021. This view is to the north, from the south rim of the crater. HVO scientists continue to monitor the eruption within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. USGS image by N. Deligne.
Kīlauea’s summit lava lake, in Halema‘uma‘u, just after sunset on January 8, 2021. This view is to the north, from the south rim of the crater. HVO scientists continue to monitor the eruption within an area of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that remains closed to the public for safety reasons. USGS image by N. Deligne.
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
This animated GIF was created from a clip within the original video showing crustal overturning at Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii. The original video was at 20x the speed of the event, and this animation 4x faster.
During an overflight of Kīlauea summit today (January 7, 2021) at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST, HVO geologists captured this image of the growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu. Sunny weather allowed for clear views of Mauna Loa, to the west. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
During an overflight of Kīlauea summit today (January 7, 2021) at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST, HVO geologists captured this image of the growing lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu. Sunny weather allowed for clear views of Mauna Loa, to the west. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Aerial image of the active west vent area and the largest island in Halemaʻumaʻu's growing lava lake. During the overflight of Kīlauea's summit today (January 7, 2021) at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST, HVO geologists noted that the dome fountain, which had been persistent near the base of the west vent area, had subsided and was no longer present. USGS photo by K.
Aerial image of the active west vent area and the largest island in Halemaʻumaʻu's growing lava lake. During the overflight of Kīlauea's summit today (January 7, 2021) at approximately 10:30 a.m. HST, HVO geologists noted that the dome fountain, which had been persistent near the base of the west vent area, had subsided and was no longer present. USGS photo by K.
This photo, taken during an overflight of Kīlauea's summit this morning (January 7, 2021), shows the southeast margin of Halemaʻumaʻu's growing lava lake. The photo shows the boundary between the active portion of the lava lake (left) and the subtle levee around the lake perimeter that allows the lake to be slightly perched.
This photo, taken during an overflight of Kīlauea's summit this morning (January 7, 2021), shows the southeast margin of Halemaʻumaʻu's growing lava lake. The photo shows the boundary between the active portion of the lava lake (left) and the subtle levee around the lake perimeter that allows the lake to be slightly perched.