Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

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

Filter Total Items: 2879
fissure 8 on Kīlauea
fissure 8 on Kīlauea
fissure 8 on Kīlauea
fissure 8 on Kīlauea

This ‘a‘ā flow erupted from fissure 8 on Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 1, 2018, shows how the interior of a lava flow remains incandescently hot even though surface cooling forms a crust of solid rubble.

This ‘a‘ā flow erupted from fissure 8 on Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone on June 1, 2018, shows how the interior of a lava flow remains incandescently hot even though surface cooling forms a crust of solid rubble.

View of fissure 8 fountaining
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8

Viewed from the intersection of Nohea and Leilani Streets at 10:15AM HST on June 1, the Fissure 8 lava fountain (to the right) appears to have decreased in height from previous sustained heights of 260 feet.

Viewed from the intersection of Nohea and Leilani Streets at 10:15AM HST on June 1, the Fissure 8 lava fountain (to the right) appears to have decreased in height from previous sustained heights of 260 feet.

Aerial photo of plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Near Kapoho Crater
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Near Kapoho Crater
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Near Kapoho Crater

Photo of the easternmost Fissure 8 lava flow in the vicinity of Kapoho Crater at 6:00 AM HST on June 1.

Aerial photo of vog
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 8 Lava Flow

Fissure 8 continues to feed lava into multiple flow lobes. One lobe is advancing through agricultural lands toward the northeast, as shown in this image taken from a helicopter overflight on June 1, 2018, at 6:21 AM.

Fissure 8 continues to feed lava into multiple flow lobes. One lobe is advancing through agricultural lands toward the northeast, as shown in this image taken from a helicopter overflight on June 1, 2018, at 6:21 AM.

Kīlauea Volcano — Caldera Changes (May 23 - 31)
Kīlauea Volcano — Caldera Changes (May 23 - 31)
Kīlauea Volcano — Caldera Changes (May 23 - 31)

This animated GIF shows a pair of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Italian Space Agency's Cosmo-SkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the calderaarea of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 23 at 6:00 p.m. HST and May 31 at 6:00 p.m. HST.

This animated GIF shows a pair of radar amplitude images that were acquired by the Italian Space Agency's Cosmo-SkyMed satellite system. The images illustrate changes to the calderaarea of Kīlauea Volcano that occurred between May 23 at 6:00 p.m. HST and May 31 at 6:00 p.m. HST.

Kīlauea Volcano: What's new and what's not...
Kīlauea: What's new and what's not
Kīlauea: What's new and what's not
Kīlauea: What's new and what's not

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, June 1, 6:00 p.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, June 1, 6:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, June 1, 6:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, June 1, 6:00 p.m.

Map as of 6:00 p.m. HST, June 1, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 6:00 p.m. HST, June 1, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Color photograph of scientists gathered
Ed Brown (identified by white arrow) pictured with his HVO colleagues during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption
Ed Brown (identified by white arrow) pictured with his HVO colleagues during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption
Ed Brown (identified by white arrow) pictured with his HVO colleagues during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption

Ed Brown (identified by white arrow, standing behind former USGS HVO Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal) pictured with his HVO colleagues during the 2018 Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse when HVO staff were temporarily based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Geology Department following the evacuation of the HVO building in Hawaiʻi Volcano

Ed Brown (identified by white arrow, standing behind former USGS HVO Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal) pictured with his HVO colleagues during the 2018 Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse when HVO staff were temporarily based at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Geology Department following the evacuation of the HVO building in Hawaiʻi Volcano

Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne
Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanne

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

An aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano captured from an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) overflight video on May 31, 2018. Limited UAS flights into this hazardous area are conducted with permission and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to collect visual information on this changing eruption site.

Sunrise looking photo but created by lava fountaining in the early morning.
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity
Kīlauea Volcano — Early Morning Fissure 8 Activity

Crews make visual observations of activity at fissure 8 around 5:30 a.m. HST. Fountain heights this morning continue to reach 70 to 80 m (230 to 260 ft) above ground level.

Crews make visual observations of activity at fissure 8 around 5:30 a.m. HST. Fountain heights this morning continue to reach 70 to 80 m (230 to 260 ft) above ground level.

Aerial photo of fissures
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8
Kīlauea Volcano — Advancing Lobes from Fissure 8

Helicopter overflight shows advancing lobes from fissure 8 (fissure 8 is not pictured but located to the right, out of view). Advance rates were less than 100 yards per hour for the three lobes of the flow, as measured during the overnight hours.

Helicopter overflight shows advancing lobes from fissure 8 (fissure 8 is not pictured but located to the right, out of view). Advance rates were less than 100 yards per hour for the three lobes of the flow, as measured during the overnight hours.

Aerial photo of lava flows
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow
Kīlauea Volcano — Fissure 18 Lava Flow

Lava from fissure 18 travels to the southeast (lower left of photo). The flow front that had approached the ocean yesterday has stalled. This view is looking uprift, with fissure 8 in the distance (upper right of photo).

Lava from fissure 18 travels to the southeast (lower left of photo). The flow front that had approached the ocean yesterday has stalled. This view is looking uprift, with fissure 8 in the distance (upper right of photo).

Lava on a street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street
Kīlauea Volcano — Lava on Kahukai Street

Lava from fissure 8 advances on Kahukai Street. Lava in this area is as much as 3.5 yards in height.

Lava from fissure 8 advances on Kahukai Street. Lava in this area is as much as 3.5 yards in height.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 9:00 a.m.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 31, 2:00 p.m.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 2:00 p.m. HST, May 31, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Aerial of lava flow
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —

Lava flow erupted from fissure 8, photographed during HVO's early morning overflight today.

Lava flow erupted from fissure 8, photographed during HVO's early morning overflight today.

Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume
Kīlauea Volcano — Summit Plume

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 9:00 a.m.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted—and could have changed rapidly since that time.

Map as of 9:00 a.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted—and could have changed rapidly since that time.

Kīlauea summit activity ...
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity
Kīlauea summit activity

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Views Kīlauea's summit were often obscured by fog and rain today, but a break in the weather around 2:00 p.m. HST allowed HVO's webcam to capture this image of the gas and steam plume being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u.

Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m. ...
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.
Kīlauea LERZ Fissures and Flows, May 30, 3:00 p.m.

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Map as of 3:00 p.m. HST, May 30, 2018. Given the dynamic nature of Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone eruption, with changing vent locations, fissures starting and stopping, and varying rates of lava effusion, map details shown here are accurate as of the date/time noted. Shaded purple areas indicate lava flows erupted in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 2014-2015.

Aerial of lava fountain
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —
Kīlauea Volcano —

Fissure 8 reactivated on the afternoon of May 28, when, at times, lava fountains were reaching heights of 200 feet and feeding a lava flow&

Fissure 8 reactivated on the afternoon of May 28, when, at times, lava fountains were reaching heights of 200 feet and feeding a lava flow&