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

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Video of UAS water sampling, Kīlauea summit
Video of UAS water sampling, Kīlauea summit
Video of UAS water sampling, Kīlauea summit

This video shows another view of the unmanned aircraft system sampling water from Halema‘uma‘u. USGS video by C. Parcheta, 26 Oct 2019.

This video shows another view of the unmanned aircraft system sampling water from Halema‘uma‘u. USGS video by C. Parcheta, 26 Oct 2019.

Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit
Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit
Timelapse video of the water pond at Kīlauea summit

This timelapse video covers 1.5 hours and shows the motion of the water surface at the summit of Kīlauea. Along the shoreline, areas of apparent water influx are visible, often with a slightly greener color. Shifting steam on the surface attests to the high temperature of the water and the winds at the bottom of the crater.

This timelapse video covers 1.5 hours and shows the motion of the water surface at the summit of Kīlauea. Along the shoreline, areas of apparent water influx are visible, often with a slightly greener color. Shifting steam on the surface attests to the high temperature of the water and the winds at the bottom of the crater.

Water appears in Halemaʻumaʻu - Kīlauea Volcano
Water appears in Halemaʻumaʻu - Kīlauea Volcano
Water appears in Halemaʻumaʻu - Kīlauea Volcano

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Matt Patrick and Jim Kauahikaua talk about the water that appeared at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, in July 2019 and continues to rise today. They address why it appeared, how it’s monitored, and its potential hazards.
 

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Matt Patrick and Jim Kauahikaua talk about the water that appeared at the bottom of Halemaʻumaʻu, a crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, in July 2019 and continues to rise today. They address why it appeared, how it’s monitored, and its potential hazards.
 

Timelapse view of the Kīlauea summit water pond
Timelapse view of the Kīlauea summit water pond
Timelapse view of the Kīlauea summit water pond

This timelapse video covers about 30 minutes of activity at the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Water appears to be flowing into the pond from several locations, including the southern boundary (right side in this image). A small amount of material is also seen floating on the surface at the eastern end of the pond (top of image).

This timelapse video covers about 30 minutes of activity at the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea. Water appears to be flowing into the pond from several locations, including the southern boundary (right side in this image). A small amount of material is also seen floating on the surface at the eastern end of the pond (top of image).

Video of circulation in the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Video of circulation in the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Video of circulation in the Halema‘uma‘u water pond

This time-lapse video shows circulation in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u over a period of about 25 minutes. There appears to be an influx of water along the southern (right) shoreline. A broader eastward flow of water (toward top of image) is evident. The video is shown twice. USGS video.

This time-lapse video shows circulation in the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u over a period of about 25 minutes. There appears to be an influx of water along the southern (right) shoreline. A broader eastward flow of water (toward top of image) is evident. The video is shown twice. USGS video.

Two views of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Two views of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Two views of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond

Views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u on Friday, September 6, and Monday, September 9 are shown in this video. Ripples are evident on the pond, presumably due to wind moving over the water surface. No significant changes in the pond were observed over the weekend, and the water level continues to slowly rise. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u on Friday, September 6, and Monday, September 9 are shown in this video. Ripples are evident on the pond, presumably due to wind moving over the water surface. No significant changes in the pond were observed over the weekend, and the water level continues to slowly rise. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Changing activity on the surface of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Changing activity on the surface of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond
Changing activity on the surface of the Halema‘uma‘u water pond

Shown at 30x speed, this video highlights changing activity on the surface of the water pond. Steam wafting above the pond shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries. USGS video by M. Patrick, 09-17-2019.

Shown at 30x speed, this video highlights changing activity on the surface of the water pond. Steam wafting above the pond shifts in the wind, and circulation of the water is evident in areas of sharp color boundaries. USGS video by M. Patrick, 09-17-2019.

Video close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u
Video close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u
Video close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u

This sequence captured on August 31 begins with a close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u, then shows a broader view of the crater with the water pond at the bottom and a close-up of steaming and ripples on the water surface. USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-31-2019.

This sequence captured on August 31 begins with a close-up of the fumaroles on the north side of Halema‘uma‘u, then shows a broader view of the crater with the water pond at the bottom and a close-up of steaming and ripples on the water surface. USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-31-2019.

Overflight of Kīlauea summit
Overflight of Kīlauea summit
Overflight of Kīlauea summit

Another day of clear weather provided good views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. No significant changes were observed, and the thermal camera showed the water surface is still about 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick.

Another day of clear weather provided good views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u at Kīlauea's summit. No significant changes were observed, and the thermal camera showed the water surface is still about 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick.

Overflight of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on August 22
Overflight of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on August 22
Overflight of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on August 22

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō remains quiet. Clear weather during HVO's August 22 overflight provided good views into the drained crater. Rubble from crater wall collapses has filled in much of the deeper part of the crater, with the bottom now at about 250 meters (820 feet) below the east rim. The curvature of the horizon is caused by the wide-angle view of the camera.

Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō remains quiet. Clear weather during HVO's August 22 overflight provided good views into the drained crater. Rubble from crater wall collapses has filled in much of the deeper part of the crater, with the bottom now at about 250 meters (820 feet) below the east rim. The curvature of the horizon is caused by the wide-angle view of the camera.

Overflight of Kīlauea summit
Overflight of Kīlauea summit
Overflight of Kīlauea summit

Clear weather afforded good views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u. No major changes were observed in the pond, but the water continues to slowly rise. The water surface was steaming, and its temperature was approximately 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). For scale, the pond is about 70 meters (230 feet) long. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Clear weather afforded good views of the water pond in Halema‘uma‘u. No major changes were observed in the pond, but the water continues to slowly rise. The water surface was steaming, and its temperature was approximately 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). For scale, the pond is about 70 meters (230 feet) long. USGS video by M. Patrick.

Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 13, 2019
Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 13, 2019
Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 13, 2019

This video shows a close-up of the water pond at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u on August 13, 2019. Steaming from the water surface shows the shifting winds over the pond.

This video shows a close-up of the water pond at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u on August 13, 2019. Steaming from the water surface shows the shifting winds over the pond.

Close-Up of Ponded Water at Halema`uma`u
Close-Up of Ponded Water at Halema`uma`u
Close-Up of Ponded Water at Halema`uma`u

This video shows a close-up of the ponded water at the bottom of Halema'uma'u. Yesterday, the separate ponds joined into a single elongate pond. The water level has continued to slowly rise.

This video shows a close-up of the ponded water at the bottom of Halema'uma'u. Yesterday, the separate ponds joined into a single elongate pond. The water level has continued to slowly rise.

Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 9, 2019
Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 9, 2019
Kīlauea Volcano's crater lake on August 9, 2019

This video shows a close-up of the ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-09-2019.

This video shows a close-up of the ponded water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-09-2019.

More imagery from August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u
More imagery from August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u
More imagery from August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u

This video shows steaming from the main pond of water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u as captured on Sunday, August 4. Two smaller areas of ponded water were present a short distance east of this spot. Thermal images indicate that the water surface is roughly 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-04-2019.

This video shows steaming from the main pond of water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u as captured on Sunday, August 4. Two smaller areas of ponded water were present a short distance east of this spot. Thermal images indicate that the water surface is roughly 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-04-2019.

August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u
August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u
August 4 field observations of Halema‘uma‘u

This video shows steaming from the main pond of water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u as captured on Sunday, August 4. Two smaller areas of ponded water were present a short distance east of this spot. Thermal images indicate that the water surface is roughly 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-04-2019.

This video shows steaming from the main pond of water at the bottom of Halema‘uma‘u as captured on Sunday, August 4. Two smaller areas of ponded water were present a short distance east of this spot. Thermal images indicate that the water surface is roughly 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). USGS video by M. Patrick, 08-04-2019.

Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit
Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit
Routine overflight of Mauna Loa summit

This video shows Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa, during a routine overflight. The flight path goes from northeast to southwest, and begins at North Pit crater before crossing over the main caldera floor. In the southwest portion of the caldera floor, the 1940 and 1949 cones can be seen.

This video shows Moku‘āweoweo, the caldera at the summit of Mauna Loa, during a routine overflight. The flight path goes from northeast to southwest, and begins at North Pit crater before crossing over the main caldera floor. In the southwest portion of the caldera floor, the 1940 and 1949 cones can be seen.

Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit
Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit
Timelapse sequence shows a typical day at Mauna Loa's summit

This timelapse sequence of webcam images over a 24-hour period shows a typical day at the summit of Mauna Loa. The webcam (MLcam) is located on the northeast rim of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera. This sequence begins in the dark, with the moon rising (white dot at left in images), then brightens as the sun rises.

This timelapse sequence of webcam images over a 24-hour period shows a typical day at the summit of Mauna Loa. The webcam (MLcam) is located on the northeast rim of Moku‘āweoweo, Mauna Loa's summit caldera. This sequence begins in the dark, with the moon rising (white dot at left in images), then brightens as the sun rises.

Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera
Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera
Overflight of Kīlauea Caldera

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

This wide-angle video shows the southwest portion of Kīlauea caldera in the area of Halema‘uma‘u. Faint plumes of volcanic gas are rising from yellow fumaroles on the walls of the deep conical pit. Overall, no significant changes were observed at the summit on today's overflight.

3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō
3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō
3D Model of Pu`u `Ō`ō

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.

This 3D model of the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater was constructed from thermal images taken during a recent helicopter overflight. White areas show warm spots in the crater. Despite the absence of active lava in Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, changes at the crater have continued since magma drained from beneath it on April 30, 2018.