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Videos

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

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Ocean Entry View at Kamokuna
Ocean Entry View at Kamokuna
Ocean Entry View at Kamokuna

The Kamokuna ocean entry remains active, with recent lava flows spreading out over the surface of the lava delta. The spot where the lava tube exits the seacliff is visible, and a ramp of solidifed lava has been built here. Lava then flows into a tube on the lava delta, and finally flows into the water at several spots, marked by the gas plume.

The Kamokuna ocean entry remains active, with recent lava flows spreading out over the surface of the lava delta. The spot where the lava tube exits the seacliff is visible, and a ramp of solidifed lava has been built here. Lava then flows into a tube on the lava delta, and finally flows into the water at several spots, marked by the gas plume.

Lava Sampling From Active Lava Flow
Lava Sampling From Active Lava Flow
Lava Sampling From Active Lava Flow

This video clip shows HVO geologist Tim Orr sampling lava from an active pāhoehoe breakout on the episode 61g lava flow. The chemistry of these lava samples provides information on the magma plumbing system. Sampling has been a regular part of monitoring Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption.

This video clip shows HVO geologist Tim Orr sampling lava from an active pāhoehoe breakout on the episode 61g lava flow. The chemistry of these lava samples provides information on the magma plumbing system. Sampling has been a regular part of monitoring Kīlauea Volcano's ongoing Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō eruption.

Time-lapse sequence shows Halema‘uma‘u gas plume
Time-lapse sequence shows Halema‘uma‘u gas plume
Time-lapse sequence shows Halema‘uma‘u gas plume

This time-lapse sequence shows the outgassing plume from the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The images were captured by a camera on the flank of Mauna Loa on May 19, 2017. As the plume rose from the vent, it reached the atmospheric inversion layer, which effectively capped the height of the plume.

This time-lapse sequence shows the outgassing plume from the Halema‘uma‘u lava lake at the summit of Kīlauea. The images were captured by a camera on the flank of Mauna Loa on May 19, 2017. As the plume rose from the vent, it reached the atmospheric inversion layer, which effectively capped the height of the plume.

Kamokuna Delta Formed
Kamokuna Delta Formed
Kamokuna Delta Formed

This video clip shows the Kamokuna ocean entry, with the laze plume blocking the view of the delta. The billowing white cloud rising from the ocean entry is a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

This video clip shows the Kamokuna ocean entry, with the laze plume blocking the view of the delta. The billowing white cloud rising from the ocean entry is a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

A 3D tour of Kīlauea's summit lava lake
A 3D tour of Kīlauea's summit lava lake
A 3D tour of Kīlauea's summit lava lake

This 3D model of the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit was constructed from a series of thermal images acquired during an overflight on Thursday, March 16. For scale, the lava lake is about 250 meters (820 ft) across. The lake is within the Overlook crater, which is within Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

This 3D model of the lava lake at Kīlauea's summit was constructed from a series of thermal images acquired during an overflight on Thursday, March 16. For scale, the lava lake is about 250 meters (820 ft) across. The lake is within the Overlook crater, which is within Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Kīlauea Volcano's "Firehose Flow"
Kīlauea Volcano's "Firehose Flow"
Kīlauea Volcano's "Firehose Flow"

VIDEO: Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the "firehose flow" could be clearly seen from the public lava viewing area, 800 meters (about one-half mile) east of the ocean entry, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

VIDEO: Kīlauea Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the "firehose flow" could be clearly seen from the public lava viewing area, 800 meters (about one-half mile) east of the ocean entry, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Cliff Edge Crack Movement
Cliff Edge Crack Movement
Cliff Edge Crack Movement

VIDEO: The section of sea cliff above the ocean entry collapsed today at about 12:55 p.m. The sea cliff had become increasingly unstable as a large crack 5–10 m (16–33 ft) inland of the ocean entry had more than doubled in width, from 30 cm (1 ft) to 70 cm (2.5 ft), over the past several days.

VIDEO: The section of sea cliff above the ocean entry collapsed today at about 12:55 p.m. The sea cliff had become increasingly unstable as a large crack 5–10 m (16–33 ft) inland of the ocean entry had more than doubled in width, from 30 cm (1 ft) to 70 cm (2.5 ft), over the past several days.

Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean
Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean
Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean

This video clip shows the open lava stream pouring into the ocean. Frequent littoral explosions throw bits of lava to heights of over 27 m (30 yards).

This video clip shows the open lava stream pouring into the ocean. Frequent littoral explosions throw bits of lava to heights of over 27 m (30 yards).

Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean
Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean
Open Lava Stream Pouring Into Ocean

The open lava stream continues at the Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the stream was remarkably steady, but produced pulsating littoral explosions where the lava impacted the water.

The open lava stream continues at the Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the stream was remarkably steady, but produced pulsating littoral explosions where the lava impacted the water.

Close Up of Lava Ocean Entry
Close Up of Lava Ocean Entry
Close Up of Lava Ocean Entry

The open lava stream continues at the Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the stream was remarkably steady, but produced pulsating littoral explosions where the lava impacted the water.

The open lava stream continues at the Kamokuna ocean entry. Today, the stream was remarkably steady, but produced pulsating littoral explosions where the lava impacted the water.

Lava Tube Pouring Out Into Ocean
Lava Tube Pouring Out Into Ocean
Lava Tube Pouring Out Into Ocean

This video clip shows the lava stream - about 1-2 m or yards wide - pouring out of the tube into the Pacific Ocean, triggering pulsating explosions that are throwing bits of lava onto the top of the sea cliff.

This video clip shows the lava stream - about 1-2 m or yards wide - pouring out of the tube into the Pacific Ocean, triggering pulsating explosions that are throwing bits of lava onto the top of the sea cliff.

Lava Lake Spattering
Lava Lake Spattering
Lava Lake Spattering

This video clip shows spattering that was active along the southeast margin of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit. Rising lava levels over the past day provided improved views of the lake surface from the Halema'uma'u Crater rim (closed to the public due to ongoing volcanic hazards).

This video clip shows spattering that was active along the southeast margin of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at Kilauea's summit. Rising lava levels over the past day provided improved views of the lake surface from the Halema'uma'u Crater rim (closed to the public due to ongoing volcanic hazards).

Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u
Time-lapse sequence of lava lake activity at Halema‘uma‘u

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

This video, at 50x speed to illustrate the motion of the lava lake surface, shows typical lava lake activity within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Lava upwells in the northern portion of the lake (left side of image), with most of the lake surface flowing towards the south (right side).

Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake
Another rockfall triggers an explosive event in the summit lava lake

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

As you watch this VIDEO CLIP, note the rocky ledge (yellow arrow) at the bottom of the webcam image. At 6:58 a.m., HST, today, this large slab of the summit vent wall, located directly below HVO's HMcam, collapsed.

Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake
Rockfall triggers an explosive event in summit lava lake

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

VIDEO CLIP captured by HVO webcam: At 11:59 a.m., a rockfall from the south wall of Halema‘uma‘u Crater triggered a small explosive event in the summit lava lake. The explosion threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) onto the rim of the crater, mostly to the west of the former visitor overlook.

Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Explosive Event at Halema`uma`u Crater

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

This VIDEO CLIP shows a cloud of ash and spatter being thrown from the summit lava lake during today's explosive event. The images were captured by an HVO webcam located on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, just above the rockfall area.

Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater
Lava Activity in Halema`uma`u Crater

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).

This video shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake, and this video shows the view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u (closed to the public due to volcanic hazards). This spattering has recently been visible from the Jaggar Overlook inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (open to the public).

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

This video clip shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake. Today, spattering was active along the east margin of the lake, throwina small bits ot spatter to heights of about 15 m (roughly 50 Meet).

This video clip shows activity in the summit lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater. Spattering like this is common in the lake. Today, spattering was active along the east margin of the lake, throwina small bits ot spatter to heights of about 15 m (roughly 50 Meet).

Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake
Spattering at Kīlauea's Summit Lava Lake

This video shows spattering in two locations of Kīlauea's summit lava lake. In the first segment, spattering is active in a small area in the southern portion of the lake. In the second segment, spattering on the east margin of the lake has created an overhanging ledge with dangling lava stalactites.

This video shows spattering in two locations of Kīlauea's summit lava lake. In the first segment, spattering is active in a small area in the southern portion of the lake. In the second segment, spattering on the east margin of the lake has created an overhanging ledge with dangling lava stalactites.

Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake
Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake
Episodic Bubbling in Lava Lake

This video clip shows the northern portion of the lava lake, where episodic bubbling commonly occurs. The northern margin of the lake is in the upper right portion of the photo. Note how the bubbling occurs in the same general area, regardless of the movement of the crustal plates. The video is shown at 20x speed.

This video clip shows the northern portion of the lava lake, where episodic bubbling commonly occurs. The northern margin of the lake is in the upper right portion of the photo. Note how the bubbling occurs in the same general area, regardless of the movement of the crustal plates. The video is shown at 20x speed.

Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua
Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua
Lava Breakouts at Kīlaeua

This video clip shows a few of the lava breakouts active on Kīlauea's coastal plain on September 20. The activity consisted of scattered pāhoehoe breakouts. The final segment in this video is shown at x20 speed.

This video clip shows a few of the lava breakouts active on Kīlauea's coastal plain on September 20. The activity consisted of scattered pāhoehoe breakouts. The final segment in this video is shown at x20 speed.