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Videos

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

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Large Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater
Large Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater
Large Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater

When large rockfalls impact the lava lake, they trigger explosive events that propel volcanic rock fragments (tephra) upward. This morning's event was vigorous enough to hurl incandescent fragments onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, about 110 m (360 ft) above the lava lake surface.

When large rockfalls impact the lava lake, they trigger explosive events that propel volcanic rock fragments (tephra) upward. This morning's event was vigorous enough to hurl incandescent fragments onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, about 110 m (360 ft) above the lava lake surface.

Rockfall triggers small explosive event in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Rockfall triggers small explosive event in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake
Rockfall triggers small explosive event in Halema‘uma‘u lava lake

Around 2:17 p.m., HST, on January 2, a rockfall from the east rim of the Overlook vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea impacted the lava lake, generating a small explosive event captured by HVO webcams. This Quicktime movie shows the rockfall as seen from HVO and Jaggar Museum.

Around 2:17 p.m., HST, on January 2, a rockfall from the east rim of the Overlook vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea impacted the lava lake, generating a small explosive event captured by HVO webcams. This Quicktime movie shows the rockfall as seen from HVO and Jaggar Museum.

Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater
Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater
Rockfall at Halema`uma`u Crater

This Quicktime movie shows the same rockfall as captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcam perched on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Note the fragments of molten lava flying toward the camera—just one of the hazards that led to the closure of this area.

This Quicktime movie shows the same rockfall as captured by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcam perched on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Note the fragments of molten lava flying toward the camera—just one of the hazards that led to the closure of this area.

Lava Sampling by HVO Geologist
Lava Sampling by HVO Geologist
Lava Sampling by HVO Geologist

This Quicktime video shows lava sample collection from the perspective of an HVO geologist.

An animated GIF of the sampling shot can be found at: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/lava-sampling-0

This Quicktime video shows lava sample collection from the perspective of an HVO geologist.

An animated GIF of the sampling shot can be found at: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/lava-sampling-0

Spattering in Halema`uma`u Crater
Spattering in Halema`uma`u Crater
Spattering in Halema`uma`u Crater

This Quicktime movie shows spattering at the margin of the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering has been common at the lake, and when it occurs is easily visible from the public viewing area at Jaggar Museum. This video shows a closer view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u, which is closed to the public due to volcanic hazards.

This Quicktime movie shows spattering at the margin of the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Spattering has been common at the lake, and when it occurs is easily visible from the public viewing area at Jaggar Museum. This video shows a closer view from the rim of Halema‘uma‘u, which is closed to the public due to volcanic hazards.

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 Quicktime movie shows a small explosive event that occurred at 1:20pm today at the summit lava lake. A collapse of a portion of the Halema‘uma‘u Crater wall impacted the lake and triggered an explosion of spatter. Fist-size clasts were found scattered along the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater near the closed visitor overlook.

This Quicktime movie shows a small explosive event that occurred at 1:20pm today at the summit lava lake. A collapse of a portion of the Halema‘uma‘u Crater wall impacted the lake and triggered an explosion of spatter. Fist-size clasts were found scattered along the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater near the closed visitor overlook.

Rockfall and Explosion at Halema`uma`u Crater
Rockfall and Explosion at Halema`uma`u Crater
Rockfall and Explosion at Halema`uma`u Crater

Quicktime movie of the rockfall and subsequent explosion at 10:20 a.m., HST, on April 28, 2015. Rocks falling into the summit lava lake generated an explosion that threw large fragments of molten lava onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, 85 m (280 ft) above the lake.

Quicktime movie of the rockfall and subsequent explosion at 10:20 a.m., HST, on April 28, 2015. Rocks falling into the summit lava lake generated an explosion that threw large fragments of molten lava onto the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater, 85 m (280 ft) above the lake.

Overlook Crater Lava Lake
Overlook Crater Lava Lake
Overlook Crater Lava Lake

The lava lake in the Overlook Crater, within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, has been rising over the past few days. Today the lava was as high as 14 meters (46 feet) below the Overlook crater rim. Several areas of spattering were active along the lake margin.

The lava lake in the Overlook Crater, within Halema‘uma‘u Crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano, has been rising over the past few days. Today the lava was as high as 14 meters (46 feet) below the Overlook crater rim. Several areas of spattering were active along the lake margin.

Overflight of Flow Front
Overflight of Flow Front
Overflight of Flow Front

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the active flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the active flow front.

Aerial Overview of Active Flow Front
Aerial Overview of Active Flow Front
Aerial Overview of Active Flow Front

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the active flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the active flow front.

Overflight of Flow Front
Overflight of Flow Front
Overflight of Flow Front

An aerial overview of the position of the flow front

An aerial overview of the position of the flow front

Overview of Flow Near Pāhoa
Overview of Flow Near Pāhoa
Overview of Flow Near Pāhoa

This Quicktime movie, taken at 11:30am, gives an aerial overview of the flow front and its position relative to Pāhoa. The movie is fairly large in size and may take several minutes to download.

This Quicktime movie, taken at 11:30am, gives an aerial overview of the flow front and its position relative to Pāhoa. The movie is fairly large in size and may take several minutes to download.

Close-Up of Flow Front Near Cemetery Rd.
Close-Up of Flow Front Near Cemetery Rd.
Close-Up of Flow Front Near Cemetery Rd.

This Quicktime movie shows a close-up view of the flow front, and its proximity to Cemetery Rd./AP‘A‘ā St. The transfer station is also shown.

This Quicktime movie shows a close-up view of the flow front, and its proximity to Cemetery Rd./AP‘A‘ā St. The transfer station is also shown.

Wide View of Flow Front Near Pāhoa
Wide View of Flow Front Near Pāhoa
Wide View of Flow Front Near Pāhoa

This Quicktime movie shows a wider view of the flow front, and pans to the right to show the flow's proximity to Pāhoa.

This Quicktime movie shows a wider view of the flow front, and pans to the right to show the flow's proximity to Pāhoa.

Aerial Overview of Flow Front
Aerial Overview of Flow Front
Aerial Overview of Flow Front

This Quicktime movie provides an aerial overview of the flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides an aerial overview of the flow front.

Pāhoehoe Flowing Over a Dirt Road
Pāhoehoe Flowing Over a Dirt Road
Pāhoehoe Flowing Over a Dirt Road

This Quicktime movie was captured at the flow front, and shows a small channelized portion of the pāhoehoe flow pouring over the dirt road embankment. Gas trapped within the flow is released via occasional small bubble bursts.

This Quicktime movie was captured at the flow front, and shows a small channelized portion of the pāhoehoe flow pouring over the dirt road embankment. Gas trapped within the flow is released via occasional small bubble bursts.

Small Collapse and Explosion in Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Collapse and Explosion in Halema`uma`u Crater
Small Collapse and Explosion in Halema`uma`u Crater

This Quicktime movie shows the small explosion of spatter that occurred at Halema‘uma‘u on Sunday, October 19. Spatter landed around the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook (closed to the public).

This Quicktime movie shows the small explosion of spatter that occurred at Halema‘uma‘u on Sunday, October 19. Spatter landed around the Halema‘uma‘u Overlook (closed to the public).

Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity
Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity
Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of activity at the flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of activity at the flow front.

Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity
Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity
Aerial Overview of Lava Flow Activity

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of activity at the flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of activity at the flow front.

Aerial Overview of Activity
Aerial Overview of Activity
Aerial Overview of Activity

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the flow front, showing its proximity to the the transfer station on Apa‘a St., and ends by panning over to show Pāhoa.

This Quicktime movie provides a brief aerial overview of the flow front, showing its proximity to the the transfer station on Apa‘a St., and ends by panning over to show Pāhoa.

Lava Flow Activity
Lava Flow Activity
Lava Flow Activity

This Quicktime movie provides a quick aerial overview of activity at the flow front. At the end of the movie there is a view of the lava stream in one of the skylights on the lava tube supplying lava to the flow front.

This Quicktime movie provides a quick aerial overview of activity at the flow front. At the end of the movie there is a view of the lava stream in one of the skylights on the lava tube supplying lava to the flow front.