Images

This close-up image (5000x magnification) of a Kīlauea volcanic ash sample collected on May 23, 2018, was captured by a scanning electron microscope. Visible on the ash surface are tiny salt crystals that can be leached from the ash. Most of the salts in this image are aluminum sodium sulfate and calcium sulfate.

A pulse of ash rises from Halema‘uma‘u as part of semi-continuous emissions at Kīlauea's summit today. Ash can be seen falling from the plume as it is blown downwind in this image, taken around 3:28 p.m. HST.

Fissure 6 builds a lava berm across Pohoiki Road.

Helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone shows the lava channelemerging from Fissure 22 (not visible, but to the center, far right of the image). The lava is flowing downhill, from right to left in the photo.

One of the most intriguing images from Kilauea eruption near the Leilani Estates Subdivision is the blue burning flame of methane gas, observed in the cracks on Kahukai Street, on May 22, around 11:30 PM, HST. The view is to the southeast.

View from a helicopter of the channelized lava flow and active ocean entry. The fissure complex is visible in the upper center of the image.

U.S. Forest Service researcher Stephanie Barnes holds a rare Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus).

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

Two video cameras overlook the coast at Sunset State Beach in Watsonville, California. Camera 1 looks northwest while Camera 2 looks north. Every half hour during daylight hours, the cameras collect snapshots and video for 10 minutes. The various imagery collected:

A helicopter overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone shows the interaction of lava and seawater to produce a laze plume. Laze is formed when lava enters the ocean. The interaction sends hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles into the air.

Aerial view of an active lava break-out.

The fissure complex remains active in Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. At times, fountaining at Fissure 22 reached a height of about 50 m (about 160 ft).

The fissure complex, pictured in the upper right, continues to feed a meandering lava flow (in the center). Lava in the easternmost lobe i

View during an early morning overflight of Kīlauea Volcano's lower East Rift Zone. Two fissures (not pictured) are sending lava down two channels that merge near the coast.

Solidified lava from Fissure 17 (located to the east of the currently active fissure complex) has a consistency similar to toothpaste.