HVO staff performed some routine maintenance on the V1cam at Kīlauea summit. This webcam provides the livestream that operates 24/7, and has helped track recent eruptions in the summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Images
Kīlauea images of eruptive activity, field work, and more.
HVO staff performed some routine maintenance on the V1cam at Kīlauea summit. This webcam provides the livestream that operates 24/7, and has helped track recent eruptions in the summit caldera. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
HVO scientist setting up temporary GPS equipment south of Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano).The long profile of Mauna Loa volcano is prominent in the background. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.
HVO scientist setting up temporary GPS equipment south of Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano).The long profile of Mauna Loa volcano is prominent in the background. USGS image by D.A. Phillips.
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea volcano, from April 5 to April 27, 2024, as recorded by the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) TerraSAR-X satellite. This interferogram spans the beginning of the recent swarm under the upper East Rift Zone. White circles mark the locations of earthquakes during that time, as recorded by HVO seismometers.
This map shows recent deformation at Kīlauea volcano, from April 5 to April 27, 2024, as recorded by the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) TerraSAR-X satellite. This interferogram spans the beginning of the recent swarm under the upper East Rift Zone. White circles mark the locations of earthquakes during that time, as recorded by HVO seismometers.
Distribution of permanent seismic stations and previously deployed seismic nodes in southern half of the Island of Hawai‘i. Shaded regions display the total footprint that nodal deployments this spring and summer will occupy.
Distribution of permanent seismic stations and previously deployed seismic nodes in southern half of the Island of Hawai‘i. Shaded regions display the total footprint that nodal deployments this spring and summer will occupy.
A scientist takes gravity measurements on the sloping floor of Kaluapele. This part of the caldera floor, referred to as the "down-dropped block" moved downwards during the Kīlauea summit collapse of 2018.
A scientist takes gravity measurements on the sloping floor of Kaluapele. This part of the caldera floor, referred to as the "down-dropped block" moved downwards during the Kīlauea summit collapse of 2018.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. If magma is filling or draining void spaces, it may not be signaled by ground deformation or earthquake activity, but it will be signaled by gravity because of the mass change.
Gravity measurements detect subsurface mass change—for example, magma accumulation or removal beneath the surface. If magma is filling or draining void spaces, it may not be signaled by ground deformation or earthquake activity, but it will be signaled by gravity because of the mass change.
A volcano observatory scientist and a collaborator carry the gravity survey instruments across spatter deposits from the September 2023 Kīlauea summit eruption.
A volcano observatory scientist and a collaborator carry the gravity survey instruments across spatter deposits from the September 2023 Kīlauea summit eruption.
A gravimeter being deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera, with a GPS station located on a tripod nearby. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
A gravimeter being deployed on the floor of Kīlauea caldera, with a GPS station located on a tripod nearby. The gravimeter is the small, shoebox-sized instrument, which can measure a change in the force of gravity to one-in-one billionth of the force you feel every day. USGS photo by A. Ellis.
At each gravity survey location, a kinematic GPS station is deployed nearby for precise location data, used to correct for the variety of factors that influence gravity results—especially vertical deformation. This survey location is located near the CALS continuous GPS site on the portion of Kīlauea caldera that collapsed in 2018.
At each gravity survey location, a kinematic GPS station is deployed nearby for precise location data, used to correct for the variety of factors that influence gravity results—especially vertical deformation. This survey location is located near the CALS continuous GPS site on the portion of Kīlauea caldera that collapsed in 2018.
On March 25, HVO staff and collaborators conducted the annual gravity survey in Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano). Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.
On March 25, HVO staff and collaborators conducted the annual gravity survey in Kaluapele (the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano). Measurements of gravity over time can show how mass is distributed beneath a volcano. At Kīlauea, these routine microgravity surveys help the observatory to monitor volcanic activity and to determine changes in gravity. USGS photo by A.
This photo shows the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The circular area of yellow coloration, near the top of the photo, is spot where the first lava fountain emerged in the September 2023 eruption. In the lower portion of the photo, the remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot are visible.
This photo shows the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The circular area of yellow coloration, near the top of the photo, is spot where the first lava fountain emerged in the September 2023 eruption. In the lower portion of the photo, the remains of Crater Rim Drive and the Halema‘uma‘u parking lot are visible.
A close-up of the central portion of the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The small mound is the remaining portion of the island (or raft) of material formed in the early stages of the first crater-filling eruption in December 2020. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
A close-up of the central portion of the floor of Halema‘uma‘u, at the summit of Kīlauea. The small mound is the remaining portion of the island (or raft) of material formed in the early stages of the first crater-filling eruption in December 2020. USGS photo by M. Patrick.
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Most of the crater has been filled in by lava erupted since 2020. The flanks of Mauna Loa are visible in the background of this southeast-facing view. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
Aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u, a crater within Kaluapele, the summit caldera of Kīlauea. Most of the crater has been filled in by lava erupted since 2020. The flanks of Mauna Loa are visible in the background of this southeast-facing view. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
An aerial view of the Twin Pit Craters near Maunaiki trail in the Ka‘ū Desert of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
An aerial view of the Twin Pit Craters near Maunaiki trail in the Ka‘ū Desert of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.
This aerial photo shows some of the new cracks that developed as a result of the recent intrusion southwest of Kīlauea's summit.
This aerial photo shows some of the new cracks that developed as a result of the recent intrusion southwest of Kīlauea's summit.
An aerial view of Mauna Loa, taken from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on February 6, 2024. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
An aerial view of Mauna Loa, taken from the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea during a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight on February 6, 2024. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera), the Koa‘e fault system, and the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea on February 6, 2024. This aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u shows the fumarolic areas marked by white alteration that have developed on the lava flows that make up the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by H.
HVO geologists conducted an overflight of Halema‘uma‘u, Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera), the Koa‘e fault system, and the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea on February 6, 2024. This aerial view of Halema‘uma‘u shows the fumarolic areas marked by white alteration that have developed on the lava flows that make up the floor of Halema‘uma‘u. USGS photo by H.
Pu‘ukoa‘e, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea, is prominent in this aerial photo taken on February 6, 2024. The slopes of Mauna Loa and the Nīnole Hills are visible in the background. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
Pu‘ukoa‘e, on the Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea, is prominent in this aerial photo taken on February 6, 2024. The slopes of Mauna Loa and the Nīnole Hills are visible in the background. USGS photo by H. Winslow.
This map shows recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano. Yellow circles mark earthquake locations from January 31, 2024, through February 3, 2024, as recorded by HVO seismometers. Seismicity began early January 31 in the summit region and shifted to the southwest along the Koa‘e fault system late on January 31, 2024.
This map shows recent unrest at Kīlauea volcano. Yellow circles mark earthquake locations from January 31, 2024, through February 3, 2024, as recorded by HVO seismometers. Seismicity began early January 31 in the summit region and shifted to the southwest along the Koa‘e fault system late on January 31, 2024.
Ground cracks crossing Maunaiki trail following January 31–February 2, 2024, intrusion at Kīlauea
linkThis photo shows where some recent cracks cut across the Maunaiki trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as a result of the intrusive activity southwest of Kīlauea summit. On the trail, the cracks are less distinct because of foot traffic has moved the tephra around and started to fill in the cracks. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
Ground cracks crossing Maunaiki trail following January 31–February 2, 2024, intrusion at Kīlauea
linkThis photo shows where some recent cracks cut across the Maunaiki trail within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as a result of the intrusive activity southwest of Kīlauea summit. On the trail, the cracks are less distinct because of foot traffic has moved the tephra around and started to fill in the cracks. USGS photo by N. Deligne.
On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented new ground cracks along the Maunaiki Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, caused by the recent intrusion southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). These cracks primarily cut the loose Keanakāko‘i tephra which blanketed the region in 1790 CE. Some cracks were over 100 feet (30 meters) long.
On February 3, 2024, a team of HVO scientists documented new ground cracks along the Maunaiki Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, caused by the recent intrusion southwest of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera). These cracks primarily cut the loose Keanakāko‘i tephra which blanketed the region in 1790 CE. Some cracks were over 100 feet (30 meters) long.