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Videos

Kīlauea videos of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

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Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater
Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater
Another rare look into Halema`uma`u crater

video shows another rare view of the active lava surface deep within the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. The lava is approximately 100 m below the floor of Halema`uma`u. The lava surface is disrupted by waves, splashes, bubbling and upwelling, with overall lava movement from the upper right to the lower left.

video shows another rare view of the active lava surface deep within the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. The lava is approximately 100 m below the floor of Halema`uma`u. The lava surface is disrupted by waves, splashes, bubbling and upwelling, with overall lava movement from the upper right to the lower left.

Halema`uma`u crater
Halema`uma`u crater
Halema`uma`u crater

movie shows the behavior of the active lava at the base of the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. Lava emerged in the upper right and flowed towards the lower left. The surface was disrupted by a chaos of waves, splashes, bubble bursts and spattering. The video is shown at actual speed.

movie shows the behavior of the active lava at the base of the cavity in Halema`uma`u crater. Lava emerged in the upper right and flowed towards the lower left. The surface was disrupted by a chaos of waves, splashes, bubble bursts and spattering. The video is shown at actual speed.

video thumbnail: As the Lava Churns As the Lava Churns
As the Lava Churns
As the Lava Churns

On June 4, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

On June 4, 2009, conditions provided a rare view of active lava churning within Kilauea Volcano's summit vent located in Halema'uma'u Crater. This video (actual speed) shows the surface of the circulating lava, which is about 100 meters (300 feet) below the crater floor, or 180 meters (590 feet) below the camera.

Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera
Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera
Halema`uma`u vent with thermal camera

movie shows recent activity observed within the Halema`uma`u vent with a thermal camera. The video speed is approximately x30. Cycles of filling and draining of the lava lake have been observed throughout much of the past week, following a collapse in the vent on March 25. Filling-draining frequencies have ranged from about 10 to 20 cycles per hour.

movie shows recent activity observed within the Halema`uma`u vent with a thermal camera. The video speed is approximately x30. Cycles of filling and draining of the lava lake have been observed throughout much of the past week, following a collapse in the vent on March 25. Filling-draining frequencies have ranged from about 10 to 20 cycles per hour.

Robust brown plume
Robust brown plume
Robust brown plume

movie shows the robust brown plume associated with a hybrid seismic event at 11:03 am. Brown plumes such as this have appeared occasionally throughout the past year of eruptive activity at the summit, and are often associated with rockfalls.

movie shows the robust brown plume associated with a hybrid seismic event at 11:03 am. Brown plumes such as this have appeared occasionally throughout the past year of eruptive activity at the summit, and are often associated with rockfalls.

Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent
Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent
Thermal video of Halema`uma`u vent

movie shows a thermal video providing views into the Halema`uma`u vent. At a depth of about 130 yards below the vent rim, there is a series of small puffing gas vents, and these occasionally throw small amounts of spatter into the air. The configuration and geometry of these small puffing vents have been observed to change on a daily basis.

movie shows a thermal video providing views into the Halema`uma`u vent. At a depth of about 130 yards below the vent rim, there is a series of small puffing gas vents, and these occasionally throw small amounts of spatter into the air. The configuration and geometry of these small puffing vents have been observed to change on a daily basis.

Ocean entry
Ocean entry
Ocean entry

movie shows the new ocean entry within the National Park, near the location of the buried Poupou-Kauka West archeological site. The entry consists of a series of narrow lava cascades falling onto the rocks at the base of the sea cliff.

movie shows the new ocean entry within the National Park, near the location of the buried Poupou-Kauka West archeological site. The entry consists of a series of narrow lava cascades falling onto the rocks at the base of the sea cliff.

Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles
Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles
Thermal imagery video of Halema`uma`u lava lake cycles

This video shows thermal imagery of the vent inside Halema`uma`u crater. The lava surface, about 130 yards below the vent rim, is clearly visible and can be seen undergoing cycles of filling and drainback. Filling phases entail a rapidly rising lava level with intense (and loud) spattering, followed by a gradual phase of lava draining back down the conduit.

This video shows thermal imagery of the vent inside Halema`uma`u crater. The lava surface, about 130 yards below the vent rim, is clearly visible and can be seen undergoing cycles of filling and drainback. Filling phases entail a rapidly rising lava level with intense (and loud) spattering, followed by a gradual phase of lava draining back down the conduit.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008) Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 14, 2008)

A sequence of collapses scattered over several hours on October 14, 2008, culminated in an explosive eruption that blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing e

A sequence of collapses scattered over several hours on October 14, 2008, culminated in an explosive eruption that blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing e

Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u

movie (x3 speed) shows the latest explosive eruption from the vent in Halema`uma`u, which occurred at 7:28am. A robust, ash-rich mushroom cloud is ejected, and followed by pulses of hot, glowing gas and particles. The explosion deposited a field of fist-size ejecta around the crater rim.

movie (x3 speed) shows the latest explosive eruption from the vent in Halema`uma`u, which occurred at 7:28am. A robust, ash-rich mushroom cloud is ejected, and followed by pulses of hot, glowing gas and particles. The explosion deposited a field of fist-size ejecta around the crater rim.

Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim
Explosive eruption from Halema`uma`u rim

movie of the October 12 explosive eruption captured by a camera located on the rim of Halema`uma`u just above the vent. The camera was completely engulfed in the ash cloud, turning day to night, then bombarded by falling ejecta.

movie of the October 12 explosive eruption captured by a camera located on the rim of Halema`uma`u just above the vent. The camera was completely engulfed in the ash cloud, turning day to night, then bombarded by falling ejecta.

Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse
Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse
Halema`uma`u ash-rich pulse

movie (x3 speed) shows an ash event from the vent in Halema`uma`u, occurring at 3:54 pm. The normally white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed with a vigorous ash-rich pulse that rises rapidly from the vent. Red flashes above the vent indicate hot, incandescent material being ejected.

movie (x3 speed) shows an ash event from the vent in Halema`uma`u, occurring at 3:54 pm. The normally white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed with a vigorous ash-rich pulse that rises rapidly from the vent. Red flashes above the vent indicate hot, incandescent material being ejected.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008) Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008) Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (October 12, 2008)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

On October 12, 2008, an explosive eruption, shown in this video, blasted lithic and juvenile tephra onto the Halema'uma'u crater rim 85 meters (280 feet) above the informally-named Overlook vent (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano)

Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent
Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent
Vigorously bubbling lava surface beneath Halema`uma`u vent

Movie shows a roiling, bubbling lava surface approximately 100 yards beneath the rim of the vent within Halema`uma`u. This is the first clear view of lava within the vent, which opened on March 19, 2008. The video was taken from a helicopter hovering over the Halema`uma`u overlook area.

Movie shows a roiling, bubbling lava surface approximately 100 yards beneath the rim of the vent within Halema`uma`u. This is the first clear view of lava within the vent, which opened on March 19, 2008. The video was taken from a helicopter hovering over the Halema`uma`u overlook area.

Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption
Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption
Nightshot movie showing the explosive eruption

Movie, in 'nightshot' mode and zoomed in on the Halema`uma`u vent, shows the explosive eruption which occurred at 8:13 pm. This eruption carpeted the area around the Halema`uma`u crater rim with ejecta as large as 8 inches long.

Movie, in 'nightshot' mode and zoomed in on the Halema`uma`u vent, shows the explosive eruption which occurred at 8:13 pm. This eruption carpeted the area around the Halema`uma`u crater rim with ejecta as large as 8 inches long.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008) Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Explosive Eruption (September 2, 2008)

An explosive eruption from the informally-named Overlook vent at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) occurred on September 2, 2008.

An explosive eruption from the informally-named Overlook vent at Kilauea's summit (see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/timeline/ for links describing eruptive activity at the summit of Kilauea Volcano) occurred on September 2, 2008.

Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence
Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence
Pulse of ash and flashes of incandescence

Video shows an ash-emission event at 6:53pm on August 31 from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The event begins with a robust pulse of ash, followed shortly by flashes of bright incandescence that rise about 50 yards above the vent.

Video shows an ash-emission event at 6:53pm on August 31 from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The event begins with a robust pulse of ash, followed shortly by flashes of bright incandescence that rise about 50 yards above the vent.

Fifth explosive eruption
Fifth explosive eruption
Fifth explosive eruption

Movie shows a small explosive eruption, at 7:37 am, from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The normal white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed by a more robust, ash-rich plume that rises rapidly from the vent. This is the fifth explosive eruption since the new vent at Halema`uma`u appeared in mid-March.

Movie shows a small explosive eruption, at 7:37 am, from the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. The normal white degassing plume is rapidly overwhelmed by a more robust, ash-rich plume that rises rapidly from the vent. This is the fifth explosive eruption since the new vent at Halema`uma`u appeared in mid-March.

Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase
Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase
Awesome movie! Ash-rich phase

Movie shows an example of an ash-rich phase at Halema`uma`u crater. This event occurred at 3:40pm. These sporadic ash-rich phases are probably due to small rockfalls within the vent.

Movie shows an example of an ash-rich phase at Halema`uma`u crater. This event occurred at 3:40pm. These sporadic ash-rich phases are probably due to small rockfalls within the vent.

video thumbnail: Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008) Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)
Halema'uma'u Ash Emission (August 20, 2008)

Beginning in early January 2008, sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit area of Kilauea increased to 2 to 10 times above background values, prompting partial closure of the summit region by late February.

Beginning in early January 2008, sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit area of Kilauea increased to 2 to 10 times above background values, prompting partial closure of the summit region by late February.