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Kilauea
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory


Photo & Video Chronology - Kilauea Archive

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31 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

End of the channel looking up toward vent. Kupaianaha is to the left.
 Another view of the channel end, this time from the southeast.
Left. End of the channel looking up toward vent. Kupaianaha is to the left. Right. Another view of the channel end, this time from the southeast.
Lava is seeping from the base of the channel.
 View of the fissure D vent area and the start of the channel.
Left. Lava is seeping from the base of the channel.Right. View of the fissure D vent area and the start of the channel.

28 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

View from fissure D down the open channel, which is now nearly full. The level of lava in the channel dropped Monday morning after a breach fed a short-lived flow 5.
 View of the end of the shortened channel showing lava spilling over and feeding back into the old channel which now feeds flow 6.
Left. View from fissure D down the open channel, which is now nearly full. The level of lava in the channel dropped Monday morning after a breach fed a short-lived flow 5. Right. View of the end of the shortened channel showing lava spilling over and feeding back into the old channel which now feeds flow 6.
Looking up flow 6 from its front, which started from the channel early this morning and has been burning forest much of the day.
 Looking down the channel from the lower end toward the advancing front of flow 6.
Left. Looking up flow 6 from its front, which started from the channel early this morning and has been burning forest much of the day. Right. Looking down the channel from the lower end toward the advancing front of flow 6.

26 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Looking upslope from near the end of the various lava flows. Flows 1 and 2 are to the left and 3 and 4 are to the right. Flow 4 is the one generating the smoke.
 Looking downslope near the ends of the various lava flows. From left to right, flows are 4, 3, 2, and 1.
Left. Looking upslope from near the end of the various lava flows. Flows 1 and 2 are to the left and 3 and 4 are to the right. Flow 4 is the one generating the smoke. Right. Looking downslope near the ends of the various lava flows. From left to right, flows are 4, 3, 2, and 1.
View of the whole eruptive episode from vent in the foreground to the flow front (smoke in the distance).
 The end of the open channel is taking on characteristics of aperched pon that frequently overflows on all sides.
Left. View of the whole eruptive episode from vent in the foreground to the flow front (smoke in the distance). Right. The end of the open channel is taking on characteristics of aperched pon that frequently overflows on all sides.
Closeup of vents D1 (left) and D2 (right, fuming).
 Closeup of lava falls near the junction where the streams from D1 and D2 join.
Left. Closeup of vents D1 (left) and D2 (right, fuming). Right. Closeup of lava falls near the junction where the streams from D1 and D2 join.

24 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Westernmost vent at top of photo, easternmost one at bottom. In this photo, lava from the easternmost one is contributing to the channel. Note the lava falls a short distance to the right of the vents.
 Westernmost vent is at the bottom center of the photo with the lava falls evident just beyond the point at which lava from the easternmost vent joins the channel.
Closeup views of Fissure D. The channel is fed from two sources with the westernmost one being dominant. The easternmost one is crusting over but still supplying lava to the channel. Left. Westernmost vent at top of photo, easternmost one at bottom. In this photo, lava from the easternmost one is contributing to the channel. Note the lava falls a short distance to the right of the vents. Right. Westernmost vent is at the bottom center of the photo with the lava falls evident just beyond the point at which lava from the easternmost vent joins the channel.
Closeup of lava issuing from the vents. Its texture indicates that the lava is full of gas and has a frothy nature.
 View from the now-inactive flow fronts of flows 1 and 2 with flow 4 burning the forest to the right side of the photo and Pu`u `O`o in the background.
Left. Closeup of lava issuing from the vents. Its texture indicates that the lava is full of gas and has a frothy nature.Right. View from the now-inactive flow fronts of flows 1 and 2 with flow 4 burning the forest to the right side of the photo and Pu‘u ‘O‘o in the background.
View of the active channel at the point where the channel is full to the point of overflowing. A small amount of lava continues to be fed down the channel and flow 4 is burning forest in the background.
 Pu`u `O`o crater is having moments of clarity. In this view, we can see a source of prominent fuming at the location of west vent (below the former Beehive vent). West Gap is the lower left, MLK is to the lower right and the Pu`u `O`o webcam is in the upper left quadrant of the photo.
Left. View of the active channel at the point where the channel is full to the point of overflowing. A small amount of lava continues to be fed down the channel and flow 4 is burning forest in the background. Right. Pu‘u ‘O‘o crater is having moments of clarity. In this view, we can see a source of prominent fuming at the location of west vent (below the former Beehive vent). West Gap is the lower left, MLK is to the lower right and the Pu‘u ‘O‘o webcam is in the upper left quadrant of the photo.

22 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Early morning view of newest flow fed by a channel overflow that started just before noon Tuesday.
 Newest flow a little later in the morning.
Left. Early morning view of newest flow fed by a channel overflow that started just before noon Tuesday. Right. Newest flow a little later in the morning.
Closeup of channel overflow diverting lava to the north (toward camera).
 Closeup of channel overflow from above showing flow diverted to both sides and a little leakage under the blockage (bottom of photo).
Left. Closeup of channel overflow diverting lava to the north (toward camera). Right. Closeup of channel overflow from above showing flow diverted to both sides and a little leakage under the blockage (bottom of photo).
Closeup of the toe of the newest active `a`a flow.
 Fissure D feeding lava into the channel.
Left. Closeup of the toe of the newest active `a`a flow. Right. Fissure D feeding lava into the channel.

17 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Overview of the fissure D vent area, the lava channel it feeds and `a`a flows advancing through forest in the distance.
 Somewhat closer view of the vent area and channel whose fluid surface is about 2-3 m below the channel edges.
Left. Overview of the fissure D vent area, the lava channel it feeds and `a`a flows advancing through forest in the distance. Right. Somewhat closer view of the vent area and channel whose fluid surface is about 2-3 m below the channel edges.
View of the flow fronts looking back up from the flow fronts to the channel with Pu`u `O`o in the background. The first `a`a flow is on the left and the younger, lighter-colored flow is on the right. The only burning is occurring around the younger flow.
 Looking upstream from a position along the flowing lava channel. Note the low lava falls near the top of the photo.
Left. View of the flow fronts looking back up from the flow fronts to the channel with Pu‘u ‘O‘o in the background. The first `a`a flow is on the left and the younger, lighter-colored flow is on the right. The only burning is occurring around the younger flow. Right. Looking upstream from a position along the flowing lava channel. Note the low lava falls near the top of the photo.

East Lae`apuki bench collapse

View of the East Lae`apuki bench on May 15, 2007, shortly after a small chunk of the bench had collapsed. This photo also shows the shatter ring that had developed just behind the sea cliff.
 View of the East Lae`apuki bench on August 17, 2007. Note the shatter ring. The bench must have collapsed some time Monday night because National Park Service personnel reported it Monday afternoon but a helicopter tour pilot reported it missing Tuesday morning. The collapse could have been caused either by the M5.4 earthquake Monday evening, the high surf in advance of hurricane Flossie, or both.
Left. View of the East Lae`apuki bench on May 15, 2007, shortly after a small chunk of the bench had collapsed. This photo also shows the shatter ring that had developed just behind the sea cliff. Right. View of the East Lae`apuki bench on August 17, 2007. Note the shatter ring. The bench must have collapsed some time Monday night because National Park Service personnel reported it Monday afternoon but a helicopter tour pilot reported it missing Tuesday morning. The collapse could have been caused either by the M5.4 earthquake Monday evening, the high surf in advance of hurricane Flossie, or both.

13 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

View looking to the west and up the flow with the eastern advancing front in the foreground, the northern advancing front in the mid-distance and to the right, and Pu`u `O`o in the background. The eastern front has advanced about 900 m to the northeast since Friday, August 10.
 Closeup of the northern advancing flow front that's entering and burning a bit of forest.
Left. View looking to the west and up the flow with the eastern advancing front in the foreground, the northern advancing front in the mid-distance and to the right, and Pu`u `O`o in the background. The eastern front has advanced about 900 m to the northeast since Friday, August 10. Right. Closeup of the northern advancing flow front that's entering and burning a bit of forest.
Closeup of the D vents feeding the channel with a persistent island. This part of the channel first formed as a perched lava pond that breached when the two vents (D1 and D2) combined outputs.
 Closeup of the point at which the older channel overflowed and created a branch to the north (toward the camera). Remains of the older channel can be seen toward the far edge of the flow and to the left. The vegetated cone in the background is Kalalua; the broad shield to the right of Kalalua and behind the active flow is Kupaianaha.
Left. Closeup of the D vents feeding the channel with a persistent island. This part of the channel first formed as a perched lava pond that breached when the two vents (D1 and D2) combined outputs. Right. Closeup of the point at which the older channel overflowed and created a branch to the north (toward the camera). Remains of the older channel can be seen toward the far edge of the flow and to the left. The vegetated cone in the background is Kalalua; the broad shield to the right of Kalalua and behind the active flow is Kupaianaha.

10 August 2007

Father's Day Eruption

1-1.5 cm sulfur crystals deposited on the trunk of a tree fern near one of the vents of the Father’s Day lava flow.
 What a difference seven and a half weeks makes! This lava pad was part of the Father’s Day eruption.
Left. 1-1.5 cm sulfur crystals deposited on the trunk of a tree fern near one of the vents of the Father’s Day lava flow. Right. What a difference seven and a half weeks makes! This lava pad was part of the Father’s Day eruption.

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Looking west from the 7/21 flow front (foreground) up the flow with Pu`u `O`o in the background.
 Detailed view of the squeeze outs and lobes issuing from the stalled 7/21 `a`a flow (upper right corner of photo).
Left. Looking west from the 7/21 flow front (foreground) up the flow with Pu‘u ‘O‘o in the background. Right. Detailed view of the squeeze outs and lobes issuing from the stalled 7/21 `a`a flow (upper right corner of photo).
Looking up the 7/21 channel at overflows. The channel appears pretty full. Kupaianaha is on the left and Pu‘u ‘O‘o is in the background.
 A section of the channel that has just overflowed on both sides.
Left. Looking up the 7/21 channel at overflows. The channel appears pretty full. Kupaianaha is on the left and Pu‘u ‘O‘o is in the background. Right. A section of the channel that has just overflowed on both sides.

8 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Movie clip of Fissure D looking down the channel.
Movie clip of Fissure D looking down the channel.
Closeup view of the front of the `a`a flow that is advancing over 1983-1984 Pu`u `O`o `a`a flows covered in lichen and hosting young `ohi`a trees.
 Aerial view with the front of the flow in the foreground and Pu`u `O`o in the background.
Left. Closeup view of the front of the ‘a‘a flow that is advancing over 1983-1984 Pu‘u ‘O‘o `a`a flows covered in lichen and hosting young `ohi`a trees. Right. Aerial view with the front of the flow in the foreground and Pu‘u ‘O‘o in the background.
Aerial closeup of the flow front showing smaller flows that have spawned off of the simple ‘a‘a flow that stalled several days ago. The lava flow continues to advance as a collection of these smaller spawned lobes.
 Fissure D vents in foreground looking down channel to the flow front in the distance.
Left. Aerial closeup of the flow front showing smaller flows that have spawned off of the simple ‘a‘a flow that stalled several days ago. The lava flow continues to advance as a collection of these smaller spawned lobes. Right. Fissure D vents in foreground looking down channel to the flow front in the distance.
Aerial closeup of fissure D vents feeding the channel.
 View looking up the channel toward the fissure D source.
Left. Aerial closeup of fissure D vents feeding the channel. Right. View looking up the channel toward the fissure D source.

7 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

The crater within Pu‘u ‘O‘o has been fumed in nearly continuously since July 21. Some of the cracks are visible on the north and south rims.
 A nice view facing northeast of Fissure segments B, C, and D and the lava channel (light-colored) feeding the ‘a‘a flow slowly moving northeast in the distance. Pu‘u Halulu is the tan-colored split cone in the center of the photo.
Left.The crater within Pu‘u ‘O‘o has been fumed in nearly continuously since July 21. Some of the cracks are visible on the north and south rims. Right. A nice view facing northeast of Fissure segments B, C, and D and the lava channel (light-colored) feeding the ‘a‘a flow slowly moving northeast in the distance. Pu‘u Halulu is the tan-colored split cone in the center of the photo.
Looking up the ‘a‘a flow toward a fuming Pu‘u ‘O‘o. A lobe from the ‘a‘a flow appears to be moving into the forest.
 Closeup of the sources of the lava river. The sources are effusions from fissure segment D.
Left.Looking up the ‘a‘a flow toward a fuming Pu‘u ‘O‘o. A lobe from the ‘a‘a flow appears to be moving into the forest. Right. Closeup of the sources of the lava river. The sources are effusions from fissure segment D.

6 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

View of the advancing `a`a flow with Pu`u `O`o in the background. Not that lobes advancing from the flow front are narrow and one has touched forest. Only the trees immediately adjacent to the flow tip are burned.
 View of the fissure system in the foreground and the advancing flow front in the distance. Pu`u Halulu is the split cone on the lower right and Pu`u Kahauale`a is the vegetated kipuka on the left. The channel taking lava from fissure segment D to the distant flowfront is in the center of the photo.
Left.View of the advancing `a`a flow with Pu`u `O`o in the background. Not that lobes advancing from the flow front are narrow and one has touched forest. Only the trees immediately adjacent to the flow tip are burned. Right. View of the fissure system in the foreground and the advancing flow front in the distance. Pu`u Halulu is the split cone on the lower right and Pu`u Kahauale`a is the vegetated kipuka on the left. The channel taking lava from fissure segment D to the distant flowfront is in the center of the photo.
Closeup of the source of channel lava coming from fissure segment D.
 Closeup of a lobe issuing from the molten core of the `a`a flow. This is a change in the behavior of the flow and is the nature of the lobe that has advanced to the forest edge.
Left. Closeup of the source of channel lava coming from fissure segment D. Right. Closeup of a lobe issuing from the molten core of the `a`a flow. This is a change in the behavior of the flow and is the nature of the lobe that has advanced to the forest edge.

3 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Aerial view of the `a`a flow that has been advancing northeast from fissure D. Remnants of the two kipuka in its path can be seen along its north (right) margin.
 Closeup of the flow front and a small but active `a`a lobe about ready to engulf a young `ohi`a tree growing on earlier `a`a lavas from Pu‘u ‘O‘o.
Left. Aerial view of the `a`a flow that has been advancing northeast from fissure D. Remnants of the two kipuka in its path can be seen along its north (right) margin. Right. Closeup of the flow front and a small but active `a`a lobe about ready to engulf a young `ohi`a tree growing on earlier `a`a lavas from Pu‘u ‘O‘o.
Fissure D supplies lava to the channel from within former pond walls.
 The channel occasionally overflows its levees at this location on the north base of Kupaianaha shield.
Left. Fissure D supplies lava to the channel from within former pond walls. Right. The channel occasionally overflows its levees at this location on the north base of Kupaianaha shield.

1 August 2007

July 21 Fissure Eruption

Fissure B, adjacent to Pu‘u Halulu, was inactive today. The top of the perched pond had subsided to form a small crater. The walls of the crater are visible just above center frame. Fissure C, lightly fuming just above and to the left of fissure B in this photo, was barely active. The vigor of fissure D, however, appeared unchanged. The lava flow erupting from fissure D can be seen trailing off to the smoke in the distance at the top center part of the photo.
 This view, looking west toward Pu‘u ‘O‘o, shows the lava erupting from fissure D at the bottom of the picture. Heading up-rift toward Pu‘u ‘O‘o, fissure C is the next fuming area surrounded by silvery lava, and fissure B is beyond that next to the small tephra cone of Pu‘u Halulu.
Left. Fissure B, adjacent to Pu‘u Halulu, was inactive today. The top of the perched pond had subsided to form a small crater. The walls of the crater are visible just above center frame. Fissure C, lightly fuming just above and to the left of fissure B in this photo, was barely active. The vigor of fissure D, however, appeared unchanged. The lava flow erupting from fissure D can be seen trailing off to the smoke in the distance at the top center part of the photo. Right. This view, looking west toward Pu‘u ‘O‘o, shows the lava erupting from fissure D at the bottom of the picture. Heading up-rift toward Pu‘u ‘O‘o, fissure C is the next fuming area surrounded by silvery lava, and fissure B is beyond that next to the small tephra cone of Pu‘u Halulu.
This view, also looking west, shows the fissure D lava channel. The channel is about 100 meters across at the bottom of the photo.
 The lava flow from fissure D has traveled about 3.5 km to the northeast from the fissure. The terminus of the flow is shown here, while the source of the flow is the fuming area in the distance below Pu‘u ‘O‘o. The flow is crossing old ‘a‘a flows erupted from Pu‘u ‘O‘o from 1983 to 1986.
Left. This view, also looking west, shows the fissure D lava channel. The channel is about 100 meters across at the bottom of the photo. Right. The lava flow from fissure D has traveled about 3.5 km to the northeast from the fissure. The terminus of the flow is shown here, while the source of the flow is the fuming area in the distance below Pu‘u ‘O‘o. The flow is crossing old ‘a‘a flows erupted from Pu‘u ‘O‘o from 1983 to 1986.


Eruption-viewing opportunities change constantly, refer to the HVO home page for current information. Those readers planning a visit to Kilauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes can get much useful information from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.


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