ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Current update of the eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i</TITLE> <META NAME="description" CONTENT="A description of the most recent activity of Kilauea Volcano, including images, videos, maps, and diagrams."> <META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="USGS,HVO,Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,Hawaii Volcano Observatory,Hawai`i Volcano Observatory,Kilauea,Kilauea Volcano,volcano update,current eruption,eruption,eruptions,Hawaii,Hawai`i"> <META NAME="author" CONTENT="HVO, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory"> <META NAME="publisher" CONTENT="USGS, U.S. Geological Survey"> <META NAME="created" CONTENT="19980313"> <META NAME="expires" CONTENT="Never"> <style> <!-- td.msgBody { background-color: #ffffff; font: 14px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } --> </style> </HEAD> <BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" BACKGROUND="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripe100.gif" VLINK="#FF6600"> <table border="0" width="600" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td colspan="2"><a href="http://www.usgs.gov"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/banner3c.gif" alt="USGS" valign="top" border="0" width="600" height="74"></a><br> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/observatory/"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/banner3d.gif" ALT="Hawaiian Volcano Observatory" border="0" width="600" height="33"></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <!-- Table of navigation links begins here --> <TABLE BORDER="0"> <TR> <TD> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A href="#link_group_0"><img src="http://welcome.hp.com/country/img/spacer.gif" alt="skip past main content navigational bar" border="0" height="1" width="1"></a> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/"><IMG ALT="Kilauea" width="68" height="21" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/kilauea2.gif"></A><BR> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/bullet2.gif" width="7" height="7" Alt="bullet - no meaning"><A HREF="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/summary/main.html"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF">Eruption<BR> <IMG BORDER="0" Alt="spacer" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space2.gif" width="7" height="7">Summary</FONT></A><BR> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/bullet2.gif" width="7" height="7" Alt="bullet - no meaning"><A HREF="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/hazards/main.html"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF">Hazards</FONT></A><BR> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/bullet2.gif" width="7" height="7" Alt="bullet - no meaning"><A HREF="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/main.html"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF">History</FONT></A><BR> <IMG BORDER="0" Alt="bullet - no meaning" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/bullet2.gif" width="7" height="7"><A HREF="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF">Pu`u `O`o <BR> <IMG BORDER="0" Alt="spacer" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space2.gif" width="7" height="7">Panorama </FONT></A> <P> <P> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/maunaloa/"><IMG ALT="Mauna Loa" width="68" height="21" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/mauna3.gif"></A> <P> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/earthquakes/"><IMG ALT="Earthquakes" width="68" height="21" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/quake3.gif"></A> <P> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/"><IMG ALT="Other Volcanoes" width="68" height="36" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/other3.gif"></A> <P> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/"><IMG ALT="Volcanic Hazards" width="68" height="36" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/hazards3.gif"></A> <P> <IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> <A HREF="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/observatory/"><IMG ALT="About HVO" width="68" height="21" BORDER="0" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/observatory3.gif"></A> <A name="link_group_0">&nbsp;</a> <P><IMG width="85" height="2" BORDER="0" Alt="yellow horizontal separator line" SRC="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/stripelead.gif"> <P> </TD> </TR> </TABLE> </TD> <TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP"> <!-- Table of main content begins here --> <table width="506" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/kilauea4a.gif" alt="Kilauea" width="500" height="24" border="0"></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <div align="center"> <h3>Images</h3> <b> | <a href="http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php">update</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/deformation.html">deformation</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html">images</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/gallery/kilauea/volcanomovies">movies</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/maps.html">maps</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam/index.htm">Pu u  O o webcam</a> | <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam3/">July 21 webcam</a> | </b></div> </td> </tr> </table> <P> </CENTER> <p><i>Note: Check <a href="http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/pglossary.html">Photo Glossary</a> or a good dictionary for any terms unfamiliar to you. </i> </p> <!-- Chronology and images go here --> <p> <table width="506"> <tr> <td bgcolor="FFD700"><a name="images"><font color="00008B"><b>Images and Chronology</b></font></a> </td> </tr> </table> <i>Looking for images you could swear you saw here but can't find now? Check <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/main.html">Image Archive</a></i> <p></p> <h3> 27 December 2007 </h3> <p><b>Drained pond, "Thanksgiving Eve" breakout, and satellite shields </b> </p> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2068_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2068_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Drained pond 1 in foreground and TEB and satellitic shields just beyond and to the left. A recently active seep produced the pahoehoe flows directly left of pond 1."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2084_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2084_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Closeup of top of TEB shield (fuming) with drained pond 1 in foreground. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> Drained pond 1 in foreground and TEB and satellitic shields just beyond and to the left. A recently active seep produced the pahoehoe flows directly left of pond 1.<B>Right.</B>Closeup of top of TEB shield (fuming) with drained pond 1 in foreground. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2092_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2092_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Closeup of the still-incandescent supply end of the drained pond 1. Note the rockfalls from collapse of the walls and the dark lava coating the lower walls when the pond refilled in the last few weeks."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2101_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071227-TRO-2101_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Looking up a string of satellitic shields (fuming) to the TEB shield (also fuming) in the distance. Several active toes of small flows are smoking in the foreground. </tr>"></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> Closeup of the still-incandescent supply end of the drained pond 1. Note the rockfalls from collapse of the walls and the dark lava coating the lower walls when the pond refilled in the last few weeks.<B>Right.</B> Looking up a string of satellitic shields (fuming) to the TEB shield (also fuming) in the distance. Several active toes of small flows are smoking in the foreground. </tr> </table> <h3> 20 December 2007 </h3> <p><b>"Thanksgiving Eve" breakout </b> </p> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2251_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2251_S.jpg" width="200" height="134" border="1" alt="View from the west looking at the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) outlet (orange glow in center of photo) and the first pond in the perched channel (upper left). TEB lava is flowing southeast under the surface and breaking out approximately 500 m (0.3 mi) southeast (out of view). Lava in the first pond is about 5 m (16 ft) below the rim."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2316_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2316_S.jpg" width="200" height="134" border="1" alt="View looking southwest at TEB flow. The TEB outlet, and top of the TEB shield, is the small pointed hill in the upper right of the photo. Two breakouts near the base of the shield have created new flows. The upper-most breakout is the light grey lava (with incandescence) in the left half of the photo. Pu`u `O`o is in the distance. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> View from the west looking at the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) outlet (orange glow in center of photo) and the first pond in the perched channel (upper left). TEB lava is flowing southeast under the surface and breaking out approximately 500 m (0.3 mi) southeast (out of view). Lava in the first pond is about 5 m (16 ft) below the rim.<B>Right.</B>View looking southwest at TEB flow. The TEB outlet, and top of the TEB shield, is the small pointed hill in the upper right of the photo. Two breakouts near the base of the shield have created new flows. The upper-most breakout is the light grey lava (with incandescence) in the left half of the photo. Pu`u `O`o is in the distance. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2318_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_jk_2318_S.jpg" width="200" height="134" border="1" alt="The lower-most breakout near the base of the TEB shield is shown here, flowing southeast. This breakout comprises a broad fan of thin pahoehoe flows. "></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_col_0881_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071220_col_0881_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="Active pahoehoe breakout from seeps on the east side of the perched channel. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> The lower-most breakout near the base of the TEB shield is shown here, flowing southeast. This breakout comprises a broad fan of thin pahoehoe flows. <B>Right.</B>Active pahoehoe breakout from seeps on the east side of the perched channel. </td> </tr> </table> <h3> 13 December 2007 </h3> <p><b>"Thanksgiving Eve" breakout </b> </p> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6383_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6383_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="View of the west side of Pond 1, with lava at the rim. Spattering is occurring at the head of a cooled overflow."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6362_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6362_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Ponded lava within a broad seep on the eastern wall of Pond 3. The line of incandescence marks a front of overturning lava crust. Pond 3, which lacks incandescence, is the long narrow feature just above this seep. Just above Pond 3 is another large seep, flowing down the west flank of the perched channel."></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> View of the west side of Pond 1, with lava at the rim. Spattering is occurring at the head of a cooled overflow. <B>Right.</B> Ponded lava within a broad seep on the eastern wall of Pond 3. The line of incandescence marks a front of overturning lava crust. Pond 3, which lacks incandescence, is the long narrow feature just above this seep. Just above Pond 3 is another large seep, flowing down the west flank of the perched channel. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6351_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6351_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Pahoehoe flow originating from the ponded seep on the east side of Pond 3."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6715-c_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071213_xt_6715-c_S.jpg" width="200" height="133" border="1" alt="Complex lava channel originating from a seep on the western side of Pond 3. This flow is overriding lava from an earlier seep. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> Pahoehoe flow originating from the ponded seep on the east side of Pond 3. <B>Right.</B> Complex lava channel originating from a seep on the western side of Pond 3. This flow is overriding lava from an earlier seep. </td> </tr> </table> <h3> 10 December 2007 </h3> <p><b>"Thanksgiving Eve" breakout </b> </p> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1626_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1626_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="View of the active portion of the Thanksgiving Eve breakout, forming a narrow, braided channel to the south, extending 400 m (0.25 mi) from its source at Fissure D. Steam marks the beginning of the perched channel, which extends towards the upper right-hand corner of the photo. "></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_RL_0025_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_RL_0025_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="Thanksgiving Eve breakout flow emerges from the top of a small lava shield built over the last several weeks. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B>View of the active portion of the Thanksgiving Eve breakout, forming a narrow, braided channel to the south, extending 400 m (0.25 mi) from its source at Fissure D. Steam marks the beginning of the perched channel, which extends towards the upper right-hand corner of the photo. <B>Right.</B> Thanksgiving Eve breakout flow emerges from the top of a small lava shield built over the last several weeks. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1578_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1578_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="Lava has reoccupied the original perched channel, nearly filling the first pond (whose south end is marked by the steaming area) and resulting in overflowing of the third pond (in the foreground). In the upper right portion of the photo, Pu`u `O`o degasses in the distance."></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1594_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1594_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="A large terrace of lava seeping from the side of the perched channel formed on the east side of the third pond (the third pond is just beyond the right edge of the photo). In this view, the first pond is visible behind the seep terrace, and the start of the perched channel is marked by the steaming area."></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> Lava has reoccupied the original perched channel, nearly filling the first pond (whose south end is marked by the steaming area) and resulting in overflowing of the third pond (in the foreground). In the upper right portion of the photo, Pu`u `O`o degasses in the distance. <B>Right.</B> A large terrace of lava seeping from the side of the perched channel formed on the east side of the third pond (the third pond is just beyond the right edge of the photo). In this view, the first pond is visible behind the seep terrace, and the start of the perched channel is marked by the steaming area. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="506" border="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center"> <a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1576_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_AM_1576_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="Lava has not yet reentered the fourth pond, at the far end of the perched channel, shown here. The lava currently within this pond is inactive, with its level approximately 6 meters (20 ft) below the rim. Near the left edge of the photo is the former tube entrance, which had fed flows to the east during much of November. "></a><BR> </td> <td width="50%" align="center"><a href="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_MP_4994_L.jpg"><img src="http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/archive/2007/Dec/20071210_MP_4994_S.jpg" width="200" height="150" border="1" alt="Geologist sampling lava from the active seep on the east side of the perched channel. "></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" width="100%"> <B>Left.</B> Lava has not yet reentered the fourth pond, at the far end of the perched channel, shown here. The lava currently within this pond is inactive, with its level approximately 6 meters (20 ft) below the rim. Near the left edge of the photo is the former tube entrance, which had fed flows to the east during much of November. <B>Right.</B> Geologist sampling lava from the active seep on the east side of the perched channel. </td> </tr> </table> <div align="center"> <hr width="350"> </div> <P>Eruption-viewing opportunities change constantly, so refer to this page often. Those readers planning a visit to Kilauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes can get much useful information from <A HREF="http://www.nps.gov/havo">Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park</A>.</P> <div align="center"> <hr width="350"> </div> <p> <div align=center><A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/"><IMG ALT="Home" width="51" height="18" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/home2.gif"></A><IMG WIDTH="2" BORDER="0" Alt="blank spacer" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space.gif"><A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/"><IMG ALT="Volcano Watch" width="97" height="18" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/watch2.gif"></A><IMG WIDTH="2" BORDER="0" Alt="blank spacer" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space.gif"><A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/products/"><IMG ALT="Products" width="65" height="18" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/products2.gif"></a><IMG Alt="blank spacer" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space.gif" width="2" height="17"><A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/gallery/"><IMG ALT="Gallery" width="91" height="18" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/photo2.gif"></A><IMG WIDTH="2" BORDER="0" Alt="blank spacer" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/space.gif"><A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/pressreleases/"><IMG ALT="Press Releases" width="95" height="18" BORDER="0" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/press2.gif"></A><BR> <A HREF="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/howwork/"><IMG ALT="How Hawaiian Volcanoes Work" BORDER="0" height="20" width="407" SRC="http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/templates/work2.gif"></A></div> <p> <A name="link_group_1"></a> <ADDRESS> The URL of this page is http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html <br> Contact: <A HREF="mailto:hvowebmaster@usgs.gov">hvowebmaster@usgs.gov</A> <BR> Updated: 31 January 2008 (pnf) </address> </td> </tr> </table>