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This volcano update will take you to Cascades Volcano Observatory's website. Please use the 'back' button to return to HVO's website.

A volcano update is being hosted by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in collaboration with the Emergency Management Office of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.


Live panorama images of Pu`u `O`o's crater

Aerial view of Pu`u `O`o crater and camera site (circle), Kilauea volcano, Hawai'iDo you want to see what is going on in the crater of Pu`u `O`o, Kilauea's erupting vent? Then check out the new panorama image from a camera (circled in both photographs) located on the north rim of Pu`u `O`o's crater. The images are refreshed every five minutes. You will always find a link to the panorama on the Kilauea update page. We caution you to view the panorama in the overall context of what is happening at Kilauea Volcano. We urge you to always refer to the Kilauea update when viewing the panorama.

Aerial view of camera site on north rim of Pu`u `O`o, Kilauea volcano, Hawai'i The camera is subject to sporadic breakdown, and its remote location makes immediate repair impossible. Cameras can be where people should not. Pu`u `O`o is off-limits to the general public because of multiple and significant volcanic hazards.

 
Archive of previous feature stories

  View of lava spattering in crater of Pu`u `O`o, Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i
Photograph by C. Heliker
12 September 2003
Top: Within minutes of erupting on the crater floor of Pu`u `O`o, lava drains back into the East Pond Vent and causes vigorous lava spattering as high as 10 m. The flow and drainback lasted only a few minutes. Such activity is probably caused by rising bubbles of gas that lift lava to the surface. The crust breaks, allowing gas to escape vigorously and drive brief spattering or a low fountain. When most of the gas has been lost, lava drains back into the vent. This activity is called gas pistoning. For full sequence of images, see September 2003 archive.

Bottom: Lava spattering from the west vent in West Gap Pit of Pu`u `O`o sails over a hornito on the rim of the pit, now filled with lava. Several flows spilled from the pit down the northwest flank of Pu`u `O`o, adding yet more lava to the west shield. The hornito and West Gap Pit were present before this most recent activity.

Archive of Featured Photographs

  Lava spattering from the West Gap Pit on the west flank of Pu`u `O`o, Kilauea Volcano
Photograph by C. Heliker
3 October 2003

 

More Volcano Information from HVO and Beyond

Earthquake seismogramReport a felt earthquake to HVO using this form.
More USGS Volcano Web sites

Volcano WatchCurrent issue of Volcano Watch essay, written weekly by USGS scientists.
National Park ServiceHawai`i Volcanoes National Park, home to HVO. Find visitor information and resources here. Graphic: Kids DoorVolcanoes for kids, from the Volcano World website.
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Last modification: Monday, 04-Oct-2004 14:15:21 EDT (SRB)