Photo & Video Chronology — April 18, 2025 — New Kīlauea summit interferogram and UAS mission photos
A new interferogram shows deformation at Kīlauea volcano during the pause between episodes 17 and 18 of the ongoing summit eruption.
This map shows deformation at Kīlauea volcano associated with the ongoing summit eruption that started on December 23, 2024. The image covers the timespan from April 9–17, 2025, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency’s (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation. Colored fringes denote areas of ground deformation, with more fringes indicating more deformation. Each color cycle represents 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) of range change. The symbol in the upper left indicates the satellite’s orbit direction (arrow) and look direction (bar). The round fringes within and around Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) indicate ground surface inflation over this time period (during the pause between episodes 17 and 18) as magma accumulates in the Halemaʻumaʻu magma chamber at a depth of approximately 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) below the ground surface. The vents for the ongoing eruption are located near the southwestern corner of the active lava flow field (pink area). For information about interpreting interferograms, see this “Volcano Watch” article: It’s all about perspective: How to interpret an interferogram.
During UAS (uncrewed aircraft systems) overflights on April 18, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists flew their aircraft directly above the south vent within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea for a close-up view into its depths. Here, a small lava pond can be seen several tens of meters (yards) down within the vent, throwing spatter into the conduit but not all the way to the surface through the vent opening, which they estimated to measure about 5–10 meters (16–33 feet) wide. These UAS flights were conducted with the permission of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, owing to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s mission to monitor active volcanoes in Hawaii, assess their hazards, issue warnings, and advance scientific understanding to reduce the impacts of eruptions. Unauthorized launching, landing, or operating of a UAS from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service is prohibited under 36 CFR Closures & Public Use. USGS photo by M. Zoeller.
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