The newest phase of Kilauea volcano’s ongoing eruption has opened as many as 20 new fissures on Hawaii's Big Island over the past two weeks, spewing lava and volcanic gases, forcing the evacuation of nearly 2,000 residents, and destroying dozens of homes near the town of Pahoa. Officials from the U.S. Geological Survey have been watching a recent lowering of the lava lake in Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater, warning residents and visitors of a possible explosive eruption that could launch car-sized boulders far into the sky. Here, a collection of images from the past week of the new fissures, the lava flow, and its effects on the natural environment and human infrastructure.
Spectacular Images of the Recent Eruptions in Hawaii
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![]()
Read moreLava flows at a new fissure in the aftermath of eruptions from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island as a local resident walks nearby after taking photos on May 12, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
-
![]()
Read moreLava and gas explode from fissure 17 at Leilani Estates in the aftermath of eruptions from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, on May 13, 2018. #
Andrew Richard Hara / Ena Media Hawaii / Getty -
![]()
Read moreAn ash plume rises from the Halemaumau crater within the Kilauea volcano summit caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on May 9, 2018. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreAn aerial view of lava erupting from a fissure east of the Leilani Estates subdivision on May 13, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreSteam and gas rise in Leilani Estates in the aftermath of the Kilauea volcano eruption on May 10, 2018. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreLava flies in the air after erupting from a fissure near a home on the outskirts of Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read moreLava erupts from a newly formed fissure in Kapoko on Hawaii's Big Island on May 12, 2018. #
Gianrigo Marletta / AFP / Getty -
![]()
Read moreLava erupts from a fissure east of Leilani Estates on May 12, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreJolon Clinton, 15, (left), and her sister, Halcy, 17, take photos of a fissure near their home on the outskirts of Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreLava flows near a fissure on Hawaii's Big Island on May 12, 2018. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreA dead palm tree stands in a lava flow in Leilani Estates on May 13, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read moreLava erupts, sending spatters into the air from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreAn onlooker watches as lava erupts from a fissure east of Leilani Estates on May 12, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreLava flies in the air, erupting from a fissure in Pahoa, Hawaii, on May 12, 2018. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreLava erupts and spreads from a fissure east of Leilani Estates on May 13, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreVolcanic gases rise from a fissure near the remains of a structure in Leilani Estates on May 13, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read moreA "no trespassing" sign hangs from a tree in a lava flow in Leilani Estates on May 13, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreHannique Ruder, a 65-year-old resident living in Leilani Estates, stands on a mound of hardened lava on May 11, 2018. #
Jae C. Hong / AP -
![]()
Read moreLava erupts from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read morePhotographers take photos of the eruption near Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
![]()
Read moreLava erupts from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa on May 14, 2018. #
Terray Sylvester / Reuters -
-
![]()
Read morePark visitors watch as an ash plume rises from the Halemaumau crater within the Kilauea volcano summit caldera on May 9, 2018, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. #
Mario Tama / Getty -
![]()
Read moreAn onlooker talks on his phone as a lava fissure erupts nearby, in the aftermath of eruptions from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, on May 12, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. #
Mario Tama / Getty
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.